Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your ability to manage fast-paced environments and deliver exceptional customer service can be a daunting task for a restaurant manager. Our guide provides expert tips to help you highlight your leadership skills and operational expertise, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
Structuring and formatting your restaurant manager CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your restaurant manager CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
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Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a restaurant manager CV
- Professional Summary highlights key managerial skills and restaurant experience, enticing the recruiter to keep reading.
- Work Experience section provides a chronological list of previous roles, emphasizing leadership and management abilities in the food service industry.
- Key Achievements section showcases your specific contributions to past restaurants, like sales growth or reduced costs.
- Relevant Skills encompass both soft and hard skills pertinent to managing a restaurant, such as team leadership, inventory management, and customer service proficiency.
- Professional Development includes any additional training or certifications that reinforce your capability as a restaurant manager, such as safe food handling or hospitality management courses.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your experience with managing restaurant operations, detailing specific roles and responsibilities that showcase your ability to oversee front-of-house and back-of-house activities effectively.
- Demonstrate your proficiency in financial management by including examples of budgeting, cost-control measures, and profit enhancement strategies you implemented in past roles.
- Show your leadership skills by mentioning how you've developed staff, implemented training programmes, and maintained high levels of team morale and customer service standards.
- Provide evidence of your ability to maintain compliance with health and safety regulations, including any certifications you might have in food safety management or hygiene practices.
- Emphasise your aptitude for fostering positive customer experiences, detailing events or initiatives you've led that boosted satisfaction and loyalty.
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How to present your contact details and job keywords in your restaurant manager CV header
Located at the top of your restaurant manager CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for restaurant manager:
- Restaurant Manager | Service Excellence | Health & Safety Certified | 5+ Years Culinary Leadership
- Senior Dining Manager | Revenue Growth Specialist | Food Hygiene Level 3 | 10-Year Industry Veteran
- Assistant Restaurant Manager | Staff Training & Development | WSET Level 2 | Emerging Hospitality Leader
- Head of Dining Operations | Strategic Planning Expert | Michelin Star Experience | 15 Years in Gastronomy
- F&B Management Professional | Menu Innovation | Cost Control Expertise | 7 Years Progressive Experience
- Lead Restaurant Supervisor | Customer Satisfaction Champion | Advanced Diploma in Hospitality | 3+ Years Management
Opting between a restaurant manager CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your restaurant manager CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a restaurant manager job:
- Seasoned Restaurant Manager with 12 years’ experience adept at overseeing operations in high-volume establishments, reducing costs by 25% in previous role while maintaining excellent customer service. Specialises in staff training and menu development, significantly increasing repeat business through strategic marketing and stellar service.
- Dynamic former Hospitality Coordinator making a transition to Restaurant Management, bringing a fresh perspective and 5 years of exceptional customer service experience. Successfully managed events for up to 500 guests, aiming to leverage interpersonal skills to cultivate a memorable dining experience and boost restaurant reputation.
- Accomplished Sales Manager with a decade of experience in customer relations, looking to bring a vigorous leadership style and innovative marketing strategies to the restaurant industry. Passionate about developing a loyal customer base by driving a culture that thrives on exceeding guest expectations.
- Expert Restaurant Manager with 15 years in the field, known for elevating dining experiences through carefully curated wine programs, which increased sales by 40%. Expertise in team leadership and financial management, committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and staff empowerment.
- Seeking to apply my enthusiasm for gastronomy and customer service as a trainee in Restaurant Management. Eager to develop practical expertise in restaurant operations and contribute to creating outstanding guest experiences while progressing towards management responsibilities.
- Recent Business Administration graduate, aiming to leverage knowledge of business processes and customer service acumen to excel in a Restaurant Manager Trainee role. Aspiring to implement innovative strategies that enhance dining satisfaction and promote operational efficiencies.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your restaurant manager CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Directed daily operations, ensuring smooth service for up to 200 customers daily while maintaining high standards of food quality and guest satisfaction.
- Implemented a new inventory management system that reduced food waste by 20% and improved the cost-effectiveness of the kitchen operations.
- Trained and managed a team of 30 staff members, including front-of-house and kitchen personnel, enhancing teamwork and service delivery through regular performance evaluations.
- Orchestrated the redesign of the restaurant layout, improving flow and increasing seating capacity by 15%, significantly boosting evening service revenue.
- Negotiated with suppliers to secure more favourable pricing, resulting in a 10% reduction in monthly operation costs without compromising on quality.
- Designed and launched a successful marketing campaign that increased weekend footfall by 25%, leveraging social media and local food events.
- Led the restaurant to garner a regional award for "Best Overall Dining Experience", underscoring the commitment to excellence in service and cuisine.
- Implemented staff development programmes, including wine and food pairing courses, that raised the team's expertise and enhanced the dining experience.
- Analysed customer feedback to continually refine the menu offerings and special events, driving a customer return rate increase of 30% over one year.
- Oversaw a 20% increase in the restaurant's annual revenue by introducing innovative menu items and enhancing customer service training.
- Reduced staff turnover by 35% through the implementation of a comprehensive employee development program and a performance-based incentive scheme.
- Spearheaded the adoption of a new restaurant management software, improving reservation handling and dining experience personalisation.
- Managed a team of 50+ employees, ensuring top-notch service in a fast-paced environment, leading to a consistent 4.5 TripAdvisor rating.
- Negotiated with suppliers to cut down costs by 10%, allowing for reinvestment into staff training and facilities upgrades.
- Implemented a customer loyalty program that grew our repeat customer base by 25%.
- Organised and executed a complete restaurant renovation, with minimal disruption to service, ultimately enhancing guest experience and attracting a new demographic.
- Directed a successful marketing campaign involving social media and local events, resulting in a 40% increase in off-peak business.
- Coordinated the launch of a new seasonal menu, contributing to a 30% uplift in sales of featured items.
- Implemented cost-control measures that reduced waste by 25%, significantly improving profit margins.
- Cultivated a strong front-of-house team who improved service times by 15%, greatly enhancing customer satisfaction scores.
- Established partnerships with local businesses for cross-promotions, increasing visibility and footfall during seasonal events.
- Initiated staff training protocols that elevated the restaurant’s fine dining experience, recognized by a prestigious industry award.
- Led the restaurant through a critical period of rebranding, maintaining customer loyalty and staff morale.
- Devised a streamlined inventory system that reduced excess stock by 20%, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Optimized supplier contracts which led to a 15% reduction in food costs without compromising on quality, directly boosting profitability.
- Mapped out employee career progression plans, which cut down on recruitment costs by promoting internal staff to leadership roles.
- Curated a series of community events that doubled as marketing opportunities, resulting in a significant increase in weekday sales.
- Managed the transition to a farm-to-table menu, increasing customer visits due to interest in sustainable and locally-sourced food options.
- Developed a multi-lingual staff training program to cater to our diverse clientele, which improved communication and customer service ratings.
- Led an initiative to enhance the outdoor dining space, which accounted for an additional 25% seating capacity and increased summer revenue.
- Championed a shift to digital ordering systems to streamline operations, yielding a 30% reduction in average table turnover time.
- Forged a partnership with a renowned mixologist to revamp the cocktail menu, driving a 50% increase in bar sales over six months.
- Implemented a waste management system that was environmentally friendly and resulted in a 10% annual cost saving on disposal services.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your restaurant manager CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Key restaurant manager CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your restaurant manager CV:
Food and Beverage Management
Inventory Control
POS Systems Proficiency
Financial Reporting and Budgeting
Menu Planning and Optimization
Health and Safety Regulations
Staff Training and Development
Customer Service Management
Marketing and Promotions
Supply Chain Management
Leadership
Communication
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Decision Making
Adaptability
Stress Management
Teamwork
Conflict Resolution
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your restaurant manager CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your restaurant manager CV:
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your restaurant manager CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
