Savvy Success

The restaurant industry is one where hard work, creativity, and excellence don’t go unnoticed. From Employee of the Month recognitions to prestigious James Beard awards, these shining moments of success speak volumes about your skills and dedication. If you’re a job seeker or planning a career change within the restaurant industry, leveraging your awards and achievements effectively on your resume can significantly enhance your credibility and make you stand out.

This blog will guide you through how to feature your accolades, so they strengthen your personal brand and capture the attention of hiring managers.

Why Awards and Achievements Matter on a Resume

Awards and achievements are not just decorative highlights on a resume—they provide tangible evidence of your skills, work ethic, and value as a professional. Here’s how they can benefit you:

• Credibility Boost: Industry-specific accolades, such as Best Chef recognitions or front-of-house awards, instantly position you as a top performer in your field.
• Demonstration of Excellence: Achievements showcase your commitment to quality and your ability to exceed expectations.
• Competitive Edge: With hundreds of applicants vying for roles, a standout award can place you ahead of the competition.
• Transferable Skills: Many accomplishments reveal skills that are valuable beyond their immediate context, such as leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving.

By correctly presenting these accolades, you can tell a compelling story of your professional success.

How to Feature Industry-Specific Awards and Achievements on a Resume

Here’s a step-by-step approach to ensure your accolades make the most impact:

1. Create a Dedicated Section

If you’ve earned significant recognitions, consider creating a separate “Awards and Achievements” section. This creates emphasis and makes it easier for hiring managers to spot them quickly. Place this section after your experience or education sections, and keep it concise.

Example:

Awards and Achievements:

• “Rising Star Chef of the Year,” Culinary Excellence Awards, 2022
• Employee of the Month, [Restaurant Name], April and August 2023

2. Prioritize Industry-Related Recognitions

While general awards (like community service accolades) are valuable, focus more on achievements directly related to the restaurant industry. Awards like “Top Server of the Year,” “Best Mixologist,” or “James Beard Foundation Nominee” speak directly to your expertise and immediately capture attention.

Pro Tip:

If you’re short on formal awards, don’t forget to mention informal recognitions like being chosen to lead team training, managing VIP events, or being trusted with high-level responsibilities.

3. Quantify Your Achievements

Whenever possible, include specifics to give hiring managers a clear picture of your impact. Numbers and measurable outcomes provide context and deepen the significance of your accolades.

Example:

• Awarded “Top Sales Performer” for driving a 35% increase in wine pairings at [Restaurant Name].
• Received “Best Bartender” award for consistently achieving 98% positive guest feedback ratings.

4. Integrate Awards into Job Descriptions

For roles in which your awards played a key part, weave them into the job description instead of listing them separately, especially if they highlight a major accomplishment during that tenure.

Example:

Sous Chef — Ocean Bluff Bistro (2021–2023)

• Spearheaded the menu revamp, which earned recognition as “Best New Dish Innovation” by [Local Magazine Name], 2022.
• Played a key role in the restaurant achieving its first AAA Four Diamond award.

5. Highlight Soft Skills and Dedication

Not all awards are about technical skills. For example, “Best Team Player” or “Employee Excellence” recognizes your character and dedication. Don’t shy away from including these if they reflect tangible contributions to team success.

Example:

• Celebrated as “Best Team Leader” for mentoring five colleagues who advanced to management roles within six months.

6. Customize for Each Job Description

Align your highlighted achievements with the job you’re applying for. A Michelin-starred restaurant hiring a sous chef may value accolades that demonstrate creativity and technical mastery, whereas a family bistro may favor awards reflecting excellent customer service and community involvement.

Pro Tip:

Use the job description to identify keywords that resonate, such as “team-oriented,” “innovator,” or “service excellence,” and connect these to your listed accolades.

7. Include Certifications and Honors

Certain restaurant certifications or honors carry almost as much weight as awards. For example, achieving a Level III Sommelier certification or being a finalist in a national cooking competition deserves prominent placement alongside your achievements.

More Tips to Make Your Achievements Shine

• Focus on Recent Accolades: Employers want to see current and relevant accomplishments. Keep older awards only if they helped you break into the industry or are widely recognized.
• Keep It Concise: A resume should ideally stick to one or two pages. Use bullet points to ensure everything is clear and easy to read.
• Double-Check for Accuracy: Ensure all award names, years, and organizations are correct. Falsifying accolades will damage your credibility.

Beyond the Resume – Show Off Your Wins Elsewhere

Your resume isn’t the only place to highlight your successes:

• LinkedIn Profile: Use the “Honors & Awards” section to add credentials and recognitions.
• Social Media: Share posts about your achievements with photos, captions, or thank you notes.
• Portfolio: If applicable, include visual proof of accolades such as certificates, media coverage, or letters of commendation.

Why Your Awards Reflect More Than Skill

When carefully chosen and thoughtfully presented, awards and achievements show more than your proficiency. They reveal your passion, your drive to exceed expectations, and your dedication to delivering the best experiences in the challenging yet rewarding restaurant industry.

Are you ready to show employers that you’re the crème de la crème? Start updating your resume to make your awards the star—and remember that every accolade, no matter how big or small, tells a part of your story.

Need Help Fine-Tuning Your Resume?

For personalized guidance on presenting your awards and creating a standout resume, connect with me today. I’ll help tailor your accolades to land the restaurant industry job you’ve been dreaming of.