Here's how you can highlight problem solving abilities on your hospitality resume.

1 Tailor Experience

When detailing your work experience on your hospitality resume, focus on instances where you've successfully navigated challenges. Describe situations where you identified issues, developed solutions, and implemented them effectively. For example, if you managed to turn around a negative customer review by creating a new guest feedback system, this showcases your initiative and ability to solve problems proactively. Use strong action verbs like 'orchestrated', 'revitalized', or 'engineered' to convey your active role in problem-solving.

2 Quantify Success

To make your problem-solving skills stand out, quantify your achievements. Instead of saying you improved customer satisfaction, specify by how much. If you implemented a new booking system that increased efficiency, state the percentage of time saved. Concrete numbers provide clear evidence of your impact and make your problem-solving abilities tangible to potential employers. Remember, in hospitality, the results of your problem-solving efforts often translate into better guest experiences and operational improvements.

3 Highlight Skills

Your resume should include a dedicated skills section where you can explicitly list your problem-solving abilities. Include skills that are directly relevant to hospitality, such as conflict resolution, crisis management, and strategic planning. If you have received any training or certifications that enhance your problem-solving skills, such as a course in customer service excellence or conflict de-escalation, be sure to mention these as well.

4 Use Keywords

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes before they reach a human eye. To pass through these filters, incorporate industry-specific keywords related to problem-solving into your resume. Words and phrases like 'crisis management,' 'guest relations,' and 'operational efficiency' can help ensure your resume gets noticed. However, avoid overstuffing keywords and focus on integrating them naturally into your descriptions.

5 Showcase Adaptability

The hospitality industry is dynamic, often requiring quick thinking and adaptability. On your resume, highlight experiences where you've adapted to unexpected situations or last-minute changes. Describe a time when you had to quickly alter event plans due to unforeseen circumstances or when you stepped in to cover a different role during a staff shortage. These examples not only show problem-solving skills but also demonstrate flexibility and resilience.

6 Reflect Soft Skills

Problem-solving in hospitality isn't just about logistical challenges; it's also about people. Reflect on experiences where you've used soft skills like communication and empathy to resolve issues. Perhaps you mediated a dispute between team members or went above and beyond to accommodate a guest with unique needs. These interpersonal problem-solving instances can be just as compelling as operational successes on your resume.