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Careers In The Hotel Industry

© Archana Khambekar

If you would like to be in the hospitality business, the hotel industry can offer you a choice selection of career avenues. As it is a service-oriented sector, quality personnel are regarded as an important asset. After all it is the personal attention of the hotel staff that makes a guest's stay a pleasant experience. It is a reflection on the hospitality of the organization. In an increasingly competitive industry it is the standard and efficiency of service that provides the edge.

Hotels have expanded their facilities to take care of the special needs of business travelers and families travelling with kids. Conference rooms equipped with audio-visual equipment for businesses meetings, recreational amenities for adults and children, in-house restaurants and specialized room service are some of the added conveniences. These full service hotels have opened up a range of employment opportunities. From administrative jobs such as front office assistants, secretaries, accountants to positions in culinary services, hotel maintenance and marketing a variety of openings are available to you. Since hotels are open round the clock employees work in shifts that may require them to come in at night, on weekends and even on holidays. In fact resident managers who live in the hotel itself are on call 24 hours a day to attend to unexpected emergencies. Hence this is a demanding high-pressure career. But if you can work long hours, possess the tact to handle stressful situations and can think on your feet, there is good scope for advancement.

In a small hotel or motel the hotel manager is the overall in-charge of the administrative, aesthetic, and financial aspects of the daily operations. The manager acts an intermediary between the owner and the staff, a liaison between hotel and its clientele and a trouble- shooter in emergencies. But in a larger establishment the managerial functions are delegated; for instance the food and beverage manager plans the menu, budgets the costs and supervises food preparation and service while the front office manager oversees reservations, room assignments, adjustment of room charges and resolution of customer complaints. These departmental managers assist the general manager who is responsible for the administration of the hotel.

As you can see there are various capacities in which hotel personnel contribute to the smooth functioning and profitability of the organization. You too can be a part of the team. You can opt to work your way up the ladder for a hands-on schooling in the profession. Some major hotel chains have their own formal training programs to impart an all-round understanding of the complex operations to their new employees. But a formal education in hotel or restaurant management is increasingly becoming a preferred qualification with employers. A professional degree also boosts your prospects of promotion. A program that furthers your knowledge of the organizational structure of a hotel, food service management, hotel administration, housekeeping operations and maintenance of physical facilities and also incorporates core management courses in finance and hospitality marketing will provide you a head start. Most degree programs combine work-study opportunities to provide students practical experience. If you prefer a program of a shorter duration, vocational courses in culinary art or restaurant management offered at a professional institute is a training option worth looking into.

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