Hospitality Skills to Build the Perfect Resume

By Claudia Unger, Executive Coach and Hospitality Expert

We all understand the importance of a resume in showcasing our skills and experience to potential employers. A strong resume is key to progressing to the interview stage. However, meeting every requirement of a job description is rare, especially in hospitality. The gap often grows as we aim for higher leadership roles, leading some to not apply at all. Yet, the extensive skill requirements in job ads mean few can tick all the boxes.

If we met every job requirement, the role would likely lack challenge and growth opportunities. Therefore, when considering hospitality skills for your resume, view the job description as a chance for personal and professional growth. Clearly outline what you lack and express your eagerness to develop these skills. This approach not only demonstrates your self-awareness but also your commitment to growth and learning, qualities highly valued in the hospitality industry.

Key Hospitality Skills

Hospitality resumes should highlight both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills. Soft skills are particularly crucial for managerial positions and help differentiate you from other candidates. Let’s explore some of these essential soft skills in more detail:

Teamworking: Essential in a dynamic environment like a hotel, where various departments must work in harmony to deliver a seamless guest experience. Your resume should demonstrate successful teamwork, understanding of roles, strong interpersonal relationships, delegation skills, and more. Highlight specific instances where your teamworking skills contributed to successful outcomes in previous roles.

Empathy: Critical in hospitality, a people-centric business. Demonstrating empathy means prioritizing guest satisfaction. My experience as a flight attendant taught me that truly caring about guest needs is vital for career advancement. Illustrate how your empathetic approach has led to memorable guest experiences and positive feedback.

Communication: Effective communication is fundamental in hospitality, ensuring clear understanding and efficient operations. Your resume should reflect your ability to communicate with team members and guests effectively, resolving conflicts and providing excellent service.

Adaptability: The hospitality industry is fast-paced and ever-changing. Showcasing your adaptability and ability to handle unexpected situations will set you apart. Provide examples of how you’ve thrived in dynamic environments and turned challenges into opportunities.

Leadership: Even if you’re not applying for a managerial position, leadership skills are valuable. Demonstrating your ability to lead a team, inspire others, and take initiative can make a strong impression on recruiters.

Hospitality Job Descriptions

The hospitality industry encompasses diverse roles and job descriptions. Here are key examples from the hotel sector:

Front Office Roles: These positions range from receptionist to front office manager, involving face-to-face customer service and problem-solving, making them ideal for those who enjoy interacting with people. Detail your experience in handling guest inquiries, managing reservations, and ensuring smooth check-in/check-out processes.

Event Planning: Big hotels host various events, requiring meticulous planning and coordination by event planners. Highlight your experience in organizing events, managing budgets, and coordinating with different teams to ensure successful execution.

Rooms Division: This division ensures rooms are well-maintained and clean, involving housekeeping and maintenance responsibilities. Discuss your experience in overseeing housekeeping operations, ensuring high standards of cleanliness, and managing maintenance schedules.

Revenue Manager: These professionals maximize the hotel’s revenue through analytical and creative skills, identifying opportunities to enhance business returns. Showcase your proficiency in revenue management systems, forecasting, and implementing pricing strategies.

Food & Beverage (F&B): Hotel catering ranges from casual dining to Michelin-starred restaurants, with staff responsible for attracting customers and meeting their gastronomic expectations. Detail your experience in F&B operations, menu planning, and ensuring exceptional dining experiences.

Showcasing Your Skills

A well-crafted resume is crucial for standing out in a competitive industry. It should match your skills and experience with the job position, using language similar to the job description. Honesty and vulnerability can also make a positive impression, but be cautious to avoid exploitation.

Aligning your personal values with the employer’s philosophy is another important aspect. Research the organization to ensure genuine alignment, as faking it leads to dissatisfaction. Highlighting this alignment can demonstrate to employers that you will fit seamlessly into their company culture.

Crafting Your Perfect Hospitality Resume

Your resume’s goal is to make you stand out and secure an interview. Tailor it for each role and company. Limit your resume to two pages, starting with a personal statement on the first page. Highlight three specific work experiences, focusing on what you learned and how it aligns with the role and your growth ambitions.

The second page should list your professional and academic experience in more detail. Use design tools like Canva for a smart presentation and maintain a document with customized paragraphs for different roles and employers. Pay attention to the layout, ensuring it is clean, professional, and easy to read.

Ensure consistency between your resume and LinkedIn profile, including a LinkedIn link in your resume for recruiters to view more details and connections. Your LinkedIn profile should be an extension of your resume, offering additional insights into your career achievements and professional network.

Using Generative AI

The rise of generative AI presents new opportunities and challenges in resume creation. While AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance clarity and tone, be cautious of over-reliance. Ensure the final output reflects your personal touch to avoid detection by recruiters. Generative AI can be a helpful tool, but it should complement, not replace, your authentic voice.

Conclusion

The hospitality industry is ideal for those who enjoy people, travel, and making others happy. By following these guidelines, you can craft a compelling resume that enhances your chances of landing your dream role. Best of luck in your career endeavors! Embrace the challenges and opportunities in hospitality, and let your resume be the gateway to a fulfilling career in this dynamic field.

https://www.glion.edu/magazine/hospitality-skills-to-build-the-perfect-resume/