How to Find a Job in Hospitality

Hospitality job searches can frequently begin online, in school or in person.

The hospitality industry provides job opportunity in travel and leisure, hotel and facilities management, restaurants and food service. While positions can vary in the types of experience or education required for employment, individuals in the hospitality industry can often use centralized sources to locate employers and job opportunities. Using a diverse job search strategy including career websites, professional networks, alumni career centers and industry referrals can increase the odds for successful employment.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Resume

Instructions

1. Research the hospitality industry to gain insight on employment. The hospitality industry features several different business focuses, including facilities management, food service and lodging. To determine how you would like to target your career search, use resources like the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor website to read about the hospitality industry, review job titles and historical salary trends.

2. Update your resume to reflect hospitality career interest. If you determine in your research that you have an interest in a career in food service, you should update your resume with an objective statement that indicates food service as a desired position. Also, if your previous work history includes any previous hospitality or service employment, list those jobs in your resume.

3. Search online for local hospitality employment. There are major employment websites like Monster.com, that feature hospitality employment. You simply select your preferred industry and geographic location. There is also a hospitality-specific employment website, Hcareers.com, which features job listings by geography and job title. While searching for open opportunities, be sure to create a job seeker account on the HCareers website. Upload a copy of your resume to your candidate profile on HCareers so recruiters can find your resume when searching for candidates available for hire.

4. Tap into schools and universities that feature education in hospitality. If you graduated from a college or university with a hospitality academic program, contact your school career service department and request internship and recruiting information within the industry. Some schools, like Northampton Community College, offer workshops for those looking to enter the industry with tips on employment and leads to local hospitality companies.

5. Search hospitality company career websites. Most large hospitality companies feature information about employment on their corporate websites. Sodexo, a food and facilities management company, features information on their business divisions, open positions, internships and more. From your research, compile a list of the companies you would like to work for, and visit their sites to search for jobs and create a candidate profile as you did with the job sites Monster.com and Hcareers.com.

6. Join a professional network. The American Culinary Federation is a professional association for chefs and cooks. This association can offer advanced certifications in specialized areas of the hospitality industry, workshops, career resources and access to industry contacts for those looking for careers in food service or restaurants.

References

• Bureau of Labor: Leisure and Hospitality
• Hcareers: Careers in Hospitality
• Northhampton Community College: Center for Business and Industry
• American Culinary Federation
• Sodexo: Careers Website