Want to land your next big gig? In today’s competitive job market, it can feel more and more difficult to secure an interview. But in the hospitality industry, opportunities abound! Job openings are on the rise, and that means skilled staff (and even newcomers interested in the world of hospitality) are in high demand.

So yes, it is possible to land your dream job in hospitality, and it all starts with scoring an interview! Now, how can you ensure you get your foot through the door? Easy – the trick is crafting an impressive resume. Your resume is the first chance employers will have to get a glimpse of who you are, so it’s crucial that you do your best to make this one simple piece of paper really stand out.

Here we highlight 5 different tips to help level up your resume this year:

Remove Outdated Work Experiences

When drafting your resume, your instinct is likely to highlight your entire work history. For some individuals this can go way back. In fact, too far back to even be relevant to what you’re applying for today. While some previous work experiences may be appropriate to highlight depending on your profession, it’s best to just focus on your most recent work.    Our suggestion? Keep your top 5 latest (or applicable) experiences that make the most sense with the job that you’re applying to today and delete the rest. Keep in mind – resumes should only be one page. Anything longer than that and you risk employers tossing your application to the side.

Think Outside the Box

On the other hand, there are some individuals who may not have a robust work history or have gaps between jobs, but they do have other relevant experience. Just because these aren’t “full-time” positions, doesn’t mean they’re not valuable. Always make sure to include independent projects, freelance work, or even volunteer experience if it demonstrates skills you need for the new role. Employers like to see this because it not only shows that you’ve worked on projects, it also showcases your entrepreneurial spirit.

Highlight Your Interests

When crafting your resume, you may be focused on simply highlighting your work experiences. While this is the main aspect employers will focus on, it’s important to also include a section for your interests. This can range from anything like traveling to playing chess, reading, or even attending concerts.    People want to work with people they like. Having a section in your resume that spotlights who you are outside of your job will help potential employers connect with you not just as a future employee, but as a person.

Add a Portfolio

Besides having a standout resume, you might also want to build out a portfolio website to accompany it. Employers will often want to see the type of projects you’ve worked on in the past. Portfolios are perfect for those who work in more creative fields (think writing, photography, videography) and want to store all their pieces in one place for employers to view. Even if you’re not in a creative field that requires a portfolio, think about how you can share success stories – like reviews from guests who you made an impact on, awards or recognition you’ve received, letters of recommendation from a former colleague, or any special projects you’ve worked on.

Always Proofread

Last but certainly not least, always make sure to proofread your resume – especially if you’re updating it for each new job application. While you may think you have crafted the perfect resume with the right font and design, one little typo can tarnish it completely. Pro-tip: Always ask a friend (or two!) to proofread before you send off.

Ready to revamp your resume and land your dream job? Take these simple and effective steps to help craft a resume that’ll guarantee you get a call back. Don’t forget – this is the first impression you’re giving potential employers, so make it count!