Application writing made easy

Have you decided on a job in the hotel or catering industry? Then it's time for the next important step: your application with CV, letter of motivation and application photo. Many questions quickly arise. What really belongs on a CV today? What do employers look for in a cover letter? And how can you stand out from the crowd?

In the third part of our career guide, we show you how to structure your application documents, avoid typical mistakes and make a real impression with your application photo. 

In the hotel and catering industry, employers generally expect a traditional application folder - whether digital or printed. 

• CV: your professional career at a glance
• Letter of motivation: explains why you want exactly this job
• Application photo: not a must, but often appreciated
• References & Certificates: prove your experience and qualifications (e.g. school reports, work references or certificates)
• Cover sheet: you can optionally add this

HOGAST Job tip: Your application is the first impression you make on your dream employer. Therefore, make sure that all documents fit together visually and avoid spelling and formatting errors - even with your quick and uncomplicated quick application on Hogast Job. 

Your CV is your personal business card. It shows what you can do and what experience you have. It is therefore all the more important that you structure it clearly and that all the information can be grasped quickly. 

A clear structure makes it easier for recruiters to get an overview of your skills and experience. So make sure that your CV focuses on the essentials and is structured in a table.

Typical structure:

• Personal data: Name, address, telephone number, e-mail
• Work experience: previous jobs with period and tasks
• Educationschool, apprenticeship or studies
• Additional qualificationslanguage skills, further training, certificates, etc.
• Interests & Hobbies: optional and only if they match the job

HOGAST job tip: Start with what you did last and then list everything step by step back in time.

Focus on the content that is relevant to the job.

• Choose experiences that match the job: Are you applying for a job in service? Then internships in a restaurant or part-time jobs with customer contact are more important than a vacation job in the warehouse.
• Describe your previous tasks specifically: List your tasks such as "serving guests, taking orders and serving food"
• Always state periods with month and year: e.g. "06/2022-09/2022: waiter in restaurant dream job"
• Emphasize special qualifications and leave out unimportant details: For example, a job in service requires language skills, barista courses or experience with cash register systems. You can leave out hobbies unrelated to the job.

This goes down well:

• Keep your CV short and clear (1-2 pages are enough).
• Pay attention to a consistent design (font, sizes, spacing).
• Get to the point quickly.
• Only show what really fits the job.
• Give your documents to someone to proofread before sending them.

You should avoid

• too much information at once
• Spelling mistakes
• chaotic design with different fonts and formats
• Gaps in your CV without explanation (longer than approx. 2 months)
• Information that has nothing to do with the job

The cover letter is about you and why you want this job. You can show what drives you and what sets you apart from other applicants. 

But be careful: simply retelling your CV is not enough! Take the opportunity to show the employer why you fit into the team.

That goes down well:

• Write individually and tailor your letter to the job.
• Get to the point quickly and say why you want the job (maximum 1 page, ideally 3-5 paragraphs).
• Stay understandable.
• Find out about the company and refer to it.
• Have your cover letter proofread before you send it.

You should avoid doing this:

• simply repeating your CV
• language that is too casual
• Spelling and grammatical errors
• Nested sentences
• Copy-paste texts without reference to the company
• outdated phrases such as "Yours sincerely" or "Awaiting your reply"
• AI-generated texts that do not emphasize your personality and do not differ from other cover letters

Even if an application photo is no longer a must nowadays: In the hotel and catering industry, it can be a real plus point. After all, you usually work with customer contact and a pleasant first impression counts.

That goes down well:

• an open, friendly smile
• a well-groomed appearance
• Clothing that suits the job
• a calm, neutral background
• good picture quality

You should avoid this:

• Selfies or cropped vacation photos
• (Fun) filters or heavy image editing
• blurred or poorly exposed images
• striking patterns or bright colors
• Photos that no longer match your current appearance

HOGAST job tip: It's best to have your application photos taken by a professional. Alternatively, you can also ask a friend to take neutral photos of you. 

Have you received an invitation to an interview? Congratulations! Now it's time to score points personally. What counts most in the next step is that you are authentic and show why exactly you fit into the team.

Good preparation will help you to appear confident, answer typical questions with confidence and leave a lasting impression.

You now have everything you need for a convincing application and know what is important. Now it's time to get started. 

On HOGAST Job you will find a large selection of vacancies in the hotel and catering industry in Austria, Germany and South Tyrol. Many top employers use the platform to find motivated employees for reception, service, kitchen, housekeeping and many other areas.

• You can create a personal application profile via the platform.
• Use it to apply directly to your desired employer.
• Activate a job alert and stay informed about new vacancies.
• Create watch lists and keep an eye on interesting jobs.

Now it's up to you: find your job and start your career in the hotel and catering industry.