



What is Hospitality About?
Does the idea of sitting in an office from nine till five turn you off? Are you looking for a career with plenty of variety? Do you like meeting people? Like food? Enjoy travel? Then you’ll love working in Hospitality! Hospitality is the relationship between the guest and the host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. This includes the reception and entertainment of guests or visitors.
What are the duties and tasks required in the Hospitality industry?
- Duties vary with the size and type of the business.
- In large hotels, general Hospitality Managers are in charge of the entire hotel. They set room rates, monitor income and expenses, and supervise other staff.
- Large hotels have restaurants and meeting rooms. These hotels hire assistant Hospitality Managers to supervise these various areas of the hotel.
- Food and beverage managers oversee restaurants and banquets. They plan menus, set prices, and order supplies.
- Chefs and head cooks prepare, season, and cook food. They also supervise, train, and observe cooks and kitchen workers.
- Waiters take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
- Assistant Managers hire, train, and supervise the members of their staff.
What skills and abilities must I have to choose a Hospitality career?
- Multitask: At all levels, careers in hospitality require employees to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
- Flexibility: On the job, they must be ready to switch gears at a moment’s notice if unexpected situations arise.
- Pay attention to detail: It’s the little things that make a guest’s experience extraordinary;
- Time Management and good teamwork: Must be able to manage their own time and the time of others effectively;
- Basic computer skills: Computers are used to write reports about their area or to order food or supplies;
- Good language skills: Fluency in English is important so that the customer’s needs and expectations are understood;
- Technical skills: Having the ability to wield a knife or successfully carry three plates is vital requirements to workings as a waiter or chef;
- Communication skills: Communicating is important for a meal service to run smoothly
What are the working conditions in the Hospitality industry?
It isn’t easy working in the Hospitality industry – guests can be rude, the holiday rush is nightmarish and employees work seven days a week. Most jobs within this industry do not have the standard hours of 9am to 5pm, you must be prepared to put in the hours.
Advice
Hospitality requires multitasking: At all levels, careers in hospitality require employees to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
