Deciding on a career path is never an easy choice; it is something that takes a lot of time and consideration. You’ll probably want to speak to career advisors, your parents and your friends, as well as doing plenty of research online to gauge what could be suitable for you. Those who realise the hospitality industry is for them will likely know it is down to certain personal attributes such as a friendly personality and a love for customer service. It isn’t the right place for a self-professed introvert or someone who gets grumpy quite easily!
But for the right person, the hospitality industry can be very rewarding; ultimately it is about making sure that guests and visitors have an excellent time – and it’s really all down to you and the rest of the team. So if you are interested in being part of this sector, what are the best ways to get involved? Here are just a few suggestions:
Train as an event planner
Most hotels in the UK require an events team to handle all of the weddings, conferences and other similar activities that take place on site. It can be a wonderful feeling to know you have been involved with someone’s special day, and your organisation has made it as seamless as possible. It would be useful if you got a degree in hospitality for this career, as well as doing a bit of work experience for a number of hotels. Even job shadowing can be helpful to put on your CV; at least that way you know what to expect each day. It is also beneficial to run your own event, perhaps a “battle of the bands” or a university fashion show – this way you can show a keen interest in the job as well as relevant experience.
Show off a skill on a cruise ship
If you’re more of a performer than an organiser, you could set sail on the high seas on a cruise liner. If you’ve ever dreamed of doing daily performances in your preferred art form (dance, singing, acrobatics, etc.) then you might be the perfect addition to the crew. This is a job that many people continue to enjoy for years, but it might take you somewhere even more well paid if you are discovered whilst doing one of your shows.
Become a waiter or waitress
Some people are just born to interact with guests in a friendly and pleasant manner; these are the perfect candidates for roles in restaurants as a waiter or waitress. It can really improve the experience that someone has in a restaurant if they have excellent service, and it can also work in your favour if you can get a nice sized tip at the end of their meal.
Work on hotel reception
Another valued job in the hospitality industry is that of the hotel reception staff. You’ll be handling phone calls, checking in guests, making arrangements for anything and everything, and more! If you do really well in this you might even get promoted to manager.