When it is time to write your Commis Chef CV you want it to look its best, and there are a few ways to impress an employer with your CV. Start with these tips which will help you understand the basics of writing a CV, then you’ll want to focus on the structure and layout of your writing.
1. Start with a personal statement which should be brief and contain valuable information for the employer.
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Next, you will need to separate your education, qualifications, skills and work experience so that your CV is easy to read and important information can be found quickly.
4. Show your employer a little more about you by writing down some hobbies and interests
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Commis Chef
When writing your personal statement, it is important to keep it brief and to the point. 100-150 words is enough to tell an employer why you’re interested in their job role and what you can bring to the table. It is very important to talk about your skills and qualifications when writing your personal statement.
Commis Chef Personal Statement Example
“During my apprenticeship, I learned many essential skills that match the requirements you’re looking for, including knife handling, which my mentor often praised me for as being advanced for my experience. I know how to properly handle and clean ingredients for food preparation and received my Level 2 Food Safety award while training.
I understand how to follow recipes, and I would often ask the senior chefs to teach me more about cooking techniques outside of my scheduled hours. I am passionate about this work, and I would like to continue gaining knowledge and experience with your company.”
Ideal Work Experience for a Commis Chef CV
Gaining practical experience in a kitchen environment is the most essential part of becoming a Commis Chef, and there are many avenues that offer the skills and experience you need.
Which Jobs to Include
Even non-chef roles can provide valuable exposure to kitchen procedures, this includes Waiter/Waitress positions where an employee is expected to communicate with kitchen staff and understand how the kitchen functions.
Apprenticeships and vocational courses are also valuable resources for gaining knowledge and experience in a professional kitchen. Use these avenues to gain essential skills.
Commis Chef CV Work Experience Example
When listing your employment history, start with your most recent, relevant job and work backwards through previous work experience. Use bullet points to separate the job and the skills it provided:
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Commis Chef apprenticeship at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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I learned essential skills such as knife handling, food preparation and food safety and practised these to a high standard.
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Developed an understanding of kitchen equipment used in food preparation.
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Worked with senior chefs to obtain an in-depth understanding of cooking techniques.
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Waiter at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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Assisted with the cleaning of cooking and food preparation equipment.
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I learned how to communicate well with kitchen staff when giving them customer orders.
Key Skills & Qualifications for a Commis Chef CV
Detailing your skills and qualifications is an important part of making your CV stand out. Make sure all the information you write down is relevant to the job you’re applying for, we have detailed the skills and qualifications you’ll need for your Commis Chef CV below.
Important Skills for a Commis Chef
It is very important for a Commis Chef to have a strong foundation in basic culinary skills, including knife handling, ingredient preparation, and basic cooking techniques. Other essential skills include a keen eye for detail, communication skills and teamwork, time management skills and most importantly, a willingness to learn.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Commis Chef
While qualifications aren’t always mandatory, having some qualifications or certification will give you an edge. A Level 2 in culinary qualification such as an NVQ will be a boost to your CV, an employer may also look for any entry level qualifications such as a Level 1 in Food Preparation or Cooking.
A Level 1 or 2 Food Safety Award is always essential for working in a kitchen and consider adding any apprenticeship training if you have it. You can learn more about the skills and qualifications needed in our guide to becoming a Commis Chef.
Additional Content to Boost Your Picker Packer CV
After listing your essential skills and qualifications you can then mention some hobbies or interests that developed some of your essential skills. It can also be beneficial to include some references.
Hobbies & Interests
The most encouraging hobby to have for this line of work is cooking or baking, which is a good foundation for developing basic cooking skills. You might also want to mention any hobbies that develop soft skills such as teamwork, time management or attention to detail, these skills can come from many places, but make sure you keep this section brief, as your professional skills are more important to an employer.
References
It can be worth adding one or two references to your CV for employers to contact. Any references you add should be senior members of staff or mentors who worked closely with you and recognised your enthusiasm and potential.
Always ask permission before using someone as a reference.
How to Make a Commis Chef CV Stand Out
To make your CV stand out, write down important, relevant information only. Make sure you have what the employer is looking for before applying, and make sure you list the skills and qualifications you have that are useful for the job.
Label the sections of your CV with appropriate headings to keep your application simple and easy to read, this makes it more accessible to employers who will look for the parts of your CV that they value most.
It is essential to structure and format your CV properly, don’t use paragraphs of text to explain your skills and use bullet points where necessary to make everything uniform.
Mistakes to Avoid
Keep your sections brief and to the point to keep an employer’s attention. Too much information can overwhelm the important parts of your CV, so don’t write down every detail of your experience.
Don’t use jargon, as it will be detrimental to your application. An employer will likely avoid a CV that uses too many overused words.
Commis Chef CV Examples
When you’re ready to write your Commis Chef CV, you can download our free CV template to help you structure your writing appropriately. This free template is a good guide for getting started.
