People invested in their professional growth and looking for potential career opportunities usually have a “dream job” they want to work towards. Whether you’re looking to become an ExecutiveChef or want to become a Event Manager, you need to take incremental steps before you can get closer to achieving your dreams.
The hospitality industry currently employs around 15.11 million people in the US and 2.7 million people in Europe. This is because the sector provides several growth opportunities that are not only lucrative but also help individuals learn valuable skills along the way.
If you’re looking to kickstart your career in the hospitality industry, you’re at the right place. Read on to learn how to land your dream job in the hospitality sector, according to our hospitality recruitment experts.
What Are the Different Kinds of Paths You Can Take in the Hospitality Sector?
The hospitality sector provides limitless opportunities for people since this constantly and consistently growing industry changes and diversifies every year. Our hospitality recruitment specialists reveal that the hospitality industry is one of the fastest-growing employment industries in the world and is expected to grow even stronger in the coming years.
A comprehensive research report by Global News Wire mentions that the global hospitality market was worth $3953 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow around $6716.3 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 10.24% between 2022 and 2028.
Let’s take a look at the different kinds of paths you can take in the hospitality industry.
The Goal of the Hospitality Sector
Hospitality is a special relationship between a host and a guest. The goal of people working in the hospitality industry is to offer exceptional customer care and provide services beyond just meetings a guest’s needs. The team at a hotel or resort is synergized by one goal or vision: to provide genuine hospitality with attentive, customized care for every guest in the establishment.
Hospitality isn’t just applied to resorts and hotels but also the food & beverages sector, private service sectors, the yachting industry, cruise lines, casinos, clubs, spas, and the tourism industry.
The hospitality sector is constantly evolving because of the changing demands of consumers and the services being offered.
Some of the main qualities expected from individuals working in this industry include willingness to provide, empathy, and patience.
Here are some different career paths you can take in the hospitality sector.
Hotel Management
One of the most in-demand hospitality career paths is hotel management in resorts and hotels. The accommodation sector is constantly evolving because of the introduction of new and innovative concepts and diverse properties.
You can plan to work in Reception, Rooms Division, or Guest Relations and work your way up to become a Director or get the GM Position. You can also consider a career path in finance or marketing and work for multiple hospitality companies.
Food & Beverage Sector
Restaurants, nightclubs, fine wines, catering, and recipe design are all part of the food & beverage sector in hospitality. Here are some roles you can find in the food & beverage sector.
- F&B Outlet Manager
- Director of F&B
- Culinary Director
- F&B Coordinator
- F&B Catering and Events Manager
Cruise Line Jobs
Cruise line jobs include:
- Executive Chef
- Sous Chef
- Maitre D’ Hotel
- General Chef
- Housekeeper
- Housekeping Manager
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Chief Purser
- Shorex Manager
- Photo Manager
- Casino Manager
- SPA Manager
- Senior Doctor
- Doctor
- Nurse
Is Landing My Dream Job Going to be Easy?
The current state of the labor market, ongoing layoffs at high-profile organizations, and the looming recession can make any job-seeker nervous and question whether they will be able to land their dream job or not.
That said, many candidates in different industries all over the world are resetting their careers after the Great Resignation, so you do have a chance of landing your dream job.
How?
During the Great Resignation, the number of employees quitting their jobs was 34% higher than it was the previous year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current quit rate is the highest that has ever been recorded. This is why employers are searching for workers and offer flexible solutions, generous perks, and higher salaries to hire and retain employees.
Let’s look at how you can land your dream job in the hospitality industry.
#1 – Define Your Dream Job
Many people like the concept of having a dream job, but most of them don’t know what they’re looking for, which can make it harder to find exactly what they want. For some, the idea of a dream job is having a luxurious office with easy access to a gym and mouth-watering food, while for some, it’s working in a place that challenges them and provides them with amazing growth opportunities.
It is essential to articulate what your dream job is and have an idea of what you want. Build a vision and develop a deeper understanding of your interests. Ask yourself these questions:
- What does a typical workday look like for you?
- What kind of teams would you like to work with?
- How do you see yourself growing and thriving?
Once you have an idea about what you’re looking for, remember to have the right mindset without any doubts. Thoughts like “I’m too old for this opportunity” or “I’m too overqualified” can keep you from getting the right opportunities.
According to Tony Robbins, success is 80% mindset and 20% strategy – so remember that it’s important to have the right mindset before you achieve success.
# 2 – Make a Plan
Now that you’ve defined your dream job, it’s time to make a plan. Identify the organizations where you see yourself working for the next few years and what are the specific roles that you want to work in that will help you reach your professional goals.
Only 1 in 10 US employees are working at their dream job, according to a survey. You can also land your dream job if you have a comprehensive plan and a vision in mind.
Here are some ways you can design a good job search.
- Start with networking: One of the advantages of networking is that it helps to land informational interviews, get helpful recommendations, and even help you finetune your resume. Research suggests that 30% to 40% of new hires are made through employee referrals. We also recommend using niche job search sites to find job openings, learn about different salary packages, and check out employer reviews.
- Prepare a cover letter and resume: One of the most important steps in applying for a job is having a good resume and cover letters. Make sure to customize your documents and tweak your resume for each position you apply for. Tweaking includes using relevant keywords from the job description, mentioning the most relevant work experiences and qualifications, and adding other bits of information that will make your resume stand out. According to CNBC, many companies use an Applicant Tracking System to screen resumes for the most important keywords, and qualifications, which is why mentioning keywords can make your resume pass through the screening process.
- Be realistic: Make sure you’re being realistic about timelines and expectations. Your priorities or goals may change along the way in finding your dream job, but that’s perfectly okay.
#3 – Assess Your Skills
The next step is to honestly assess your skills and check whether you have the required skills that fit the job description or the career path that you’re pursuing. If you’re looking to become a hotel manager or a cruise line sous chef, what skills do you need to step into that role, and where do you fall short?
Here are some skills recruiters search for in the hospitality sector.
- Customer service skills: One of the most important skills every individual is required to have in the hospitality sector is customer service skill. Excellent customer service is about satisfying a client and being intuitively attentive toward all of their specific needs and requirements.
- Networking skills: Another important skill required in the hospitality sector is networking. This skill helps to build a loyal clientele who want to return to the establishment.
- Communication skills: It’s essential to communicate effectively when you’re working in the hospitality sector since you’re engaging with people of a variety of backgrounds, nationalities, and ages every single day. Without proper communication, your customers or clients might not be able to understand or relate to you.
You can always sign up for online courses and certifications to further advance your skills and understand different concepts that will make you a well-rounded applicant for different roles.
#4 – Be On Top of Things
According to a research report by LinkedIn, you’re four times likelier to hear back from an organization if you apply for the position ten minutes after it’s been posted online. One of the most effective techniques to get ahead of the competition is by being first in line when applying for a position.
After the Great Resignation, hiring managers are often under a lot of stress to fill roles as quickly as they can. You can stay on top of the game by setting up job alerts on any platform where you’re job hunting and be the first person to apply as soon as the job opening is posted.
#5 – Prepare for the Interview
So, you’ve made the perfectly tailored resume, applied to a job opening, and landed yourself an interview. Now is the time to be truly meticulous.
You can’t depend on just your experience and skills to land a job; you need to be able to ace the interview as well to set yourself apart from other candidates that are applying for the same position.
You should be able to articulate why you want to work in the company and know what your responsibilities may look like because this shows hiring managers your drive to succeed.
How can you prepare for the interview? Here are some tips that can help.
- Prepare yourself to communicate how you fit the job requirements: Recruiters and hiring managers are mainly focused on checking whether you align with the role requirements or not. This is why it’s important to perform in-depth research and find out your job duties that can be listed in the job posting.
- Develop an elevator pitch: An elevator pitch is a type of preview of what’s to come through the interview. Record yourself as you practice and notice where you can make improvements and how you can make yourself more unique. Are you confident? Or are you delivering an unclear message? Make sure your message is concise and clear.
- Have some questions for the interviewer: Remember to prepare some questions for the interviewer. Don’t be scared to be honest. It’s good to find out everything you can about the company, and this will also show the interviewer that you’re interested. A research report by a Harvard Business School professor reveals that asking a lot of questions helps to improve interpersonal bonding.
Revamp Your Resume with Career Suitcase
Are you looking for a dream job in the hospitality sector? Let our qualified hospitality recruitment specialists help you out.
At Career Suitcase, we have fifty years of experience providing the most reliable and well-rounded recruitment services in Serbia, Greece, Croatia, Moldavia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Whether you’re a company looking to expand your existing team or you’re a candidate who wants to revamp their resume to land their dream job, we are here to help.
Our qualified and skilled team of hospitality recruiters provides result-oriented staffing and recruitment services and is well-equipped to help you in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.
Ready to get shortlisted for your dream job?
Reach out to us at Career Suitcase today and let our cruise line recruitment consultants and hotel recruitment agents navigate the complex industry.