Pick a clean, professional template that highlights kitchen leadership and operations. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your most recent chef roles and achievements appear first. This layout reads well and parses reliably for ATS systems.
Keep length tight. One page works for most Executive Sous Chef candidates with under 10 years of kitchen leadership. If you have long tenure running multiple outlets, expand to two pages and keep focus on relevant culinary leadership.
Choose ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10–12pt for body text and 14–16pt for headings. Keep line spacing at 1.0–1.15 and add clear margins to create white space.
Structure your sections clearly. Use standard headings like Contact, Professional Summary, Experience, Skills, Certifications, and Education. List experience with job title, employer, dates, and two to six bullet achievements per role.
Avoid complex formatting. Don’t use multiple columns, text boxes, or heavy graphics. Those elements confuse ATS and distract hiring managers scanning for kitchen outcomes like cost control, staff development, and menu launches.
Watch common mistakes. Don’t use unusual fonts or tiny text. Don’t cram too many duties without results. Don’t omit metrics like food cost, team size, or service volumes. Keep verbs strong and concrete.
Finally, proofread for layout consistency. Align dates and headings. Use the same bullet style and spacing throughout. A tidy page makes your leadership feel reliable and professional.