What It Takes To Land a Job in the Hospitality Industry

Hospitality is a dynamic industry that offers a large variety of career options. Jobs in this field encompass diverse positions, starting from the job of a concierge to the job of a chef. Its 24-hour way of life allowing flexible working practices, along with the lucrative pay packages and benefits, make this industry a highly sought-after career option.

However, in order to land a job in hospitality and build a successful career, you need to possess certain qualities that employers (hotels, resorts, restaurants, catering companies etc) demand. As per Deloitte’s Outlook for 2014, the travel, leisure and hospitality sector’s outlook remains optimistic and offers potential for growth. And since the travel and tourism sector is likely to create over 70 million job opportunities in the next 10 years, several professionals are out to pursue the prime hospitality jobs.

Let us take a look at what you can do as a prospective employee to stand out from the crowd of job seekers and highlight your employability. Here’s a list of the top things to put on your resume so as to ensure your skills are noticed:

1. The Ability to Build Connections

Since this industry is all about comfort and good service, a hospitality job depends a great deal on a professional’s ability to be pleasant and connect with the guests, clients, vendors and other employees. First, the skill of networking will help you with job search and second, it will reflect well on your amiable personality. Let the recruiters know that you’re good at making connections by putting this on your CV. You can use the following keywords in your application –

• Relationship Building
• Client Management
• Vendor Management
• Guest Relations
• Team Leadership

You must also highlight the accomplishments achieved through these qualities. This will help you demonstrate how you engaged in activities like crisis communications by nurturing positive relationships.

2. Multitasking

To build a career in hospitality, you must be able to simultaneously handle multiple responsibilities. A day in the life of a hotel manager can include negotiations for a contract with a vendor, filling out paperwork, assisting an unsatisfied guest and still putting up a happy face when you greet new guests. Employers need to know that you are organized and can manage the varied, fast-paced work.

So, make sure you highlight these skills using keywords like ‘proven time management expertise.’ Phrases like these help you highlight the ability to adapt to the needs of a guest and manage and synchronize tasks.

3. Giving Attention to Detail

All hospitality professionals must work to accomplish a common objective – customer satisfaction. A successful hospitality manager, or any other member of staff, knows what it means to give the guests an extraordinary experience. It’s always the little things that matter. To provide an extraordinary experience, one needs to ensure perfection in everything, starting from the freshness of flowers to the uniform of the busboys. A good hospitality manager should be able to address every need of the customer.

As a probable hospitality manager, your CV should point out specific instances where these skills have been used. So, make sure you use phrases such as ‘surpass the expectations of guests’ and the ‘ability to concentrate on important guest details.’ This will bring forth your capabilities in front of potential employers and will prove that you can go an extra mile to make guests happy, which in turn helps build goodwill.

4. Openness to Learning

Technical know-how (such as the knowledge of computers, software and digital media) is important for all professionals, no matter what industry they work for. So is the knowledge of languages. These are important areas where expertise can make you stand out from the rest of the pack, especially in the hospitality sector.

You should mention the software that you are adept at and whether you received any kind of special training in your former job. As for the languages known, you must accurately represent your levels of knowledge by categorizing it as fluent, conversational or basic. Highlighting technical expertise on the CV helps you increase your employability.

5. Being More Flexible

Hospitality staff often has to work longer and unusual hours, in contrast to a regular desk job. They are expected to switch gears at a moment’s notice in case of an unexpected situation. Thus, to present yourself as a flexible employee, you must use keywords such as –

• Versatile
• Adaptive
• Resourceful

The key is to convey your enthusiasm as well as suitability, along with the proof that you are flexible enough to respond to the company’s needs.

Other than the above requirements, here are a few other qualities that one must possess in order to succeed as a hospitality professional –

• Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Strong Leadership Skills
• Teamwork
• Knowledge of Safety/Hygiene Issues

Devika Arora is a prolific writer who compiles relevant facts and analyzes the current state of affairs pertaining to the domain of education. She is currently writing informative articles, news stories and blog posts on career planning.