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You’d better believe it – you are in demand. The hospitality industry will need 870,000 new employees by 2022, with well-trained apprentices at the top of the wish list. It’s no surprise, then, that the
government has been working with employers to shake up apprenticeship schemes. These new ‘trailblazer’ apprenticeships will gradually replace the existing schemes from next year. But if you jump on board now, you’ll be able to progress into the new system.
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The service skills you will hone in a hospitality job will mean you can transfer between any of the tourism sectors, including: • Events • Food and service management • Gambling • Hospitality services • Hotels • Pubs, bars and nightclubs • Restaurants • Serviced apartments • Self-catering accommodation, holiday parks and hostels
• Tourist services • Visitor attractions
Targeting your future career
Welcome to a world of possibilities. Hospitality is one of the most exciting and varied industries you can work in. Whether you crave a fast-track management career, travel or simply a fulfilling job, this sector has it all
A job in hospitality will allow you to achieve anything you set your sights on. There are numerous leaders in the industry that have worked their way through the ranks, having started in entry-level roles. The opportunities and development paths improve every year. An astonishing third of the hospitality
workforce is aged under 25 and of the many that rise up the ranks, most will
have taken on their first managerial role before 30. Few other professions would
take you seriously, nurture, train and develop you to become the next generation of managers at such a young age. You might start on a low
pay scale, but progress up the ladder is fast and in no time you could
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A career full of opportunities
Hotels If you’re looking for a career with a focus on personal development, the hotel industry has some of the highest levels of training within hospitality.
Restaurants There are 70,000 restaurants in the UK, and you can soon rise up the ranks. Many managers are under 30.
Pubs and bars This industry offers a diverse environment with plenty of career paths. Chefs, bar managers and waiters can all have a successful career in a bar, pub or nightclub.
Foodservice If you have a passion for food and want a varied working life, this could be the industry for you. You could be working within a museum designing menus for guests, or preparing lunches in a bank’s staff restaurant.
The nitty gritty
A fast track for your ambitions You may start on a low pay scale, but it is possible to progress into management quickly on salaries that will rise well above those offered in offices. And it’s not just about the service side. If you have an interest in marketing or events, you can specialise in those areas. Similarly, there are great opportunities in areas such as finance, IT and human resources. And in all sectors of the industry, individuals can use their skills and experience to work abroad.
Tell me about the existing apprenticeships All apprenticeships equip you with on-the-job work experience combined with thorough training. This arguably puts you a few rungs up the ladder from anyone that is still in full-time education. Nearly all apprentices work at least 30 hours a week and schemes last a minimum of 12 months.
A sense of being valued To be utterly frank, this industry needs your talents. First, it has a skills shortage, particularly for managers and chefs. Second, it needs to recruit about 300,000 skilled workers by 2020 to keep up with its astonishing growth. As a result, employers are doing their utmost to support, develop and retain those staff with talent, and with two out of five workers aged under 25 they clearly take young people seriously. You’ll find that business-oriented qualifications and on-the-job- training schemes are tailored to all levels.
Ongoing development Continuing professional development is crucial if you want to go far in any profession. Happily for you, top hospitality companies offer mentors and their own programmes in addition to bodies such as the Institute of Hospitality, which provide training and progression in management and leadership skills from introductory level to advanced.
But do I get a real qualification? They all lead to a nationally recognised qualification. There are various entry levels: intermediate (Level 2), advanced (3), higher (4-7) and degree (6-7).
Am I too young? Not if you are aged 16 and over.
How do I apply? Simply register online at
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Or apply directly to employers.
Can I afford it? You absolutely can. If you are under 19 and eligible, your programme will be paid for, plus you will receive a national minimum apprenticeship wage.
Who can I work for? Big hitters include Lancaster London hotel and Greene King, both named in the City & Guilds 100 Top Apprenticeship Employers list. Whitbread plans to train 6,000 apprentices by 2020.
What will be different about the new trailblazer apprenticeship next year? The trailblazer apprenticeships have been built by a group of employers to focus on skills the industry needs. They have also been designed to ensure your employer works directly with the training companies and
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What the experts says about... trai Adele Oxberry, managing director at Umbrella Training,
“The new apprenticeship gets you from novice to expert. simpler because the apprenticeship is at the hea
Opportunity for all The beauty of hospitality is that you can have a fulfilling and satisfying career without having to be academic. Personality and common sense will get you a long way, particularly front of house, behind a bar or in a receptionist role. But for those of you who want to progress up that ladder, you’ll find any qualifications you’ve already got will make your ascent that much swifter.
be on a salary well above that of an office worker. You do have one big problem, however – choosing which sector to begin your career in. Hotels offer all sorts of exciting roles under one roof, from chefs to housekeepers, to front of house managers to
operations team. British restaurants, pubs and bars, meanwhile, are
renowned for being at the cutting edge of cuisine and concepts. Or you could flex your commercial acumen with a fast-moving foodservice company, spread your wings with a career on cruise ships or sidestep into a tourist attraction. The great thing is that your skills will be transferable, so you can move between the sectors. Working in hospitality is fun, buzzy
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and sociable, but it’s also hard work and you’ll almost certainly work long hours at some stage. However, if you choose an employer that offers good development programmes, your commitment will be well rewarded. No wonder the hospitality industry
employs a whopping 10% of the British workforce, accounting for more than two million jobs. Seize the opportunity!
A traineeship is an unwaged education and training programme with on-the-job practical work experience that makes you ‘work-ready’. It gives young people the skills and experience that employers are looking for and can lead to a job or an apprenticeship.
50 Traineeships Checklis
● Consider a trainees 16-24 and are finding into work because you qualifications or work
Social skills
Make sure your online personality is one that you’re happy for your potential future employer to see
CV
You need to include a succinct, one-page covering letter with your CV. In a nutshell, this should include:
● A “Dear Sir/Madam” greeting. Better still, address it to the relevant person. If this isn’t obvious, do some research, maybe by using networking sites such as LinkedIn, or make a quick phone call to reception
● Explain which position you are applying for, including the full job title and reference number
● Tell them why you are the best fit for the job. Briefly outline your strengths, key skills and work experience, drawn from your CV, and draw
58 How to draft your
You’ll need to showcase personality and natural talent if you want to get noticed. Here’s our guide to creating that killer CV and nailing the interview…
● Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes, if you were them what would you want to know?
● Always follow the instructions – if the HR manager asks you to use black ink, don’t use blue
● Enthusiasm for the job and the industry
● Great interpersonal skills and a love of meeting people
attention to where these match their requirements. Use this paragraph to highlight any accolades or achievements mentioned on your CV
● Explain why you want that particular role. Show real enthusiasm by doing a bit of research on the company on the internet and revealing what attracts you to them as an employer
● Wind it down by saying that you are looking forward to hearing from them and that your CV is attached
● End with “Yours sincerely” if you have named the person and “Yours faithfully” if you haven’t
● Good reasons why you have chosen hospitality as a career
● Care in your appearance and presentation
● Being prepared for the interview
● Photocopy the form and practice on rough versions
● Answer all the questions, but don’t add extra information unless requested
● If they ask for a personal statement, keep it succinct
● Check spellings and facts carefully
● If a question isn’t relevant, write “not applicable” so they know you haven’t forgotten to answer it
● Online applications will often be scanned for key words, so use key words from the advert. If they ask for a “dynamic team leader” include that phrase and information in your application
● Research your potential new employer by checking out the company website and reading news pages in industry magazines such as The Caterer. Take note if it is expanding… and beware if it is getting bad press
● Don’t panic. No matter how much you prepare, nerves can take hold, and harnessing them can work for you, not against you. Take slow, deep breaths until you feel calm
● When you arrive, shake hands firmly. A quick visit to the bathroom before you go in will allow you to wash and dry your hands so they aren’t clammy
● Ask friends and family to share their interview stories as you’ll glean some helpful do’s and don’ts
● Visualise that the interview goes well and keep those positive thoughts front and centre as they really will help you to make it a reality
● Some companies do have a more relaxed dress code, but best to check that out first – or simply be safe and dress smartly
● Make sure you know where you are going and how long it will take. If you get delayed, ring up to explain and apologise
● When you walk in, project confidence and maintain eye contact – not in a spooky way, though
● During the interview, remember to listen and answer the questions accurately, using examples to back up any of your achievements
● It’s best not to interrupt
● Keep your ears and eyes open and ask questions because you need to make sure this company is the right cultural fit for you – it’s not all one-sided
● Don’t forget to keep a few questions up your sleeve for the end – maybe ask what sort of person they see in the role
● Send a short note afterwards to confirm your interest in the job – if you still want it
● If you don’t get the job, ask for feedback and learn from it. Treat it as a positive learning experience and carry on applying.
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When looking for a job, you need to be aware of your digital footprint, which is basically the information connected with your name online. Go to Google now and run a search based on your name, as that’s exactly what recruiters and potential employers will be doing. If you see a list of content that is either not associated with you, or you would prefer wasn’t seen by your future boss, then you have a bit of work on your hands. Your social media profiles are an extension of your CV and should be used to help rather than hinder your chances of landing your dream job.
We asked Karen Fewell, founder of @DigitalBlonde to share her tips on using social media when searching for your next job in the hospitality sector
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DON't DO
Don’t blanket bomb dozens of recruiters with your CV. This gives HR teams the impression that you are not passionate about working for their company.
Do send a CV on spec. But be targeted and sure of what type of role you’re looking for. Remember, if HR receives a CV without a covering letter, they have no idea what type of role you are looking for, or whether you are committed. It is then much harder to progress the application.
Raise the language barrier...
Use dynamic words to convey success on your CV, such as “I led/ achieved/increased…”
The all-important covering letter
What employers look for
Application forms
Preparing for the interview
It’s obvious, but…
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