Now more than ever before, candidates seeking positions in
the hospitality industry must display professionalism and a steadfast
commitment to quality in every phase of the application process. Experts
suggest that your resume - often the very first chance you have to make an
impression on a prospective employer - may be the single most important part of
this process.
Choose Your Vocation Destination
A resume serves many purposes: it's your calling card, your
personal marketing toolkit, and an abbreviated summary of your entire
employment history. If your resume is well-designed and persuasive, it can
serve as your ticket to a better career.
However, on the other hand, if your resume is awkward,
error-riddled, or just plain ugly, even the most exceptional employment history
may not be able to persuade the hiring manager to give you further
consideration. When a single piece of paper is representing you to potential
employers, every detail should be just right.
It is often assumed that the hiring decisions are made
objectively, and that the candidates who are most qualified for the open
position will inevitably rise to the top and be selected. In reality, though,
this is not always the case.
Hiring managers are only human, and the human mind tends to
process information in a more subjective manner. Even seemingly small details
can have a big impact, so it's well worth it to take the extra time to craft an
exceptional resume.
The bad news? Even the most experienced candidates will
likely be passed over if their resumes and application materials make an
unfavorable impression on the hiring manager. The good news? Keeping a few
simple guidelines in mind, you can easily retool your resume to make it more
persuasive and effective. With some thoughtful, carefully targeted revisions,
even the resume of a less-qualified candidate can catch the interest of a
hiring manager.
The Resume Rules
Every position you apply for represents a different
opportunity, and each position is deserving of a uniquely tailored resume. To
save time, you can use the same basic template for every resume.
It is very important, however, that you customize the details
of your resume to address the unique requirements of each job you are applying
for. Hiring managers are much more likely to be responsive to application
materials that speak directly to their organization's needs.
An obviously generic resume, on the other hand, may be taken
as a sign that you weren't sufficiently interested in the position to invest
any extra time in the application process. Even a few personalized details can
vastly increase your chances of success. You can use the following guidelines to
customize your resume for each company you are contacting.
- Align Your Objectives with the Company's: The functional
resume format that begins with a statement of your objective as the first
heading is more popular than ever. But surprisingly few candidates take the
time to modify their objective statement for each position applied for. This
will convey the impression that you know what you want and you'll be on the
right path toward your career goals with this position.
- Find Out What The Company Needs -- and Be It: Scrutinize
the position description or the company's mission statement, and then tool
every statement in your resume to address these needs. Don't stretch the truth,
but make sure you frame your experience in a way that is as consistent as
possible with the company's stated needs, values, and goals. Every word in your
resume, cover letter, and other application materials should resonate with your
potential employer's requirements.
- Put the Spotlight on Results: Sure, it's important to outline
your past employment experience and responsibilities in your resume. But it's
even more important to highlight tangible results you've achieved. Experts
suggest that you include a separate 'results' heading with bullet points that
list achievements such as stellar rates of appetizer, dessert, and drink
upsells or dramatic customer satisfaction improvements.
- Ruthlessly Eliminate Spelling, Grammar, and Word-Use
Errors: Nothing will guarantee your failure faster than a resume that is
riddled with glaring mistakes. Make use of every resource available to identify
and get rid of errors, including word processing programs, university writing
centers, tutors, or even professional resume consultants. The time and money
that you expend to fix these problems will be repaid many times over.
- Don't Send Your Resume Out There Alone: While experts
agree that your resume is probably the single most important part of your
application package, a well-written cover letter can also be enormously
helpful. A succinct opening paragraph should demonstrate awareness of the
company's business and current needs. In closing, draw attention to a few of
your most impressive qualifications, express gratitude for their consideration,
and request a meeting to discuss the opportunity further.