When you’re looking for a host or hostess job, it’s vital to network, as many restaurants hire more by referrals than standard applications. But what if you see a promising host or hostess job advertised? In those cases, you’ll need a resume ready so you don’t miss the chance for an interview.
Don’t worry, you can write a great host or hostess resume by focusing on your skill at engaging with customers, collaborating in teams, and supporting restaurant operations. The following tips and examples will show you how to achieve that focus so your resume helps you find your next host or hostess job.
Most Popular Host and Hostess Resumes
Hostess Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
This hostess resume lists the candidate’s key skills up front to showcase their qualifications for fast-paced environments and customer-facing roles. Learn more about how to craft a standout resume here.
VIP Hostess Resume
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume highlights her ability to handle high-profile clients and maintain discretion in luxury hospitality environments, demonstrating her value for upscale venues. Learn how to showcase key hospitality skills on your resume here.
Fine Dining Hostess Resume
Why This Resume Works
Clara’s resume demonstrates her experience in high-end dining environments, emphasizing her ability to manage reservations and provide exceptional guest service. Learn more about how to highlight soft skills like guest relations here.
Hostess Server Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume highlights Emma’s ability to handle dual responsibilities as a hostess and server, showcasing her adaptability and multitasking skills. Learn how to structure your resume to highlight multitasking abilities here.
Air Hostess Resume
Why This Resume Works
Jessica’s resume highlights her specialized training and multilingual abilities, both of which are critical for air hostesses. Her certifications and clear focus on passenger safety add further value. Learn more about creating a strong air hostess resume here.
Lead Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume emphasizes leadership skills and quantifiable achievements, such as improving customer satisfaction scores. The addition of a relevant certification demonstrates Daniel’s commitment to hospitality excellence. Learn more about how to highlight leadership skills here.
Club Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume effectively highlights Brittany’s ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, showcasing her expertise in guest relations and event promotions. Her certification adds credibility in managing alcohol service. Learn how to create standout resumes for nightlife roles here.
Hostess Manager Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume emphasizes Natalie’s leadership skills and her ability to drive improvements in customer satisfaction. Including certifications and quantifiable achievements strengthens her candidacy. Learn more about managing hospitality teams here.
Entry-Level Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume demonstrates Ethan’s ability to adapt quickly in restaurant settings while emphasizing transferable skills like multitasking and guest relations. It’s ideal for candidates just starting in the hospitality industry. Learn how to build strong entry-level resumes here.
Diner Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
Grace’s resume emphasizes her ability to manage high guest volumes and maintain excellent service quality in casual dining settings. The inclusion of both host and server experience showcases versatility. Learn more about multitasking in resumes here.
Hostess Cashier Resume
Why This Resume Works
Emily’s resume highlights her dual experience as both a cashier and hostess, emphasizing her multitasking skills and experience with payment processing. This versatility is valuable for restaurant roles. Learn more about combining roles on your resume here.
Entry-Level Hostess Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume focuses on Isabella’s transferable skills and her internship experience, making it ideal for someone starting out in the hospitality industry. The volunteer experience adds depth to her customer service abilities. Learn how to structure entry-level resumes here.
Hostess Manager Resume
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume highlights her leadership experience, measurable results, and expertise in managing front-of-house operations. The certifications and education emphasize her strong hospitality background. Learn more about hospitality management resumes here.
Fine Dining Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
James’s resume emphasizes his polished customer service skills and ability to manage VIP accommodations. His experience in fine dining environments is well-supported by his certifications and education. Learn more about crafting resumes for fine dining roles here.
Why This Resume Works
This resume highlights Olivia’s ability to thrive in casual dining settings and her strong teamwork skills. Her experience managing waitlists and supporting staff showcases her flexibility and efficiency. Learn how to highlight transferable skills here.
Host (Casual Dining) Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume showcases Ethan’s experience in managing guest seating and handling high-volume waitlists, essential skills for casual dining environments. The certification adds an extra layer of professionalism. Learn more about managing high-volume roles here.
Restaurant Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume highlights her strong skills in guest relations and reservation management, making her a strong candidate for restaurant host positions. Learn more about crafting resumes for restaurant roles here.
Entry-Level Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume highlights Liam’s internship and volunteer experience, showcasing transferable skills that are valuable in an entry-level host role. Learn how to tailor resumes for beginner roles here.
VIP Lounge Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
Olivia’s resume emphasizes her experience in luxury hospitality environments, with a focus on VIP service. Her certifications and education strengthen her qualifications for upscale venues. Learn more about resumes for luxury hospitality here.
Fine Dining Hostess Resume
Why This Resume Works
Emma’s resume highlights her ability to provide top-tier service in fine dining environments, emphasizing her experience managing VIP accommodations and large parties. Learn more about customer service resumes here.
Banquet Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume highlights Noah’s extensive experience in managing large-scale events, showcasing his ability to coordinate teams and maintain high standards under pressure. Learn more about event management resumes here.
Restaurant Lounge Host Resume
Why This Resume Works
Ava’s resume emphasizes her experience in upscale lounge settings and her ability to manage guest relations and optimize seating. Her certification and accomplishments add further credibility. Learn how to highlight VIP service skills here.
Host Supervisor Resume
Why This Resume Works
Ethan’s resume highlights his leadership skills and measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and efficiency. His experience and certification make him a strong candidate for supervisory roles. Learn more about how to showcase leadership on resumes here.
Diner Host/Hostess Resume
Why This Resume Works
This resume emphasizes Lily’s ability to handle high-volume guest traffic and optimize table turnover, skills crucial for casual dining settings. Learn more about multitasking in resumes here.
Lead Host/Hostess Resume
Why This Resume Works
Mason’s resume highlights his leadership experience and ability to oversee front-of-house operations effectively. Including quantifiable achievements and certifications strengthens his candidacy. Learn more about hospitality leadership resumes here.
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Host and Hostess Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Host and Hostess Resume
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
You know the importance of first impressions when welcoming guests to a restaurant. Make a great first impression on hiring managers by writing a compelling profile summary of your skills as a host or hostess. For instance, describe your communication style and how that promotes a positive dining experience for new and returning customers. Or you might emphasize collaborating with diverse bussers, waitstaff, maître d’s, and restaurant managers.
Your profile is also a great place to mention if you have a background at a similar dining establishment. By showing your related experience in this way, you can assure restaurant managers that you will train quickly.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Efficient hostess with two years of experience in privately owned restaurants. Skilled at providing courteous service, collaborating on a team, and making and updating guest reservations. Thrive in dynamic and fast-paced work environments.
Mid-Career Profile Example
Host with eight years of experience in popular bars and restaurants. Skilled at managing customer databases, arranging for large parties, and answering calls and emails. Combine strong organizational skills with a friendly service style. Calm, professional, and focused on finding solutions in high-pressure work environments. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
2. Add a results-driven experience section
A strong experience section describes not just your relevant duties but also the positive impact of those duties. You can show your strength as a host or hostess by giving specific numbers on your performance, such as how many guests you served or where you ranked on your team.
Also, consider whether you created or improved standard procedures in each restaurant where you worked. You could develop a more efficient way to prepare customer orders using new food delivery apps. Or perhaps you helped find a better system for reducing wait times during the restaurant’s busy summer season. Quantify improvements like these regarding lower restaurant costs, higher productivity, or better guest satisfaction scores. When data isn’t available, you can still show results by describing how your work supported a generally positive dining experience for guests.
Mid-Career Experience Example
Host, The Galley Restaurant, Rochester, NY | March 2016 to January 2023
[Popular, award-winning seafood restaurant with 40 tables]
- Maintained a warm and professional manner in interacting with guests by phone and in person
- Sat over 130 diners per night in three separate seatings while upholding restaurant’s high service standards
- Reconciled cash in tills at the end of each shift
Highlight:
- Member of team that drove a 15% increase in customer satisfaction on monthly surveys, earning special recognition from corporate in 2019
Senior-Level Experience Example
Hostess, The Michelin Restaurant, Newport, RI | April 2018 to March 2023
- Arranged approximately 40 party reservations per night
- Answered incoming calls and emails in a warm and professional manner
- Filed incident reports as needed
Highlights:
- Implemented a new customer relationship management (CRM) database that raised customer satisfaction ratings by 20% in three years
- Managed waitlist, helping reduce average wait times by 10% and prevent overcrowding in server sections
3. Include relevant education and certifications
While host and hostess jobs typically don’t have formal education requirements, cite any degree you’ve earned, especially if the degree is focused on hospitality. Also, note any hospitality-related certifications you’ve gained. Finally, consider including any safe food handling permit you have since that’s required for restaurant workers in some states.
The following are templates and examples to help you format education or certification details on your resume. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].
Education
Template
- Degree Name — [Major], School Name, City, ST | [Year]
- [relevant coursework]
Example
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) — Hospitality Business, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Select Coursework:
- Hospitality Food Service Operations
- Service Management Principles
Certification
Template
- Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
Example
- Certified Guest Service Professional, American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
4. List key skills and proficiencies
Include a “key skills” or “areas of expertise” section on your host or hostess resume to show your core strengths, such as customer service, reservations management, or rapid solution-seeking. You may also want to cite more technical skills, such as proficiency in point-of-sale systems (POS) used by the restaurants you’re applying to. Below are some common skills and keywords for hosts and hostesses:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Cash till reconciliation | Conflict and complaint resolution |
| CRM databases | Customer relations and satisfaction |
| Facilitating guest turnover | POS systems |
| Rapid solution-seeking | Reservations management |
| Restaurant operations support | Task prioritization |
| Team collaboration | Time management |
| Wait time estimates | Waitlist management |
| Work scheduling | |
How To Pick the Best Host and Hostess Resume Template
As with most vocations, hosts and hostesses should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward. Opt for a visual format that lets the hiring manager quickly review your most impressive career details. Use a simple resume font, and avoid any template with overly colorful or elaborate designs.
Chris Shatto - Hospitality Recruiter and Expert Contributor, Linkedin
Meet our Expert: Chris is a respected hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience in upscale and luxury hotels and clubs and owns Gecko Hospitality, a renowned recruiting firm.
1. What are the most in-demand skills for hosting that should be featured on a candidate’s resume? -
For a hosting position, hard skills might include familiarity with reservation software, health and safety regulations, and language skills if the establishment caters to a multi-lingual clientele. Soft skills are equally important. A host needs excellent communication and customer service skills, the ability to maintain composure during peak hours, and a welcoming demeanor that can set the tone for a guest's entire dining experience.
2. What work experience and other accomplishments are hiring managers seeking in a hosting candidate?-
Hiring managers typically look for previous experience in a customer service-oriented role, particularly within the hospitality industry. However, any examples of dealing with the public or managing situations under pressure can be relevant. Achievements demonstrating the ability to work as part of a team, resolve customer complaints effectively, or manage multiple tasks concurrently will stand out.
3. What else should a hosting candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers besides a resume? -
While a resume is crucial, a cover letter can distinguish a candidate by showing personality and genuine interest in the job and establishment. Candidates may also provide references or letters of recommendation from previous employers that can attest to their reliability and work ethic.
4. What advice would you give a hosting candidate about their job search? -
First, target your applications to establishments where you can see yourself fitting in, as cultural fit is critical in hospitality roles. Then, customize your resume and cover letter to each job, highlighting the most relevant skills and experience. Lastly, personality and attitude can be as important as experience in hospitality, so let your enthusiasm for the role and the industry shine through in every interaction with potential employers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Host and Hostess Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for host and hostess resumes? -
The following verbs list will help you brainstorm and write about the various ways you’ve made an impact in your service-industry experience:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Assisted | Attended |
| Collaborated | Coordinated |
| Enhanced | Generated |
| Greeted | Improved |
| Increased | Listened |
| Managed | Monitored |
| Organized | Oversaw |
| Prevented | Produced |
| Ranked | Resolved |
| Scheduled | Supervised |
| Supported | Trained |
| Welcomed | Won |
How do you align your host and hostess resume with a job posting?-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for hosts and hostesses will increase by about 15% (or 52,600 jobs) between 2021 and 2031. This growth rate is much faster than the average for all U.S. jobs.
You can get more interviews in this growing field if you tailor your resume for each application you send. One great way to tailor your resume is by adding descriptions of restaurants you’ve worked in in brackets right below the restaurant name in your experience section.
Restaurant descriptions let you show any similarity between the places you’ve worked at and the place you now want to work. For instance, maybe you’ve worked in the same type of cuisine or for a similar size facility. And if you’re applying to a high-volume or top-rated restaurant, you can use restaurant descriptions to emphasize any background in these environments. Including these details on your resume will make it much more relevant to the job opening.
What is the best host and hostess resume format? -
In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience. It’s also easiest for you to modify based on your job goals.
With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your experience or work history section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) As noted above, your resume intro should include a profile summary and a key skills section. You may also add a career highlights or awards section. Choose the details for these sections carefully. Ensure each point shows you have the service skills to help a restaurant succeed.
What’s the recommended length for a host and hostess resume?-
The recommended length for a host and hostess resume is one page, especially for professionals with under 10 years of experience. A two-page resume can work for those with substantial accomplishments or a longer career, but only if it’s concise and highly relevant to the role. Tailoring your resume to the job and highlighting your strongest qualifications are key to success.
Stick to listing work experience from the last 10 to 15 years, as this period is most relevant to employers. Summarize or omit older positions unless they’re crucial for your application. A focused and streamlined resume will help capture the hiring manager’s attention.
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To increase your chances of getting an interview, write a strong cover letter. The key to writing an effective letter is customizing it based on each employer you apply to. Read our food service cover letter guide to learn how. See our server and hotel front desk cover letter guides for other examples.
