Beyond the Résumé: Out-of-the-Box Job Search Tactics for Hospitality Professionals

These days, I’m seeing more and more news stories about the lengths people are going to in order to get hired.  Here are just a few:

  • Walking the city streets while wearing a sandwich board that lists your professional credentials;
  • Renting billboard space to promote yourself;
  • “Selling” yourself on eBay.

While these extreme job search tactics have certainly helped individuals stand out in a crowded job market, they’re more like “stunts” than strategies.  As a result, they’ll quickly lose their novelty and ultimately their effectiveness.

Here are a few fresh ideas for getting noticed by hospitality employers, which may prove more practical for your job search needs:

  • Create a business card that serves as a résumé.  They’re much easier to carry around and pass out than a full-sized résumé, especially at a networking or professional association event.  On the card, you can provide the URLs for your LinkedIn page, professional website and/or online portfolio, so recipients can find out more about you.
  • Send a potential hospitality employer a relevant article.  This is an easy way to introduce yourself and demonstrate that you stay on-top of new developments in the hospitality industry.  Make sure that you hand address the envelope and send it to the correct manager internally (call and get a name if you can’t find it online).  Include a simple note stating:  that you thought he/she might be interested in the article; that you are interested in working for the company; how you could contribute to their company; your contact information.
  • Make it easier for recruiters to find you online.  Many job seekers spend countless hours fruitlessly submitting résumés or filling out online applications.  Instead, why not devote a few hours of your time making yourself more visible/accessible to recruiters or hiring managers?  If you don’t have one already, start by creating a LinkedIn profile, making connections, garnering recommendations and asking for introductions.  Then, research and read through the best blogs that relate to your segment of the hospitality industry.  Comment where appropriate, using the opportunities to showcase your knowledge or problem-solving skills.  Bottom line, any sort of professional “digital footprint” you leave online will make it easier for recruiters to find you.
  • Include testimonials from prior employers on your résumé.  When it comes to making a positive impression on a potential employer, a former boss who “sings your praises” can have a big impact.  So whenever possible, obtain actual testimonials – not just reference contact information – from prior employers and include those on your résumé.  Doing so will help you significantly differentiate yourself from others vying for the same position.   
  • Create a video résumé or demonstration.  While not a substitute for a traditional résumé, a video résumé can be beneficial to certain types of hospitality professionals, such as chefs, whose skills translate well onto video.  If you perform well in front of a camera, and if you have access to good production facilities (believe me, you don’t want to use your webcam for this one), your video résumé can showcase your practical work, communication and presentation skills.

Out-of-the-box tactics not your style?
Then try a proven job search strategy that’s worked for thousands of savvy hospitality job seekers – contact Horizon Hospitality today, or search our HOT hospitality jobs nationwide .

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