The hospitality and tourism industry thrives on first impressions and your resume is no exception. Whether you’re applying for a hotel, restaurant, travel, or cruise ship role, your resume must reflect both your professionalism and personality.
At Hospitality Hub, we’ve reviewed thousands of applications and noticed a recurring theme: resumes often fall short in terms of structure, presentation, and relevance. Here’s how to fix that and stand out in a crowded job market.
Craft a brief career summary (3–4 lines max) that highlights your top skills, experience, and the type of role you’re pursuing. This section should clearly outline your career goals and set the tone for the rest of your application.
Example: Customer-focused hospitality professional with 5+ years’ experience in front office operations and guest relations. Seeking opportunities to enhance guest experience and team culture in luxury resort settings.
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Each entry should include:
Pro tip: Quantify your achievements, e.g., "Increased guest satisfaction scores by 20% in six months."
In the Caribbean, including a professional headshot can add a personal touch to your resume, especially in the hospitality industry, where presentation and presence are crucial. Ensure it's high-quality, recent, and friendly.
Include both hard skills (e.g., POS systems, foreign languages, health & safety) and soft skills (e.g., conflict resolution, team leadership). Align your skills with the job description to increase your match rate in applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Highlight industry-relevant certifications such as:
Even if you're not actively job-hunting, updating your resume biannually ensures you're always prepared for new opportunities or emergencies