Some people are naturally inclined to be scientists, doctors, artists, and actors. Since they were kids, their path seemed clear already. On the other hand, other people realize their true calling when they are well into adulthood already.
Regardless of which you relate to between the two, you can always look for the signs that tell you are a perfect fit for a particular industry. If you’ve been thinking of getting into the hospitality business but are pretty unsure about it, here are some signs you should be looking for:
You Like People
The hospitality industry is a people-oriented business. You will be catering to people’s needs all the time. Their satisfaction and comfort are always your number one priority.
There is a wide range of businesses under the hospitality wing. Restaurants, coffee shops, bed-and-breakfast accommodations, hotels, resorts are all under hospitality. Bars, cruises, tours, and theme parks are part of the industry as well. As you can tell, all these businesses aim to provide people some leisure, rest, and recreation.
Do you like the idea of giving people the best time of their life? Do you like entertaining guests and making sure they are comfortable? Are you able to handle requests and complaints with a calm and level head?
The last one is an important question. Liking people is one thing, but being patient and understanding is another essential weapon in your arsenal. There are plenty of customer service nightmares all over the Internet. Be it on the customer’s side or the side of a hotel or restaurant staff—handling complaints will be part of your daily work. And as you have heard, most of them are ridiculous and absurd. Are you ready for this?
You Are Adaptable
There is no one day like another in the world of hospitality. Every day, you will be dealing with a different set of people with varying levels of gratitude, appreciation, and standards. And amid all this, you should be able to adjust.
Maintaining composure under pressure is a must-have. As mentioned above, you will encounter all kinds of complaints every day. There will be late guests, cancellations, demands, and requests—all of which you should handle well. Being a problem-solver is a top trait. You must also be an effective communicator.
If you think that the hospitality industry is simple, you might need to rethink that. It isn’t very easy, and it has embraced technology and automation just like other industries. Analytics tools are being used to sense demand, boost productivity, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve performance evaluations. Websites also use core web optimization to make sure that users’ web experience is seamless.
Despite all this technology, you must remember that the core of the business is the people. Always be empathetic to understand how to serve people best. Be open and aware of cultural differences and make sure you cater to all ages, genders, and races.
You Are Organized
To add to the fact that the hospitality industry is not simple, think about all the table-setting requirements. People working in the industry must have a keen eye for details and always be organized. Not paying attention to details can lead you to endanger your customers.
You could be serving expired food or exposing your customers to allergens. Mixing up guest reservations and food orders also spell disaster. You will be multi-tasking all of the time, and it helps to have top-notch organizational skills. You will be able to dodge a lot of mishaps just by having this one skill.
You Like Food and Travel
When considering your career, being good at something may not be the only thing you need to look at. Passion might be a more powerful consideration.
To be successful in a hospitality-related career or business, you must know what your customers prefer and need. And it will be easier to see those if you put yourself in the shoes of your patrons. Or better yet, if you are into food and traveling as well.
As a traveler and food lover yourself, you know exactly what it’s like to be on the receiving end of good and bad customer service. You can tailor your business operations based on your personal experience.
At the same time, you will enjoy doing the business because it’s in a field that you love. Nothing beats that kind of connection to the craft you are pursuing and extending to other people.
Suppose you have now decided to pursue a career in the hospitality business. It’s time to stock up on skills and certificates. It’s a fun and exciting world out there. Make sure to make every experience count.
