How To Write a Hospitality Resume
Whether you’re a front-desk clerk, housekeeper, manager, or night auditor, your hospitality resume must demonstrate a commitment to excellence in operations and customer service. Learn how to write a resume that shows hiring managers you can provide outstanding guest experiences. You’ll discover how to highlight the most compelling aspects of your career with our expert tips and strategies.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your hospitality hotel qualifications
Get readers focused on your resume with a strong profile to establish yourself as a dedicated professional in the hospitality industry. Start with your job title, years of experience, and a few key qualifications. Include skills and specializations from your professional background that align with the job description. Mention what makes you unique from other applicants.
Working in hospitality requires exceptional customer service, so describe your dedication to guest experiences in your profile. Mention any special credentials from a relevant degree or certificate to prove your level of education or training. If you speak multiple languages and cater to various guests, list that in your summarization, too.
Profile Example #1
Courteous Guest Service Agent with recent experience at a high-end hotel with 100+ rooms. Draw on broad knowledge of best practices in hotel customer service. Strong computer skills and ability to solve operational and productivity challenges. Trilingual: Fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
Profile Example #2
Night Auditor with 5+ years’ experience keeping accurate financial records and generating guest folios in hotels with 100+ rooms. Thorough knowledge of cash handling best practices. Skilled at collaborating with other functions to ensure smooth service for guests throughout the night. Draw on detailed knowledge of local geography and amenities. Dedicated to providing positive and memorable guest experiences.
2. Outline your hospitality hotel experience in a compelling list
No matter the position you’re applying for, take an accomplishment-driven approach to your professional experience section. Instead of listing your daily responsibilities, focus on career achievements. This shows hiring managers the results you achieved in carrying out your duties.
Use numbers such as percentages, monetary figures, and performance metrics to bring your accomplishments to life. Describe how many rooms you cleaned, guests you greeted, or staff you managed. Discuss ways you’ve helped to improve processes or mention positive feedback you’ve received from hotel guests.
Professional Experience Example #1
Guest Service Agent, La Quinta by Wyndham, Phoenix, AZ | June 2019 to Present
- Welcome guests and conduct check-ins and check-outs using POS system
- Promptly address guest questions, and help make restaurant and transport reservations
- Provide guests with clear, up-to-date information on hotel services and promotions
- Keep the front desk clean, attractive, and uncluttered
Professional Experience Example #2
Night Auditor, Quality Inn, Indianapolis, IN | September 2018 to Present
- Efficiently complete closing reports, ensuring all financial data is accurate and up-to-date
- Post correct rates and charges to each folio and check service charges from multiple departments, addressing any discrepancies
- Handle check-in and check-out, and process payments using POS system
- Greet guests and provide information on hotel services and local facilities
- Supervise night staff of 3 employees
3. Include education and certifications relevant to hospitality hotel
Academic requirements will vary depending on the hotel position you’re applying for, but always start with your highest level of education. Then, include any relevant certifications you’ve earned to further your hospitality career. Even if special credentials aren’t a requirement, they can help you stand out from other applicants.
Suppose you’re applying for a front-desk receptionist position, and you’ve never done that job before. A certificate proving your knowledge of Microsoft software shows you’re familiar with common computer programs that may be used in the hotel’s office environment. Or, if you’re going after a management role, credentials such as Certified Hospital Manager can help you prove your abilities.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, Tampa, FL | June 2012
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified in Hotel Revenue Management, Cornell University, 2009
- First Aid and CPR, 2020
4. List key skills and proficiencies for hospitality hotel
If you want your resume to perform well in applicant tracking systems (ATS), incorporate keywords into your document. These software programs look for relevant terms and phrases, filtering through the dozens of resumes received for each position. After studying a job posting, incorporate language from the job description throughout the profile, professional experience, and skills sections. Here’s a list of common keywords you may come across in your search for a hotel position:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Bookkeeping and data entry | Budget management |
| Concierge services | Cross-functional collaboration |
| Customer service and communications | Efficiency improvement |
| Event planning | Hotel safety and security |
| Housekeeping | Keycard systems |
| Leadership | Maintenance reporting |
| Microsoft Office Suite | People management |
| Process redesign and improvement | Regulatory compliance |
| Room inspection | Staff training |
| Task prioritization and sequencing | Time management |
How To Pick the Best Hospitality Resume Template
As you search for a template, consider how you can make your resume as easy as possible for hiring managers to read. Remember, the goal of your template is not to attract attention with vibrant colors and graphics. All it needs to do is outline your professional history in a clear, coherent manner. Look for minimalistic designs with simple formatting to keep your writing clean and uncluttered.
Hospitality Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Allan Gibson
(345) 678-9012
[email protected]
654 My Road, Indianapolis, IN 32109
Profile
Night Auditor with 5+ years’ experience keeping accurate financial records and generating guest folios in hotels with 100+ rooms. Thorough knowledge of cash handling best practices. Skilled at collaborating with other functions to ensure smooth service for guests throughout the night. Draw on detailed knowledge of local geography and amenities. Dedicated to providing positive and memorable guest experiences.
Professional Experience
Night Auditor, Quality Inn, Indianapolis, IN | September 2018 to Present
- Efficiently complete closing reports, ensuring all financial data is accurate and up-to-date
- Post correct rates and charges to each folio and check service charges from multiple departments, addressing any discrepancies
- Handle check-in and check-out, and process payments using POS system
- Greet guests and provide information on hotel services and local facilities
- Supervise night staff of 3 employees
Night Auditor, White Lodging, Indianapolis, IN | June 2015 to September 2018
- Maintained accurate revenue and statistics records, and cashed up at end of each shift
- Promptly and accurately completed gross revenue reports
- Organized and cleaned the front desk area for the morning shift
- Scrutinized records for discrepancies, and reported any concerns to management
Education
Associate of Science in Hospitality Administration, Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, IN | 2015
Key Skills
- Bookkeeping & Data Entry
- Customer Relations & Service
- Efficiency Improvement
- Hotel Safety & Security
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Team Collaboration
Frequently Asked Questions: Hospitality Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for hospitality resumes?-
If you’re running into roadblocks as you write your resume, use action verbs. These powerful words liven up your writing, especially in the professional experience section. Begin each bullet point with an action verb to illustrate your accomplishments and engage the reader.
The following list will help you mix up the verbs on your hotel hospitality resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Assisted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Delivered | Designed |
| Generated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Initiated | Optimized |
| Prepared | Reduced |
| Resolved | Scheduled |
| Simplified | Supervised |
| Trained | Welcomed |
How do you align your resume with a hospitality job description?-
Although employment for front desk clerks is expected to decline over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for lodging managers will increase by 7% between 2022 and 2032. As the industry bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for hospitality workers is rising, but you’ll need to stand out to work at the best hotels.
If you can align your resume with the job description, you’ll increase your chances of connecting with the hiring manager and differentiating yourself from the competition. Know exactly what a hotel is looking for and highlight the skills, experience, and qualifications required for the role.
For example, imagine a hotel needs a manager specializing in event and conference management. From corporate conferences to elegant weddings, emphasize your understanding of guest expectations. Show you have a history of delivering unforgettable gatherings with your team of hospitality professionals.
What is the best hospitality resume format?-
For hospitality resumes, the best format is either combination or reverse chronological. If you have a strong professional background and track record of employment, a chronological format would serve you well. You can show off your career progression and round off your resume with skills and education.
On the other hand, if you’d rather highlight your abilities and training at the top of your document, go with the combination format. This resume type is especially helpful for entry-level hospitality professionals.
Boost your chances of landing an interview by submitting a cover letter with your application. To make the biggest impact with your letter, customize the document for each job you apply for. Learn how to do this with our comprehensive cover letter guide. Check out our cover letter guides for front desk hospitality and operations managers for more examples of related occupations.
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