‘Good with people’ is not your whole hospitality story
A busy reception desk or restaurant shift involves far more than being friendly. There are bookings to check, changes to communicate and problems to handle without losing track of the next guest. A hospitality CV can show those responsibilities instead of leaving them hidden behind a familiar customer-service phrase.
Identify the service you actually delivered
Break the job into recognisable tasks. At a hotel, that could include checking reservations, answering guest enquiries and passing information to housekeeping. In a restaurant, it might involve taking orders, explaining menu options and coordinating with the kitchen. Use the tasks that belong to your experience rather than combining every hospitality role into one description.
An application becomes more specific when you add the setting: a small guesthouse, a business hotel or an events venue. These environments can involve different routines. The CV Majster hotel receptionist CV example offers a starting point for presenting the practical side of guest-facing work in an organised way.
Show how you handled the moment that changed
Think of a real situation where the original plan no longer worked. Perhaps a booking needed clarification or a guest had an issue that required a manager's decision. Describe your own action and the appropriate handover. You do not need to present yourself as solving every problem; knowing when to involve a colleague also demonstrates sound judgement.
Describe language skills in terms you can support. If you can handle routine check-in questions but need help with a complex complaint, do not label yourself fluent. The same principle applies to booking or payment systems. State what you used them for, and avoid including guest names, payment information or other private details in examples.
Connect your experience to this employer
Read the vacancy for the mix of service, administration and scheduling it involves. A front-desk role may prioritise accurate records and handovers, while another role places more emphasis on food service. Choose the examples that match. State availability honestly where requested, particularly if the role involves evenings, weekends or a seasonal commitment you need to plan around.
If you are moving from retail or another public-facing job, explain the transferable tasks without claiming hotel experience you do not have. Handling enquiries, checking details and responding calmly to changes can still be relevant. A focused application gives the employer a clearer view of what you bring and what training you would need.