Four Ways to Refresh Yourself for a New Career in Hospitality

There often comes a point in people’s lives where they feel their work isn’t as fulfilling or fresh as it once was. Next, feelings of uncertainty can begin to arise about whether or not to look for a new job and possibly take a plunge into a new career. However, as you begin to mull over the options at your disposal, have you considered transitioning your career into the hospitality industry? Believe it or not, you might already have the necessary skill set to make a smooth pivot into this thriving industry. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you achieve new heights in this thrilling career path!

Identify Your Skill Set

The hospitality industry is very unique. You don’t have to be cornered into one sector but instead can expand into many different types of businesses. Some of the many fields available to you in hospitality include casino, hotel, facility and concession, travel, tourism, and attraction, restaurant and food service, events, and front of house staff. Every role will have a variety of necessary soft skills as the basis for qualification. Soft skills include a set of attributes that gauge how you interact and work with others. These are qualities you’ve spent your whole life developing, such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. So, when assessing your strengths and weaknesses, see where you fall within the different categories and focus on areas of improvement if necessary.

Aside from understanding what you’re best at, take the time to learn new skills that can catapult you to be a more desirable candidate for the job you’re interested in. Look at different role descriptions and see how you stack up to what the company’s looking for. You don’t necessarily need a college degree to achieve your dream job within the hospitality industry, as many positions only require a high school diploma or GED. What these employers are primarily looking for is experience from previous on-the-job training.

Like any industry, hospitality is very competitive. However, there are many resources available to help you hone and develop your existing skills in preparation for transitioning to the industry. For example, being an open-minded learner can get you very far, especially in the hospitality industry. As you keep up with current trends, this attribute will help you evolve your strategic mindset which can help you make the best-informed decisions. There are a ton of online courses available from experts and reputable insiders that can put you on a specific learning path. Many of these courses also provide a certificate you can include in your resume to help put you on the top of the list for consideration when applying for roles.

Exceed Expectations with Professionalism

The most important skill to have for a role within the hospitality industry is professionalism. You have to be very people-oriented, as you’ll need to solve problems and provide top-of-the-line service to ensure positive experiences for your customers. Professionalism is how you personally conduct yourself with your attitude and behavior in the workplace. That means you should be considering different methods of how to better develop and practice professionalism in order to stand out and be the best example. Some basic ways to let your professionalism shine include using your time wisely and maximizing your productivity. So for example, if you’re working as a front of house executive at a hotel, you shouldn’t be locked away in your office looking at your phone. Be present and readily available for your guests to ensure peak satisfaction and professionalism.

Resilience and self-awareness are some key professional skills to hone and perfect within the hospitality industry. Practicing your coping skills will help you be resilient when setbacks and challenges occur. Sometimes, dealing with the general public can be challenging, and not every situation has a happy ending. Being able to grow and learn from those experiences will better equip you for the future. Be prepared to manage your emotions and increase your awareness of triggers so you can handle your reactions positively. The best way to grow is by listening to feedback from your peers, as that will help you see any areas for improvement that you can’t see for yourself.

Dress For Success

Your professional attire shouldn’t only represent who you are, but also the organization you represent. Depending on your role, you need to make sure you’re properly equipped with the right wardrobe. There are many positive outcomes associated with dressing for success. For starters, it boosts your confidence while also providing a great first impression to both your colleagues and customers. Also, dressing for the job will make you more productive and prepared for anything the day might throw at you.

Another major part of professionalism is your appearance. Dressing appropriately can heighten your executive presence amongst your colleagues and the organization. Your daily work outfit will give people the impression that you take your work seriously. Clean, tailored clothing can give the wearer added confidence that managers will notice. There are also additional factors beyond your outfit that can complement your appearance, such as your hair cut or how you style your hair. Even the smallest accessories, like determining the type of eyeglasses frames you wear, can positively impact your appearance. Many people wear glasses, with or without a prescription, as they can add an additional stylish flair or keep their eyes safely protected against the elements.

Remember not to sacrifice comfort over fashion, as some roles require you to be on your feet for long periods of time. You can still look amazing and presentable, but you don’t want to end your workday with tired feet and back pain. If the job has some physical demands, make sure you choose garments you can easily move around in. Avoid tight-fitting clothing as you don’t want to have any movement restrictions that can affect your safety on the job. There are several hazards within the hospitality industry such as wet floors and heavy boxes, so taking cautionary steps when planning your wardrobe will be vastly beneficial.

Put Yourself First

A job search is rarely easy, especially if you’re looking to break into a new industry. Big transitions can take a toll on your mental health, so remember to practice self-care whenever you can to avoid experiencing burnout before you even score your dream job. Self-care can even involve simple things like incorporating a proper skincare routine to help your skin look rejuvenated and refreshed before you begin interviewing. Your health should be your number-one priority and making sure it’s at its best will be instrumental to gaining success in a new hospitality role.

A key factor to good mental health is striking a balance between the job search and everything else happening in your life. Chances are you’re going to be sending in many job applications, as well as spending a lot of time researching various roles and determining where you’ll be a great fit. Remember to step back every so often and take a break so you can come back with a refreshed mind. The best way to equally divide your time is by staying active and not staring at the computer for hours on end. Exercising regularly can reduce stress and anxiety, which can do wonders for your entire body. It can also help your brain cope better with stress and reduce the development of depression or anxiety disorders.

One goal you should have as you enter a job search is leaving some time before you go to bed to be free from technology. Having this hard rule can help keep you from the draining experience of starting at a screen before bedtime, which can actually make it harder for you to fall asleep. Technology can interfere with your circadian rhythm, and blue light can suppress the production of natural melatonin. Reading a book before bed is always an excellent go-to and helps keep your mind sharp, without the harmful impacts of your phone or computer. If you want to be productive during this time, you could always choose a professional development or industry-specific book.

No matter where you’re at in the process of your job search, following these tips and tricks will help you gain an additional foothold to being a worthwhile candidate. Being able to adapt and pivot, specifically in the hospitality industry, will put you further ahead and help you experience success. Our firm is here as a guiding resource to help you find an executive role that will best suit you and your needs. Begin working with us by sending us your resume so we can get to know you better!