How to Get a Hotel Catering Manager Job

Catering managers oversee a variety of functions held at hotels and other venues.

According to Travel Media Group and a 2011 study conducted by Smith Travel Research, a 1.8 percent rise in guest occupancy, from 57.6 percent in 2010 to 58.5 percent in 2011, is projected for the future of the hotel industry. Increased demand will mean more opportunities for those seeking employment opportunities with hotels and lodging companies. Before you can secure a job as a hotel catering manager, you need the right experience, education and materials to make yourself stand out from other job applicants.

Things You'll Need

• Two-year or four-year degree in hospitality or related field
• Restaurant or catering experience
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Access to the Internet

Instructions

Get a Hospitality Degree

1. 

   Earning a two- or four-year degree in hospitality puts you on track to becoming a catering manager.

   Research on-line or campus schools in your area to find hospitality, food and beverage management, restaurant management or other related degree programs.

2. Make a list of the programs that interest you. Compare the degree programs you find in terms of timing and cost. Choose one program that fits with your time frame and tuition budget.

3. Contact an admissions adviser at the school of your choice to find out when you can enroll and how to begin the process.

4. Submit your application, following the admissions adviser's directions.

5. Upon acceptance, fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid paperwork as soon as possible to secure grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of aid.

Secure an Internship

1. 

   Securing an internship can help you find a job after graduation.

   During your degree program, speak to an academic adviser or professor about internship and externship programs available at your school.

2. Complete the paperwork or any course requirements needed to enroll in the intern or externship program at your school.

3. Once accepted, contact the company you will be working for and see what materials you will need to start your program

4. If your school doesn't offer an internship program, contact local hotels in your area to see if they are hiring interns.

Finding a Job After Graduation

1. 

   Create a resume that showcases your hospitality expertise.

   Put together a resume that includes your college degree information, your internship or externship program and any additional experience you have working in restaurants, catering, or the hospitality industry.

2. Contact at least three former employers or professors to see if they will provide a reference for you during your job search.

3. Make a list of hotels in your area you would like to work for. Check their Web sites to see if they are hiring catering managers, or call the hotel directly. Also look for related positions that can lead to an eventual promotion, such as assistant manager.

4. Narrow down your list to hotels that are hiring for your desired position.

5. Write a personalized cover letter to each hotel explaining your catering and hospitality experience, why you want to work for the company, and what you have to offer. Attach your resume and send to the attention of the hiring manager.

Tips & Warnings

• While a two-year or four-year degree in hospitality, food and beverage management, or a related field isn't necessarily required to find a catering manager job, it is becoming more standard. If you have trouble finding job openings in your area, broaden your search to larger metropolitan areas, which have more hotels. Job boards and professional organizations are another way to find employment opportunities in the hotel and catering industries.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Food Service Managers
• FAFSA
• 2011 Hospitality Industry Outlook