What did I learn from working in Hospitality?

The summer is upon us, and it is time to take a break, explore, visit friends and relatives and relax. For many, the summer is also an opportunity to start their first job and get acquainted with the world of work. Working in the hospitality sector is a good way to gain experience and earn some money. What should I do to get the best out of working in the hospitality sector?





What Skills could I develop in the hospitality sector?


The hospitality sector is vast. Some examples of businesses in this sector are hotels, leisure attractions, pubs, bars, restaurants, coffee shops etc. It is highly likely that working in this sector will give you the opportunity to interact with people, whether it is in person or virtually. You should make use of these interactions and develop skills that will stay with you and help you in future careers. So, what can you do to ensure that you learn and develop skills whilst working in hospitality? Which skills will be useful in future careers?





Communication, Initiative, Confidence


Interacting with people may seem like a mundane task, however, there are many skills you will develop via these interactions. Understanding what people want and communicating clearly is a basic requirement of any job. Whether the communication is verbal or written, you will learn how to be clear, concise and solve the issue you are dealing with. Taking initiative and doing that little extra will help you build relationships and earn the trust of people. “Would you like me to show you how to connect to the hotel wifi?” is a simple example of showing initiative.  Your many interactions with people will help you build confidence in your abilities to help others. Remember that it is not necessary for you to have all the answers, “let me find out and get back to you” is a perfectly acceptable way of dealing with an issue. You should aim to improve your communication and show initiative whilst working in the hospitality sector. Your confidence will grow with every interaction.





A valuable experience


You may consider an entry level job in the hospitality sector as a summer job to make some money. It is much more than that. You will have learnt some valuable life skills that will become part of your work ethic and help you in future jobs. Do not underestimate the value of learning basic skills such as communication as this is a fundamental requirement of all jobs. Having learnt to show initiative and building confidence will become part of your persona.