Crafting your CV to stand out amongst the sea of hospitality professionals is a significant challenge you may be grappling with. By delving into our comprehensive guide, you'll gain access to industry-specific tips and examples that will help you refine your CV, ensuring it not only resonates with employers but also showcases your expertise effectively.
- Design and format your professional hospitality manager CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading hospitality manager CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your hospitality manager CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Structuring your hospitality manager CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your hospitality manager CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a hospitality manager CV
- Personal Statement highlights your dedication to guest satisfaction, as this sets the tone for your customer-centric approach.
- Employment History showcases your progression and expertise in the hospitality industry, reflecting leadership and service skills.
- Key Skills section demonstrates your specific hospitality competencies like team management and operational efficiency.
- Educational Background is necessary to show formal training or qualifications relevant to hospitality management.
- Certifications and Training display additional hospitality-specific credentials enhancing your professional standing.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your ability to enhance the customer experience by detailing successful initiatives you've led or participated in that improved service quality, guest satisfaction, or positive reviews in previous roles.
- Showcase your financial acumen by providing examples of effective cost-control measures you've implemented, budget management, or revenue growth strategies that positively impacted bottom lines.
- Emphasise your leadership and team management skills, mentioning specific instances where you've developed staff, managed diverse teams, or handled staffing challenges successfully.
- Include any specialised knowledge or certifications relevant to hospitality management, such as health and safety regulations, food and beverage qualifications, or hospitality-related technology systems.
- Demonstrate your flexibility and problem-solving abilities with examples of how you've quickly adapted to changing circumstances, resolved complaints, or turned challenging situations into opportunities to excel.
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How to present your contact details and job keywords in your hospitality manager CV header
Located at the top of your hospitality manager CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for hospitality manager:
- Head Chef | Culinary Innovation & Management | City & Guilds Certified | 12 Years of Leadership
- Hotel General Manager | Guest Experience & Operations | BA(Hons) Hospitality Management | 15+ Years Progressive Experience
- Events Coordinator | Corporate & Private Events Specialist | CMP Designation | Budget Management Expert | 7 Years
- Front Office Manager | Guest Satisfaction Champion | IHK Hospitality Certificate | Room Division Expertise | 10 Years
- Beverage Director | Sommelier Qualification | Mixology & Inventory Control | Upscale Dining Oversight | 8-Year Veteran
- Executive Housekeeper | Housekeeping Efficiency Expert | BICS Cleaning Cert. | Staff Training Lead | 9 Years' Tenure
Choosing your opening statement: a hospitality manager CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a hospitality manager job:
- Seasoned hospitality manager with over 10 years of experience leading high-profile luxury hotels in London, demonstrating a robust ability to boost guest satisfaction and streamline operations. Developed and executed a guest relations program that increased return guest numbers by 25% within the first year.
- Accomplished executive chef pivoting into hospitality management, bringing a unique blend of culinary expertise and business acumen to manage hotel operations. Reduced food waste by 30% and improved kitchen staff efficiency during a successful tenure at a renowned Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris.
- Dynamic professional with a decade of experience in the events industry, eager to transfer project management and customer service skills into a hospitality management role. Recognised for delivering bespoke high-end events which resulted in a 40% increase in repeat client business.
- Resourceful IT manager making a strategic move into hospitality management, eager to apply 8 years of experience in streamlining digital processes and enhancing customer digital interactions to enhance overall guest experiences at a prestigious hotel chain in Dubai.
- Aspiring hospitality manager with a fresh and enthusiastic approach, aiming to utilise a recent first-class Hons degree in hospitality management to deliver memorable guest experiences. Eager to develop strategic initiatives that align with the high standards of an esteemed hospitality institution.
- Driven individual with nascent professional experience, avid to embark on a hospitality management career. Keen to apply knowledge from a Bachelor of International Hospitality Management and passion for the service industry to exceed guest expectations and drive business success.
Narrating the details of your hospitality manager CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your hospitality manager CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Developed and executed operational procedures that enhanced guest satisfaction scores by 20%, showcasing strong leadership and commitment to service excellence.
- Managed a team of 30+ staff, conducting regular training sessions to ensure compliance with company standards and continuous professional development.
- Implemented cost-control measures that led to a 15% reduction in operational expenses while maintaining high-quality guest services, demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
- Orchestrated several successful events, including conferences and weddings, that increased hotel revenue by 25%, showcasing excellent event management skills.
- Liaised effectively with housekeeping, maintenance, and front office departments to ensure seamless guest experiences, reflecting strong interdepartmental communication.
- Introduced a customer feedback system that improved the resolution of complaints by 30%, highlighting a focus on customer service and operational responsiveness.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, reducing food and beverage costs by 10% without sacrificing quality, indicating strong negotiating and supplier relationship management.
- Championed a sustainability initiative that reduced the hotel's carbon footprint by 18%, highlighting a commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.
- Maintained high levels of staff retention through motivational leadership and by fostering a supportive work environment, resulting in a 90% employee satisfaction rate.
- Orchestrated a comprehensive revamp of guest service protocols, enhancing customer satisfaction scores by 20% within the first year.
- Led a team of 50+ employees, emphasizing professional development and improved staff retention rates by 25%.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a dynamic pricing strategy that increased year-over-year revenue by 18%, despite market fluctuations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a successful loyalty program, contributing to a 15% increase in repeat business.
- Managed budgets and financial plans, reducing costs by 10% while maintaining quality and guest experience standards.
- Initiated and maintained strategic partnerships with local vendors, improving the quality of services and reducing supply costs by 12%.
- Developed and executed marketing campaigns targeting niche segments that elevated occupancy rates by 8% year-over-year.
- Transformed F&B service operations, achieving a 95% guest satisfaction rating and a 14% increase in F&B revenue.
- Enhanced the efficiency of the housekeeping department by introducing innovative scheduling software, reducing labor costs by 9%.
- Negotiated high-value contracts for events and accommodations, driving a 22% increase in overall event revenue.
- Conducted rigorous staff training for emergency response procedures, which was instrumental during two critical incidents, ensuring guest safety.
- Implemented a waste reduction program in the property, contributing to environmental sustainability and saving 5% in operational costs.
- Optimized resource allocation and scheduling, which led to a more streamlined operation and 10% reduction in overtime expenditures.
- Introduced a new inventory control system to track supplies and amenities usage, resulting in a decrease in inventory shrinkage by 6%.
- Coordinated and executed a successful series of cultural events that increased off-peak season bookings by 15%.
What to add in your hospitality manager CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
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PRO TIP
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your hospitality manager CV:
Hospitality Management
Customer Service
Budgeting and Finance
Food and Beverage Knowledge
Event Planning and Coordination
Resource Allocation
Marketing and Promotions
Health and Safety Regulations
Quality Control
Inventory Management
Leadership
Effective Communication
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Multitasking
Adaptability
Decision Making
Teamwork
Customer-Oriented Approach
Stress Management
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Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your hospitality manager CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional hospitality manager CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
