Catering manager CV example

How to write a CV for a catering manager

It can feel daunting applying for a brand-new job – let alone creating a tailored catering manager CV that sets you apart from the competition. However, there’s no need to worry because we’re here to explain how to write a CV that’ll win over the trickiest hiring managers.

In the subsequent sections, we’ll cover everything you need to know about crafting a convincing curriculum vitae, including:

• How to add contact details to your catering manager CV
• Start your catering manager CV with a personal statement
• How to present your work history on a catering manager CV
• Great skills to add on your catering manager CV
• How to add education to your catering manager CV

How to add contact details to your catering manager CV

Many job applications get separated from their original correspondence, so it’s essential to note your most up-to-date contact information at the top of your CV – this allows employers and recruiters to arrange the next steps. List:

• Your Full Name
• Your Current Address
• Your Phone Number
• Your Email

Remember to keep your details appropriate. You’d be surprised how many candidates make a poor first impression because of an unprofessional-sounding email address!

Example of contact section for a catering manager CV

Start your catering manager CV with a personal statement

Your personal statement summarises what makes you unique, such as technical skills, professional achievements, and academic qualifications. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reveal more about your personality while impressing employers with hard facts and figures. Above all else, you want to keep the reader engaged and wanting more!

So, how can you do this? In three to four sentences, ignite the hiring manager’s interest by:

• Sounding confident – use plenty of positive adjectives and action verbs, like “dedicated”, “passionate”, and “pioneered”
• Writing in the third person – this makes your CV sound a touch more formal and polished
• Re-read the job advertisement – tailor your personal statement (and catering manager CV in general) to what employers are looking for
• Keeping sections brief – busy decision-makers don’t have time to pore over pages upon pages of text

Most importantly, substantiate claims with statistics. For example, if you mention that you possess brilliant organisation skills, qualify this with how many events you typically manage per year – numbers are powerful because they speak for themselves.

Example of personal statement for a catering manager CV

OR

How to present your work history on a catering manager CV

The work experience section is a goldmine for employers and recruiters, revealing how long you typically stay at a company (your reliability), your strengths, and your weaknesses (via what you don’t mention). Although all CV sections are essential, it’s here that hiring managers spend the most time – as such, every word counts.

When outlining your employment background, include:

• Job title
• Employment dates
• Company name and location
• Primary responsibilities 
• Promotions, achievements, and awards

The more in-depth you can be, the better. Instead of saying you were “responsible for several employees”, highlight how you “oversaw a diverse team of 50 chefs, kitchen assistants, and servers”. Then, make your prose more persuasive by incorporating punchy action verbs, such as “orchestrated”, “headed, and “directed”.

Of course, the information you provide must be relevant to the catering manager job description – a love of food definitely helps, but employers don’t care about your favourite recipes! Avoid mindlessly repeating phrases in the advertisement, but use them to guide the writing process.

Lastly, double-check for repetitiveness. While you might’ve “ordered supplies for the kitchen” in every job, there’s no point in going over old ground. It’s better to showcase the breadth of your abilities by including brand-new details underneath each role.

Example of work experience for a catering manager CV

Great skills to add on your catering manager CV

Successful CV skills sections blend hard skills that demonstrate your technical abilities and soft skills that speak to your personality. Presenting an eclectic medley of your best bits will give employers a well-rounded view of your capabilities.

Examples of hard skills might include “food handling”, “menu design”, and “stocktaking”. Soft skills are often transferable – think “goal-oriented”, “highly organised”, and “communicative”. We suggest adding around 12 skills in total, split evenly between the above.

Our top advice is to avoid listing dozens of hard skills that have been lifted from the job description – it sounds too robotic and impersonal. Even if you’re the most qualified candidate, hiring managers still need reassurance that you’ll fit in with the existing team, embody the company ethos, and be an all-around pleasant person! Stuck? Here are a few ideas to help:

How to add education to your catering manager CV

An exhaustive education section is the foundation on which your catering manager CV stands. Certain qualifications will set you apart from equally experienced applicants, making you shine in a highly competitive job market. How do you become a catering manager? There are several routes into the industry to match every individual’s learning preferences and circumstances.

Some top hotel chains and contract companies run graduate schemes for degree holders. However, a university education isn’t essential for most employers. If you want to enhance your knowledge, consider a course in catering and culinary management, hospitality, leisure and tourism, or business studies.

Most of the time, GCSEs are enough – paired with several years of managerial experience in restaurants, pubs, and hotels. School leavers could even train on the job through apprenticeships or take a part-time college course in hospitality and catering skills. The possibilities are endless!

Whatever avenue you choose, ensure to note:

• Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
• Study start and end dates
• Course title – not applicable to GCSEs
• Qualification level – e.g. GCSE or postgraduate degree
• Qualification result

Finally, the education section is the perfect place to reiterate relevant training courses, alongside the core and professional qualifications summary at the top – treat these like any other academic achievement, following the format above.

Example of education for a catering manager CV