How to Build a Winning Hospitality Resume

By Ztalent — January 2025

Your resume is your first impression — and in the fast-paced hospitality industry, hiring managers often decide within 10 seconds whether to keep reading.

1. Keep It Clean and Focused

• Limit to 1 page for entry-level, 2 pages for management roles.

• Use clear headings: Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications.

2. Highlight Relevant Skills

• FOH candidates: Customer service, POS systems, upselling.

• BOH candidates: Knife skills, food safety, prep speed.

3. Quantify Your Achievements

Instead of saying “managed a team,” write “led a team of 8 servers to increase upselling by 20% in six months.”

4. Include Hospitality-Specific Certifications

• ServSafe, TIPS Alcohol Certification, culinary diplomas, language skills.

5. Tailor for Each Application

Adjust your resume to match the specific job description — small changes can make a big difference.

Pro Tip from Ztalent™

Upload your resume to Ztalent and we’ll help match you with employers looking for your exact skill set.