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Restaurant Manager Resume Examples that Work in 2024

Want to land a restaurant manager position? These guidelines and examples will help you write a perfect resume that will stand out.

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By Ho Lin 3 minute read

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Restaurant Manager Resume Example

Restaurant Manager Resume Example

What Should I Highlight in a Restaurant Manager Resume?

As a restaurant manager, your job is to keep track of all restaurant operations and develop successful business strategies. Restaurant managers are in charge of hiring and training new staff members, managing the budget, ordering supplies, working with kitchen staff on menus, inventory management, ensuring that everything is up to code, food service management, etc.

In other words, this position carries a lot of job responsibilities and requires a diverse skill set. However, there are certain qualities restaurant owners look for in managers, such as previous achievements, interpersonal communication skills, and customer service. Team-oriented, organized, multi-tasking managers are sought after, so if you possess any of these qualities, highlight them in your resume.

The Structure of a Restaurant Manager Resume

There are several crucial elements every restaurant manager’s resume sample needs to contain. In this part, we will go over each of them, thoroughly explaining what those segments need to include to make your professional resume stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. 

1

Header

The first part of your resume is the header, and simply put, it is your business card. Enter your name, home address, email address, and phone number in this part. Avoid listing email addresses that sound unprofessional (playboy85) or links to your Facebook and Instagram accounts. However, include a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.

2

Resume summary or objective

A resume objective is the part of your resume where you explain what the goals for your employment are. For instance, you can write: “Experienced food and beverage manager seeking restaurant manager role at a reputable restaurant and best utilize my skills and experience.” More experienced job seekers can use a resume summary, in which you highlight your most important skills, management experience, and achievements that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Use this part to underline your years of experience in this industry, skills that are most sought after in restaurant managers, or any achievements that help the hiring manager see why you are the best person for the job.

3

Skills

Hiring managers use the applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes. Based on the results, you can be the first in line for the interview or end up buried in the pile, so they never get to read your resume. To beat the ATS, you need to use specific keywords from the job description in the skills section. Some of the most common keywords to be on the lookout for in restaurant manager job postings include:

  • Restaurant management
  • Hospitality management
  • Event management
  • Budget management
  • Menu development
  • Catering
  • Customer service
  • Food safety
  • Food and beverage
Read the job description carefully, and see which keywords pop up so you can include those in your resume. How much space you will have to show off your skillset will depend mainly on the type of resume format you choose. There are three formats: chronological, functional, and combination. In the chronological, or more accurate, reverse-chronological resume, your work experience will be the center of your resume, where your most recent job will be listed first. Unlike a chronological resume, the functional resume format focuses on your skills, and employment history is kept very brief. Finally, in the combination (also known as hybrid) resume, there’s room for your skills as well as examples of how you’ve used them in your work history section. No matter what format you use, it’s best to use bullet points to list your skills to make your resume easy to read while leaving enough white space. Using resume templates can help you ensure proper formatting and modern style ideas for your next resume.

4

Work History

Speaking of work history, that is the next element of your resume. Instead of just listing the restaurants you worked at and your responsibilities in this section, draw attention to major accomplishments. For instance, in the work experience section, mention how you managed to earn a promotion or how your work resulted in improved productivity and increased levels of customer satisfaction.

5

Education

Although you do not really need a college degree to work in this line of business, any culinary training can boost your resume. Furthermore, hiring managers also pay attention to business classes since you will need to possess budgeting and management skills as a restaurant manager.  If you have completed any training programs through previous jobs, then be sure to list them here as well. In addition, name any certificates you received after completing food preparation or safety courses, such as a ServSafe certification.

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Do’s and Don’ts for a Restaurant Manager Resume

check sign Do:
  • Use a resume builder that helps you beat ATS. Creating a resume that contains all the relevant keywords can make a difference between landing an interview and not getting that important call.
  • Quantify your accomplishments. Instead of just writing that you managed the budget, put down that you managed a $45,000 daily budget for supplies, for example.
  • Be specific. How many staff members have you trained? How has your last place of work benefited from your expertise? Did you implement new safety standards? How have you managed to reduce employee turnover? Use specific data to emphasize your skills and accomplishments.
close sign Don't:
  • Ignore spelling mistakes. Even in the restaurant business, spelling mistakes can make you look sloppy. Being detail-oriented is a critical skill a restaurant manager should possess, so be sure to proofread your resume.
  • Use the same resume for every job. Just because you are applying for the same position at a different restaurant doesn’t mean you can recycle your previous resume. Be sure to customize every resume according to each job posting.
  • List each of your responsibilities. A hiring manager won’t be interested to learn how you cleaned tables in the dining room or mopped the floors at your previous workplace, so do not go into details that are not relevant to the specific job you are applying for.

FAQ: Restaurant Manager Resumes

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Besides your resume, you will need to submit a well-written cover letter to land that new job. Many hiring managers won’t even read resumes that are not accompanied by a cover letter. If you do not know how to write one, check several cover letter samples to get the idea.

If you do not have a lot of experience as a restaurant manager, then draw attention to your skills and education. Although the job search can be daunting, instead of fluffing your employment history, mention any activities that show your soft skills. For instance, if you have done any volunteer work or freelance projects that show off your teamwork skills, interpersonal skills, or other qualities relevant to the restaurant business, include them.

Every job application contains specific keywords hiring managers will be looking for when scanning received resumes. To ensure you get the interview, look carefully at the job ad, and see which skills, traits, and experience levels are listed. Afterward, use the ones that apply to you in your resume.

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WRITTEN BY Ho Lin

Ho Lin is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.

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