Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools that scan resumes for relevant words and structure.

They rank or filter resumes based on keywords, dates, and simple formatting. If your resume lacks key terms or uses odd layout, ATS may discard it before a person sees it.

For a Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper you must show hospitality skills, property management, reservation systems, and local marketing.

• Use clear section titles like "Work Experience", "Education", and "Skills".
• Include keywords such as "guest services", "housekeeping oversight", "booking systems (ResNexus, Cloudbeds)", "food safety", "P&L management", and "local tourism promotion".
• Mention certifications like "ServSafe" or "Hospitality Management Certificate" if you have them.

Avoid complex formatting. Don't use tables, columns, headers, footers, images, or text boxes. ATS often misreads those elements and drops content.

Use readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save as .docx or PDF unless the job posting says otherwise.

Common mistakes include replacing exact job keywords with creative synonyms, hiding dates in headers, or putting contact info in a footer. Those choices can hide important data from ATS scans.

Also avoid long paragraphs that bury skills. Break achievements into short bullet lines that include measurable results like "reduced vacancy by 25%" or "managed 50 weekly bookings".

Pick a clean, professional template that highlights hands-on experience and hospitality skills. Use a reverse-chronological or hybrid layout so you show recent inn management first and keep guest-facing roles visible.

Keep length tight. One page suits entry-level and mid-career innkeepers. Use two pages only if you have long, directly relevant history such as multiple properties managed or event coordination experience.

Choose readable, ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10-12pt for body text and 14-16pt for section headers. Keep margins around 0.5–1 inch and add line spacing of 1.0–1.15 for clarity.

Use clear headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Skills, Certifications, Education, and References or Guest Reviews if you include them. List achievements with short bullet points that start with strong verbs and include numbers when possible, for example: "Reduced guest complaints by 40% through revised cleaning checklist."

Avoid heavy graphics, multi-column layouts, and icons that break ATS parsing. Simple formatting and standard section titles help both hiring managers and application systems read your file.

Common mistakes: cluttered sections with tiny fonts, long paragraphs of duties instead of measurable results, and inconsistent spacing or dates. Also avoid uncommon fonts, embedded images of text, and headers that hide contact details from ATS.

Writing a tailored cover letter matters for a Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper role. It shows who you are beyond your resume and proves you understand the guest experience the property wants to offer.

Start with a clear header that lists your contact details, the inn's contact if you know it, and the date. Then open strong.

Opening Paragraph

State the exact role you want and name the inn. Say why you care about their place. Mention one top qualification up front, like hospitality experience or guest ratings you helped improve.

Body Paragraphs

• Link your daily work to their needs. Talk about front-desk duties, breakfast prep, housekeeping oversight, reservation systems, and guest relations.
• Highlight skills that matter: guest communication, scheduling, inventory, light repairs, and basic bookkeeping. Give brief examples of successes, like higher review scores or repeat bookings.
• Use numbers when you can. Write things like "cut laundry costs 15%" or "increased repeat bookings by 20%" to show impact.

Keep each sentence short and friendly. Use keywords from the job ad, like "guest experience," "booking software," or "local recommendations."

Closing Paragraph

Reiterate your interest in this specific inn and your fit for the role. State confidence in your ability to help improve guest satisfaction or operations. Ask for a meeting or interview and thank the reader for their time.

Tone matters. Stay professional, warm, and enthusiastic. Customize every letter for each inn. Avoid a generic template. Write like you would speak to a hiring manager over coffee.

Running a bed and breakfast means you wear many hats. Your resume must show hospitality skills, guest care, and small business sense. Small slips can cost you interviews. Spend time fixing phrasing, priorities, and proofs.

Below are common mistakes B&B innkeepers make on resumes, with quick examples and fixes you can use right away.

Writing a resume for a Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper means showing hospitality, operations, and local knowledge. These FAQs and tips help you highlight guest service, small‑business skills, and hospitality certifications so employers or owners see your fit quickly.