Resume Writing Tips for Catering Administrative Assistant

Introduction

A catering administrative assistant plays a vital role in supporting catering operations, coordinating between clients, vendors, and internal teams, and ensuring every event runs smoothly. Your resume serves as your first impression, so it’s crucial to showcase not just what you’ve done, but how you’ve contributed to business success. A well-crafted resume helps you stand out in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and convinces hiring managers that you are the right candidate for the job.

1. Resume Summary

The resume summary is a concise snapshot of your professional identity and key qualifications. For a catering administrative assistant, it should emphasize organizational skills, communication abilities, and experience in the hospitality or event management sector. Use action-driven language and highlight relevant years of experience along with any specialized knowledge.

Example: “Detail-oriented Catering Administrative Assistant with 5+ years of experience managing event logistics, coordinating with vendors, and supporting high-volume catering operations. Proven ability to streamline processes, improve client satisfaction, and maintain accurate records.”

2. Key Skills

Incorporate a well-rounded skill set relevant to the catering administrative assistant role. These skills should be a mix of hard and soft skills that demonstrate your ability to perform daily tasks efficiently.

• Event Coordination & Planning
• Vendor & Client Communication
• Scheduling & Calendar Management
• Inventory & Supply Management
• Data Entry & Record Keeping
• Customer Service Excellence
• Budget Tracking & Cost Control
• MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Catering Management Software (e.g., Caterease, Total Party Planner)
• Problem Solving & Multitasking

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

While outlining your previous roles, focus more on achievements than listing generic responsibilities. Achievements demonstrate your impact and value. Use quantifiable results to make your contributions concrete and impressive.

Example Achievement Bullet Point:
“Reduced vendor invoice processing time by 30% through implementation of streamlined tracking system, improving accuracy and vendor relationships.”

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each job application by analyzing the job description and including relevant keywords and skills. Tailoring increases your chances of passing ATS filters and shows recruiters you understand the role’s specific requirements.

5. Tools

• Microsoft Excel – for budget tracking and reporting
• Microsoft Outlook – managing communications and calendar invites
• Microsoft Word – document creation
• Caterease – catering-specific event and order management software
• Total Party Planner – event planning and invoicing
• Salesforce – CRM management (if applicable)
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar)
• QuickBooks – basic accounting and billing
• Trello or Asana – project management tools
• POS Systems – ordering and payment processing

6. Metrics

• Number of events successfully coordinated monthly
• Percentage increase in client satisfaction or repeat business
• Cost savings achieved through vendor negotiation or inventory management
• Reduction in operational errors or delays
• Volume of vendor or client communications handled weekly

7. Education

• Associate’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field (or relevant certifications)
• Certification in event planning or catering management (e.g., Certified Special Events Professional)

8. Format

• Use clear, readable fonts such as Arial or Calibri (11-12 pt)
• Keep consistent formatting with bullet points, indentation, and spacing for easy scanning
• Limit resume length to two pages maximum
• Use bold for section headers and key achievements for emphasis
• Save and submit in PDF format unless otherwise specified

9. Concise

Keep bullet points concise and impactful, generally no more than two lines each. Avoid filler words and jargon. Focus on action verbs and quantifiable results to make every line count.

10. Bonus

• Include a cover letter highlighting how your skills meet the company’s unique needs
• Leverage LinkedIn by keeping it updated and aligning it with your resume content
• Emphasize soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management

Examples

• “Coordinated over 50 corporate catering events annually, meeting client specifications with 98% satisfaction rating.”
• “Streamlined the ordering process by integrating new software, reducing order errors by 25% and saving $5K annually.”

Conclusion

A powerful catering administrative assistant resume not only lists your tasks but highlights your impact through actionable achievements, leadership in coordination, and your analytical abilities to optimize processes. By tailoring your resume, emphasizing key skills, and quantifying results, you demonstrate to employers your capacity to contribute effectively to their catering operations. Ultimately, your resume should tell a story of professional growth, adaptability, and dedication—qualities that make you an invaluable team member in any catering environment.