Deciding what you want to do and where you want to be in the future is a difficult choice for anyone, especially when you’re young and in need of work experience. Thankfully, there are so many possibilities available for you to try, and a great place to start, for anyone, is in the hospitality industry. The versatile skills you learn in this industry are useful everywhere. Here’s what to consider when planning for a future in hospitality and tourism!
Is Hospitality a Good Career Choice?
Pursuing a career in hospitality is a fantastic choice for many, and there are many benefits to be gained within the industry that will help propel you into other great careers, too.
The vast range of hospitality jobs always in supply means you will always be in demand, so there will be many opportunities and a sure chance of employment for hospitality workers. And if your goal is to become a manager one day, you’re in luck! There are approximately 8.9 million job opportunities available every year around the world for qualified managers in hospitality.
Perks of a career in hospitality include:
- You don’t need a degree to enter the industry.
- There are plenty of hospitality courses available for those who want to broaden their experience and capabilities.
- Hospitality careers provide excellent on the job training.
- There is ample room for improvement, progress, and promotions.
- It gives you a chance to travel and work abroad at the same time.
- It gives you a way to stay active and social while working.
Careers in hospitality
There are many job opportunities and careers available in hospitality! The industry is quite broad so there is bound to be something you’ll love doing! Some of the job types include:
- Working in hotels
- Restaurants
- Cruise lines
- Casinos
- Theme parks
- Other facilities involved in customer service
Most jobs in hospitality work face-to-face with customers, but there are also plenty of jobs available in the industry that require a more behind-the-scenes presence, such as sales, marketing, and accounting jobs.
What kind of person loves working in hospitality?
How do you know if hospitality is the right choice for you? People who benefit the most from this industry love working in active, social environments. They also have an appreciation for the importance of quality customer service.
These qualities make for a great hospitality worker!
- You like working in a team environment
- You enjoy meeting people of different cultures
- You love travel
- You have high standards and an eye for detail
- Making other people happy makes YOU happy
- You like learning new languages and cultures
- You like working in a fast-paced environment
- You work well under pressure
- You want an international career
Hospitality is also a great career choice for anyone who is still deciding on what they want to do. A career in hospitality will give you great work experience and monetary freedom, as well as provide you with more future opportunities for progress.
What skills are useful in hospitality?
Starting with these skills already in your repertoire is a bonus, but even without them, you can start to harness and improve them while working.
- Communication skills (including negotiation and persuasion)
- Taking initiative
- Problem-solving
- Good stamina
- Team player
- Leadership skills
- Time flexibility (many hospitality jobs involve rotating shift work)
Who is hospitality NOT suitable for?
The main people who might not find hospitality an enjoyable and rewarding career choice are people who prefer to work independently and find working in a team environment difficult. If you don’t like fast-paced, active jobs, and especially if you don’t find satisfaction in helping others with their needs, then hospitality is probably not for you.
Why is hospitality so important?
Being hospitable, caring, and accommodating towards others is an everyday part of life and is what brings society together. This principle is at the heart of hospitality work.
Think of a customer as a valued friend. When they visit you, you want them to feel welcomed and comfortable in your home. You want them to have a positive experience and let them know you care about them and their needs so they can’t wait to come over again. This is precisely the feeling you want to allow customers to feel in your service.
It is important to note that excellent customer service is valued not only in hospitality and travel industries, but it’s also important within every business that relies on the interest of other people—basically, all jobs.
Even if a career in hospitality is not for you long-term, working in the industry is a valuable experience to have and it will ultimately look great on your CV. Some business owners and managers will hire people specifically because they see you have experience working in hospitality. That is because they understand that customer service takes hard work and diligence.
How to Get into Hospitality
The great thing about hospitality is that you don’t need to have a degree to get into the industry. Much of the work can be learned on the job.
However, if you want to hit the ground running and learn how to be efficient and successful working anywhere in the world, then you’re in luck! We have the best opportunities for jobs in tourism New Zealand has to offer and there are many hospitality courses available to support you as well. Start by exploring our available courses online and find one that speaks to you.
Best of luck in your career adventures!