When writing your Kitchen Assistant CV, it’s important to remember how to section important information, and how to make it readable for employers. Learn the basics of CV writing with our writing tips, and we’ll talk about what you can do to make your Kitchen Assistant CV stand out
The structure of your CV is important, so make sure you:
1. Start with a strong personal statement
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Include a section for key skills and qualifications relevant to a Manufacturing Technician
4. Finish with your hobbies and interests and references.
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Kitchen Assistant
When writing your personal statement, keep your information brief and relevant. A statement should not be longer than 150 words and should contain as much useful information as it can fit.
A personal statement is the first thing an employer will read, so it needs to interest an employer so that they’ll continue to read the rest of your CV.
Kitchen Assistant Personal Statement Example
“I have recently left a three-year position as a Kitchen Porter to pursue a more interesting career within a kitchen environment. During my employment I learned a lot about food safety and hygiene from spending many hours cleaning various areas of the kitchen, as well as occasionally helping to prepare food.
I worked well with all our kitchen staff, and I was happy to make sure that their workspace was clean and tidy for their shifts, so that they didn’t have to worry about their equipment.
While waiting for tasks, I would often ask the chefs if they could teach me any basic skills when they were free to do so, which encouraged me to seek a different role within this exciting and fast-paced environment.”
Ideal Work Experience for a Kitchen Assistant CV
Some employers will expect a certain type of experience from their applicants, as it can be difficult to settle into a fast-paced environment without previous exposure to it. Make sure you have relevant experience and use bullet points to highlight jobs and skills.
Which Jobs to Include
Since basic food prep is essential for most Kitchen Assistant roles, previously working within a kitchen is important. This can include Waiting/Waitressing or being a Kitchen Porter or Helper.
Apprenticeships or vocational courses can also offer certain exposure to the environment, and volunteer work can also offer the skills required to work as a Kitchen Assistant.
Kitchen Assistant CV Work Experience Example
- Kitchen Porter at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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As a Kitchen Porter, I learned the importance of food safety, from area cleanliness to food hygiene and preparation. I can tell when something needs to be washed, and I understand how to properly clean kitchen equipment.
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I worked within a team of kitchen staff to make sure there was synergy within the kitchen, this included cleaning dishes and work surfaces when it was appropriate and managing spills so that they weren’t a danger to staff.
Use this layout for each job you write about. You should only mention 5-6 relevant jobs and start from the most recent employment and work backwards. Use bullet points to separate each job and its skills.
Key Skills & Qualifications for a Kitchen Assistant CV
An employer may ask for certain skills or qualifications for the role, which means you’ll need to have appropriate transferable skills from previous jobs or qualifications from different educational backgrounds.
Important Skills for a Kitchen Assistant
To be a Kitchen Assistant, it’s important to understand food safety and hygiene as well as basic food preparation. These skills link together, as an assistant will need to know how to prepare certain ingredients.
Kitchens are fast-paced environments, it’s therefore important to be able to work well under pressure and be capable of working in a team and communicating effectively with team members.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Kitchen Assistant
Though formal qualifications aren’t always required, it’s good to have at least a GCSE-level education. A food hygiene certificate is highly recommended, as it demonstrates knowledge of safe food handling practices. Acquiring this certificate before starting a role in a Kitchen can also show your dedication to this career path.
Find out more about the important skills and qualifications that are useful for becoming a Kitchen Assistant.
Additional Content to Boost Your Kitchen Assistant CV
If you have hobbies or interests that have helped you develop your skills, then you can mention them now so an employer can learn a little more about you. You can also include references, which should be added at the end of your CV.
Hobbies & Interests
Only mention hobbies that have helped you develop skills that are useful to the job you’re applying for, this can include an interest in cooking outside of work, or any volunteer work you’ve done that has exposed you to a kitchen or hospitality environment.
References
If you’re adding one or two references to your CV for an employer to contact, make sure you have permission before adding their information. A reference should be someone who worked with you in a previous job, as they will have to talk about your abilities and work ethic.
How to Make a Kitchen Assistant CV Stand Out
The best way to make your CV stand out is by keeping all your information relevant and accurate. An employer is looking for something specific when choosing a successful candidate, so it is important that your CV meets their requirements.
Using bullet points to write about your qualifications, skills and work experience helps to keep it tidy and easy to read. It also reduces the chance of burying important information within too much writing, which often happens with paragraphs of text.
Make your CV stand out by talking about notable achievements, these can be in both a personal and professional environment if they are relevant and show your skills.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid inappropriate or informal language when writing your CV. This document is for professional purposes, and an employer will only take it seriously if you do. Write with correct spelling and grammar, and ask someone to read your CV to make sure it’s easy to understand before you send it anywhere.
Kitchen Assistant CV Example
When you’re ready to write your CV, you’ll find it easier to structure your writing if you use our free, downloadable CV template . This template will help you through the writing process, so all you need to focus on is making your CV stand out.
