How to Get Started in the Hospitality Industry – SOEGJOBS

Is it your dream to work in the hospitality industry, but you do not know how to get started? Although the industry is very competitive, that does not mean there is no room for new talent.

According to recent statistics, the hospitality industry is thriving, with related businesses generating over $3.4 trillion annually worldwide. While experience is always valued, you can find great opportunities even with little or no work experience.

But, as with any field that interests you, certain skills and good habits are required in this industry. 

In this article, we will go over everything you should do to get started in hospitality.

Let us analyze why this industry is a unique opportunity for fresh talents without further ado.

Why Is The Hospitality Industry Unique? 

Contrary to what many believe, in the hospitality industry, good habits like consistency and a positive attitude are just as important as skills and talent. Therefore, if you are looking to enter the workforce, the hospitality industry is the right choice for you.

With millions of hospitality and hotel businesses worldwide, there is always a need for new professionals who are eager to get trained. The most important soft skills you should have to be successful in the hospitality industry are:

1. Communication and language skills
2. Customer service skills
3. Positive attitude
4. Emotional intelligence 
5. Networking skills
6. Multitasking capability
7. Listening skills

Of course, appropriate training and education are equally important. 

In any case, having the hard and soft skills required for the job can easily make up for a lack of experience. But what steps do you need to take to find your first job in the industry? 

Let us find out.

7 Steps to Get your First Job in the Hospitality Industry

1. Create a Professional CV

The first thing you need to do before applying for hospitality jobs is to create a professional-looking CV. There are plenty of pre-made templates online that you can use for free.

As for the design, your CV shouldn’t be overwhelming. Also, do not forget to include a photo of you at the top of your CV and remove the background to make it look more professional. As for the content of your CV, the lack of experience can be replaced by additional skills, such as:

1. Foreign languages
2. Community service activities (volunteering in fundraisers, etc.) 
3. Previous leadership roles (student councils, music and sports groups, etc)
4. Networking and computer skills
5. Relevant subjects you studied 

2. Importance of Social Media and Cover Letter

The hospitality industry is dependent on social media. For this reason, most hiring managers will take a look at your social media profiles to understand your goals and observe your experience.

This is why you should always mention experiences such as internships, education, and volunteering in your social media. 

3. Prepare for Interviews

Even if you get an interview with your CV and cover letter, you do not have the job yet. 

Preparing for an interview in the hospitality industry is very important. 

Generally, recruiters will ask questions about your interpersonal skills and your sociability.

This means you should always be prepared to showcase your personality traits during interviews. In the hospitality industry, these include integrity, ambition, creativity, reliability and more.

4. Consider Volunteering

If you do not have experience in the hospitality industry, you can always volunteer before you look for a job. This is especially true if you are thinking about changing careers.

Finally, remember that volunteering is one of the most important elements on your CV and will increase your chances of landing an exciting job later on.

5. Apply for the Right (Entry-level) Jobs

There are many cases where your applications are rejected because you do not apply for the right kind of jobs. 

As an entry-level employee, you should look for jobs that require little to no experience.

This will increase your chances, and such jobs will give you the knowledge and experience you need to move up in your career. 

Therefore, apply for jobs that include keywords such as “trainee,” “junior,” “no experience required,” and “entry-level.”

6. Don’t Stop Educating Yourself

Workshops, internships, webinars and relevant courses will always be there for you to attend. 

Just because you got your first job in the hospitality industry does not mean you should stop learning.

On the contrary, this is the best time to expand your knowledge and apply any new skills you acquire in your work environment. This is the best way to make sure you do not stay in an entry-level job for a long time.

7. Embrace Failure

As a new professional, you should not expect your first steps to be completely successful.

If you do not get the job, there is no reason to be frustrated. 

Failure is just as important (if not more) and you can learn something from every positive or negative experience.

For example, if your applications are consistently rejected, you may want to double-check that your CV, cover letter, and overall preparation are up to high standards. 

Stay professional by sending follow-up, ” thank you” messages. It will make a big difference in the long run.

Wrap Up 

It is clear that the hospitality industry offers new professionals the opportunities they need to start their careers. To ensure that your first steps are successful, it is important to proceed methodically.

Creating a comprehensive CV, optimizing your social media profiles and cover letter, and preparing for the interview are the first steps you should take. Then it’s a matter of expanding your knowledge and skills.

Remember, the recent pandemic has impacted the industry in a big way. But if you follow the above steps, you will increase your chances of a bright career.