As a front of house manager, one challenge you may encounter is effectively showcasing your diverse skill set—from customer service to crisis management—within the concise format of a resume. Our guide provides targeted strategies to help you highlight your multitasking prowess and leadership experience, ensuring that your resume stands out to potential employers.
- Front of house manager resumes that are tailored to the role are more likely to catch recruiters' attention.
- Most sought-out front of house manager skills that should make your resume.
- Styling the layout of your professional resume: take a page from front of house manager resume examples.
How to write about your front of house manager achievements in various resume sections (e.g. summary, experience, and education).
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Professional front of house manager resume format advice
Achieving the most suitable resume format can at times seem like a daunting task at hand.
Which elements are most important to recruiters?
In which format should you submit your resume?
How should you list your experience?
Unless specified otherwise, here's how to achieve a professional look and feel for your resume.
- Present your experience following the reverse-chronological resume format . It showcases your most recent jobs first and can help recruiters attain a quick glance at how your career has progressed.
- The header is the must-have element for your resume. Apart from your contact details, you could also include your portfolio and a headline, that reflects on your current role or a distinguishable achievement.
- Select relevant information to the role, that should encompass no more than two pages of your resume.
- Download your resume in PDF to ensure that its formatting stays intact.
Different markets have specific resume styles – a Canadian resume, for instance, may require a different approach.
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PRO TIP
The more trusted the organization you've attained your certificate (or degree) from, the more credible your skill set would be.
The five (plus) definite sections your resume for a front of house manager job should include are:
- Header with your headline, contact details, and/or a preview of your work
- Summary (or objective) to pinpoint how your success aligns with the role
- Experience with bullets of your most relevant achievements in the field
- Skills to integrate vital job requirements (both technical and personal)
- Your further dedication to the field, showcased via relevant higher education and/or certifications
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proven ability to manage and train hospitality staff to provide exceptional guest services
- Experience with front of house operations, including reservation management and guest relations
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of effectively managing team schedules, conflicts, and workflow
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of maintaining a high standard of customer service during high-traffic periods
- Demonstrated competence in handling administrative tasks such as inventory management, financial reporting, and compliance with health and safety regulations
What to include in the experience section of your front of house manager resume
The resume experience section is perhaps the most important element in your application as it needs to showcase how your current profile matches the job.
While it may take some time to perfect your front of house manager experience section, here are five tips to keep in mind when writing yours:
- Assess the advert to make a list of key requirements and look back on how each of your past jobs answers those;
- Don't just showcase you know a particular skill, instead, you need proof in the form of tangible results (e.g. numbers, percent, etc.);
- It's perfectly fine to leave off experience items that don't bring anything extra to your skill set or application;
- Recruiters want to understand what the particular value is of working with you, so instead of solely featuring technologies, think about including at least one bullet that's focused on your soft skills;
- Take care with wording each bullet to demonstrate what you've achieved, using a particular skill, and an action verb.
The below front of house manager resume examples can help guide you to curate your professional experience, following industry-leading tips and advice.
- Successfully orchestrated the launch of a new reservation system, leading to a 30% increase in dining efficiency.
- Oversaw a team of 25 staff members, implementing a training program that decreased staff turnover by 20% in one year.
- Negotiated with suppliers to reduce cost of goods sold by 10%, effectively boosting the restaurant’s profit margins.
- Managed all front of house operations during a critical rebranding initiative, maintaining customer satisfaction rate above 95%.
- Pioneered a customer loyalty program that expanded the customer base by 15% within the first year.
- Developed a waste reduction initiative that cut unnecessary expenses by 12%, reallocating savings to staff development programs.
- Spearheaded a successful event hosting strategy, increasing booked private events by 40% year-over-year.
- Implemented a dynamic scheduling system, accommodating a 25% increase in customer footfall without compromising service quality.
- Collaborated with the kitchen team to synchronize service, reducing average table turnaround time by 15 minutes.
- Boosted online review ratings from 3.5 to 4.5 stars by revamping customer service protocols and staff training.
- Fostered a culture of teamwork that resulted in the front-of-house and back-of-house units functioning seamlessly as one entity.
- Introduced a versatile banquet service that expanded market reach to the corporate event sector.
- Created and executed a marketing plan for seasonal promotions, resulting in a 20% increase in guest numbers during off-peak times.
- Empowered staff with the decision-making authority in customer service matters, which improved the guest experience and reduced managerial escalations by 80%.
- Designed a streamlined ordering process using a POS system that cut order fulfillment times by 25%.
- Reduced overhead costs by successfully negotiating vendor contracts, saving the company upwards of $50,000 annually.
- Championed a 'Guest First' initiative that encouraged proactive service, resulting in a consistent monthly increase in customer satisfaction scores.
- Modernized the dining ambiance through strategic renovations that increased patronage by over 35%.
- Integrated a data-driven approach to scheduling, optimizing staffing levels to match customer demand and cutting labor costs by 15%.
- Cultivated a partnership with local food bloggers which elevated the restaurant's profile and attracted a wider demographic of diners.
- Coordinated the internal process improvements, streamlining duties and responsibilities that heightened overall operational efficiency.
- Orchestrated a 50% growth in annual revenue by diversifying dining options and enhancing the customer dining experience.
- Instituted a feedback system for diners' opinions, which provided valuable insights, driving a customer-centric strategy adjustment.
- Led the adoption of green practices in the front of house, reducing paper usage by 60% through digital menu integration.
- Facilitated a comprehensive staff training program that led to a 50% drop in customer complaints within six months.
- Masterminded an innovative themed night event that consistently boosted weekly sales by approximately 25%.
- Executed a successful reservation prioritization system that accommodated a rising number of VIP clientele without impacting the regular dining experience.
- Dramatically improved the efficiency of meal service by integrating collaboration with the culinary team, reducing table wait time by 20%.
- Co-led the design and roll-out of a multi-tiered customer loyalty program that enhanced repeat patronage by 50% within a year.
- Actively participated in philanthropic events, raising the establishment’s profile within the community and boosting sales by engaging with local charities.
The following content includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top responsibilities present on the task lists for front of house manager professionals.
Top Responsibilities for Front of House Manager:
- Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
- Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
- Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
- Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
- Schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Coordinate assignments of cooking personnel to ensure economical use of food and timely preparation.
- Monitor compliance with health and fire regulations regarding food preparation and serving, and building maintenance in lodging and dining facilities.
- Count money and make bank deposits.
- Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
- Perform some food preparation or service tasks, such as cooking, clearing tables, and serving food and drinks when necessary.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Detail the number of staff members you've trained and managed to showcase leadership and team development skills.
- Document the percentage increase of customer satisfaction scores under your management to demonstrate customer service excellence.
- Specify the volume of customers served on a daily or weekly basis to highlight your capability to manage high-traffic operations.
- List the number of events hosted to illustrate organizational and event management abilities.
- State the revenue figures or percentage growth you've contributed to, emphasizing your impact on business profitability.
- Provide the turnover rates before and after your tenure to show effective employee retention strategies.
- Indicate the reduction in service times or wait times achieved through process improvements.
- Mention any cost-saving measures you've implemented and quantify the savings to highlight financial acumen.
Action verbs for your front of house manager resume
Writing your front of house manager experience section without any real-world experience
Professionals, lacking experience, here's how to kick-start your front of house manager career:
- Substitute experience with relevant knowledge and skills, vital for the front of house manager role
- Highlight any relevant certifications and education - to showcase that you have the relevant technical training for the job
- Definitely include a professional portfolio of your work so far that could include university projects or ones you've done in your free time
- Have a big focus on your transferable skills to answer what further value you'd bring about as a candidate for the front of house manager job
- Include an objective to highlight how you see your professional growth, as part of the company
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
Front of house manager resume skills section: writing about your hard skills and soft skills
Recruiters always care about the skill set you'd bring about to the front of house manager role. That's why it's a good idea to curate yours wisely, integrating both hard (or technical) and soft skills. Hard skills are the technology and software you're apt at using - these show your suitability for the technical aspect of the role. They are easy to track via your experience, certifications, and various resume sections. Your soft skills are those personality traits you've gained over time that show how you'd perform in the specific team, etc. Soft skills are more difficult to qualify but are definitely worth it - as they make you stand out and show your adaptability to new environments. How do you build the skills section of your resume? Best practices point that you could:
- Include up to five or six skills in the section as keywords to align with the advert.
- Create a specific technical skills section to highlight your hard skills aptitude.
- Align the culture of the company you're applying to with your soft skills to determine which ones should be more prominent in your skills section.
- Make sure you answer majority of the job requirements that are in the advert within your skills section.
A front of house manager's resume requires a specific skill set that balances both industry-specific hard skills with personal, soft skills. Discover the perfect mix for the front of house manager role from our list:
Top skills for your front of house manager resume:
Point of Sale (POS) Systems
Reservation Management Software
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
Inventory Management Systems
Event Management Software
Scheduling Software
Financial Reporting Tools
Social Media Management Tools
Email Marketing Platforms
Online Booking Systems
Communication
Leadership
Customer Service
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Time Management
Conflict Resolution
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Organizational Skills
Next, you will find information on the top technologies for front of house manager professonals from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Top technologies for Front of House Manager’s resume:
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Word
- ClubSoft Food & Beverage Point of Sale
- Restaurant Manager
- Aurora FoodPro
- SweetWARE nutraCoster
PRO TIP
Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
What are the best certificates to add to your front of house manager resume + how to curate your education section
The education and certification resume sections are the underdogs of your front of house manager resume.
They showcase to recruiters that you've invested plenty of time to gain valuable and specific know-how, vital for growth.
As far as the resume education section is concerned:
- Detail only advanced education, specifying the institution and timeframe.
- Indicate your forthcoming graduation date if you're in the midst of your studies.
- Consider omitting degrees that don't align with the job's requirements.
- Offer a description of your academic journey if it underscores your notable achievements.
When curating your degrees and certificates on your front of house manager resume:
- Select only accreditation that matters to the role
- Niche knowledge that could help you stand out as a candidate (as is within the past few years), should be listed towards the top of your resume
- Include any pertinent data for credibility (e.g. institute name, graduation dates, etc.)
- Irrelevant degrees and certifications shouldn't make it on your resume. Those include your high school diploma and any specializations that have nothing to do with the technical or soft skills that are required for the job
As a final note, if you feel tempted to exclude your education or certification from your resume, don't.
These two sections could help you have a better competitive edge over other candidates - hinting that your professional journey in the industry may be for a longer period of time.
Recruiters find all of these front of house manager credentials impressive:
The top 5 certifications for your front of house manager resume:
- Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
- Food Safety Manager Certification (FSMC) - National Restaurant Association
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) - HR Certification Institute
- Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification - American Red Cross or American Heart Association
The content below includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top associations for front of house manager professionals.
Top US associations for a Front of House Manager professional
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- American Culinary Federation
- American National Standards Institute
- Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals
- International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education
PRO TIP
Highlight any significant extracurricular activities that demonstrate valuable skills or leadership.
Recommended reads:
Which one to use: a resume summary or a resume objective?
The front of house manager resume summary or objective serves as a good introduction to your experience for recruiters.
Have you ever wondered which one (the summary or objective) will be more appropriate for your front of house manager resume?
- If you are a less experienced professional, write a resume objective statement. The objective is about three sentences long and provides recruiters with information about your career goals, strengths, and achievements . It should basically denote how you see yourself in this particular role, and what is your relevant experience and/or know-how;
- If you happen to have plenty of relevant experience, select your most impressive achievements for your resume summary. The summary is no longer than five sentences and serves as a storytelling instrument - highlighting your greatest career wins . Don't forget to align your summary with the job requirements to ensure your resume stays relevant to the role.
Read on for more information and examples of resume summaries and objectives from real world professionals.
Resume summaries for a front of house manager job
- Seasoned hospitality expert with over 10 years at prestigious Michelin-starred establishments, adept in orchestrating high-volume, fine-dining environments. Proven track record in elevating guest experiences while managing budgets and staff with precision. Noteworthy achievement includes leading a team to win the “Best Service” award in a national dining guide.
- Dynamic leader with 8 years of front-of-house management within bustling urban cafes, known for success in crafting inviting atmospheres and streamlining service procedures. Excelled in creating training programs that resulted in a 40% increase in staff efficiency. Spearheaded a customer loyalty initiative that boosted repeat business by 25%.
- Marketing professional with 6 years of experience in client relations and brand management, eager to pivot to front-of-house hospitality management. Uniquely equipped with a deep understanding of customer journey mapping and engagement strategies which can be leveraged to enhance overall dining experiences. Excited to apply project management and strategic communication skills in a new setting.
- Educator with 12 years of honing interpersonal and organizational skills, transitioning into front-of-house management. Exemplifies strong leadership and problem-solving abilities developed from managing large, diverse classrooms. Passionate about introducing educational methods to staff training to cultivate team's growth and improve guest satisfaction.
- Eager to embark on a journey within the hospitality sector, bringing fresh energy and an eagerness to learn from industry leaders. With no prior experience in front-of-house operations, my objective is to integrate strong communication skills and a customer-centric attitude to excel in managing guest relations and staff coordination.
- A recent hospitality management graduate passionate about starting a career in front-of-house management, aiming to implement exceptional service standards learned from internships at renowned hotels. Keen to utilize my academic knowledge and innovative approach to problem-solving to enhance guest experience and operational efficiency.
Average salary info by state in the US for front of house manager professionals
Local salary info for Front of House Manager.” Source: My Next Move, National Center for O*NET Development. Accessed 10/15/2024
| State | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| US National Average | $63,060 |
| California (CA) | $67,740 |
| Texas (TX) | $61,750 |
| Florida (FL) | $65,050 |
| New York (NY) | $76,500 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $63,790 |
| Illinois (IL) | $61,860 |
| Ohio (OH) | $56,270 |
| Georgia (GA) | $61,210 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $65,560 |
| Michigan (MI) | $60,070 |
Additional valuable front of house manager resume sections to stand out
When assessing candidate applications, recruiters are often on the lookout for elements that go beyond meeting standard requirements and technical expertise.
This is where extra sections could play a key role in showcasing your unique skill set and personality.
Make sure to include sections dedicated to:
- How you spend your free time, outside of work. The interests resume section also goes to show your personality and transferrable skills; and may also serve to fill in gaps in your experience;
- Most innovative work. The projects resume section brings focus to what you're most proud of within the field;
- How you're able to overcome language barriers. The language resume section is always nice to have, especially if communication would be a big part of your future role;
- Industry-wide recognitions. Remember that the awards resume section should highlight your most noteworthy accolades and prizes.
Key takeaways
- The logic of your resume presentation should follow your career highlights and alignment with the role;
- Curate information within different sections (e.g. summary, experience, etc.) that helps highlight your strengths;
- Exclude from your resume irrelevant experience items - that way you'd ensure it stays no longer than two pages and is easy to read;
- Dedicate space within the summary, experience, and/or achievements to highlight precisely why you're the best candidate for the role via your previous success;
- Both your technical and people capabilities should also play a crucial role in building up your front of house manager application. Prove your skill set in various resume sections.
