If you’re preparing for a Restaurant Manager job application, one of the first steps is crafting a CV or resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences. This article is designed to help you do just that. We’ll walk you through the essential components of a restaurant manager’s CV, provide tips on how to highlight your strengths, and offer examples to guide you. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or aspiring to become one, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to create a CV that stands out to potential employers.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Restaurant Manager Job Description Example
Restaurant Manager Position Available
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Restaurant Manager to lead our vibrant dining establishment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the hospitality industry and a proven track record in managing restaurant operations effectively. This role requires a leader who can maintain high standards of service, quality, and health and safety.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Manage and mentor a diverse team, fostering a positive work environment and promoting professional growth.
- Develop and implement strategies to drive business growth, including marketing initiatives and community outreach.
- Maintain budgetary control, manage inventory, and optimize cost-efficiency without compromising on quality.
- Collaborate with the culinary team to develop menus that cater to our customer base while also exploring new, innovative culinary trends.
- Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, maintaining a safe environment for both staff and patrons.
- Handle customer inquiries and complaints with professionalism, ensuring issues are resolved promptly and satisfactorily.
- Analyze restaurant performance and produce reports on key metrics to guide business decisions.
- Coordinate with vendors and suppliers, negotiating contracts to secure the best possible terms and prices.
- Plan and oversee special events, private functions, and catering services, ensuring high standards of execution.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience as a Restaurant Manager or similar role in the hospitality industry.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a team.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on customer service.
- Knowledge of restaurant management software, POS systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Familiarity with budgeting, financial planning, and workforce management.
- A deep understanding of food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle challenging situations.
- Flexibility to work in shifts, including weekends and holidays.
This position offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience, and a range of benefits. We are committed to providing our staff with a supportive and rewarding work environment.
If you are a driven individual with a passion for the restaurant industry and the skills to thrive in a fast-paced setting, we would love to hear from you. Join our team and play a key role in the continued success of our dining establishment.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Restaurant Manager Professional Summary Example
- With over 10 years of experience in the restaurant industry, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and a Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM) accreditation. Expertise spans across areas such as team leadership, operational management, and customer service excellence, with proficiency in using restaurant management software like OpenTable and TouchBistro for streamlined operations.
- Most notable achievement includes leading a team at a high-volume restaurant to win the “Best Dining Experience” award in 2021, a result of implementing innovative customer service strategies and a staff training program that emphasized culinary excellence and guest satisfaction.
- Recently focused on integrating sustainable practices in the current role, successfully reducing waste by 30% through meticulous inventory management using MarketMan software, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within the team.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your responsibilities on your CV, don’t just list them. Instead, use them to highlight your achievements. For example, instead of saying “Managed restaurant operations,” you could say “Effectively managed a busy restaurant, consistently achieving top customer satisfaction ratings and increasing monthly sales by 20%.” This way, you’re not only telling potential employers that you have experience in managing a restaurant, but also demonstrating your ability to boost sales and ensure customer happiness. This approach shows your skills in action and the positive impact you’ve made.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Restaurant Manager CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Understand the Role and Tailor Your CV
? Every restaurant is unique, so tailor your CV to match the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the position.
Highlight Leadership and Management Skills
? Emphasize your ability to lead and manage a team. Include examples of successful team management, staff training, and conflict resolution.
Showcase Financial Acumen
? Detail your experience with budget management, cost reduction strategies, and profit growth. Mention specific figures to demonstrate your impact.
Focus on Customer Service
? Highlight your commitment to customer satisfaction. Include examples of how you’ve improved customer service or dealt with challenging situations.
Mention Health and Safety Compliance
? Ensure to include your knowledge and adherence to health and safety regulations. This is crucial in the restaurant industry.
Include Relevant Certifications and Education
? List any relevant qualifications, such as a degree in Hospitality Management or certifications in food safety.
Use Action Words
? Start bullet points with action verbs like ‘managed’, ‘developed’, ‘increased’, to make your experiences sound more dynamic and impactful.
Keep It Concise and Error-Free
✂️ Keep your CV clear and to the point. Avoid unnecessary jargon and ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
Include Metrics Where Possible
? Use numbers to quantify your achievements. For example, “Increased restaurant revenue by 20% within one year.”
Update Regularly
? Keep your CV up-to-date with your latest experiences and skills. Regular updates ensure you’re always ready for new opportunities.
Restaurant Manager CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.
