Starting a career in the hotel industry can feel challenging when you don’t have any previous experience. You might wonder how to stand out among applicants who have already worked in hotels or hospitality. The good news is that many hotels are happy to hire people who show the right attitude, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn.
Employers in the hospitality sector often value personality and professionalism just as much as experience. If you are friendly, reliable, and eager to help guests, you already have what it takes to start your journey in this industry.
Below, you’ll find a free CV example and a simple, step-by-step guide to help you create a strong application that highlights your strengths — even if this is your first hotel job.
Download your free hotel CV template for beginners and start applying today.
Can You Get a Hotel Job Without Experience?
Yes, you can. The hospitality industry often welcomes people who are enthusiastic, friendly, and willing to learn. Hotels know that many of the skills needed for the job can be taught during training. What really matters is your attitude and how you interact with guests and coworkers.
If you are polite, reliable, and have a positive personality, you already have qualities that hotel employers value. Skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are often more important than previous experience. These are called soft skills, and they can come from school, volunteering, or even part-time jobs in other industries.
In fact, research shows that over 60% of hotel staff began their careers with no prior hospitality experience. Every professional starts somewhere — and your first step could be the one that opens doors to a successful career in hotels and hospitality.
How to Write a CV for a Hotel Job with No Experience
Writing your first CV might feel confusing, but it’s easier than you think. Even if you’ve never worked in a hotel before, you can still create a strong CV by focusing on your transferable skills, positive attitude, and willingness to learn.
Follow these simple steps to build your CV:
a. Start with a Compelling Personal Profile
Begin your CV with a short paragraph that introduces who you are and what you want. This section should show your enthusiasm and interest in hospitality.
Keep it simple and positive. Mention your best qualities such as being friendly, reliable, and eager to learn.
Example:
Motivated and reliable individual eager to begin a career in hospitality, with strong communication skills and attention to detail.
b. Highlight Transferable Skills
Even if you don’t have hotel experience, you likely have skills from school, volunteering, or part-time jobs that can apply to hospitality work.
Focus on abilities such as:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Punctuality
- Organization
- Problem-solving
These skills show that you can work well with others and handle responsibilities, both of which are important in any hotel job.
c. Add Education and Training
List your educational background and any training programs you’ve completed. Include your high school diploma, hospitality-related courses, or short certifications such as customer service or food safety training.
If you are still studying, mention your current program and expected graduation date.
d. Include Internships or Volunteer Experience
If you’ve ever helped at a school event, assisted at a reception desk, worked in a café, or volunteered at a community center, include it. These experiences show that you can manage tasks, help customers, and work as part of a team — all valuable qualities in a hotel setting.
e. Format Your CV Professionally
Presentation matters. Use a clean, simple layout that is easy to read. Avoid bright colors or complicated designs.
Tips for a professional CV layout:
- Use clear section headings (like “Education,” “Skills,” and “Experience”).
- Choose a readable font such as Arial, Calibri, or Lato.
- Keep your CV one page long if possible.
- Save your document as a PDF to keep the formatting consistent.
An ATS-friendly design (Applicant Tracking System) helps ensure your CV can be scanned easily by employers’ software.
CV Example: Hotel Job with No Experience
Here’s an example of how your CV can look when you’re applying for your first hotel job. This layout focuses on your strengths, education, and transferable skills instead of past work experience.
Entry-Level Hotel CV (No Experience)
Here’s a professionally formatted Kenyan-style CV for a hotel job applicant with no prior experience — ideal for entry-level roles such as waitress, front desk assistant, or housekeeping staff. It uses simple, clear, and ATS-friendly formatting suited for Kenyan employers in hospitality.
FAITH MWANGI
Phone: 0712 345 678 | Email: faithmwangi@email.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/username
Career Objective
Motivated and service-oriented individual seeking an entry-level position in a hotel or hospitality environment. Passionate about creating positive guest experiences, maintaining cleanliness and order, and supporting team success. Eager to learn, grow, and contribute to delivering quality service in a professional hotel setting.
Key Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Customer service and guest relations
- Time management and multitasking
- Attention to detail and cleanliness
- Teamwork and reliability
- Cash handling and basic computer skills
- Polite, professional presentation
Education
Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Kenya Utalii College — Graduated 2023
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
Karatina Girls High School — Graduated 2020
Internship Experience
Front Office Intern – Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi
May 2023 – August 2023
- Assisted reception team in welcoming guests and directing them to check-in counters.
- Supported daily administrative duties including filing, phone handling, and guest inquiries.
- Helped prepare check-in materials and update booking information under supervision.
- Learned how to use hotel reservation systems and maintain guest satisfaction.
Volunteer & Part-Time Experience
Volunteer Event Assistant – St. John’s Community Centre, Nairobi
December 2022
- Helped organize hospitality and catering for a community event serving over 200 guests.
- Supported food serving and cleanup, ensuring high hygiene standards.
- Worked with a team to maintain order and assist attendees politely.
Student Hospitality Club – Kenya Utalii College
2021 – 2023
- Participated in college hospitality training events and mock restaurant setups.
- Practiced table setting, guest greeting, and basic serving techniques.
Certifications
- Certificate in Customer Service Excellence — Kenya Utalii College
- Certificate in Food Safety and Hygiene — Ministry of Health, Kenya
- Certificate in Basic Computer Applications — ABMA Training Centre
Achievements
- Recognized as “Most Reliable Intern” during hotel internship program.
- Contributed to organizing a successful student-run hospitality exhibition (2023).
- Maintained consistent punctuality and professional appearance throughout internship.
Languages
- English — Fluent
- Kiswahili — Fluent
References
Available upon request
Kenyan Jobseeker Tip:
When applying for hotel jobs, name your file professionally:
Faith-Mwangi-Hotel-Intern-CV.pdf
Avoid using bright colors or fancy templates — most hotels prefer simple, black-and-white, clean layouts that print clearly.
You can use this structure as a guide when writing your own CV. The goal is to highlight your strengths, learning mindset, and enthusiasm for hospitality work.
Download This Hotel CV Template for Beginners (Word or PDF)
Key Skills to Include in a Hotel CV with No Experience
Even if you haven’t worked in a hotel before, you already have skills that employers value. The key is to show them clearly in your CV. These abilities can come from school, part-time jobs, volunteering, or everyday experiences where you learned to work with people and manage tasks responsibly.
Below are the most important skills to include in your hotel CV.
| Soft Skills | Practical or Transferable Skills |
|---|---|
| Communication | Cash handling or POS systems (if any experience) |
| Teamwork | Cleaning and maintenance awareness |
| Customer service | Basic computer skills |
| Time management | Organization |
| Reliability | Attention to detail |
How to Use These Skills in Your CV
- Mention soft skills in your personal statement or skills section.
- Give short examples in your experience section (for example, “Worked as part of a team to organize school events”).
- Use action words like “assisted,” “organized,” “supported,” and “communicated.”
These skills show employers that you are dependable, organized, and ready to deliver great service to guests — exactly what they look for in new hotel staff.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a CV with No Experience
When you’re new to writing a CV, it’s easy to make small mistakes that can hurt your chances. Avoid these common errors to make your application look clean, confident, and professional.
1. Leaving Sections Blank
Never leave parts of your CV empty, even if you don’t have work experience yet. Instead, use those sections to highlight your transferable skills, education, or volunteer work. Every section is a chance to show your strengths and potential.
2. Using Informal Language or Inconsistent Formatting
Your CV should look neat and sound professional. Avoid slang or casual language. Make sure the font, spacing, and headings are consistent throughout the document. A well-formatted CV shows attention to detail — something hotels value highly.
3. Making the CV Too Long or Over-Designed
Keep your CV simple and one page long. Avoid fancy fonts, bright colors, or unnecessary graphics. Most hotel recruiters prefer a clean, easy-to-read layout that focuses on your information, not decoration.
4. Forgetting to Include a Personal Statement
A short personal statement at the top of your CV helps employers quickly understand who you are and what you’re looking for. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression. Always include a few lines that show your enthusiasm and career goal in hospitality.
Download CV for Hotel Job with No Experience Word + PDF
Remember, everyone starts somewhere — your first hotel job begins with a strong CV. The key is to show your enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to learn. With the right CV, you can make a great impression even without experience.
Take the first step toward your hospitality career today.
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If you’d like a faster option, you can also use our easy online tool to create a polished resume in just a few minutes.
Use our CV Builder to create your resume in minutes.
Final Tips and Next Steps
Now that you’ve created your CV, it’s time to start applying with confidence. A well-written CV is your first step, but adding a short cover letter can make your application even stronger. Use it to show your enthusiasm and explain why you’d love to work in the hotel industry.
When you’re just starting out, it’s best to apply for entry-level hotel roles where you can gain experience and grow. Some great options include:
- Room attendant
- Housekeeping assistant
- Front desk trainee
- Waiter or bellhop
These positions will help you learn how hotels operate and develop valuable customer service skills. With time and dedication, you can move up to higher roles such as supervisor or manager.
