When seeking a host or hostess position in the competitive hospitality industry, your resume should demonstrate stand-out customer service and organizational skills. It must also showcase accomplishments that demonstrate your warm and welcoming demeanor because you are likely the first point of contact for guests. Review our list of tips and examples to level up your resume.
Key takeaways:
Using a resume template can help you write an effective host and hostess resume. Your resume should include these sections:
Provide your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.
Jasmine Brown
(123) 456-7890 | Jasmine.Brown@example.com | New York, NY 12345 | LinkedIn | Portfolio
In a few concise sentences, summarize your professional background, relevant skills, and experience as a host or hostess. Your profile should make a strong case for your success in the hospitality industry and value as a team member. Highlight strengths and integrate keywords from the job description to show you’re a good match for the position.
Attentive, organized hostess experienced in maintaining customer relationship management (CRM) databases, booking large party reservations, and training other hosts and hostesses. Experience as a head hostess in five-star hotel restaurants, delivering exceptional guest service to clientele with high standards.
Hospitable host with experience in independent chef-owned restaurants in the dynamic Miami dining scene. Known for delivering efficient and courteous customer service, operating reservation management systems, and thriving in a fast-paced work environment. Collaborates with team members across the restaurant environment to deliver five-star service.
To create an effective professional experience section, clearly outline your career trajectory as a host or hostess. Start with your most recent position first and work backward, sharing skills such as facilitating guest turnover, CRM databases, and conflict resolution, along with credentials like ServSafe Food Handler Certification (SFHC). Include key details that align with the job you’re pursuing. When you can, use numbers to measure and give value to your duties and accomplishments.
Head Hostess | April 2018 – present
The Garden Restaurant at The Four Seasons Hotel | New York, NY
Host | June 2023 – present
JJ’s Bar and Grille | Miami, FL
Use numbers and metrics to show results you achieved in previous roles. Provide context to your work history and give recruiters a better understanding of your scope and impact. Demonstrate your value and potential as a host or hostess by detailing your guest service accomplishments and organizational skills.
Creating a host or hostess resume can be challenging if you don’t have real-world experience, but you may have valuable skills and experience from education and training. Highlight relevant coursework and projects that demonstrate your guest service and communication skills. Also consider volunteer roles, such as helping organize a charity pancake breakfast or serving on a cafeteria menu committee. By emphasizing these qualities, you can display your potential to be a valuable asset to any hospitality team.
List relevant education and certifications to show you’re a well-qualified host or hostess who is committed to continuing education. Include the title of the degree or certificate earned, the institution’s name, and the completion date. Also, list continuing education courses or professional development programs you’ve completed.
Template:
Degree | Graduation Date
School Name | City, State
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Hospitality Management | August 2008 – May 2012
University of Syracuse | Syracuse, NY
Template:
Certification | Completion Date
Awarding Organization
Example:
Certified Venue Executive (CVE) | June 2018
International Association of Venue Managers
Most organizations rely on some form of ATS to identify qualified candidates for job openings, though the hospitality industry generally does not use automated resume filtering systems. To get your resume through the initial screening process and into the hiring manager’s hands, incorporate keywords from the job description directly into your profile, professional experience, and skills section. Below are key terms and skills that you may encounter while applying for host and hostess positions:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Cash till reconciliation | Conflict and complaint resolution |
CRM databases | Customer relations and satisfaction |
Facilitating guest turnover | POS systems |
Rapid solution-finding | Reservations management |
Restaurant operations support | Task prioritization |
Team collaboration | Time management |
Wait staff support | Wait time estimates |
Waitlist management | Work scheduling |
Strategically select the words you incorporate into your host or hostess resume. Start each sentence of your professional experience section with an engaging action verb to demonstrate your job duties and accomplishments. Using descriptive words to demonstrate your success with various host or hostess responsibilities will grab the attention of hiring managers. Another tip: Avoid weak first-person statements such as, “I was responsible for…”
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Arranged | Collaborated |
Coordinated | Enhanced |
Generated | Greeted |
Listened | Managed |
Monitored | Organized |
Oversaw | Prevented |
Produced | Ranked |
Resolved | Scheduled |
Supervised | Supported |
Trained | Welcomed |
When selecting your host or hostess resume template, prioritize structure and readability over visual appeal. Avoid loud graphics and overbearing colors; instead, focus on a clean design that showcases your content in an organized way. Keep in mind hiring managers will always be more interested in your achievements and qualifications than the style of your template.
Anthony Gentile
(123) 456-7890
Anthony.Gentile@example.com
Miami, FL 12345
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Hospitable host with experience in independent chef-owned restaurants in the dynamic Miami dining scene. Track record for efficient and courteous customer service, operating reservation management systems, and thriving in a fast-paced work environment. Collaborates with team members across the restaurant environment to deliver five-star service.
Host, JJ’s Bar and Grille, Miami, FL
June 2023 – present
Host, Longhorn Steakhouse, Miami, FL
May 2021 – May 2022
Graduate, Miami Northwestern Senior High, May 2021
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for food and beverage serving and related employees are expected to grow by 2% from 2022 to 2032, which is average compared to most occupations. The slight incline is driven by attrition and more people dining out or purchasing take-out meals from restaurants.
Because of these projections, you must align your resume with the job description to secure interviews for the most lucrative opportunities. The host and hostess field can be competitive, and tailoring your document to individual job postings will significantly increase your chances of landing your next job opportunity.
For example, suppose a restaurant is looking for a host or hostess who is adept at navigating CRM platforms. Highlight this skill in your profile. Or, if a restaurant is seeking a host or hostess who has experience booking large guest parties, note this in your resume summary.
Reverse chronological format is ideal for most resumes, including those for hosts and hostesses This approach ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is featured at the top of your document. Even at the entry level, avoid functional resume formats.
Your host and hostess resume should demonstrate your skills in reservation management, restaurant operations support, and POS systems. Also, note communication and client service skills, and bring these soft skills to life with measurables such as earning a 4.9 star rating for customer satisfaction.
Make your host and hostess resume shine by highlighting your expertise, such as training co-host and co-hostess staff, efficiently sitting guests and reducing wait times, and facilitating guest turnover to boost restaurant sales. Incorporate numbers and data along with keywords that align with the job description. Begin with a compelling profile summary, detail your accomplishments in the professional experience section, list relevant skills, and include your education and certifications.
Resume Templates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.