Nearly 17 million people work in the U.S. hospitality industry. If you are ready to make a career transition into hospitality yourself, it’s important to have a sound game plan. With that in mind, the recruiting pros at One Haus have composed the following list of tips to help you get your hospitality career started.

Why Start a Hospitality Career?

Life as a hospitality professional can offer excitement, the chance to flex your social skills, and a strong sense of flexibility. Here are a few more reasons why making the leap might be right for you:

The Potential for Growth

A common myth regarding hospitality work is that it primarily involves working in dining rooms or waiting tables. Those are indeed important roles within the industry, and if you are new to the field, you will likely start in one of them. Nevertheless, you can enjoy great earning potential by delivering exemplary service and transitioning to high-end restaurants. 

And even then, those positions are only part of the greater hospitality ecosystem. You can work your way up the ladder and take on restaurant or regional management responsibilities. Alternatively, you can leverage your experience to step into corporate positions and help hospitality brands expand their presence. 

Exciting Opportunities

Working in the hospitality industry can be exciting. You’ll get to meet new people, step outside of traditional office settings, and complete more dynamic work. Depending on what role you take on, you may even get to travel. Corporate members of the hospitality sector, for instance, often have chances to check out various locations and help their brands grow. 

Interpersonal Engagement

If you are a naturally social person, working in the hospitality sector might just be the perfect fit, as interpersonal skills will be one of your greatest assets in the hospitality sector. You’ll use them to connect with clients and set yourself apart as a customer-centric worker. You can also leverage them to step into new roles and develop as a hospitality professional. 

Creativity and Innovation 

If you’re yearning for a career that lets you show off your creativity, a job in the hospitality field may just be what you are looking for. If you take on a culinary position, for instance, you can help the business you work for create inspiring new dishes that wow customers.

Of course, that’s not the only hospitality-based role that will let you show off your creativity. If you work in a hotel or club setting, you’ll be able to come up with outside-the-box solutions to logistical issues and help plan big events. 

How to Get Into Hospitality

Knowing how to get into hospitality involves following these steps:

Assess Your Transferable Skills

Make a list of your skills and talents that you think will translate well to the hospitality sector. Focus on soft skills, those that aren’t job-specific, such as communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.

Some hard skills may translate over as well. For example, if you are good at handling software and intend to take on a role that involves using scheduled applications, your knack will serve you well. 

Pick Your Field and Niche

The hospitality industry, as mentioned, is typically grouped into restaurant and hotel settings. Pick a field you feel most comfortable with. You may also consider a corporate role in either sub-industry.

Afterward, decide on the niche you’d like to enter. For example, if you want to work at a restaurant, you’ll have to choose whether you intend to pursue a culinary career or start as a server and work your way up to a management position. 

The flexibility of the hospitality industry means you’ll have an opportunity to shift gears later, but it's still good to have a clear view of your big-picture goals. 

Gain Relevant Experience and Training 

Now is the time to gain experience and make yourself a strong candidate. Consider part-time roles or formal culinary classes to help you stand out. If you are interested in a managerial or corporate role, take on supervisor responsibilities at your current job. 

Unless you already have a professional or educational background in hospitality, you may have to step into an entry-level position. But that’s okay. You can think of it as an opportunity to learn and grow. You may just uncover a new area of interest within the industry that wasn’t even on your radar in the process.

Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter

Once you are ready to start applying for jobs, create a resume and cover letter that are both tailored to the industry. Highlight the list of soft skills that you identified earlier and link those talents to the job posting.

Mentioning specifics from the job description shows you researched the role and are committed to landing the position. It also helps you stand out, as hiring teams will see that you possess many of the abilities you are looking for. 

Prepare for Interviews

Depending on where you plan to start in the hospitality hierarchy, you may be interviewed on the spot. That’s a common outcome for server positions, especially if the manager happens to be at work when you turn in your application.

As such, always be prepared for an interview, even if you are just planning to turn in a piece of paper. Dress professionally and run through potential questions that may be asked of you. Most importantly, be yourself, smile, and be approachable. All of these characteristics are essential for hospitality work. 

Check Out Staffing Programs 

Teaming up with a staffing agency like One Haus can help you jumpstart your hospitality career. We’ll connect you with multiple opportunities at various establishments, allowing you to find the roles and locations that best align with your long-term goals. 

Start a Hospitality Career With One Haus

Learning how to get into hospitality doesn’t have to be hard. You can get the ball rolling on your new professional journey with One Haus. We connect talented individuals with exciting roles in the hospitality industry. 

Whether you want to develop dynamic culinary skills, get your feet wet in the dining room, or take on corporate hospitality responsibilities, we can help! Check out the available jobs on One Haus today or connect with our team for personalized support.