Jobs in the hospitality industry

Jobs in the hospitality industry by Michael Cheary Looking for a job in the hospitality industry? Be our guest… Whether you’re looking to work in a hotel, have always dreamed of working at the biggest events, or think you’ve got the right skills to take care of guests to the highest level, there’s a job out there for you. Not sure what you’re perfect position would be? We might be able to help.Here are some jobs in the hospitality industry to consider, and some of our top tips to help you get there:ConciergeWhat they do: Serve the guests of a hotel or apartment building. They attend the entrances, handle storage, make show or dinner reservations, recommend the best local places to go out, deliver messages, and a carry out a whole host of other tasks to provide guests with the best possible service.What you need: An outgoing personality. You’ll need to be passionate about where you’re working, with excellent customer service skills and a thorough knowledge of the local area. Generally, you wont need any specific qualifications as on-the-job training is usually provided.What you can earn: Around £18,000 as an entry-level salary, but this can quickly rise with the right level of experience.Perfect for: People who like to help people.Our advice: First and foremost, if you want to become a concierge you will need to be great with customers. So be sure to demonstrate your customer service skills gained in previous positions when writing your CV. When it comes to an interview, make a list of all the best local restaurants, bars and clubs and calculate their distance to your prospective workplace. That way you can demonstrate your skills straight away.How to become a ConciergeView all Concierge jobsEvents ManagementWhat they do: Plan and organise a range of events, from family parties and engagements through to product launches, fashion shows, music festivals and more.  If you want your event to be bigger and better than anyone else’s, you definitely need to get a good Events Manager.What you need: To be successful as an Event Manager, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are absolutely essential. If you hate going out and meeting new people, this may not be the role for you. There are no specific qualifications needed to become an Event Manager.What you can earn: If working for an events company, starting salary will be around £16,000. However, it’s also possible to work in a freelance capacity, and the bigger events will pay tens of thousands of pounds for the right Event Manager.Perfect for: People who live for putting on a show.Our advice: In this industry, experience will count a great deal. Begin building your reputation locally by putting on your own events where you live, or offering to help other people. With a good portfolio of work and a network of suppliers built up, employers in the industry will soon begin to take notice.How to become an Event Manager  View all Events Management jobs Hotel ManagerWhat they do: Take responsib ility for all day-to-day hotel operations. Depending on the size of the hotel, typical responsibilities will include recruiting and supervising staff, managing budgets and dealing with unsatisfied guests. In  larger hotels, heads of departments will report to the Hotel Manager, while in smaller/boutique hotels, other areas,  such as Marketing and PR,  may be the managers  responsibility.What you need: Hospitality management requires every member of the team to work together to ensure the best possible service is provided to the customer, so team working and leadership skills are vital. Problem-solving and excellent customer service are also extremely important to succeed.What you can earn: Around £30,000 on average, but the position can prove to be extremely lucrative with some good experience within the industry.Perfect for: People who thrive on responsibility and top-tier service.Our advice: In order to become a Hotel Manager, you will generally need to work your way up. Find a p osition in a hotel or chain you’re passionate about, and start from there. Front of House staff for example, could be a good starting point. Once in the right role, volunteer to help with some of the lower-level management responsibilities and begin building your credentials from there.How to become a Hotel Manager  View all Hotel Manager jobs HousekeeperWhat they do: Housekeepers work in both private households and commercial establishments (such as hotels or residential homes) and ensure a clean, comfortable and tidy environment is maintained. Key tasks can include cleaning, catering, laundry and some facilities management.What you need: A good work ethic, dedication and acute attention to detail. Your work also needs to be of a consistently high standard, in every area you’re working in. No prior qualifications are necessary.What you can earn: The average salary is around £20,000 but can reach £30,000+ with the right level of experience.Perfect for: People who consider them selves ‘neat freaks’.Our advice: Don’t limit yourself to solely searching for jobs in the hotel industry. Establishments from holiday centres to health clubs employ housekeepers, not to mention private employers. If you’re struggling to make a start, offer your housekeeping skills to a friend. At the very least, they’ll be able to provide some basic experience and a reference for prospective employers.How to become a HousekeeperView all Housekeeper jobs Wedding PlannerWhat they do: Plan, organise and oversee a couple’s wedding day, either from start to finish or just a few of the key elements. Typical duties range from devising themes, discussing budgets and contacting suppliers through to organising the venue and co-ordinating events on the big day.What you need: Excellent organisational skills, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Trustworthiness is also essential, and you’ll need to be able to communicate well with your clients at all times, no matter h ow stressful the situation. A degree is not necessary.What you can earn: Initial salary may start at around the £16,000 mark, but successful Wedding Planners may earn closer to   £25,000.Perfect for: People who always love being around weddings.Our advice: If youre passionate about wedding planning but arent sure whether pursuing it as a career is right for you, try taking a course in the industry fundamentals. Not only will this demonstrate whether you have what it takes to seriously consider wedding planning as a job, it will also help provide a valuable qualification which could help get you started.How to become a Wedding Planner View all Wedding Planner coursesView all Wedding Planner jobs Other jobs in hospitality to consider: Reservations, receptionist, hotel porter, events staff.Top tipsHere are some of our top tips for finding a job in the hospitality industry:Get experience Many roles in this industry require exceptional people skills. So, if you don’t think you excel in this area, immerse yourself in other client-facing roles. These could include sales, customer service and restaurant/bar work.Demonstrate your skills Pick out the most relevant attributes from the job description and tailor your CV to emphasise them.  If it’s local knowledge you need, make sure to get this across whenever you can.Be flexible â€" many hospitality roles require you to work outside of the standard office 9-5. With this in mind, ensure you can demonstrate your willingness to work early mornings, evenings and weekends.Build contacts â€" With events and the more reputable hotels, often knowing the right people can help you to secure work in the future. The best way to do this? Excel at your job and get noticed for the right reasons.Start learning â€" If you need an extra qualification to back up your soft skills, take a course or sign up for an internship to help take you to the next level.Ready to find your ideal position in the hospitality industry?  View all hos pitality jobs now.