Even though you may be filling in a lot of your job applications online, you still need to craft your own resume to send to others and to help you organize all your pertinent information. Of course, you’ll need to tweak each resume to a specific job opportunity, but there are some basics that every good hospitality resume should contain, specifically when you’re applying for a job at a hotel.

In the hotel business, everything is about the customer experience. You have to emphasize what skills you have that speak to customer service, your attention to detail, and teamwork. No matter where you’ve worked or volunteered before, these skills transfer easily and can be featured by sharing examples of how you’ve solved problems, answered questions, communicated clearly, and demonstrated a cheerful attitude when dealing with others.

WRITING YOUR RESUME: THE BASICS

Structure your resume with the following information, paying close attention to the actual skills the employer is looking for:

Contact Information: Be sure you list your full name, address, phone, and email address. If you’re relocating, you can put “relocating” as part of your address and mention the general area.

Personal Statement: Your personal statement explains why you’re looking at this particular job (make sure you refer to the job listing) and what you can offer the company. Highlight your relevant skills and experience, no matter where you worked or volunteered. Keep it short and to the point.

Skills: For each job you’re seeking, your resume should feature the skills that are specific to what the employer is looking for in a candidate. You’ll know what they are from carefully reviewing the job listing. For example, a Hotel Front Desk position is looking for good communication skills, friendliness, organization, problem-solving, and computer literacy.

Awards: Your resume should also include any awards, accomplishments, and citations relevant to the position for which you are applying. That shows the employer that you’ve taken the time to show how you’re qualified for this particular job.

Experience: This section contains your experience and showcases your work history. Here’s where you list the companies you’ve worked for, the dates of employment, and a brief, bulleted list of your responsibilities. If you’ve volunteered for an event that involved many of the skills required in the job listing, you should also include that experience here.

Education: List your hospitality education, as well as any certificates or other honors you’ve received. If you’ve attended a workshop, a computer class, or leadership training, make sure you list it.

There are plenty of sample templates out there to help you structure the information in a clear and concise way. Just be sure you include all the important sections and tailor the information to the specific job you’re applying for. No need to list references – employers will ask for them when they want them.

TOP SKILLS TO INCLUDE ON A HOSPITALITY RESUME

According to Hospitality Schools, you need distinct qualities to be a successful candidate in this industry. Here’s a list of 10 qualities for a great hospitality employee:

• Commitment: you must be committed to customer satisfaction to create happy guests and repeat customers.
• Communication skills: be skilled in both verbal and written communication.
• Computer skills: be familiar with the applications that are typically used in the industry.
• Enthusiasm: always do your best to be sure guests are having their best experience.
• People skills: work on relating to diverse groups of people and give exceptional customer service.
• Leadership: develop your leadership skills and the strength to lead your team.
• Organization: keep your station organized so you can multi-task with less stress.
• Know your safety/hygiene issues: make sure you know the rules of safety as they apply in your station or department.
• Teamwork: work well with others and be a productive member of the team
• Thorough: make sure you have good attention to detail so nothing is overlooked.

Going through the process of putting together a concise, targeted, and impactful resume will help you organize all your information and be more effective when filling out applications. When listing your accomplishments, be sure to quantify your results and highlight the most “in-demand” skills that employers want in your position.