7 Reasons why Hospitality Jobs are Great!

We read this blog post by Stephen Sawyers   on LinkedIn and had to share with you. please visit Stephen’s blog for more.

Perhaps you’ve working in Hospitality and you can’t wait to escape to another industry – it’s increasingly common for young people to work while they complete their schooling; and hospitality and tourism are often your best bet to get your first job.

But did you all realize there’s a world of opportunity beyond that entry level position? I read an article this morning written by Gracie Goad talking about reasons why you should consider sticking with Hospitality later on in life. I pass on to you a shortened (edited) version.

You get to Work with awesome people This is a no-brainer. Both the hospitality and tourism industries are people-driven. Therefore, they hire people with excellent interpersonal skills – people who are easy to talk to, outgoing and good-natured. And of course it’s not uncommon to become friends with your co-workers outside of work, and that makes coming into work each and every day a lot more fun.

You acquire a Fantastic skill-set What you learn in a restaurant in Dubai is going to cover the same basic principles you’d learn at a restaurant in London. If the mood strikes you, you could easily pick up and move clear across the globe – and you’d find the experience of applying for work permits, internships and jobs easier in these industries than in many others.

But more than that… the skills you’ll pick up working in hospitality and tourism are transferable to many other industries as well. If you’re not sure what to do or where to do it, this is often the perfect place to get your feet wet.

You Experience variety in your day Being in the business of “making other people’s experience” often has the effect of making (and re-making) your own. You might find that you have a plan for how your day will unfold, but a call from a regular hotel guest or sudden change in business volume sends you off in a different direction.

You will never be bored. Those who succeed in Hospitality revel in change and contingency planning – if you want to think on your feet: a career in hospitality and tourism is for you.

You Become Creative Successful restaurants, hotels and travel companies are constantly offering new products, packages and experiences. It takes a lot of hard work to get those initiatives off the ground – and, a lot of creativity. Your latest adventure overseas or that blog you started? My Daily Blog is @ www.hospitalityforyou.co.uk

These types of experiences make you ideally suited to provide quality input into your new company’s direction. In the world of hospitality and tourism, we rely on you to bring us your great ideas.

You have an Accelerated Career Yes, employee turnover can be higher in hospitality and tourism than you might see in other industries. Is it a challenge at times? Sure. Could you use it to your benefit? Absolutely! Certain hotels and resorts will hire seasonal staff, with the expectation that a large number will leave when the season ends. Be one of the few that stay, and your promotion is not long to follow.

You can Enjoy flexible scheduling Most restaurants and bars seek out many of their staff who are interested in starting their “day” in the evening. Alternatively, thanks to shift work, some positions within a restaurant or hotel are finished their work day as early as 3pm! It’s entirely possible to enjoy the benefits of full time work in a shortened work week too.

The perks! Let’s get real… the pay? It’s competitive. It’s common for those in hospitality and tourism to receive compensation packages and bonuses that could be improved. But come on! On top of these real perks are many others in our industry – discounted (or free!) accommodation, discounted (or free!) food and drinks… the list goes on!

I will remember for a very long time being a 20 year old staying in 4 and 5 star hotels in Europe for £5.00! The world of hospitality and tourism – and yes, it is literally a world – extends far beyond what the everyday consumer sees, and the opportunities for your career development are practically unlimited.

Hospitality is Great!