CV Tips

Ensure your CV demonstrates culinary diversity.

Being able to work across a number of cuisines and food trends is important, this should certainly be illustrated on your CV. Without this, your skill set will appear limited and as a result you may miss out on opportunities that you may otherwise been successful in.  It is vital to highlight your specific responsibilities, accountabilities and successes, demonstrating your wider skills, including team management, costing and planning.

There is a long list of cuisines in the world, many of which can appear attractive to employers. Employers are keen to consider those with diverse experience and are resourceful and adaptable.

Foreign travel.

It is vital that you mention any travel that you may have done in the past.  First hand experience of different cuisines and cultures can be vital to the success of your job application. Travel illustrates a willingness to explore,  appreciate and understand other cuisines, cultures  and the values that can be adopted in different countries  really adds a new dimension when working on specific briefs .

As an NPD chef you may be asked to work in various cuisines from Italian to Indian, Nepalese to French.

No poetic license.

Your CV should be true and accurate. Elaborating points and exaggerating parts of your CV can be detrimental to your success when operating in such a tight network.

Be accurate, concise and to the point. Don't get caught up in trying to make elements of your CV seem 'better' than they are. It is important that you are honest from the beginning - if there are areas you're not comfortable with or need training in, this can provide you with a talking point and can assist in illustrating your desire to work in the organisation and progress your career to the next level.

Personal statement - your point of difference.

A personal statement can be key to an application. Whilst many application processes do not make personal statements a compulsory item, it shows willing and an ability to sum up your achievements in relation to the role.

Writing a personal statement can be difficult, as many people will find talking about themselves tricky. A personal statement should be specific to a role and should not be generic toward any application. It should highlight why you are fit for the role, and why the role fits in with your aims, objectives and work style.

Remember that a personal statement is exactly that - personal. There is no right or wrong way to do it, and it should reflect your personality. It is a testament to you and your achievements.  Consider what really does give you the point of difference?