If you’re looking for your first hospitality job, you’re in luck. Hospitality is a growing industry with many opportunities available. But how do you go about landing your first hospitality job? Here are some tips from the pros.
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1. Do Your Homework
Research the organization you’re interested in working for. Learn more about what they do and why it’s important to you, their customers or clients. Check out their website, social media sites, and review sites to learn more about the company. You should also research other organizations in your area that are similar to the one you’re interested in.
This will help you determine if this is where you want to work. If it is, dig deeper into what makes this organization different from its competitors. Then research the department you’re hoping to join. Determine what they do, how important their role is within the organization and who you might be working with on a daily basis.
2. Leverage Your Contacts
Who do you know that works or has worked for this company? Reach out to them via email, social media, phone call or in person to ask for their advice on the company and what it’s like working there. Ask if they could introduce you to people who work in your target department so that you can connect with them. When asking this favor of friends, family or your network, be sure to let them know why you’re asking (i.e. how would they benefit from connecting you with these people).
3. Polish up your LinkedIn profile
You’re more likely to get the attention of recruiters, hiring managers and human resource professionals if you have a complete LinkedIn profile. And if they see that you’re connected to their employees already, it will be easier to arrange for an introduction. So, spend a little time polishing up your LinkedIn profile and making sure it’s a good representation of who you are professionally.
4. Make A List Of What You Want To Accomplish During An Interview
What do you hope to gain from the experience? What kind of information are you looking for? Write your list before going into an interview so that you can remember to ask the right questions.
5. Be Proactive
Some people wait for jobs to come to them, but it’s better to proactively look for your next opportunity. Use social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to let your network know that you’re looking for work opportunities in the hospitality industry. And when you attend events, don’t just network with your immediate circle of contacts. Think about people you’ve worked with in the past or know socially who might be able to connect you with someone at an organization that’s hiring.
6. Be Persistent
Hospitality is a competitive industry and there are plenty of qualified candidates for any open position. So, it’s okay to follow up on your applications and ask for an interview even if they haven’t contacted you yet. Just be sure to remind them that you’re interested in working with their company, reiterate why you’d be a good fit for the role and ask if you could provide any additional information or answer any questions they might have.
7. Don’t Give Up!
Don’t be discouraged by rejections, no responses or long wait times. According to CareerBuilder, hospitality job seekers often apply for an average of 17 jobs before finding full-time work. So even if you haven’t found your dream job yet, keep trying.
It might take time to find the right position for you, but it’s worth it in the end. Not only will you be gainfully employed and gain valuable experience on your resume, but you’ll also find that hospitality offers a wide variety of career paths. As long as you’re willing to work hard and continue learning, you’ll find a job that challenges you and pays the bills.
8. Always Be Professional
In this industry, a great first impression and a good personal brand are everything. So always dress professionally for your interviews and other meetings, even if it’s just a phone interview or quick coffee chat. Demonstrate that you’re serious about the position by being punctual and enthusiastic during your interactions with recruiters. The last thing you want is for a hiring manager to see you as unprofessional when you’re in the process of trying to land a job.
9. Be Proactive
You’ve already established that you’re interested in the company and found out everything you can about it by researching it online. Now, make sure your interest is apparent by asking if there’s anything else you could provide to help them make their decision (additional references or work samples, for example). Then follow up after the interview with a thank-you email reiterating your interest in the position.
10. Show You’re Professional
When it comes to your search for hospitality employment, one of the most important things you can do is to demonstrate that you possess many of the skills required by your potential employer. You can accomplish this easily through thorough job searches before applying and proper interview preparation prior to meeting with any recruiters or hiring managers. Your goal should be to make yourself as qualified as possible for the position so that they don’t have a reason not to hire you.
Everyone wants to find their dream job, but doing so isn’t easy. And if the idea of getting an entry-level position in this industry seems daunting or frustrating, remember that persistence pays off. If you keep trying, eventually someone will notice and offer you a job.