The hospitality industry continues to expand and diversify every year. There are more roles available in the hospitality industry than there are people to fill them, offering significant opportunities for professionals to advance their careers. Taking a thoughtful and strategic approach when seeking your next hospitality role can ensure you find the right fit for your skills and ambitions. Whether you are a recent graduate starting out or an experienced professional looking for new opportunities, the strategies outlined in this article will help you keep progressing on your career path.

With areas ranging from catering and hotel management to customer service, hospitality offers a broad spectrum of skills and career choices.

Let’s start by visiting the different divisions and venues within hospitality and catering:

• Hotels

• Restaurants

• Pubs/Bars/Nightclubs

• Contract Catering

• Membership Clubs

• Holiday Parks

• Visitor Attractions

• Events

• Travel Services

Within these sectors, there are plenty of opportunities to advance your career in commercial hospitality, such as in pubs or restaurants, or even transfer your skills into other areas like stadiums, football clubs, sales, distribution, or roles in hospitals and schools. We’ve been able to witness hundreds of our candidates transfer into different roles within hospitality in a multitude of differentiating industries. 

Defining Your Career Goals in Hospitality

The hospitality industry encompasses a vast range of professionals, work environments, and career paths. Having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve in your hospitality career can guide you in making the right choices and taking positions that will help you advance along your desired career trajectory.

Before deciding where you want your career to go, it’s important to explore the available options. Take the time to research the industry and familiarise yourself with the top-level roles that professionals typically aim for. If you’re relatively new to hospitality, attending conferences or seminars can provide a more comprehensive view of the industry beyond your current role.

Remember, career goals aren’t set in stone. As you gain experience and develop new skills, your aspirations may evolve. Once you’ve established your goals, regularly revisit them every few months to track your progress and ensure they still align with what you want to achieve in your professional journey.

Actively Expand Your Professional Network

Networking and building professional relationships is a fantastic way to advance your career in any field, and this holds especially true for the hospitality sector in the UK. Connecting with other hospitality professionals offers numerous advantages. It increases your chances of hearing about job openings and career opportunities. Moreover, it’s a great way to stay current with your skills and knowledge by sharing insights, news, and experiences with others who are active in the industry.

Social media is a valuable resource when looking to grow or make use of your professional network. Following industry publications, influencers, and thought leaders can help you stay on top of the latest trends in hospitality. Many companies, including hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality venues, regularly share job vacancies on their social media channels. Following these accounts can provide direct access to your next career opportunity.

Participating in industry events is another excellent way to meet hospitality professionals and create connections that could lead to future opportunities. These events are often hosted by professional organisations. While membership is not always required to attend, joining such organisations can ensure you’re kept informed about conferences, trade shows, and other events in your area. Membership also frequently includes additional perks, such as access to exclusive job boards, career development programmes, and industry insights delivered through newsletters or other member communications.

There are many professional organisations in the UK for the hospitality industry. For instance, the Institute of Hospitality provides a range of resources for hospitality professionals, and other organisations focus on areas like food service, tourism, or accommodation. Networking within these groups can be a great way to stay connected and further your career in the hospitality sector.

Earn a Recognised Certification In Your Field of Expertise

One distinctive aspect of hospitality careers in the UK is that a university degree is often not a requirement for many roles. However, that doesn’t mean formal education lacks value. Earning a degree in hospitality management or a related field can give you a competitive edge, especially when aiming for leadership positions or roles with more responsibility.

If completing a full degree programme isn’t practical for your current situation, obtaining a professional certification offers a quicker, more affordable route to advanced training. These qualifications can help accelerate your career by demonstrating to potential employers that you possess the necessary skills and expertise to take on higher-level roles. Certification programmes often focus on specific areas of the industry, making them highly relevant and valuable.

Gain Leadership or Managerial Experience

Like many other industries, career progression in hospitality often begins by moving from an individual contributor role into a managerial position. To achieve this, it’s essential to develop both your leadership and management skills alongside your industry expertise.

Effective communication is a key skill for leaders in the hospitality sector. Those in guest-facing roles, such as customer service, have the opportunity to refine their communication skills daily while delivering outstanding guest experiences. If you're in a back-of-house role, such as kitchen staff or administrative positions, you may need to actively pursue professional development opportunities to elevate your communication abilities to meet the demands of leadership.

In some establishments, leadership opportunities may not be evenly distributed across all departments. It might be advantageous to transition to a different department where managerial roles are more accessible. For instance, if you're currently in housekeeping, consider applying for a front desk role if an opening arises. Working in a new department will broaden your understanding of hotel operations, which can be valuable for securing and succeeding in more senior positions in the future.

Develop Your Personal Brand 

People are at the core of the hospitality industry, which makes building a strong personal brand crucial as you progress in your career. A well-defined personal brand helps you leave a positive and lasting impression on guests, colleagues, and potential employers.

In today’s job market, your personal brand often begins with your presence on social media. Keep your LinkedIn profile updated, tailoring the information to highlight your expertise in your specific area of the industry. Think about the values, skills, and traits you want to be recognised for, and ensure these are reflected consistently across your online platforms. Additionally, having a personal website or blog can further establish your reputation as an expert in your field.