Caterer.com > Careers advice > CVs and applications

How to write the perfect cover letter

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:15:34 +0100

So you’ve got your killer hospitality CV safely tucked under your belt. But before you can apply for that perfect job, there’s still one more thing you have to do: write a great cover letter.

Some experts say you’ve got just 40 seconds to grab your reader's attention before they start getting distracted, so the key thing to remember is that your letter must be concise and to the point while still showing you to be a passionate and worthwhile candidate.

Do your research

Before you flex your fingers and reach for the keyboard, take some time to research the company and study the job spec in detail. Demonstrate what you’ve learned about the company and the position to show that you’re not just using the same letter for each application.

First paragraph - introducing yourself

Keep it short and snappy. State your name, the position you’re applying for, how you found it, and what your current job function is. Include a sentence or two about why you think you‘re especially suited to the position.

Second paragraph - your experience

This will form the main part of your letter and it’s the bit where you can cut loose and really sell yourself. List here:

Your level/years of experience
Qualifications or training you have that's relevant
Characteristics and skills that make you suitable for the job

If you’ve just graduated, focus more on the level of education you’ve achieved and what you can offer. If you’ve been in work for some time, focus on your experience — employers will be more interested in that than what you did for your degree ten years ago. The same applies if you’re changing careers; your transferable skills are key here.

Think of it as an extended personal statement; you don’t have to brag, but don’t be afraid to highlight specific achievements. But don’t forget the golden rule: always back your claims up with facts and figures!

Third paragraph - why you want to work for them

This paragraph is all about showing how keen you are to integrate into the company itself. You can approach this from any angle, for instance:

What sets this company apart from its competitors?
How is it similar or different to its competitors? Why is this good?
What values does it have that you hold in high regard?
Are you looking for a new challenge, or do you simply want to take the next step with your career?

You will be looked upon favourably if you come across as genuinely interested in your potential employer. But don’t suck up — they’ll see right through it.

Fourth paragraph - the conclusion

Again, keep it short and sweet. Never sign off with ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ — you’re inviting a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ response. Instead, opt for something like ‘I look forward to discussing my candidacy/the position with you further.’

If you do know the recipient’s name, sign off with ‘Yours sincerely’
If you don‘t know the recipient’s name, use ‘Yours ‘faithfully’

Make the effort to find a contact name to whom you can address your letter. Most good job ads will include contact details and many HR departments will give you a contact name if you explain why you want it.

Don’t take your own word for it

Whenever you write anything, get someone to look over it with a fresh pair of eyes. By the time, you’ve finished typing, deleting, cutting, copying and pasting a letter together you’ll have become pretty blind to any errors. And a cover letter full of typos and bad grammar will do you no favours.

- How to write a killer hospitality CV
- Who's looking at you, kid?
- Should I dumb down my CV?
- 5 things to avoid on your hospitality CV

Job searches

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- Search for restaurant jobs
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How to write a killer hospitality CV

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:15:34 +0100

Companies in the hospitality sector care about three things: customer service, customer service and customer service. Because these companies stake their reputations on the way they treat and serve their customers, hospitality jobs require a very different set of skills than, for example, office jobs.

Because of the often very specific nature of these sort of roles, it's best to create two CVs; a general CV for the industry and a CV specific to the role for which you're applying.

What are employers looking for?

Employers are looking for people who can add value to their business by demonstrating exceptional service and commitment. You’ll be expected to meet and greet a variety of customers and be comfortable dealing with all sorts of novel situations. A lot of hospitality jobs will also require you to be on your feet for long periods of time.

For these reasons, employers will be looking for people who are:

Willing to serve others
Polite and friendly
Clean and neat
Team players
Healthy and fit
Able to thrive under pressure
Willing to be flexible in their working patterns

In a more senior position, such as a hotel manager, you'll be expected to:

Manage a team
Demonstrate commercial sense with promotions and marketing campaigns
Recruit and train staff
Manage and report budgets and figures

Writing your CV

The first thing to identify is exactly which skills the employer is looking for. For example, front of house staff, such as concierges and restaurant workers, will need customer service skills; whereas back of house workers will want to highlight their proficiencies with cooking, cleaning and organising. Write down a list of your skills so you can refer back to it when compiling your CV.

Personal details

Make sure you include your correct address, telephone and email details. You don't need to include your date of birth, nationality or ethnic origins and you shouldn't need to include a photo either.

Personal statement

Always remember to concentrate on what you can offer the company, not the other way round. Remember also to refer back to the job advert or description to make sure you highlight your relevant skills and experience. Don't be scared to think outside the box: you may have done voluntary work or community projects and learned valuable transferable skills in the process.

Skills overview

This is arguably one of the most important areas on your CV. Always keep in mind the following points when writing it:

How does your experience fit in with your employer's needs?
Have you received any recognition or awards for your work in the past, e.g, Employee of the month?
Do you have any relevant statistics or figures that demonstrate your achievements?

Career history

Again, a vital part of your hospitality CV. Emphasise the parts of your career history that are most relevant to the position you're applying for. For example, if you're currently in a bar job, but are applying for the position of concierge, talk about your customer service skills and your ability to communicate and effectively serve a broad range of customers.

Education and training

Aside from any academic qualifications, employers will want you to tell them about any training you've undertaken, such as food safety training, or health and safety courses. Since you'll be dealing with the public for most jobs in hospitality, don't be shy about mentioning things like first aid courses either.

Volunteer and charity work

Employers will be impressed if you've got experience in running or participating in charity campaigns, as it shows commitment and a willingness to see a project through to the end. It also shows that you are mature and have a sense of responsibility to the general community. But please: don't lie!

Additional skills and experience

This is for anything else you feel might be relevant to the job. You could mention any other languages you speak, any skills or experience with food preparation or cocktail making, any cash handling skills, even a typing speed. Always remember to link it back to the job you're applying for. There's little value in mentioning you have a typing speed of 80 words per minute if you're applying to be a waiter!

Personal attributes

Building a career in hospitality means having the right attitude and personality, which is why including a personal attributes section can really demonstrate how you would be valuable to a particular employer. It's not essential to include this section, especially if you've covered it in your personal statement, but it's certainly recommended if you have little or no relevant experience.

Personal attributes might include:

Well presented
Confident communicator
Responsible, reliable and honest
Fast learner
Punctual

References

A simple 'references available on request' will suffice here. The key is to pick referees who have knowledge of your skills and can sell you to a potential employer. Make sure your referees are aware you've given their details and make sure you brief them as much as possible on the job you are applying for. Perhaps even send them a copy of the job description.

- 9 common grammar mistakes on CVs and cover letters
- 6 things you can do right now to improve your CV
- How to write the perfect cover letter
- Should I dumb down my CV?

Job searches:

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs
- Search for chef jobs in Edinburgh

Hospitality qualifications

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:15:32 +0100

There's a huge range of qualifications you can take if you’re interested in hospitality jobs. We’re taking a brief look at the main types, how they help and what they involve...

National Vocational Qualification / Scottish Vocational Qualification (NVQ/SVQ)

NVQs and SVQs are vocational (work-related), competence-based qualifications which include work experience. There are no age limits or minimum entry requirements. Assessment is normally through on-the-job observation and questioning. Levels for both qualifications range from 1 to 5.

NVQs and SVQs don’t have to be completed in a specific time period, but you can expect to get your qualification after around one year's full-time study or two years' part-time attendance.

Other vocational qualifications

BTEC qualifications and OCR Nationals are particular types of work-related qualifications. They come in many different sizes and difficulty levels. They’re great if you’re interested in learning about the skills and knowledge required for the hospitality industry. They offer a mix of theory and practice, and can include work experience. They can be (or be part of) a technical certificate..

Qualifications at different levels have different entry requirements. They’re usually studied full-time at college or school, but you can take them part-time at college (including as part of an apprenticeship). You’re assessed by your teacher or trainer, where you study.

Apprenticeships

There are different variations around the UK, including Modern Apprenticeships and Young Apprenticeships (for under-16s). If you’re over 16, an apprenticeship lets you combine paid employment with training for specific hospitality jobs, so you can start a career without having to study full-time. You will work towards a vocational qualification like an NVQ. There are three levels:

Apprenticeships (equivalent to five good GCSE passes): you will work towards Key Skills qualifications, plus vocational ones like an NVQ Level 2, and possibly a technical (knowledge-based) certificate, such as a BTEC. You can then go forward to an advanced apprenticeship.
Advanced apprenticeships (equivalent to two A levels): you will earn a qualification like an NVQ Level 3 along with Key Skills and a possible technical certificate. You will need five good GCSE passes or an apprenticeship to enter. You can move on to a higher apprenticeship.
Higher apprenticeships (equivalent to a degree): these offer qualifications like an NVQ Level 4 and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification, including a foundation degree. You will generally need A levels or similar qualifications to enter.

Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma (NHC and HNCD)

These are vocational higher education qualifications. While bachelors degrees focus on gaining knowledge, HNCs and HNDs are designed to give you the skills to put that knowledge to effective use. Work placements are integral to the course. They’re suitable if you hope to work in a management position. They can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations.

You’ll need GCSEs and an A level, an advanced GNVQ or a Scottish Group Award. HNCs usually take one year to complete full-time and two years part-time (or via distance learning).

Diploma of higher education

Diplomas of higher education are similar to HNDs – they’re accredited professional qualifications that are valued by employers in the UK and overseas. They usually take two years to complete and can normally be converted to a degree with an extra year of study.

Foundation degree

This is a type of degree designed to give you the skills and knowledge valued by businesses, or a route into higher education. It’s roughly equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree. You can learn via distance learning, in the workplace or online.

You can complete a full-time foundation degree in about two years, or three to four years part-time. Afterwards you can opt to do a third year, which will give you a university honours degree.

Bachelors degree

A bachelors degree (which you might also know as an ordinary or first degree) is an academic qualification that usually takes three or four years to complete full time. This is normally four years if you're doing a sandwich course, which includes a year in industry or abroad. You can also study part time or through flexible learning.

A degree is designed to give you a thorough understanding of a subject, helping you develop your analytical, intellectual and essay or dissertation writing skills. Most bachelors degrees ask for at least two A levels at grade E or above (or equivalent grades in other qualifications).

Graduate apprenticeship

This qualification is suitable if you already have a diploma or degree in another subject. You’ll gain practical vocational knowledge, as you’ll be in full-time employment in the hospitality industry. It includes Key Skills and NVQ qualifications while in the workplace. There’s no timescale for completion.

Institute of Hospitality qualifications

The Institute of Hospitality is the professional body for managers in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries. It has a range of accredited vocational qualifications specific to hospitality management. These qualifications provide:

The knowledge required for leadership and management
Specialist business and management skills
Appropriate Continuing Professional Development
Updated professional business knowledge
A route leading from introductory, via intermediate, to advanced level
A structured pathway for career progression and promotion

No specific qualifications are required, but you must work in the hospitality industry and have a good general education and a good standard of English and maths.

Useful contacts and information

National Database of Accredited Qualifications: lists and details all qualifications recognised across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The National Skills Academy for Hospitality: A not for profit organisation offering hospitality specific training courses.

Learndirect: A network of more than 750 online learning centres in England and Wales.

Prospects: The UK's leading provider of information for students and graduates, with employment and postgraduate study guides available.

Apprenticeships: The website of the National Apprenticeship Service, responsible for all apprenticeships in England.

Education UK: The British Council’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities in the UK, offering distance and college courses.

GET: Graduate higher education site offering graduate jobs, independent career advice and a community of job hunters.

Institute of Hospitality: Professional body for managers — and aspiring managers — in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries.

Further links:

- Connexions
- Next Step Careers Service
- Foundation Degree Forward (offers information and guidance about Foundation Degrees)
- Hospitality Diploma site
- UCAS

- Search for chef jobs in Glasgow
- Search for chef jobs in Aberdeen
- Search for chef jobs in Edinburgh

Job searches

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for chef jobs in Glasgow
- Search for chef jobs in Aberdeen
- Search for chef jobs in Edinburgh

9 common grammar mistakes on CVs and cover letters

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:14:50 +0100

When applying for a new hospitality job, whether you're applying to be a barman or a restaurant manager, bad English on your CV or cover letter will all but guarantee your CV's place in the recruiter’s bin.

There’s no denying that hospitality is mostly about giving customers a fantastic experience than sitting at a desk, churning out emails from 9am to 5pm. That's usually why people choose to work in the industry.

But even if writing isn't a big part of your day job, you shouldn't let your standards of grammar, spelling and punctuation slide, especially when it comes to getting the all important first interview.

So, for those of you who don’t know your whos from your whoms and your ifs from your whethers, we’ve gathered together the most common spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes (and how to correct them) and gift wrapped them for you in a handy little article. Aren’t we good to you?

Mistake 1: Your vs. You’re

Probably the worst offender of the lot. Did you know there’s a Facebook group called 'If you don’t know the difference between 'your' and 'you're', you deserve to die'?

That’s perhaps a little harsh, but you do need to pay attention to this one, because spellcheckers will often miss it. The clue is in the apostrophe. If you use an apostrophe, it’s a contraction of the words you are. On the other hand, your means belonging or relating to you.

Incorrect: I will call you on Friday if your in the office.
Incorrect: Please find attached my CV in relation to you’re job posting on Caterer.com.
Correct: Please get in touch with me at your earliest convenience.
Correct: Tonight, you’re waiting tables six to eleven.

Mistake 2: The evil apostrophe (again)

The apostrophe is one of the most widely misused punctuation marks in the English language. Get it wrong and you could:

Change the meaning of a sentence
Look rather stupid

The two most common misuses of the apostrophe are Its vs. It's and including an apostrophe in a plural.

Mistake 3: Its vs. It’s:

It’s quite easy to get this wrong, but a handy little trick is to replace its with his (or hers) and see if the text still makes sense.

Its is simply a genderless version of his and hers. If the sentence still makes sense, you’ve got the right one. Likewise with it’s – just replace it with it is to test its coherence.

Incorrect: Its easy to get a job in hospitality when you have the right CV.
Incorrect: A qualification won’t guarantee you a job on it’s own; you also have to have the right attitude.
Correct: With so many job ads, it’s not surprising that Caterer.com is the No. 1 choice for hospitality recruitment.
Correct: A hospitality CV should impress employers as much as its owner would.

Mistake 4: Apostrophes and plurals:

This is right up there with you’re and your. You should NEVER use an apostrophe before the S in a plural, even when pluralising abbreviations like DVD or CD.

Incorrect: I think there may be a few typo’s on my CV.
Incorrect: I have different CV’s for different job applications.
Correct: There's no reason why you should have to include photos with CVs.

Mistake 5: Their, They’re and There

A triple minefield, this one. And we’re not even counting the possibility of spelling their wrongly – even if you manage to use it in the right context! They’re is a contraction of they are; their is possessive, meaning belonging to, and there is a location.

Incorrect: Their are more possible mistakes with these three words than we can list here!
Correct: Where are their CVs?
Correct: They’re over there.

Mistake 6: Accept vs. Except

You should accept the job offer, except if you don’t want it.

Mistake 7: Could’a, should’a, would’a

A mistake people often make is writing words as they sound. It’s easy to get convinced that have should be spelt of, since we say it say so quickly. But never let it creep into your writing!

Incorrect: I would of got that job interview if I hadn’t made all those spelling mistakes on my cover letter.
Correct: Yes, you would have.

Mistake 8: Loose vs. Lose

Loose is an adjective, lose is a verb: we’d all like to have a bit of loose change, but we'd hate to lose it. And you definitely wouldn’t want to lose out on a job because of poor spelling.

Mistake 9: It’s all about you (not yourself)

Saying yourself instead of a simple you smacks of trying too hard to sound clever and, to many people, will be like fingernails down a blackboard.

Incorrect: Will that be OK for yourself?
Incorrect: You have to motivate you to get all the work done.
Correct: You should send an email to yourself as a reminder.
Correct: As I mentioned previously to you…

These kinds of mistakes happen so often in writing, you'll be forgiven for finding it hard to tell what’s wrong and what’s right. Putting a CV and cover letter together is hard work and can take a long time. By the time you’ve finished, you’ll barely be able to see what you’ve written, let alone spot any grammar or spelling mistakes!

That's why it’s always best to leave your work alone once you’ve finished – preferably overnight – so you can look at it with a fresh pair of eyes later on. And always, always ask someone with a good grasp of English to read it over before you send it.

- How to write a killer hospitality CV
- Who's looking at you, kid?
- Should I dumb down my CV?
- 5 things to avoid on your hospitality CV

Job searches

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs

5 ways of getting the best out of the Caterer.com mobile site

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:57:08 +0100

When you’re at your computer it’s easy to distracted, and if - like us - you’re still trading pokes with your mates on Facebook, you might find your day has vanished before you’ve made any progress on your search for a hospitality job. That's why we’ve developed a great Caterer.com mobile site; so you can get back to doing what your computer was designed for: sharing dodgy photos from the weekend with your pals. Obviously.

If you have an internet-enabled mobile device and you’ve already uploaded your CV from your computer, you’re all set to apply for your next job on the move and keep your free time for yourself. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of our mobile site:

Find your new job on the move

Come on, nobody sits at their computer 24/7, and why would you, when you’re carrying the internet in your pocket? Accessing www.caterer.com via your mobile lets you browse for jobs at those random times, like when your train is delayed or you’re waiting for your friend to show up for coffee.

Want to know the best bit? If your phone is set up to receive emails, you can cick straight through from our jobs by email alerts. Clever, aren't we?

Get in there quickly

The early bird catches the worm, as they say, and applying this same logic to your job search could be just the ticket. Via our mobile site, you can register your profile, set up jobs by email and can take control of your job hunt by applying the moment you spot a job that whets your appetite.

Save jobs you’re interested in for later

Each time you apply, you’ll want to tweak your CV to make sure it’s absolutely perfect for the job you’ve spied on the journey into work. Speed up the process by emailing the job to yourself, so when you get home you have all your potential new jobs waiting for you. This way you have the best chance of making sure you get the perfect application off every time.

Earn yourself some social currency

You might see a job on the Caterer.com mobile site that isn’t for you, but it might be great for your friend who’s hunting for a hospitality job too. Kill two birds with one phone by emailing the details over to them straight from your handset. You never know - it could be the job they’ve been looking for, and it’s always good to have a mate who owes you a favour, right?

Don’t waste a single minute

We know looking for a new job can take up just as much of your day as your existing job does. We’ve been there too! You’re busy, so it pays to make the most of every spare moment you get. You don’t work during your break, so make it work for you. Our mobile site lets you do a quick search when you’ve stepped out for a few minutes, and with the option of applying for jobs online you can send in your CV before you have to head back inside.

You pay enough for your phone, so now it’s time it paid you back. Your next job could (quite literally) be in the palm of your hand.

*CVs need to be uploaded via a desktop PC

Job searches:

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs

What are transferable skills?

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:38:27 +0100

Transferable skills are the general abilities you develop that are useful across a range of different jobs and industries. They might be role-related, technical or general. If you know you don’t have a huge amount of experience, it’s still possible to bag your ideal hospitality job by identifying which of your skills are transferable – and therefore valuable – and emphasising them when you make applications.

What are the key transferable skills?

As well as numeracy and languages, most hospitality employers will be looking for:

Commitment and motivation
Interpersonal skills: can you relate with others and form good working relationships?
Communicating effectively: can you take and give instruction?
Self-awareness: knowing your strengths – and weaknesses
Management and leadership
Decision-making ability
Organisation, research and thinking ahead

Employers everywhere value these skills because they mean you can solve problems and satisfy customers – and it’s no different when you’re looking for hotel and restaurant jobs. Good interpersonal skills and organisational ability are probably the most important abilities you can offer, along with high energy and the enthusiasm to work as a part of a team. And don’t forget the essentials:

Punctuality
Good time management
Attention to detail
Ability and willingness to enlist help when necessary
Willingness to accept responsibility

You can develop all of these in just about any role. If you’re just starting out, you can explain how you developed them during your education or as part of hobbies and activities. To get a better idea of the requirements, look at adverts for the sort of hospitality jobs you’re interested in. See what skills are mentioned: which do you have and which do you need to work on?

Get your CV ready for hospitality jobs

In the meantime, you can rework your CV to list your skills first, before education or previous jobs. Make sure the key ones are near the top! Work out how each job on your CV can demonstrate them.

Provide details everywhere you can. You’ve previously managed a team of five or carried out responsibilities like ordering or managing stock? Put it down. Provide testimonials from your colleagues on how great you are to work with.

Then lay out your relevant qualifications, experience and career progression clearly, plus any personal interests that have helped build your transferable skills. And this is a basic: check for spelling and grammar mistakes – prove your ability to communicate and attention to detail!

Selling yourself - don’t overdo it

Make sure you understand the specific skills and competencies required for every application you make. Then in your CVs and cover letters, and during interviews, you can highlight all your relevant skills and show how they’re applicable.

Start with any hospitality-based skills and experience you’ve got – and give details! Then move on to the most relevant transferable skills. You can also consider how your motivation, personal qualities and aspirations reflect the ethos of your potential employer and bring these in too.

But remember: avoid irrelevant details. It’s good to mention personal interests and hobbies to show you’re well-rounded, but beware of including too much. Avoid vague claims and clichés, like “I was responsible for day-to-day operations” or “I’m a team player”. They won’t help an interviewer understand your achievements and could make them suspicious that you’re concealing a lack of skills.

And if a role definitely requires specific training, qualifications or experience, do not be tempted to make anything up. It might help you get an interview, or even a job. But if everyone around you is more experienced, in the end you’re bound to be found out.

- 5 things to avoid on your hospitality CV
- 9 common grammar mistakes on CVs and cover letters
- Qualifications for hospitality jobs
- Preparing for an interview

Job searches:

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs

5 things to avoid on your hospitality CV

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:33:55 +0100

Harsh as it sounds, a recruiter will sit down with a stack of CVs and in less time than they’d like, will have to work out who to see and who to throw in the discard pile.

Let’s face it – it’s a tough market out there and it's full of candidates with all the necessary qualifications and experience, so at this stage the recruiter is actively looking for reasons to reject CVs.

Your mission is to give them no reason to reject yours.

To help you succeed, we’ve listed the five things that are guaranteed to put any recruiter off. Take a look at your CV now and see if you’ve included any of them:

1. Unexplained gaps

There’s nothing more suspect on a CV than an unexplained gap, such as a few months between jobs, or a year after college before your first job. Maybe you had a series of jobs that didn’t work out, then again, maybe you just sat around not doing very much.

But if you did something like travelling and broadening your horizions, that's great! Use it as a positive thing and don't shy away from mentioning it. It’s going to look a lot better than having a huge time lapse in between jobs on your CV. Bear in mind that if you don't, the employer might jump to conclusions about what you were doing in that time.

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2. Unnecessary negatives

No doubt there’s a very good reason why you left your last job, and it's probably because you realised you were fed up with the job or you had nightmare colleagues. But don’t try to explain it on your CV. Just state the fact that you’re now available for work, and if the issue comes up at interview, then go into the details. However, never criticise your old company at interview. It's just not the done thing.

3. Irrelevant detail

It’s good to include personal interests and hobbies. It shows you have a life outside work and are a well-rounded person. But beware of including too much irrelevant detail. Does the recruiter need a list of every single country you’ve visited? Or that you achieved a 10 metre breaststroke badge when you were seven?

4. Vague claims and cliches

Avoid phrases like “I was responsible for the restaurant’s day to day operations”, or “I’m an experienced and successful barman”, or “I’m a team player”. These clichés do nothing to help the recruiter understand your achievements in your last job, and will make them suspicious that you might be concealing a lack of actual achievements.

Instead, provide specific detail. Tell them that you managed eight kitchen staff and six waiting staff at a 40-cover restaurant, ordering, taking and managing stock, and providing weekly profit and loss reports to senior management. Tell them that you have spent seven years working in a bar that has doubled takings in the time you have been there. Provide testimonials from current colleagues on how much they enjoy working with you.

5. Lies

Outright untruths might help you get an interview. On rare occasions they might even get you a job. And very, very occasionally you might be able to hold down that job for a while. But in the end you’ll get found out. So don’t do it.

If you pay attention to the above rules, clearly lay out your relevant qualifications, experience and career progression, describe how personal interests have built transferable skills, avoid basic mistakes with spelling, dates and so on, and above all else convey your enthusiasm for the job, and why you love the hospitality industry. It won't be long until you're winging your way to that all important interview and a fresh start in a new job.

- How to write a killer hospitality CV
- Who's looking at you, kid?
- Should I dumb down my CV?
- 6 things you can do right now to improve your CV

Job searches

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs

Who's looking at you, kid?

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:31:35 +0100

If you’re one of a hundred applicants for a job in hospitality, a recruiter probably won’t bother typing your name into Google. But when they come to a shortlist, it’s more likely they'll idly check if you’re online to see what they can find out about you. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; after all, if a recruiter finds out you have mutual friends, that might be a great recommendation.

But what about the other way round? What if they found photos from that time you got ridiculously drunk and somehow ended up with a traffic cone on your head?

See for yourself

The first and most obvious suggestion is to get a snaphot view of your presence on the web. to do this you need to use a deep search tool like Pipl. Just type in your name, and it will pull up your various online profiles, plus any content that's been published on you, including videos, photos, and mentions in blogs or articles.

Check your privacy settings

On Facebook, go to the account dropdown menu at the top right and click on privacy. There are several options, the most important of which is the one for profile information and the one for search. Look at what the settings are and make the appropriate changes.

You are what you tweet

The same goes for sites like Twitter. If you don't want the world and its wife to see your daily opinions, rants and/or musings, you need to protect your tweets and have people request to follow you instead of just clicking a button. And if you need proof of how twitter can mess up your chances of getting a job, look no further than the poor Cisco employee who tweeted about her 'fatty' paycheck and rubbish job.

Step back, see how you look

You might think it’s okay to have some things visible to everyone, other parts visible to friends of friends and the rest just visible to your friends. Only you can make the decision, but there’s a very helpful button in Facebook’s profile information labelled “preview my profile”. Clicking on this will show you how your profile will look to people who don’t know you at all.

It's who you know

When there are lists of things on your profile, such as friend lists or pages you're a 'fan' of, don’t forget they appear in a random order. If you’ve made any of those visible to everyone, think about what might come up – have any of your friends decided to use a hilarious picture of their private parts as their profile image?

Your own profile picture doesn’t have to be businesslike – after all, the recruiter should realise they’re prying into your personal life – but just bear in mind the impression you want to give when it comes to choosing a picture.

Also, if you're lucky enough to get a job, be careful who you 'friend' on Facebook during your probation period, an idle moan about your job a few months in could land you in a whole heal of trouble. Just ask this girl

Leave plenty of time

The search privacy options on Facebook are handy, but they're worth paying attention to well before you start applying for jobs. You can click the option to hide your page from search engines, but because of the way your information is indexed with the likes of Google, etc. the results are often a bit delayed; it might take a month or more for them to notice you’ve chosen to hide your page.

Be proactive

All these things, of course, are passive and depend on the employer having the inclination to search for you. But you can help yourself with the active stuff. So, when submitting your application, think about what they’re definitely going to see – like your email address. Have a think about who might open your application and whether you want them to know you’ve called yourself hot-babe@hotmail.com. Maybe it’s time to get a second email address – but don’t forget to check it for responses!

- 5 things to avoid on your hospitality CV
- How to stay safe on the web
- Should I dumb down my CV?
- 9 common grammar mistakes on CVs and cover letters

Job searches

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs

Should I dumb down my CV?

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:07:18 +0100

So you've got half an alphabet's worth of letters after your name, qualifications falling out of your ears, years of experience in hospitality jobs and you do Open University degrees 'just for fun'. Yet you've found yourself in a position where you're applying for jobs and getting zero response.

More people than ever are applying for jobs, so competition is fierce. Many have been made redundant and are in the unenviable position where paying the bills has become more important than advancing on to the next stage in their career. Talk to anyone who's looking for a job and they will probably say they've been turned down for some on the grounds of being overqualified.

Fight off the competition without frightening off an employer

The notion of dumbing down CVs to get jobs is a topical one. But what does it really mean for the jobseeker?

For a start, to "dumb down" has negative connotations. You've worked hard to get to this stage in your career, so be proud of your achievements and experience. But you ask yourself whether they're relevant to the job you're going for.

With such competition, the temptation is to try and wow an employer with everything you've got; but it takes time and money to recruit for a role, and you don't want them thinking you won't be challenged enough and that you'll walk as soon as something better comes along.

Stop panic-applying

Take a deep breath and stop firing your CV off like it's a paintball gun. Desperation gets you nowhere. Remember the hare and the tortoise?

What works for one job might not work for another, so you should ALWAYS tailor your CV to each job application, whether you’re looking in earnest or not. You need to look at your experience differently. Instead of seeing how it can work for you, it's spotting those elements of it that might work against you.

If you're going for an admin-heavy job, like something in finance, you can emphasise your organisational abilities. If you're going for a customer service-based position, like front of house, highlight your professional attitude and the satisfaction you get from problem solving.

Take a look at our six step guide to giving your CV a makeover for other helpful advice.

Explain why you want the job

For most jobs in the hospitality industry, it's not about how many qualifications you have under your belt. It's about who you are and the experience you have that relates to the job.

Include a well-thought out cover letter explaining why you're interested in this job. Even if you've had more responsibilities, bigger titles, etc. in the past, if an employer sees a genuine excitement about the role, they will definitely want to see you.

Think about what makes this job different from your last. Is it about stepping back in order to strengthen your foundations? Does the thought of specialising in a niche market spark your interest?

Ask for feedback

If you've been turned down for a role, ask the interviewer if they would mind telling you which areas they felt you were overqualified in and why they felt this would have a negative impact. Use this information to make sure you only highlight the areas relevant to the next job you apply for.

Above all, don’t get despondent if you get the dreaded "overqualified" response. However frustrating it is, see it as a compliment - after all, they’re actually saying you’re too good for them!

- How to write a killer hospitality CV
- 6 things you can do right now to improve your CV
- Who's looking at you, kid?
- 5 things to avoid on your hospitality CV

Job searches

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs

6 things you can do right now to improve your CV

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:01:39 +0100

If you're serious about going for a job, lazily throwing the same CV at everything that catches your eye is guaranteed to receive a 'no' — if you get a response at all.

So whether you want a quick spruce up or a full MOT for that all important application, follow our six-step plan to give your CV a fresh new look.

1. Trim the excess Employers will want to see relevant information that makes you an interesting candidate for an interview, so it's up to you to give it to them clearly and succinctly. Use plain English, avoid cliches and jargon and make sure you're not waffling. It's tempting to pile in everything you can think of to sell yourself, but you want to catch their attention with facts, figures and achievements. You can dazzle them with the rest at the interview! If your CV goes over two pages, you need to do some editing.
2. Tidy it up The presentation of your CV is as important as its content, so try to space items evenly and fragment long paragraphs with line breaks. Draw the reader's eye to key statistics by using bullet points instead of listing them in sentences. Avoid fussy fonts like Times New Roman. Use a simple, clean font like Arial, Verdana or Tahoma to make it easy to read. Try it now - you'll be amazed at the difference it makes! Font size should never go below 10 points. Bold, italics and underlining are fine, but don't go too crazy.
3. Don't forget your keywords It might surprise you to learn that your CV might be read by a piece of software before it gets seen by a human being. These programs will look for specific words or phrases that relate to the job spec or industry. Look at similar job descriptions to get an idea of specific keywords, or try typing the job title into a search engine. For example, keywords for reservations manager include: Communication skills Friendly Confident Polite Organised It might also help to speak to people who do a similar job or work in a similar industry.
4. Include a personal statement A good personal statement can be extremely effective if you get it right. Keep it short, highlighting your level of experience, strongest skills and the personal and professional qualities that make you right for the job. If you get stuck, why not ask a trusted friend or colleague to write down your strengths? You might be surprised and flattered! *Example:* "As a confident, innovative executive chef with ten years of experience in the restaurant industry, I have shown an ongoing commitment to developing and maintaining my menus, kitchen and staff to give the customer an exceptional all-round dining experience. In the often busy kitchen environment, my key strength is my ability to deal with situations as they happen, while maintaining a professional attitude and an approachable temperament. I recognise the importance of a strong team and am dedicated to giving my staff members guidance and training to further their careers and contribute positively to a cohesive working environment."
5. Quantify your achievements Saying you increased sales is OK, but saying you increased sales by 50% to £100k a month will have any employer salivating over your CV. Wherever possible, use supporting figures when you mention revenue or cost savings. If your changes were performance or process related, make sure you state the benefit this had on the business. For example, you could say you held regular training sessions on customer service and saw an immediate uplift in positive feedback on your comment cards.
6. Take a break If you've been doing a lot of cutting, pasting and editing, you may not have noticed that you've chopped the end off a bullet point or muddled a sentence. If you've got the time, leave it for a few hours or even overnight and then go back to it with fresh eyes. Microsoft invented spellchecker for a reason, so use it! Remember to check layout, as well as spacing and consistency of font size. Once you're happy, get someone with a good grasp of English to give it a once over to be on the safe side.

- How to write a killer hospitality CV
- How to write the perfect cover letter
- Should I dumb down my CV?
- 9 common grammar mistakes on CVs and cover letters

Job searches

- Search for hotel jobs
- Search for restaurant jobs
- Search for bar jobs
- Search for pub jobs
- Search for catering jobs
- Search for chef jobs

- Search for hospitality jobs

How to stay safe in your job search

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:19:05 +0100

Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can set up a website these days. So it's no surprise that the world of scams has reached recruitment sites.

Recruitment scams aren't that much different to the other online scams you may have heard about in the news. Online scam artists usually contact you by email, want you to believe the email is coming from someone legitimate and try to convince you to give something in return, usually information or money, for whatever it is they are offering – in this case a job.

The process is often in stages, where you'll be asked for a fee to be put on a list of candidates for a job, or to start a visa process if the position is abroad.

Top tips

Here are some general tips to keep safe when job searching online.

Don't give out banking information to any potential employer during the application phase. Once you’ve secured and started a new a job, it is common for your employer to request your bank details so they can pay your salary direct to your account, but there is no reason why they would need this information before then.
Don't give out any personal information that wouldn't normally appear on a CV, such as bank account details, date of birth, place of birth or marital status.
Be wary of emails from addresses that can be set up for free, such as those from Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo – it’s highly unlikely a reputable recruitment agency or business would be using such email addresses.
Look out for bad spelling, punctuation or irregular fonts. These are often clear signs of a mass-distribution email hoax.
Avoid sites that are registered abroad or seem to be clones of established recruitment sites.
Beware of sites that ask you for money just to apply or be listed on a directory of jobseekers.
Beware of sites that redirect you to other sites, even if the change is subtle like taking you from a .co.uk website to a .com site.
Be suspicious if you are asked for any kind of application fee or for a starter kit.
And finally, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Safe searching on Caterer.com

On totaljobs, we have a number of different options for your profile settings If you would prefer to hide your personal information but still keep your CV searchable, log into your My Caterer account and make your CV "Searchable but hide my CV and personal details". This means recruiters can still match your skills to a job they’re offering but because they can’t see your personal info, they have to contact you through an internal messaging system.

If you come across a recruitment scam while job searching online or you a victim of crime, you can report it to Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting centre.

For scam artists, it’s a numbers game. They send out several emails, with the hope that even just a fraction of them are successful. Use common sense, and you’ll be among the majority of users unaffected by online scams.

Other resources:
SAFER Jobs FAQ
IdentityTheft.org.uk
Metropolitan Police fraud alert
Home Office - Fraud stats

Caterer.com > Careers advice > CVs and applications

How to write the perfect cover letter

Do your research

First paragraph - introducing yourself

Second paragraph - your experience

Third paragraph - why you want to work for them

Fourth paragraph - the conclusion

Don’t take your own word for it

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How to write a killer hospitality CV

What are employers looking for?

Writing your CV

Personal details

Personal statement

Skills overview

Career history

Education and training

Volunteer and charity work

Additional skills and experience

Personal attributes

References

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Hospitality qualifications

National Vocational Qualification / Scottish Vocational Qualification (NVQ/SVQ)

Other vocational qualifications

Apprenticeships

Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma (NHC and HNCD)

Diploma of higher education

Foundation degree

Bachelors degree

Graduate apprenticeship

Institute of Hospitality qualifications

Useful contacts and information

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9 common grammar mistakes on CVs and cover letters

Mistake 1: Your vs. You’re

Mistake 2: The evil apostrophe (again)

Mistake 3: Its vs. It’s:

Mistake 4: Apostrophes and plurals:

Mistake 5: Their, They’re and There

Mistake 6: Accept vs. Except

Mistake 7: Could’a, should’a, would’a

Mistake 8: Loose vs. Lose

Mistake 9: It’s all about you (not yourself)

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5 things to avoid on your hospitality CV

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2. Unnecessary negatives

3. Irrelevant detail

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5. Lies

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Who's looking at you, kid?

See for yourself

Check your privacy settings

You are what you tweet

Step back, see how you look

It's who you know

Leave plenty of time

Be proactive

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