- Current SafeServ Food Handlers Card, Completed , January 2016
- Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP), Completed , January 2018
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Completed , January 2019
What's your job?
Hosts/Hostesses Resume Samples and Templates for 2026
- Table of Contents
- Downloadable Sample
- Resume Tips from Experts
- Resume Text Version
- Share
Host and Hostess Resume Examples and Templates: A Complete Guide
When applying for a host or hostess position, your resume is your first impression—and for a role where hospitality and first impressions matter, that couldn’t be more important. Whether you’re an entry-level hostess at a fine dining restaurant or an experienced host at a luxury hotel, your resume should reflect professionalism, strong communication skills, and an understanding of excellent guest experience standards.
This guide provides expert advice, resume examples, and templates tailored for host and hostess positions in India’s thriving hospitality industry, from upscale restaurants in Mumbai to five-star hotels in Delhi.
Understanding the Host/Hostess Role in India
Hosts and hostesses in India work across diverse settings including fine dining restaurants, hotel restaurants, cafes, banquet halls, and event venues. From managing reservations at award-winning restaurants to coordinating VIP guest experiences at luxury properties, hosts are the first point of contact for guests.
Key responsibilities include:
- Greeting and welcoming guests with warmth and professionalism
- Managing reservations and walk-in seating
- Coordinating dining room flow and table assignments
- Communicating with servers, kitchen staff, and management
- Handling VIP and celebrity guest requirements
- Managing waitlists during peak hours
- Providing menu information and answering guest queries
- Ensuring dining area presentation meets standards
India’s growing hospitality sector, with expanding restaurant chains and luxury hotel properties, has created strong demand for skilled hosts who can deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Preparing to Write Your Host/Hostess Resume
Before drafting your resume, gather all relevant information:
Professional details to compile:
- Complete employment history in hospitality
- Number of guests handled daily
- Types of establishments worked (fine dining, casual, hotel)
- Reservation systems used (OpenTable, Resy, in-house)
- Languages spoken
- Training and certifications completed
- Notable achievements (awards, recognition)
Research target employers:
- Review requirements from hotel chains like Taj, Oberoi, Marriott, ITC
- Understand expectations at standalone restaurants and cafe chains
- Note specific skills mentioned in job descriptions
Choosing the Best Resume Format
Select a format that best presents your hosting experience:
Chronological Format
Best for hosts with steady career progression in hospitality. Highlights your work at establishments like Taj, Oberoi, or renowned restaurants in reverse chronological order.
Functional Format
Suitable for fresh graduates, career changers, or those entering hospitality from customer service backgrounds who want to emphasise skills over work history.
Combination Format
Ideal for mid-career professionals balancing diverse experience across restaurants, hotels, and event venues.
Format recommendations by experience: | Experience Level | Recommended Format | Resume Length | |-----------------|-------------------|---------------| | Entry-level (0-1 years) | Functional | 1 page | | Mid-level (2-5 years) | Combination | 1 page | | Senior (5+ years) | Chronological | 1-2 pages |
Professional Summary Examples
Your professional summary should immediately communicate your hosting expertise:
Entry-Level Hostess
Enthusiastic hospitality graduate from IHM Mumbai seeking entry-level hostess position in fine dining environment. Completed internship at Taj Mahal Palace handling guest reception for signature restaurant. Trained in reservation management and guest service protocols. Fluent in Hindi, English, and Marathi. Passionate about creating memorable dining experiences through warm hospitality.
Experienced Host/Hostess
Professional hostess with 5+ years of experience managing front-of-house operations at upscale dining establishments. Currently Senior Hostess at Indian Accent Delhi handling 200+ guests daily across lunch and dinner service. Expertise in VIP coordination, reservation management, and dining room flow optimisation. Consistently maintain 95%+ guest satisfaction ratings.
Hotel Restaurant Hostess
Polished hospitality professional with 4 years of experience at luxury hotel restaurants. Currently at The Oberoi Mumbai managing guest experience for award-winning restaurants. Expertise in celebrity guest handling, special occasion coordination, and multilingual guest services. Trained in Forbes 5-star service standards.
Lead Host/Floor Supervisor
Dynamic restaurant professional with 7 years of experience progressing from hostess to floor supervisor. Currently at Masala Library Mumbai leading team of 5 hosts and managing reservations across 120-cover restaurant. Expertise in peak hour management, staff training, and guest experience enhancement. Reduced table turnover time by 15% through optimised seating strategy.
Showcasing Your Work Experience
Present your hosting experience with specific achievements and metrics:
Senior Hostess
Indian Accent | New Delhi April 2020 – Present
- Manage front-of-house operations for 80-cover fine dining restaurant
- Greet and seat 150+ guests daily across lunch and dinner service
- Coordinate VIP and celebrity guest arrivals with kitchen and management
- Train junior hosts on service standards and reservation systems
- Manage OpenTable and walk-in reservations ensuring optimal seating
- Maintain 4.9/5 guest satisfaction rating on Zomato and Google
- Handle special occasion setups including birthdays and anniversaries
Hostess
Taj Mahal Palace | Mumbai June 2017 – March 2020
- Welcomed guests at Wasabi by Morimoto and Golden Dragon restaurants
- Managed reservations for 200+ covers across multiple outlets
- Coordinated with concierge for in-house guest dining preferences
- Handled celebrity and VIP guest requirements with discretion
- Maintained seating charts and communicated waitlists effectively
- Received “Star of the Quarter” recognition for guest service excellence
Trainee Hostess
Farzi Café | Mumbai July 2016 – May 2017
- Assisted senior hosts with guest greeting and seating
- Managed waitlist during peak weekend hours
- Learned reservation system operations and table management
- Provided menu information and assisted with special requests
- Maintained restaurant entrance and reception area presentation
Essential Skills for Hosts and Hostesses
Technical Skills
- Reservation management systems (OpenTable, Resy, Dineout)
- POS systems operation
- Table management software
- Seating chart coordination
- Waitlist management
- Menu knowledge
- Dietary restriction awareness
- Special occasion coordination
- Bill processing basics
- Phone and email communication
Soft Skills
- Guest greeting and rapport building
- Verbal communication excellence
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Multitasking under pressure
- Time management
- Team coordination
- Problem-solving
- Cultural sensitivity
- Professional appearance and demeanour
Hospitality Skills
- VIP and celebrity handling
- Special occasion management
- Wine and menu recommendations
- Upselling and recommendations
- Guest complaint resolution
- Peak hour management
- Walk-in versus reservation balancing
- Wait time communication
- Follow-up and feedback collection
Certifications for Hosts and Hostesses
Professional Certifications
| Certification | Issuing Body | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| IHM Diploma | Institute of Hotel Management | Formal hospitality training |
| Food Safety Certification | FSSAI | Hygiene knowledge |
| Wine Appreciation | WSET/ISG | Beverage knowledge |
| Customer Service Excellence | Various | Service skills |
| First Aid Certification | Red Cross | Emergency preparedness |
| Forbes 5-Star Training | Forbes Travel Guide | Luxury service standards |
Academic Qualifications
- B.Sc. in Hospitality Management (IHM)
- Diploma in Hotel Management
- Certificate in Food & Beverage Service
- Degree in Tourism and Hospitality
Language Skills
- Hindi (essential)
- English (essential)
- Regional languages (Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali)
- Foreign languages (French, Japanese - advantage for specialty restaurants)
Tips by Experience Level
Entry-Level Hosts/Hostesses (0-1 years)
- Highlight IHM or hospitality education
- Include internship experience at hotels or restaurants
- Emphasise customer service aptitude and willingness to learn
- Mention language skills and communication abilities
- Include any part-time hospitality experience
Target employers: Cafe chains, casual dining, hotel coffee shops
Mid-Level Hosts/Hostesses (2-5 years)
- Quantify guests handled and satisfaction ratings
- Highlight establishment reputation and guest volume
- Showcase VIP handling experience
- Demonstrate reservation system proficiency
- Include training or mentoring responsibilities
Target positions: Hostess at fine dining, hotel restaurants, upscale establishments
Senior Hosts/Hostesses (5+ years)
- Emphasise leadership and team coordination
- Highlight process improvements implemented
- Showcase celebrity/VIP guest portfolio
- Demonstrate revenue contribution through table management
- Include awards and industry recognition
Target positions: Lead Host, Restaurant Supervisor, Guest Relations Manager
ATS Optimisation for Host/Hostess Resumes
Ensure your resume passes Applicant Tracking Systems used by hotel chains and restaurant groups:
Essential keywords to include:
- Host, hostess, restaurant host
- Guest service, guest experience
- Reservation management, OpenTable
- Fine dining, hospitality
- VIP handling, guest relations
- Seating coordination, table management
- Customer service, communication
- Front of house, reception
- Greeting, welcoming guests
- Dining room, restaurant operations
ATS-friendly formatting:
- Use standard section headings (Summary, Experience, Skills, Education)
- List restaurant names and hotel chains clearly
- Avoid tables, graphics, and complex formatting
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Include guest numbers and satisfaction metrics
Conclusion
A compelling host/hostess resume is essential for success in India’s thriving hospitality industry. Whether you’re targeting positions at luxury hotels like Taj, Oberoi, and Leela, or seeking opportunities at acclaimed restaurants and cafe chains, your resume must demonstrate your guest service excellence, communication skills, and hospitality expertise.
Focus on quantifying your achievements—guest numbers, satisfaction ratings, and notable experiences. Highlight your training, language skills, and ability to handle VIP guests. With India’s hospitality sector continuing to grow, skilled hosts and hostesses have excellent career opportunities.
Use our resume builder to create an ATS-optimised host/hostess resume, or explore our professional templates designed specifically for hospitality professionals in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sections should a strong hosts hostesses resume include?
At minimum, include contact information, a professional summary, work experience, key skills, and education. Depending on your experience level, you may also add certifications, achievements, projects, or industry-specific sections that highlight your expertise.
How do I write a professional summary for a hosts hostesses role?
Keep it concise — two to three sentences highlighting your experience level, core competencies, and a key achievement or strength that shows why you're right for the job. Tailor it to match the specific role you're applying for.
What skills are most important to list on a hosts hostesses resume?
Include a mix of technical skills specific to hosts hostesses roles and soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Research job postings in your target companies to identify the most commonly requested skills.
How detailed should my work experience be?
Use bullet points to describe your roles, focusing on specific results, tools used, and the impact you made. Quantify achievements where possible — numbers and percentages help recruiters quickly understand your contributions.
Do I need certifications on my hosts hostesses resume?
Certifications aren't always required, but they can strengthen your application — especially if they demonstrate advanced training or specialised expertise. List the certification name, issuing organisation, and year obtained.
What's the best resume format for a hosts hostesses?
Most hosts hostesses professionals benefit from a reverse-chronological format that lists your most recent experience first. If you're changing careers or have gaps, a functional or combination format might work better.
How long should my hosts hostesses resume be?
Aim for one page if you're early in your career. Experienced professionals with extensive achievements can use two pages — just ensure every section adds value and remains relevant to the role.
Should I tailor my resume for each job application?
Yes. Customising your resume with keywords and responsibilities from the job posting improves your chances of passing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and resonating with recruiters. Focus on relevant experience and skills for each role.
Hosts/Hostesses Text-Only Resume Templates and Samples
ARVIND RAWAT
Phone: 0000000
Email: arvind@abc.com
Address: C-21, Sector-21, Delhi
About Me
Hosts/Hostesses
- Energetic and skilled hostess with XX years of extensive experience in greeting guests, and putting them on a waiting list as necessary. Providing guests with menus and answering any initial questions.
- Deft in assigning guests to tables they prefer, while keeping table rotation in mind so that servers receive the right number of customers. Engaging with guests to ensure they're happy with food and service. Adept in responding to complaints and helping to resolve them. Answering phone calls, taking reservations, and answering questions.
- Skilled in helping out with other positions in the restaurant as needed; providing great customer service. Able to articulate clear greetings and farewells to Guests, as well as being able to understand requests for assistance
- Able to hear well in a loud environment in order to answer the telephone and respond to Guest requests. Strong understanding of requests for assistance and passion for providing extraordinary service, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Education
, Bachelor of Arts, Completed, April 2003
Gaya College
– Marks null
Begusari, BR
Certifications
Work Experience
Period: June 2020 - Current
Hosts / Hostesses
Burma Burma Restaurant And Tea Room
- Effectively answered 50+ phone calls every day. Booked reservations and resolved customer service issues.
- Greeted incoming and departing Guests warmly with a genuine smile and eye contact.
- Escorted them to the assigned dining area, presented menus, and announce the waiter's name.
- Use visual cues to seat Guests in either the bar or dining area depending on their preference.
- Informed guests of current promotions and who will be serving them to ensure a smooth handoff to the service staff.
- Received payments by validating credit charges and approving checks.
- Reconciled cash drawer by proving cash transactions and listing checks and credit card charges for to-go orders.
Period: September 2017 - November 2018
Host / Hostess
Marriott Executive Apartments
- Answered incoming calls to the restaurant and provide appropriate service.
- Managed the flow of Guests into the Dining and Bar areas, and provided accurate wait times to incoming Guests if appropriate.
- Protected establishments and patrons by adhering to sanitation, safety, and alcohol control policies.
- Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
- Helped dining room staff by setting and clearing tables, replenishing water, and serving beverages.
- Issued dining charges by verifying orders, calculated taxes, and total bills for to-go orders.
Skills
Hard Skills
- Dining room management
- Customer service
- Reservations management
- Staff leadership
- Dinner service planning
- Workflow optimization
- Training
- Stocking
- Menu Knowledge
- Seating Guests
- Cleaning Tables
- Monitoring Dining Room
Soft Skills
- Teamwork
- Customer service
- Organization
- Prioritization
- Verbal communication
Languages
Softwares
Operating System
Personal Interests
- Amateur photographer
- Blogging
Others
- Volunteer 2x per year for Red Cross blood drives.
India's
premier resume service




