With the advantages come the disadvantages too! Here are some of the key cons of working in hospitality and tourism! Newbies beware!
Long and Odd Hours
If you don't like early starts or late finishes, then the hotel industry may not be for you. Many hotels are around-the-clock, 24-hour operations and staffs are required to work varied shifts and extended hours. A hotel requires the best from its employees whether it is 1 p.m.; management staff, especially, work long and demanding hours. Some positions do run on a standard 9 a.m.-5 p.m. basis, but they are few and far between. These hours can prove a problem for people with school-age children and it is a rare hotel which offers any type of day care facility for its staff. Parents of small children are also at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to resort work, as many remote location resorts will not employ families because of lack of facilities.
Breaking into the Industry
Getting your first break in the industry can be as simple as a well-presented letter and resume, or it can be a long and demoralizing process. Some people are assisted by a great deal of luck, while others have to beat the pavement for months before getting their dream job. But you can turn this disadvantage into an advantage and you'll find that breaking into the industry is probably easier than you thought.
Pressure, High Standards and Deadlines
Working for demanding clients and management is not the downside of working in hotels - for it is what the industry is all about - but you may find that the pressure of guest and management expectations are more stressful than you ever imagined. High standards, top service and quality product are the be-all and the end-all of the industry, so if you are not prepared to give your best, you should be looking for a career elsewhere. Pressure and deadlines are intrinsic elements of the industry and the best hotel workers thrive on conquering the challenges and obstacles placed in the way of personal and company objectives.
THE GLAMOUR MYTH
The hotel industry offers you the chance to meet rich, famous and interesting people. They can include scientists attending in-house conferences, foreign tourists, local business people and ordinary everyday citizens. You might also meet celebrities who are in town promoting their latest films and books; famous stars and international politicians getting away from it all at your island resort; or members of the world's 'wealthiest one hundred' motoring into your marina on their mega yachts (helicopter on board and all!).
Although you might be able to tell your friends that Hollywood's hottest stars are staying in your hotel, you'll probably have to stretch the truth a little to say that you actually talked with them. Celebrities might chat with you like an old friend, out of politeness, only when ordering room service, or not at all. Some may be jovial and even invite you for a drink, while others will treat you with the coolness of an Artic wind (not that you ever have to tell your friend the whole truth!).
Meeting interesting people isn't the only reason the industry has been tagged with glamour label. There are also endless travel opportunities, stunning workplaces in exotic locations, quick career progression, healthy salaries and a wide range of interesting jobs, However, once you have worked in a hotel you will soon realize that the hospitality industry is more about hard work than happy hour.
Rich and famous people will come and go; they probably won't even notice you as you finish cleaning up the bar. Yet the fact remains, the hotel industry can be your window to meeting a lot of fascinating people and seeing some of the most beautiful parts of foreign lands.
Long and Odd Hours
If you don't like early starts or late finishes, then the hotel industry may not be for you. Many hotels are around-the-clock, 24-hour operations and staffs are required to work varied shifts and extended hours. A hotel requires the best from its employees whether it is 1 p.m.; management staff, especially, work long and demanding hours. Some positions do run on a standard 9 a.m.-5 p.m. basis, but they are few and far between. These hours can prove a problem for people with school-age children and it is a rare hotel which offers any type of day care facility for its staff. Parents of small children are also at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to resort work, as many remote location resorts will not employ families because of lack of facilities.
Breaking into the Industry
Getting your first break in the industry can be as simple as a well-presented letter and resume, or it can be a long and demoralizing process. Some people are assisted by a great deal of luck, while others have to beat the pavement for months before getting their dream job. But you can turn this disadvantage into an advantage and you'll find that breaking into the industry is probably easier than you thought.
Pressure, High Standards and Deadlines
Working for demanding clients and management is not the downside of working in hotels - for it is what the industry is all about - but you may find that the pressure of guest and management expectations are more stressful than you ever imagined. High standards, top service and quality product are the be-all and the end-all of the industry, so if you are not prepared to give your best, you should be looking for a career elsewhere. Pressure and deadlines are intrinsic elements of the industry and the best hotel workers thrive on conquering the challenges and obstacles placed in the way of personal and company objectives.
THE GLAMOUR MYTH
The hotel industry offers you the chance to meet rich, famous and interesting people. They can include scientists attending in-house conferences, foreign tourists, local business people and ordinary everyday citizens. You might also meet celebrities who are in town promoting their latest films and books; famous stars and international politicians getting away from it all at your island resort; or members of the world's 'wealthiest one hundred' motoring into your marina on their mega yachts (helicopter on board and all!).
Although you might be able to tell your friends that Hollywood's hottest stars are staying in your hotel, you'll probably have to stretch the truth a little to say that you actually talked with them. Celebrities might chat with you like an old friend, out of politeness, only when ordering room service, or not at all. Some may be jovial and even invite you for a drink, while others will treat you with the coolness of an Artic wind (not that you ever have to tell your friend the whole truth!).
Meeting interesting people isn't the only reason the industry has been tagged with glamour label. There are also endless travel opportunities, stunning workplaces in exotic locations, quick career progression, healthy salaries and a wide range of interesting jobs, However, once you have worked in a hotel you will soon realize that the hospitality industry is more about hard work than happy hour.
Rich and famous people will come and go; they probably won't even notice you as you finish cleaning up the bar. Yet the fact remains, the hotel industry can be your window to meeting a lot of fascinating people and seeing some of the most beautiful parts of foreign lands.
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