The hospitality industry: a wider perspective
July 23rd 2008 10:56
I remember in high school the subject 'Hospitality' had just been introduced to replace what was once called 'Home Science'. Although, what it involved were really along the lines of being able to cook, provide silver table service and manage the sales in a restaurant environment, giving the impression that a career in hospitality means a life long commitment to dealing with restaurants, cafes and food.
Not really. Just like IT, Hospitality is a vast industry that involves many many more operations than one think. The industry is made up of three sectors: Accommodation; Cafes and Restaurants; and Licensed Premises.
The basic employees of hospitality are involved in waiting on restaurant clients, serving alcohol at the bar, cleaning tables after an event, a doorman at a hotel, a room attendent at a hotel to the reception of a hotel or a restaurant establishment. The work is always client facing and always on two feet. Its an industry where desk jobs are no where to be found.
The hospitality industry probably has one of the most strict rules and regulations. Ask a restaurant or a hotel manager how many times the health department came by, or an audit had been performed on their premies. One small little fault can cause them the entire business. The staff are mostly casual and paid hourly and is known to have a high turn over rate.
So who can work in the industry? The nature of the job in the hospitality industry requires strong people skills, assertive personalities, ability to prioritise tasks, keep calm and graceful under stress and pressure, and willing to be flexible on the working hours and conditions. Many of the jobs are seasonal, dependent on the demand of clients on whether or not you may or may not work the extra hours. So someone who has flexibility with their hours have an advantage over others in this industry.
Although many of the jobs do not require formal qualification, it is essential that some previous knowledge, experience and certification are obtained to increase your chances in getting a job. For example, it is essential to have the Responsible Service of Alcohol certification before you can work in a licenced bar. It is recommended to do a course in silver service before applying for a job as a waiter in a five star dining establishment. Courses in hotel and restaurant management can help you get ahead of the game and go up the ladder in the industry, and of course, becoming an apprentice is necessary if you want to be the next head Chef.
Jobs are aplenty in the hospitality industry. All you have to do, is check on your favourite job seeking websites!
Not really. Just like IT, Hospitality is a vast industry that involves many many more operations than one think. The industry is made up of three sectors: Accommodation; Cafes and Restaurants; and Licensed Premises.
The basic employees of hospitality are involved in waiting on restaurant clients, serving alcohol at the bar, cleaning tables after an event, a doorman at a hotel, a room attendent at a hotel to the reception of a hotel or a restaurant establishment. The work is always client facing and always on two feet. Its an industry where desk jobs are no where to be found.
The hospitality industry probably has one of the most strict rules and regulations. Ask a restaurant or a hotel manager how many times the health department came by, or an audit had been performed on their premies. One small little fault can cause them the entire business. The staff are mostly casual and paid hourly and is known to have a high turn over rate.
So who can work in the industry? The nature of the job in the hospitality industry requires strong people skills, assertive personalities, ability to prioritise tasks, keep calm and graceful under stress and pressure, and willing to be flexible on the working hours and conditions. Many of the jobs are seasonal, dependent on the demand of clients on whether or not you may or may not work the extra hours. So someone who has flexibility with their hours have an advantage over others in this industry.
Although many of the jobs do not require formal qualification, it is essential that some previous knowledge, experience and certification are obtained to increase your chances in getting a job. For example, it is essential to have the Responsible Service of Alcohol certification before you can work in a licenced bar. It is recommended to do a course in silver service before applying for a job as a waiter in a five star dining establishment. Courses in hotel and restaurant management can help you get ahead of the game and go up the ladder in the industry, and of course, becoming an apprentice is necessary if you want to be the next head Chef.
Jobs are aplenty in the hospitality industry. All you have to do, is check on your favourite job seeking websites!
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Comment by TimmyH
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Genyration
It would be such an easy format what with characters coming and going just as they would in the industry proper...cant understand why I haven't seen a good one.
Comment by AmyHuang
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