7 Blunders When Searching for a Hotel Management Job

When filling management positions, hotel executives want the right combination of experience, industry knowledge, career track record with progressive growth and solid job stability.

You could excel in all these areas, plus have solid references and the educational background to make you a leading contender. Yet it amounts to nothing if you fall prey to the following job-search blunders.

Proofread Your Resume

Typos, misspellings and poor grammar are cause for your resume landing in the trash versus on a hiring manager’s desk.

  • In one survey, more than 20 percent of employers said they consider these errors the biggest mistake a job seeker can make. In another study, more than 60 percent said they would immediately discard a resume with typos.
  • If writing is not your greatest strength, outsource your resume to a professional. It could very well be the best investment you ever make.

Customize

In the “job seeker mistake” survey, 19 percent of employers cited submitting a resume that has not been updated for a specific position as the number one grounds for discarding the document and dismissing the candidate.

  • Change the language in your Objective and Summary sections to reflect the job on the table.
  • Reword your Experience and Skills descriptions to include relevant keywords.
  • Add, remove or change your Employment section to make it relevant.

Include Keywords

An increasing number of employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort through resumes. These software programs scan resume data and assign a relevance score based on that evaluation. ATS always look for keywords, so be sure to include them in your Skills and Experience descriptions.

  • Carefully review the job description for a position to identify the right keywords. For instance, if the job description reads, “Busy hotel seeks results-oriented and service-focuses professional to fill front-desk management position,” your keywords include “front-desk management, results oriented” and “service focused.”

Focus on Results

Employers are looking for candidates who deliver results.

Illustration of measurable results you’ve achieved in your career – such as dollar amounts and improved metrics – attract more attention than a list of “responsible for” statements. Rather than “Responsible for hotel front desk duties,” write “Increased ADR by 15% which resulted in $650,000 of additional revenue.”

Keep Formatting Simple

Stay away from fancy fonts and over-the-top resume design. Unconventional formatting may confuse ATS, resulting in a lower relevance score.

  • Leave your name and contact information at the top.
  • Avoid “creative” section headings. Stick to standards like “Summary, Employment History” and “Education.”
  • If you include lists, use standard bullet points. ATS may misread others.

Research the Company

Find out as much information about the hotel and its parent firm as possible. Search the web site learn as much as you can about the position. Otherwise, your lack of effort and attention to detail will send up a major red flag to hiring managers.

Look Before You Leap

Historically, the hospitality industry has been a haven for job hoppers. There always seem to be openings, many of which are seasonal and lend themselves to candidates who may be a little commitment-phobic. But turnover is very costly to companies, and you don’t want to be perceived as fickle, flighty or unreliable.

If your job change can’t be justified in terms of career advancement, take pause and reconsider before making a hasty move.

If you need guidance in finding your ideal hotel management job, read our related posts or contact the expert team at Horizon Hospitality today. If you are looking for hotel management recruiters, contact us.

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