Six Common Manager’s Resume Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

Mistake #1: The Cookie-Cutter Ending

Hiring managers can spot a copy-paste summary from a mile away. If your conclusion reads like a sample from a template site (“I look forward to the opportunity to contribute my skills to your dynamic team…”), you’ve lost them.

Fix it:

• Write every closing statement fresh for each posting.

• Use a plagiarism checker to make sure your phrasing isn’t identical to other online samples.

• Reflect the tone of the company’s culture—casual for boutique brands, formal for large hotels or corporate groups.

Instead of:

“I am excited to join your team and bring my skills to your growing company.”

Try:

“I’m eager to bring my operational expertise and guest-centered leadership style to [Company Name] to strengthen service standards and drive profitability.”

Mistake #2: Intrusive or Demanding Closings

Phrases like “I will call you next week to schedule an interview” come across as pushy, not confident. It may have been acceptable decades ago, but in today’s professional environment, it signals entitlement.

Fix it: End with an invitation rather than a command.

Example:

“I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience in multi-unit management can support your growth objectives.”

This phrasing shows initiative without crossing professional boundaries.

Mistake #3: Egocentric Focus

Hospitality leadership is about service, teamwork, and results. If your closing focuses entirely on what you want (“I’m seeking a company that can help me grow my career”), it reads as self-centered.

Fix it: Reframe from what you want to gain to what you bring.

Instead of:

“This position will allow me to grow my leadership skills.”

Write:

“This position allows me to apply proven leadership systems that improve retention and service performance.”

You’re still expressing ambition—but through the lens of contribution.

Mistake #4: Emotional Disconnect (“Read Between the Lines”)

A cover letter that feels rushed or obligatory sends subtle emotional signals. Hiring managers can sense frustration or fatigue in your tone. If your letter feels mechanical, they’ll assume your attitude will be the same at work.

Fix it: Have a colleague, mentor, or recruiter read your letter. Ask them what emotion it conveys. Does it sound confident, positive, and engaged—or tired and generic? Rewrite until the tone matches your energy and enthusiasm.

Mistake #5: Weak or Passive Language

Phrases like “I feel” or “I believe” weaken your authority. They make your skills sound uncertain, as if you’re hoping you’re qualified rather than knowing you are.

Fix it: Replace emotional qualifiers with factual ones.

Instead of:

“I believe my experience makes me a strong fit for this role.”

Say:

“My background in multi-location restaurant management and staff development directly supports the goals outlined in your job posting.”

This change shifts the focus from emotion to evidence.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Keywords and Relevance

Hospitality job postings are written with specific priorities in mind—cost control, guest experience, operational excellence, safety, food quality, or leadership development. Your closing paragraph is the place to mirror those priorities back.

Fix it: Study the language of the job description. Use its keywords naturally in your conclusion. It shows alignment and helps your résumé pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Example:

“My experience in cost analysis, inventory management, and staff retention aligns perfectly with your focus on operational efficiency and team engagement.”

Ending the Résumé the Right Way

The conclusion of your résumé shouldn’t fade out with a tired “Professional references available upon request.” Instead, it should connect back to the employer and reinforce confidence.

Consider including a brief “Professional Summary” or “Leadership Philosophy” statement that ties your story together.

Example:

“Dedicated hospitality leader known for driving profitability through operational excellence and culture-based leadership. Committed to empowering teams and creating exceptional guest experiences that reflect brand values.”

This leaves the reader with a strong mental image of your professionalism—and gives them a reason to turn the page or make the call.

Final Thoughts

A cover letter and résumé don’t just list qualifications—they tell a story. The ending is your resolution, the part that turns interest into intent. When you close with clarity, confidence, and contribution, you transform your résumé from paperwork into persuasion.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Revisit every cover letter ending before submission—customize it for tone and job focus.

• Replace “I believe” with “My experience shows.”

• Use keywords directly from the job posting.

• End on a note of service, not self-interest.

• Align your résumé summary with the employer’s mission.

Because in hospitality—and in hiring—how you end determines whether you get the next beginning.