Sommelier CV example

A sommelier’s work blends technical knowledge with artistry, and your CV needs to capture both. A well-prepared document can be the difference between being overlooked and being invited in for a conversation about how you could elevate an establishment’s wine service.

Below, you’ll find practical advice on presenting your expertise clearly, structuring and writing a CV effectively, and tailoring your experience to match the expectations of high-end establishments.

The perfect wine list is curated with care – and so should your CV be. A logical, well-organised structure makes it easy for employers to see the depth of your experience and understand your strengths, and will let them picture you working within their team. Avoidable mistakes will get even the most qualified candidates totally overlooked.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Keep these contact details at the top so a potential employer can reach out to you.
• Profile – Immediately draw in the recruiter with a brief summary of your skills and experience.
• Core skills – State your best qualities at a quick glance.
• Work experience – Walk through your employment history in reverse chronological order.
• Education – List the qualifications and certificates that make you the right fit.
• Additional info – You can optionally list any relevant hobbies and interests which help to convey your fit for the role.
  

When formatting, keep your CV polished and inviting. Use bullet points to simplify blocks of text, break the document into clearly labelled sections, and choose a clean, legible font. Keep the document length to no more than two pages, and make good use of white space so your most impressive details have room to breathe.

Your CV profile is where you convey the value you’d bring to any venue. In just a few lines, you should communicate your wine knowledge and customer service skills, giving recruiters an insight into your ability to enhance the guest experience while driving revenue. 

Think of it as your first opportunity to prove that you understand both the art and the business of wine: your ultimate aim is to convince people to read further.

Here are some tips on what you should include:

• Where you worked – Describe the types of venues you’ve worked in, from fine-dining restaurants to boutique wine bars or luxury hotels.
• Your top qualifications – Mention relevant wine education, certifications, or hospitality training that validates your expertise.
• Essential skills – Highlight key competencies in a way that reflects the needs of the role, ensuring they’re relevant and measurable.
• Specialist areas or focus – Indicate areas of deep knowledge, such as specific wine regions, pairing expertise, or cellar management.
• Value delivered – Explain how your work has improved customer satisfaction, influenced purchasing decisions, or contributed to revenue growth.
  

This section provides an at-a-glance view of your professional capabilities – something recruiters appreciate when scanning applications.

Focus on tangible, role-specific abilities that can be linked to your experience. Tailor your CV skills to the specific role and employer, ensuring they align closely with the qualities outlined in the job description. This makes it immediately clear that you can meet their exact requirements.

For a sommelier, work experience is as important as knowledge. Your work history should reflect how you’ve applied your expertise to create memorable guest experiences, improve wine programs, and support the broader goals of the establishment.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. For each, provide a concise summary before using bullet points to outline your main duties and notable achievements. This structure keeps the section readable and highlights the impact of your work.

• Outline – Introduce the venue, your role, and the main objectives of your position, noting who you reported to and the type of clientele you served.
• Responsibilities – Detail your core duties, using action words like “curated” and “trained.” For example: “curated seasonal wine lists” or “trained front-of-house staff in wine service.”
• Achievements – Share measurable results, such as increased wine sales, improved guest ratings, or successful events you’ve overseen.

While practical experience is key, formal wine and hospitality education can significantly boost your credibility. Include any sommelier certifications, wine education courses, or hospitality qualifications relevant to the role. If you’ve got a degree, then mention it here.

List these in reverse chronological order, with your most recent qualifications first. If applicable, mention specific training or study trips that have enhanced your expertise, such as WSET courses or regional wine tours.