How to Write a Resume for Chef's Job

The resume you submit to apply for a chef's or assistant chef's position in the food services industry should highlight your experience, special skills and the ways in which you can bring greater value to the restaurant where you are applying.

Instructions

1. Prepare to write your resume by listing your specific experiences--not just your job titles--such as running a kitchen, food and supply ordering, menu planning, recipe development, staff supervision, setting up a catering program, professional training and mastery of specialty cuisines such as French, Italian and Southwestern.

2. Organize this material so that you can present it impressively on a single page under the headings of "Objective," "Summary of Qualifications," "Experience" and "Professional Training and Education."

3. Present your name and contact information (address, voice and email) boldly in a clean layout at the top of the resume sheet.

4. State the specific kitchen or restaurant management job you are seeking, including your ideal institutional setting, in a single line under "Objective."

5. Make your "Summary of Qualifications" as high impact as you can, organizing the specific experience material you have listed during the preparation phase in specific bulleted points that tell the hiring manager who you are as a chef and what can be expected from you in terms of innovations, imagination and entrepreneurial approach to developing a special restaurant.

6. List your last several restaurant jobs in reverse chronological order under "Experience," with an impact statement for each that demonstrated your growing responsibilities and capacities.

7. Present your culinary as well as academic training under "Professional Training and Education," with dates, culinary or other institutions attended and specific areas of training.

Tips & Warnings

• Introduce your resume with a straightforward cover letter that emphasizes the strongest information in your "Summary of Qualifications" section. Write your cover letter so that it functions as a slightly more personal extension of your resume, with the aim of persuading the hiring manager to read the resume and make an appointment to meet you.

• Avoid wasting time in interviews for positions below or above your level of qualifications by being very specific about the job you are seeking, with respect to grades such as chef, assistant chef, sous chef, breakfast cook, baker or director of food services.