Pick a simple, single-column template that puts your contact details, summary, experience, and skills in a clear order. Use a reverse-chronological layout if you have steady hospitality work. This layout reads well and scans easily for applicant tracking systems.
Keep length to one page if you have under ten years of relevant work. Go to two pages only if you have long shifts, multiple venues, or training that directly matters. Cut anything that does not show guest service, scheduling, or nightlife safety skills.
Use readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text at 10–12pt and headers at 14–16pt. Keep line spacing and margins consistent so recruiters can skim quickly.
Leave ample white space around sections and between jobs. Short bullets work better than long paragraphs for shift duties, guest interaction, and conflict resolution examples. Avoid fancy icons, tables, or multi-column tricks that can confuse parsing tools.
Use clear section headings like Contact, Summary, Experience, Skills, and Certifications. Start bullets with strong action verbs and mention numbers when possible, for example, "served 120 customers nightly" or "trained 4 new hosts."
Common mistakes include using unusual fonts, heavy color blocks, and graphics that break ATS parsing. Also avoid long dense blocks and vague phrases that hide your role on busy shifts. Proofread for consistent dates and spacing before you send your file.