Depending on your level of interest in furthering your hospitality career, be sure to understand the hospitality/hotel company’s job promotion path, its typical timeframe and the expectations associated with a promotion. As an example, some hotels expect that management trainees will change hotels and jobs a few times before landing the job of managing a hotel. It is also a good idea to learn about the growth of the overall company. A hotel chain that is opening new hotel locations is likely to have more job opportunities than a hotel that is not growing.
If you are interested in a hotel job, resort job, casino job, or restaurant job, the job location should be an important consideration. You may be working long hours on the job and going home late or into work very early in the morning. Sometimes working in a job with non traditional hours can be a help with traffic but the job’s drawback is commuting as late as three o’clock in the morning. This is not to say that you should turn down a great hospitality/hotel job just because it is a ten miles further away than you would like, but the commute and driving times should be a factor in evaluating the job opportunity.
Many people choose certain hospitality/hotel jobs because they open the doors for travel on the job. While it may sound like a glamorous job perk, travel is a top source of job burnout. As an example, being away at sea several days out of the month on a cruise ship may sound like a fantastic job. After a few months working on the high seas, however, you may start to miss being home. On the other hand, many people thrive on travel and would never want a job that did not keep them on the road. Consider the pros and cons of extensive work travel before jumping into a job requiring extensive travel.
The hospitality/hotel industry is known for long hours on the job. Hotels, casinos, cruise ships and some restaurants are typically open 24 hours a day. It is very important to understand the total number of hours and what times that you will be expected to work when considering a job offer in the hospitality industry. If you are not up for a 60 hour work week, keep looking for a hospitality or hotel company that requires fewer hours on the job. Alternatively if the number of hours is not enough for you, either ask the manager if more hours would be possible or keep looking. Keep in mind that the shifts a hotel or casino is hiring for now could change in the future, so be prepared that you may be asked to change the hours you work.
Some jobs in the hospitality and hotel industry entail being on your feet for many hours or lifting of heavy items, carrying equipment or loading trucks. Be sure to understand the physical aspects of the hospitality job and make sure you are able to handle those responsibilities. Don’t commit to a new job as a bellhop unless you are confident that you can handle the labor for your own health and safety.
Best of luck in determining the perfect hotel and hospitality job for you!