How do you customize your culinary resume and portfolio for different employers?

If you are a culinary professional looking for a new job or career opportunity, you need to stand out from the crowd with a customized resume and portfolio. A resume and portfolio are not just documents that list your skills and experiences, but tools that showcase your creativity, personality, and value to potential employers. In this article, you will learn how to tailor your resume and portfolio for different types of employers, such as restaurants, hotels, catering companies, or food media outlets.

1 Know your audience

The first step to customize your resume and portfolio is to research the employer you are applying to. Find out their mission, vision, values, culture, and style. What kind of cuisine do they serve? What are their standards and expectations? What are their goals and challenges? How do they communicate and interact with their customers and staff? Use this information to align your resume and portfolio with their needs and preferences. For example, if you are applying to a fine dining restaurant, you might emphasize your formal training, certifications, awards, and attention to detail. If you are applying to a food media outlet, you might highlight your writing, photography, or video skills, as well as your social media presence and influence.

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Patrick Hanlon

PR Copywriter | Digital Content Creator | Freelance Food & Travel Writer, Journalist & Restaurant Critic
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Know your audience in terms of your prospective employer and their business but even more important is demonstrating who their customer base is, plus what it is they do/don't serve (if it's a restaurant job) or do/don't cover (if it's a food media job).

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2 Highlight your achievements

The second step to customize your resume and portfolio is to showcase your achievements and accomplishments that are relevant and impressive to the employer. Use quantifiable metrics, such as numbers, percentages, or ratings, to demonstrate your impact and results. For example, you might mention how you increased sales, reduced costs, improved quality, or enhanced customer satisfaction. You might also include testimonials, reviews, or feedback from your previous employers, clients, or colleagues. Use action verbs, such as created, managed, led, or improved, to describe your roles and responsibilities. Avoid using generic or vague terms, such as responsible for, assisted with, or participated in.

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Patrick Hanlon

PR Copywriter | Digital Content Creator | Freelance Food & Travel Writer, Journalist & Restaurant Critic
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For food writing/editing jobs, demonstrate the experience of managing budgets and teams of contributors, if applicable. For freelance journalists, rather than just listing where you've had a byline, indicate particularly big contributions where you've show initiative and vision and pitched articles which were successfully commissioned rather than contributions where the editor approached you

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3 Show your personality

The third step to customize your resume and portfolio is to show your personality and passion for the culinary field. Use a professional but friendly tone and language that reflects your voice and style. Avoid using jargon, slang, or clichés that might confuse or alienate the employer. Use a clear and concise format and layout that is easy to read and navigate. Use colors, fonts, images, or graphics that match your brand and identity. For example, if you are a vegan chef, you might use green or earthy tones, or if you are a pastry chef, you might use pastel or sweet colors. You might also include a personal statement, a summary, or an objective that explains your motivation, goals, or aspirations.

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4 Update your content

The fourth step to customize your resume and portfolio is to update your content regularly and keep it fresh and relevant. Review your resume and portfolio before each application and make sure they reflect your current skills, experiences, and achievements. Remove any outdated, irrelevant, or redundant information that might distract or bore the employer. Add any new projects, awards, publications, or certifications that might enhance your credibility or attractiveness. Check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting for any errors or inconsistencies. Ask for feedback from your peers, mentors, or coaches and make any necessary improvements or changes.

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Patrick Hanlon

PR Copywriter | Digital Content Creator | Freelance Food & Travel Writer, Journalist & Restaurant Critic
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For food writing jobs, your LinkedIn profile and any supplementary documents (resume, cover letter) you send in MUST be watertight in terms of grammar and spelling. An Editor/employer will spot one little error a mile off. Check it once, check it twice, spellcheck it, get a second (even third) pair of eyes. This is also good practice which could apply to any culinary applications.

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5 Choose your format

The fifth step to customize your resume and portfolio is to choose the format that best suits the employer and the position. Depending on the industry, the employer, and the role, you might opt for a traditional, functional, or combination resume, or a curriculum vitae (CV). A traditional resume focuses on your chronological work history and education, a functional resume highlights your skills and abilities, a combination resume blends both, and a CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic and professional achievements. Similarly, you might choose between a digital or a physical portfolio, or both. A digital portfolio is a website, a blog, a social media account, or an online platform that showcases your work samples, such as photos, videos, recipes, or articles. A physical portfolio is a binder, a folder, or a book that contains printed copies of your work samples. A digital portfolio is more convenient, accessible, and interactive, while a physical portfolio is more tangible, personal, and memorable.

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6 Be creative and authentic

The sixth and final step to customize your resume and portfolio is to be creative and authentic. Don't be afraid to express your unique style, vision, and value proposition. Don't copy or imitate other culinary professionals, but rather showcase your own strengths, talents, and personality. Don't lie or exaggerate your skills, experiences, or achievements, but rather be honest and realistic. Don't follow the same template or format for every employer, but rather adapt and adjust your resume and portfolio according to each opportunity. By being creative and authentic, you will not only catch the employer's attention, but also build trust and rapport.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you customize your culinary resume and portfolio for different employers?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your audience

2 Highlight your achievements

3 Show your personality

4 Update your content

5 Choose your format

6 Be creative and authentic

7 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Education

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How do you customize your culinary resume and portfolio for different employers?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your audience

2 Highlight your achievements

3 Show your personality

4 Update your content

5 Choose your format

6 Be creative and authentic

7 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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