For job seekers, the hotel and hospitality industry has a wide range of opportunities. For front desk work, cleaning, security, and managing day-to-day operations, hotels require a diverse workforce. Generally, more demanding and lucrative jobs require prospective employees to have previous hotel work experience. People who want to work in the hospitality industry should look for entry-level jobs that don’t require a lot of experience up front, or look for temporary jobs through staffing agencies. Internship opportunities in the hotel management field can be found by students enrolled in a hotel management program.
Applying for entry-level positions in the hotel industry is one of the simplest ways to gain experience. Housekeeping, recreation, and food and beverage positions typically require less experience, and these areas may require additional employees during peak seasons. While these jobs can be physically demanding, they can also help an employee establish contacts in the industry and gain knowledge of how hotels operate. Other types of prior service industry experience may be useful in demonstrating an applicant’s suitability for a customer service position in a hotel. Some employees may prefer to begin their careers in smaller hotels to gain experience before applying for positions in more upscale establishments.
Another good way to get hotel work experience is to go through temporary staffing agencies. Temp agencies are frequently used by hotels to find employees to cover for staff members who are ill or on vacation. This can be a good way to find seasonal or part-time work in touristy areas. Temping also provides opportunities to find permanent positions in the industry and allows people to network. Depending on their agreement with their staffing agency, temporary employees may have to deal with lower wages and fewer benefits.
People who want to work in the hotel and hospitality industry as a manager typically enroll in a two- or four-year degree program in this field. While these programs can help employees prepare for many aspects of the hotel industry, they cannot replace real-world experience. Students may want to look for hotel work experience through an internship or summer job. Internships can be a great way for students to gain experience without having to have the same level of expertise as a full-time employee. Many internships are competitive, and prospective applicants may be required to have a basic understanding of customer service in order to be considered for these hotel work experience opportunities.