RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Kitchen Jobs to a Flawed Resume
Identify and correct the critical chef resume mistakes that keep you from landing your dream position.
How This Page Helps
This page helps chefs pinpoint frequent resume pitfalls, understand why they hurt hiring chances, and apply actionable fixes to create an ATS‑friendly, achievement‑driven culinary resume.
Spot the 5 most damaging chef resume errors
Learn why each mistake reduces your interview odds
Apply step‑by‑step fixes with real before‑and‑after examples
Align your resume with top kitchen hiring systems
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using Generic Job TitlesHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t quickly see your level of expertise
- ATS may not match specific culinary keywords
- Reduces perceived specialization in high‑pressure kitchens
How to fix
- Replace vague titles with precise roles (e.g., "Sous Chef" or "Pastry Chef")
- Add the cuisine type or restaurant style you specialized in
- Include any brigade hierarchy you managed
❌ Before
Chef at XYZ Restaurant (2018‑2022)
✓ After
Sous Chef – Contemporary American Cuisine, XYZ Restaurant (06/2018‑08/2022)
ATS Tip
Use exact titles that match industry‑standard keywords
Detection Rules
Contains phrase "Chef at" without qualifier
Title length less than 5 characters
Resumly Tip
Swap generic titles for specific culinary positions to improve keyword relevance.
Listing Duties Instead of AchievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Fails to demonstrate impact or value
- Makes the resume look like a job description
- ATS scores lower when quantifiable results are missing
How to fix
- Turn each duty into a result‑focused bullet
- Add numbers: % cost reduction, number of covers, revenue uplift
- Show leadership outcomes like staff retention
❌ Before
- Responsible for preparing meals and maintaining kitchen cleanliness.
✓ After
- Led a team of 12 to produce 250+ daily covers, cutting food waste by 15% and increasing nightly revenue by $2,300.
ATS Tip
Start bullets with strong action verbs and embed measurable metrics
Detection Rules
Bullet points begin with "Responsible for" or "Duties include"
Resumly Tip
Convert duty statements into achievement statements with numbers.
Omitting Measurable ResultsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge your performance
- ATS algorithms favor resumes with quantifiable data
- You miss the chance to differentiate from other chefs
How to fix
- Add specific metrics: % increase in customer satisfaction, cost savings, menu items created
- Reference awards or recognitions with dates
- Include revenue or profit figures when appropriate
❌ Before
- Managed inventory and ordered supplies.
✓ After
- Optimized inventory, reducing food costs by 12% while maintaining a 98% freshness rating; negotiated vendor contracts saving $8,500 annually.
ATS Tip
Include at least one numeric result per role
Detection Rules
Bullets lack numbers or percentages
Resumly Tip
Insert quantifiable outcomes to each experience entry.
Incorrect or Missing Date FormattingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Creates confusion about employment timeline
- ATS may misinterpret dates and flag gaps
- Hiring managers may assume unexplained gaps
How to fix
- Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
- List both month and year for each role
- If a gap exists, add a brief explanation (e.g., "Culinary sabbatical")
❌ Before
Chef de Partie – ABC Bistro 2019 – Present
✓ After
Chef de Partie – ABC Bistro 06/2019‑Present
ATS Tip
Use consistent MM/YYYY format throughout the resume
Detection Rules
Date lines missing month or using textual month names
Resumly Tip
Uniform date format improves ATS parsing and readability.
Failing to Highlight Food Safety CertificationsLOW
Why it hurts
- Food safety is a non‑negotiable requirement for most kitchens
- ATS often scans for certifications like HACCP, ServSafe
- Hiring managers may overlook candidates without visible credentials
How to fix
- Create a dedicated "Certifications" section
- List certifications with issuing organization and expiration date
- Place the section near the top if certifications are a key requirement
❌ Before
Education Culinary Arts Diploma – Culinary Institute (2017)
✓ After
Certifications ServSafe Manager – National Restaurant Association (Expires 03/2026) HACCP Certified – International HACCP Alliance (Expires 11/2025)
ATS Tip
Include exact certification names as keywords
Detection Rules
No "Certifications" heading present
Resumly Tip
Add a certifications block to showcase food safety credentials.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Experience, Education, Certifications
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Chef.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use specific culinary titles (e.g., Sous Chef, Pastry Chef)
- Show quantifiable achievements for every role
- Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY
- Include a Certifications section with ServSafe/HACCP
- Limit resume to two pages and save as PDF
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Jobvite
Keyword Strategy: menu development, cost control, kitchen management, food safety, HACCP, inventory optimization, staff training
Heading Format: Use standard headings like "Professional Experience" and "Certifications"
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current chef resume text below
- Replace generic titles with specific culinary roles
- Convert duty statements into achievement bullets with metrics
- Standardize date format to MM/YYYY
- Add a Certifications section for food‑safety credentials
- Optimize headings to match ATS expectations
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