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Building a Restaurant Manager Résumé? Here Are 4 Things You Should Leave Out

Building a Restaurant Manager Resume_ Here Are 4 Things You Should Leave Out

Experienced hospitality professionals know the importance of having a well-written and updated restaurant manager résumé. Gainfully employed workers can lose their jobs on a whim, and time is of the essence when seeking a new position. Quality résumés are important for all job seekers, but the bar is even higher for those seeking management positions.

Here are Four Things Every Hospitality Professional Should Leave Out of Their Restaurant Manager Résumé:

  • Outdated or Redundant Experience 

Newer workers need not worry about resume length. Someone who’s just graduated from high school, college, or culinary school likely needs to add as much information as possible. However, more experienced folks should focus on being concise.

First, most people have limited attention spans. It’s just human nature. Nobody wants to sift through page after page of bullet points listing redundant job positions and dated work experience. Does a restaurant executive really care if a management candidate was a dishwasher at a small café 20 years ago?

Second, hiring managers are very busy. Your restaurant manager résumé will be one of several they review. The goal is not to create the longest employment history possible but rather to paint a picture of why you’re the candidate for the job.

  • Irrelevant Work History 

In addition to old and needlessly-redundant employment details, many people include irrelevant work history on their restaurant manager résumé. A candidate for a leadership position with a well-respected hospitality corporation shouldn’t include their prior positions in unrelated industries.

There are exceptions, however. Résumés should always include the applicant’s current or most recent role, even if it’s unrelated. In these situations, it will hopefully have cross-over value that can be highlighted, like customer service or sales. Also, non-hospitality roles should be included if they’re necessary to show consistent work history. Don’t leave gaps in your resume that could create concerns.

  • High School Achievements 

Perhaps you were the star quarterback in high school. That’s great! But should you include it in your restaurant manager résumé at age 45?

The rule of thumb is that your résumé should be no longer than one page if you’re newer to the workforce and no longer than two pages if you’re an experienced professional.

A recent high school or college graduate is well served to highlight high school achievements that demonstrate character and work ethic. More mature workers need to use discretion.

  • Exaggerating “Accomplishments”

Nobody should ever exaggerate their accomplishments. “Accomplishments” are used in quotations deliberately as these highlights are often subjective and open to interpretation.

Some job seekers do not view exaggeration as lying, but hiring managers will. If a prospective restaurant manager tries to claim credit for the success of a Fortune 500 hospitality corporation, they’ll likely be viewed as a con artist. Instead, they should cite specific achievements and directly connect them to his work.

Ultimately, most company leaders don’t expect a perfect restaurant manager résumé. But, they’re busy people with limited time, and sometimes less is more. Hospitality job seekers who focus on what matters to the decision-makers will increase their odds of securing an interview!

If you’re a restaurant or hospitality professional seeking a new opportunity, be sure to review openings from one of the nation’s top recruiting agencies today!

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