07/08/2026
CV Isn't Landing Interviews?
If you're a barista, waiter, barman or FOH manager looking for your next opportunity, don't scroll past this one. 👇
I've spent years in hospitality and now specialise in writing CVs for Front of House professionals.
I love this industry, and I'm passionate about good hospitality people being recognised for what they bring to the table.
What frustrates me is seeing talented baristas, waiters, barmen and FOH management struggle to find work while people who treat hospitality as "just a job" are working and have jobs.
I've seen what gets lost between the lines of a CV — and I'm going to tell you what I think baristas are getting wrong. ✍️
And just to be clear...
I'm not a recruitment agency, and I'm not hiring for a venue.
My posts clearly say that I write hospitality CVs.
Yet I still receive messages saying:
• "I'm looking for a job."
• "Hire me."
• "Here's my number."
• "When can I come for an interview?"
Sometimes people even leave their phone number in the comments.
If you don't read a Facebook post and understand what the person is actually offering, how are you going to read, understand and respond to the orders coming through the POS system when the café is pumping?
Think about it.
That's the impression you leave with the person hiring when you don't follow instructions.
• Reading.
• Understanding.
• Paying attention.
• Following instructions.
Those things matter in hospitality. And yes — they matter on your CV too.
Your latte art photos?
They look great.
But they don't tell me much about you.
Someone else can learn the technique.
Someone can create another beautiful cup tomorrow.
Your 5 years of barista experience?
That's good.
But you're not the only barista with 5 years.
Or 3 years.
Or 8 years.
There are thousands of baristas with similar experience.
Your list of Core Skills?
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
All good. But again...
There are thousands of baristas with the exact same list.
And starting your CV with:
"I am a dedicated, hardworking and passionate barista..."
Doesn't necessarily make you stand out either.
There are thousands of those too.
So here's the question I think every barista should ask themselves: 🤔
Are YOU represented between the lines of your CV?
Can an employer reading it actually get a sense of:
• Your passion for the craft?
• How you handle pressure when the tickets keep coming?
• The challenges you've faced — and how you handled them?
• How you read your guests?
• Why certain guests remember you?
• What you do differently when you're behind that machine?
• What kind of barista are you when the café is absolutely pumping?
• How you manage stock and minimise waste?
• Whether you understand the cost of every wasted shot, spoiled ingredient or incorrectly made drink?
• Whether you're simply making coffee — or helping make the business money?
Because that's the person I want to uncover. 🎯
Your CV shouldn't only tell an employer: "I've been a barista for 5 years."
It should make them start thinking: "I want this person working in my café."
That's the difference.
Your experience gets you into the conversation.
Your story can make them want to meet you. 🤝
And that's what I look for when I write a hospitality CV.
I don't just rewrite your duties.
I look for the person behind the job title.
And then there's the question of price.
My R250 price doesn't represent the quality of the work I put into a CV.
I know what my work is worth.
But I also understand the current economic reality in South Africa, and I've deliberately adapted my pricing so that professional hospitality CV writing remains accessible to the people I want to help. 🇿🇦
Think about it.
• You can spend R600 or more on a pair of sneakers.
• You can easily spend R250 on a date night.
There's nothing wrong with either of those things.
But it's strange to me that people can be prepared to spend money on things that give them enjoyment for an evening — yet hesitate to invest R250 in something that could potentially influence their next job, their next opportunity and their future income. 📈
Your career is worth investing in.
Especially when you're trying to stand out in a hospitality industry where hundreds of people may be competing for the same opportunity.
I realise some of what I've said in this post might offend some people. That's okay.
Because if this post resonates with the barista who genuinely cares about their craft, wants to grow, wants to be recognised and wants to build a career in hospitality — then I've reached the person I wanted to reach. 🎯
If you're that person, let's find out whether your CV really represents you.
My WhatsApp button is on my page. Let's talk. 📲👇
