Making a Hospitality Career Change

If you’re considering a career shift and starting to explore new opportunities, it’s important to be fully prepared when the right one comes along. Browsing job boards and researching recruiters is only the beginning. To stand out, you need a polished resume and thorough preparation before your interviews.

Whether you’re re-entering the job market or simply looking to update your resume and interview skills, we’ve gathered resources to help give you a competitive edge. Feel free to download and use any of the tools we’ve provided below.

Preparing for the Interview

The interview is where you will make the most impact in the hiring process. Not only will the employer learn information about you that a resume just can’t provide, they’ll also be able to assess if you’ll be a good fit with the company culture. It’s also an opportunity for you to figure out if this opportunity is in line with your own career goals.

Take a look at this 10 minute video for some tips on getting the most out of your next interview

Additional Interview Tips:

Interview Prep

Research the company and the people you are meeting with
Get a job description and learn as much as possible about the role
Prepare a list of questions about the job and company to ask. For example: What is your current vision for the company? What does the opportunity for growth look like for my position? How does your business philosophy differ from your competition? What is the next step in the interview process?
Be prepared to answer the questions mentioned in the Interview Preparation Guide video above
Create a list of your strengths, with specific examples, and how they will be an asset to the company
Have the recruiter and the interviewer’s contact information on hand, in case you are running late or unable to find the interview location

During the Interview

Arrive on time! If a true emergency does occur, let your recruiter and interviewer know as soon as possible.
Always be professional (no course language, derogatory speak, or inappropriate jokes), but don’t be afraid to show your personality
When answering situational questions, focus on solutions and results.
Close by asking about the next steps and thanking the interviewers for their time.

What to Wear

Reach out to your recruiter if you are unsure of the structure of your interview and what to wear (whether it is a working interview or a sit-down meeting). But if it is just a sit-down interview, the following are generally safe rules to follow:

Stick to dark and neutral colored suits
Keep hairstyles and make-up subtle
Avoid wearing overly strong cologne or perfume

No matter what kind of interview you are preparing for, presenting a clean and neat appearance shows an employer that you have respect for yourself and the company.

After the Interview

Always send a follow-up thank you letter. This small gesture can make a huge impact on a potential employer. It is very important, however, that the grammar, spelling, and punctuation be perfect. If this is not your strength, have someone proofread your letter.

Finally, follow up with your recruiter! They want to know your impression and if you have any unanswered questions. They will also provide candid feedback and advice for next steps.

Hospitality Resume Essentials

Creating an Effective Hospitality Resume
A great resume won’t guarantee you a job offer, but a bad one can cost you the opportunity to even be considered! This is true for almost any hospitality management role, regardless of if you’re managing a kitchen or running an entire company.This video will help make resume preparation a less daunting task, and provide some tips on formatting and selecting content to help get you started.

Feel free to download and use any of the templates below to create your custom resume.

More Resume Tips

Be prepared to provide both a paper and a digital copy of your resume. Employers use a wide variety of organization methods and software for their recruitment process. If you aren’t able to provide your information in a way that works with their system, it’s going to be difficult to have it seen by anyone!

Also, a resume is not a personal statement or just a history of your past movements. It should focus on the skills and experiences that can benefit the prospective employer and why they should hire you. If you keep this in mind when writing your resume, the final product will be much more informative and persuasive than if you simply catalog your job history.

Finally, don’t forget about your LinkedIn profile! Social media has become an essential resource for hiring managers to find and evaluate candidates, and LinkedIn is easily the most valuable for this purpose. An effective profile will not only compliment the information on your resume, but can also show your deeper connection and involvement within the hospitality industry. Find some tips on how to build and maintain an effective LinkedIn profile here.

Relocation Tools

Relocating for a new job is a big decision. Feel free to use these resources to not only assess if pursuing a job in another city is right for your current career and personal situation, but if a current relocation package being offered is sufficient for your needs:

Salary Calculator – Find out how much you would need to make in your new city to keep your current lifestyle.

Moving Calculator – Use the moving calculator to help you budget for your upcoming move.

Free City Reports – Get your side-by-side reports with comparisons of up-to-date information on demographics, cost of living, helpful local contacts and more.

Free School Reports – Obtain in-depth reports on over 12,000 public school districts and local child care.

Mortgage Qualifier – Figure out how much you can expect at today’s mortgage rates.

Ready to Start the Next Chapter in Your Career?

Preparing for a Career Change