The hospitality industry offers a wide range of options for individuals starting out in their careers. Hotels, in particular, are a great option for workers looking to gain experience. Not only are there many different types of entry level jobs available, but employees will have the opportunity to advance within the hotel organization as they gain skills and establish themselves as valuable employees.
If you’re highly personable, a team player and committed to providing exceptional customer service, you will most likely thrive in a hotel job. Due to the wide range of positions that require staffing in hotels, you can easily find an option that aligns with your particular skills and interests. The entry level positions in the hotel industry run the gamut, allowing you to pursue opportunities that include:
This list is by no means exhaustive, but the main takeaway is that you can carve out a niche for yourself in many different ways, and all of these entry level opportunities can help you advance and take on other roles as build your hospitality industry career over the next few years. The following tips will help you land a hotel job even if you don’t have extensive hospitality industry experience on your resume.
Regardless of whether you’re applying for a customer-facing position, hotel employers place an emphasis on hiring individuals who are friendly, have a positive attitude and provide excellent customer service. Therefore, you should view every aspect of the interview/hiring process as an opportunity to showcase these traits.
Make sure your personality and enthusiasm shines through on your resume and cover letter, as these will be the first impression you make on a hiring manager. Once you receive an interview, it will be especially critical to demonstrate your positive attitude and your passion for customer service.
Hotel jobs require you to perform many different tasks. Even if you’re not typically interacting with guests, there may be an occasion where you’re asked to fulfill guest needs or fill in on a guest-facing team that is short-handed. Your ability to do this well will make you a more attractive candidate to the hiring manager.
Highlighting the skills you’ve acquired from retail jobs, restaurant positions and other customer service roles will help make you a stronger candidate. For example, look for ways to demonstrate that you are detail oriented, as a focus on small details is often critical to providing an exceptional guest experience. Similarly, highlighting strong multitasking skills will help you stand out as a strong candidate for hotel positions.
You may also want to highlight examples of ways you’ve exhibited flexibility and good teamwork in previous jobs, since you may occasionally need to assist other teams with tasks that aren’t typically performed in your role. In addition, flexibility, adaptability and strong teamwork skills will help position you for growth opportunities in the hotel if you get the job.
Even if you’ve never worked in a customer service job before, it’s likely that you can demonstrate your value by highlighting ways in which you’ve cultivated these transferrable skills in other aspects of your life, such as your education, volunteer opportunities or jobs in other industries.
Keep in mind that you won’t be expected to possess all the relevant skills for an entry level job. These positions are geared for individuals with minimal, if any, prior hotel experience and help you “get your foot in the door” as you begin your career in the hospitality industry.
Your willingness and ability to learn and take on new tasks will set you up for success and help you advance in your new career. Demonstrating an eagerness to learn and grow will make you a more attractive candidate, especially if you don’t currently possess all the experience required for the position.
Before applying for a job at a hotel, take some time to research the hotel’s brand, culture and values. This will make it easier to tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight the strengths you possess that will make you an ideal fit for their culture and the needs of the position. This will help you stand out and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Once you get an interview, this research will help you make a better impression by showing their team that you’ve taken the time to learn about their hotel. This demonstrates the kind of initiative that is valued in hotel positions, and it shows you’re genuinely excited about the job opportunity.
For example, if you are applying for jobs which involve alcohol sales, you may want to consider getting your TIPS certification, as many states require this for service industry employees who are serving alcohol to guests. These certifications aren’t expensive and won’t take a long time to obtain. While you can get them after receiving a job offer, if you already have your certification, it may help you stand out from other applicants who don’t have the necessary certifications required for the position.
It can be hard to stand out in the job application process, especially if you’re seeking an entry level hotel position and you don’t have prior hotel experience. Often, working with an industry leading hotel staffing agency such as Xclusive Services can help you get noticed by employers land your desired job.
Xclusive Services has built long-standing relationships with many of the country’s leading hotel brands, and we’ve established a strong track record of success with our staffing placements. Leveraging our connections can be a true difference maker when seeking to break into the hotel industry.
If you’re interested in working with a staffing agency to help you land your desired entry level hotel job, Xclusive Services can help. We work with hotel industry professionals seeking a wide range of positions, including:
This list is by no means exhaustive. If you don’t see your desired hotel role on this list, it’s highly likely that we can help you get your foot in the door and land a hotel job that aligns with your experience and skill set.
As an established national brand, we’re able to provide more robust services and protections for our employees than is possible when you work with smaller staffing agencies. This includes handling all legal compliance matters and paperwork for you. These services are highly valued by hotels, and they give both you and the hotel you work for peace of mind that this process is handled correctly.
You’ll also benefit from our Xclusive Excellence™ commitment that we make to every employee we work with. We know that the hospitality industry is driven by people, and the core component to building a successful business is hiring the right employees to represent the company’s brand and provide the exceptional quality service their guests expect. That’s why we go the extra mile to lift up our people on a daily basis. We’re truly invested in all our employees and always treat them extremely well.
As part of our Xclusive Excellence™ commitment, you can count on partnering with a staffing agency employer that will build a strong relationship with you and provide you with the support and resources necessary to succeed at any hotel position we help you secure.
Apply today to find out how we can help you find your next hotel industry job.
