How to Get a Hospitality Job with No Experience Using These 8 Tips

Every week we comb through the news to find employment trends affecting the hospitality industry so you don’t have to. This week’s topic: how to get a hospitality job with no experience.  

How to Get a Hospitality Job With No Experience

As hospitality business continues to pick up, more and more restaurants are facing a hiring shortage due to people being hesitant to get back to work – meaning there’s a lot of opportunity for job seekers. But what if you’ve never worked in hospitality or foodservice before?  

Getting your foot in the door of an industry you don’t have experience in can be tough. There’s a lot to learn, including figuring out where to get started. LGC has almost 20 years of experience operating in the hospitality industry, so we’re putting together a quick guide for job seekers who are interested in finding a job just in time for summer. Here are some tips for how to get a hospitality job with no experience

Ask yourself what you want to do 

First you need to know how to get a hospitality job with no experience. Then you need to decide what you actually want to do in the hospitality industry. When working at a bar, restaurant, or hotel, there are several different types of positions you can work. Before trying to decide which one is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:  

• Do I want to work directly with customers? 
• What skills do I already have? 
• What type of work am in interested in doing?  

Once you’ve answered these questions, you can begin to decide what position works fits your interests. Maybe you’d rather not work directly with customers and would prefer to stay in the kitchen; or maybe you have a passion for mixing cocktails and want to be a bartender. When you feel like you have a good idea of what you want to do, you can move on to the next step.  

Start doing research 

When learning how to get a hospitality job with no experience, doing research will have a huge impact. Regardless of what position you want to work, you should spend some time doing research so you can learn more about the requirements and responsibilities. There should be very little that surprises you about the position you want to apply for. Having this knowledge will show prospective employers that you’re invested in the job – which can give you a competitive edge. This will be key in getting a hospitality job with no experience. 

Practice makes perfect 

When you think of working at a restaurant or hotel, the idea of ‘practicing’ may sound strange – but there are things you can do to prepare yourself for future employment. For example: 

• If you want to get hired as a housekeeper, you can time yourself making a bed and work on improving that time.  
• To get hired as a bartender, you can practice pouring alcohol (or water if you don’t want to waste product) to ensure you have the proper technique. 
• When trying to improve your skills as a cook, you can work on following classic recipes or creating your own dishes.  

For each hospitality-related position, there are ways to practice so you have the techniques right before even stepping foot on the job. Doing your best to learn these skills prior to getting a job is so helpful when learning how to get a job in hospitality with no experience.

Ask for help 

If you know someone who works in the job or industry you’re interested in, you should reach out to them for advice or ask for relevant connections. Having this contact could help you find a job or at the very least, provide useful information for your job search.  

Start small 

It’s important to understand that without any hands-on experience, you may have to start in a different position than the one you want. In doing this, you can build up your knowledge and understanding of the industry before you get into your desired position. Keep in mind that having experience in more than one position can be extremely beneficial in the hospitality industry, so look at this as a way to grow your expertise.  

Use your soft skills 

Your soft skills may be able to take the place of technical skills and experience. By letting your personality and important character traits – like good communication or strong leadership skills – shine during your interview, employers may be more willing to give you the chance to prove yourself.  

Get out there and find a job 

Now that you’ve decided what position you want to work, did research, and practiced your skills, it’s time to get out there and find the job that’s right for you. Be sure to mention to hiring managers what your goals are that way you know there’s the potential for moving up the ladder. There are so many types of bars, hotels, and restaurants that have different atmospheres and clientele, so take this into consideration during your job search. As long as you’re passionate and motivated, you’ll be able to land a hospitality job with no experience.

Use this guide to learn how to get a hospitality job with no experience.

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If you’re looking for a great, flexible opportunity in the hospitality industry, look no further than LGC! We find temporary and permanent assignments for workers across the country. Apply today.