Hospitality CV
How to write a CV for hospitality jobs
By Alexander Phillip · Career Coach and Recruitment Expert · Updated July 2026
Quick answer
A strong hospitality CV leads with a friendly summary and your guest service experience by role and venue, such as waiter, front office, housekeeping or kitchen, then the skills that keep guests happy and the languages you speak. Keep it to one or two pages, show reliability and a warm, professional manner, and tailor it to the hotel or restaurant you are applying to.
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What hotels and restaurants look for
Hospitality is about the guest experience, so managers hire people who are warm, presentable and reliable, and who keep their composure when a venue is busy. Your CV should show that you can deliver good service under pressure and work well as part of a team.
Name the roles and venues you have worked in and the skills you used, from handling a point of sale till to keeping to food hygiene standards. In many hotels the languages you speak are a real advantage, so include them.
What to include on a hospitality CV
- A friendly summary of your guest service strengths
- Experience by role and venue, such as waiter, bartender, front office, housekeeping or kitchen
- Skills such as guest service, handling a till, upselling and food safety
- Certifications such as food handling or hygiene, if you have them
- The languages you speak
- Your availability, including shifts, weekends and holidays
- Referees such as a supervisor or manager, with their permission
Hospitality skills worth highlighting
- Warm, professional guest service
- Teamwork and helping colleagues during busy periods
- Staying calm and quick under pressure
- Handling cash and a point of sale till accurately
- Hygiene and food safety awareness
- Attention to detail in rooms, tables or presentation
- Communication and the languages you speak
Turn hospitality duties into achievements
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| Served customers in a restaurant | Served guests in a busy restaurant while keeping service quick and friendly |
| Worked at reception | Handled hotel check in and guest requests to keep stays smooth and pleasant |
| Cleaned rooms | Prepared rooms to a high standard, helping the hotel keep strong guest reviews |
Presentation and availability matter
Hospitality employers care about a professional appearance and flexible availability, so a clean, well presented CV that clearly states the shifts you can work makes their decision easier. Mention the languages you speak, since they help you serve more guests.
Frequently asked questions
What should a hospitality CV include?
A friendly summary, your experience by role and venue, guest service and practical skills, any food safety certifications, the languages you speak, your availability and referees. Lead with your service strengths.
How do I write a hospitality CV with no experience?
Lead with your people skills and willingness to work hard, then add any role where you served or helped people, plus relevant skills like teamwork and reliability. Show that you are presentable, flexible and ready to learn.
Should I list languages on a hospitality CV?
Yes. In hotels and restaurants that serve local and international guests, the languages you speak are a real advantage, so list them clearly.
Which certifications help on a hospitality CV?
Food handling or hygiene certificates are useful for kitchen and restaurant roles, and any customer service or hospitality training adds value. Only list certifications you genuinely hold.
How long should a hospitality CV be?
One page early in your career and up to two pages with more experience. Keep it focused on your roles, venues, skills and availability.
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