Careers in hotels
There’s never a dull moment when you take on a position in a hotel. If you’re looking for personal development, the hotel industry has some of the highest levels of training in the hospitality sector. The great thing is that employees can
experience a variety of positions across the business. You can opt to build a career in the UK or work around the world. You can progress gradually without qualifications, or fast-track
Why hotels are a great place to work
“Working within hotels provides an opportunity to make a difference to the everyday experiences that guests come to enjoy. The industry thrives on working with people who love what they do, and no two days are the same. “Opportunities to learn about different elements of the sector while developing new and existing skills are widely available, allowing
for progression within individual hotels and the wider industry. “While hotels can be very busy and working hard is important, the industry is very rewarding, varied and fun, with the opportunity to thrive and develop a long-lasting, successful career.”
Julia Murrell, director of people and development, Firmdale Hotels Careers in restaurants
If you’re looking for a fast track to management or the chance to run a business – or you simply want to work with food and people in a high-octane environment – look no further than restaurants. There is a role for everyone in the UK’s
booming restaurant sector. As a nation we’re eating out more than ever, which means there are opportunities galore for those keen to work in an energetic environment. There are 70,000 restaurants in the UK and you can soon rise up the ranks – in fact, many managers are still in their twenties. From the cool casual dining operators, such
as Rosa’s Thai, Honest Burgers and Wagamama, to established high-street favourites like PizzaExpress and Franco Manca, and fine dining
restaurants such as Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social in London, Tom Kerridge’s Hand & Flowers in Buckinghamshire or Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, you’re guaranteed to find the kind of environment that suits your personality. Although initially your pay may seem lower than in other industries, it’s possible to rise through the ranks faster and further. You’ll also be working with a team of young, fun-loving people who will become your second family. And you may even get to hone your skills with some of the most inspirational people around. If you are ambitious, the good news is that there are many routes into restaurant management, and a hospitality degree is only
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one of them. Many talented professionals have entered the industry as part-time workers, realised they enjoyed it and then worked their way up the career ladder. Others are happy to remain working the floor, getting a buzz out of making customers happy. If operational management interests you,
you could take advantage of the career structure in a large chain, such as Casual Dining Group, which operates Café Rouge and Las Iguanas. If fine wines are your passion, look at training as a sommelier at a Michelin-starred establishment. Your skills are never wasted. You can move from a Michelin-starred restaurant to a relaxed gastropub, or from a small bistro to a busy brasserie. Just make sure your experience counts.
“With so many different roles needed to make a hotel run smoothly, it creates endless opportunities. If you are curious and ambitious, the sky’s the limit. “Hotels offer opportunities for you to develop and grow, allowing you to learn about different departments and disciplines. You could start in
housekeeping and then move to reception, then on to sales and marketing. “If you enjoy socialising, you can meet people from different parts
of the world and learn about different cultures. “Like to travel? Hotels are found in every country, so you can find
yourself travelling to all parts of the world. With your role constantly changing, you will never get bored!”
Ana Coles, talent officer, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London
into management with degrees and diplomas. And it’s not just about general managers,
housekeepers, chefs and receptionists. Hotels also employ florists, gardeners, human resource experts, engineers, accountants, sales and marketing teams and other types of professional. Fortunately for you, the opportunities
are abundant. Certainly, London is as good a place as any to hone your skills and some
of the biggest brands in the world have their foothold in the city – Dorchester Collection, Four Seasons, Hilton – as well as some of the coolest – Z Hotels, Firmdale and Red Carnation, to name a few. It also commands some of the highest salaries, with general managers earning an average of £85,000 and top earners banking £200,000, according to Berkeley Scott’s hotel and leisure salary survey.
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