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Secure that Role

Secure that role

To help you ‘stand out from the herd’ when applying and interviewing for that perfect role, we asked respected hotel industry professionals for some advice. Follow these tips on preparing the perfect pitch, what traps to avoid, and how to secure that job role.

Create your communications package

Resume

You will need a great resume to grab the attention of the recruiter. A ‘stand out’ resume is not just about your work experience, it’s a chance to convey your interests and what you stand for and to highlight your personal achievements.

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Highlight the skills and experience you have that are transferable to a job in a hotel or pub.

For example, if your past experience is in retail you might list ‘attentive customer service skills’ and ‘multi-tasking in a busy retail environment’ as relevant skills.

Be clear and concise

Try to keep your resume to one or two pages in length and use professional fonts and formatting.  We suggest using an online resume template. Keep the information relevant and recent and provide details of your highest education level.  Your list of other qualifications should be relevant to the role or industry. 

Highlight your achievements that are relevant to a career in hotels and pubs. 

These may be work related or personal highlights. Perhaps you had a very tight budget to work to and you came in under that budget or you had a sales target in a retail role and you smashed it. Or maybe  you helped organise a large event for a social or sporting group, or you regularly volunteer in a local soup kitchen.  Listing your achievements helps the recruiter paint the picture of what kind of team member you will make.

List your previous employment in chronological order with the most recent position listed first.

Include the role title, the period you were employed and a brief description of your responsibilities in that role.  It is important to highlight experience in your previous roles that is be relevant to role you are applying for.  Yes, this may mean updating your resume for every role you apply for.  Career breaks or gaps in employment are completely understandable, so you should acknowledge these in your resume.  Recruiters are looking for a full picture of who you are, and career breaks are considered part of ‘life experience’, which is just as important as work experience. 

Include one or two referees.

A work referee should be a person who held a position of authority during a period of previous employment and had direct interaction with you on a regular basis, preferably your direct line manager.  A personal referee should be a person outside of your immediate family who can attest to your character and personal values.  Before including referees on your resume, you should ask them if they are happy to provide a reference for you.

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Avoid spelling errors and inconsistent formatting.   

One of the key attributes hospitality recruiters are looking for in any candidate is ‘attention to detail’.  By showing great care in how your resume is presented says a great deal about you.

Remember that a spelling mistake can derail your application. Expressing you have good attention to ‘derail’ is very different to showing you have good attention to ‘detail!’

Inconsistent formatting makes your resume very hard to read. In the short time you have to make a positive first impression with a recruiter, in a written application, this might be the difference between being short listed and not!

Avoid stretching the truth.

At some point you will need to be able to demonstrate all of those skills and achievements you have highlighted on your resume, so it’s best to avoid an awkward situation by not overstating your abilities on your resume.   

Recruiters are looking for honesty and transparency, and they appreciate that candidates are not always perfectly skilled for every role. Often they are looking for a candidate that shows the potential to grow into a role, who is willing to learn and is a good fit with the culture of the organisation. 

Be accurate when listing your prior jobs, recruiters will often check details such as dates and stated roles and responsibilities with your previous employers.

Cover Letter

When applying for a job, the recruiter may ask for a cover letter to accompany your application.  A great cover letter is key to getting your application to the top of the pile.  It is your opportunity to highlight any specific skills and achievements that make you the perfect candidate for the role.

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Start with a reference to the specific role you are applying for, as advertised. 

Tell the recruiter why the job advertisement sparked your interest and demonstrate that you have done your homework about the company or venue.

For example, you might start with “this role aligns well with my skills and experience, and I would welcome the opportunity to further enhance my customer service abilities by working with an industry leader in this space”

Briefly describe your skills and experience that are directly relevant to the criteria outlined in the advertised job role.

Be confident but humble in your approach, remember hospitality is all about being able to work well in a team.

Be clear and concise and keep it to one page maximum.

Interview Preparation

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What do you know about the hotel/pub brand?

Be ready to say something about the hotel or pub that has particularly interested
you. Show that you have done your homework and researched the business.

Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond what was expected of you.

Your answer does not have to relate to the hospitality industry.

Tell me about a time you have found it difficult to work with someone?

We don’t always get on with everyone so be prepared to talk briefly about a problem and how you overcame any personal differences to get on with the job.

What did you do in a particular circumstance – how did it play out? What would you do differently next time?

This indicates your ability to ‘think on your feet’ and problem solve.

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  • What would an average day look like?
  • What will I learn in the first couple of days?
  • Who will I report to?
  • If you ask about pay – ensure it’s not your only question.
  • If lifestyle and balance are important – ask questions about how these are  balanced.
  • Ask the interviewer what they enjoy about their own role. Does this resonate with you? If so, say why!
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  • It’s ok to pause to think about your answer rather than just blurting out the first thing that comes into your head.
  • If you haven’t had a particular experience, think about an experience you have had that uses similar skills. For example, you may not have managed people in a workplace, but you may have been a leader at school or been the captain of a sporting team.
  • Express a passion for the pub/hotel brand – demonstrate you are willing and flexible to work hard and make the most of the job opportunity available.
  • Clearly show how the role fits with what you are trying to achieve, more broadly in your career – e.g. “I see this as a pathway to a future heading up a food and beverage team.”
  • Be authentic and true to who you are.
  • Be mindful of your body language, make eye contact, and remember to smile!

How to find jobs

The great thing about the hospitality industry is that we are always hiring! In other industries, businesses will traditionally advertise a role on jobseeker platforms such as Seek, LinkedIn, Barcats or other jobs boards. While these platforms are still widely used by hotels and pubs, the secret to securing a role is often as simple as dropping your resume off at the venue, sending an email or making a polite phone enquiry. Some of the larger hotel and pub groups also have corporate websites where resumes can be emailed or uploaded.

The best approach is to research the hotel or pub before applying. Is it the kind of place where you see yourself fitting in? For example, do you like to dress for success in power suits and shoulder pads, but the place is more sneakers, hoodies and tatt sleeves?

You should also take note of things like the food and beverage offer, the price range or the entertainment offer, and decide whether it is aligned with your interests and values. We suggest going in for dinner, drinks or a coffee, or sit in the hotel lobby and soak up the atmosphere.

If you are feeling really confident, you can strike up a conversation with a team member and ask them whether it’s a good place to work, how they secured their role, and if they know about any jobs becoming available. Be mindful not to take up too much of their time, however, and definitely do not interrupt during busy service periods or take them away from serving other customers.

Responding to an advertised position

If you are going to include a cover letter, then make it count. It doesn’t need to be very long – a couple of paragraphs is fine. Employers are interested to hear your reasons for applying, and what makes you stand out from the others. Even if you have little or no experience, this is where you get to sell yourself.

Remember, hotels and pubs are quite happy to employ inexperienced people and train them ‘on the job’. What they are looking for is people who are willing to learn, who are motivated to work and who love interacting with people.

Create a super positive impression by linking information about the venue to you and your reasons for wanting to work there. For example; “I recently dined in your bistro and thought it was great to hear about your commitment to sourcing sustainable produce and your zero waste initiatives. This is a cause very close to my heart, and I would love the opportunity to work alongside like-minded people.”

Remember to be honest. In this example, make sure you did actually dine there!



Make sure your cover letter and resume are uploaded and submitted correctly. Most online job boards will send you a confirmation email once your application is submitted. If there is no confirmation, contact the hotel or pub directly to check that it has been received. This can also give you another opportunity to tell them how keen you are.

Don’t just sit back and wait (unless that’s what the advertisement or confirmation email says to do). A week or so after the applications close (if you know the date) or a bit sooner if there is no closing date, contact the recruiter to see how your application is progressing. Be prepared for one of three answers:

1. The recruiter hasn’t yet reviewed your application. In this case, tell the recruiter how keen you are and that you are happy to provide further information if needed.

2. Bad news – your application is not going to progress. Don’t be afraid to ask why and then use this information to strengthen future applications.

3. Good news – they want to book in a phone interview or for you to come in for a face-to-face interview.

Submitting an expression of interest

Hotel and pub operators will tell you “We are always hiring.” It is true that many roles in hospitality are secured through either word of mouth, or by sending an expression of interest.

So, keep your ‘ear to the ground’ and reach out to any friends or family already working in the industry. Chances are they will know about any jobs before they are advertised.

To send an expression of interest, write a very short cover letter and include your resume. Once again, be sure to include your reasons for wanting to work at that particular establishment and what makes you a stand out candidate. This is where your research will really start to pay off!

Do not underestimate the positive impression you will create by taking this proactive approach. You can submit an expression of interest a few ways:

  • Drop your expression of interest cover letter and resume personally into the venue. Ask to speak to the manager on duty, if possible.
  • This is important – pick your timing! Do not go in during busy service periods over lunch or dinner or during the 5pm after work rush. Be aware of your surroundings and if the venue feels too busy when you walk in, choose
    another time and come back (this method is mostly suited to pub style venues, accommodation hotels prefer you submit via their HR departments).
  • Research the pub/hotel website to find out the main email address or some businesses have a careers or jobs page on their websites.
  • Phone the property and ask for the name and email address of the person who is responsible for recruitment. Again, pick your timing wisely and call at non-peak times. Also be aware, the person who answers the phone may be the person who does the hiring. So have your ‘elevator pitch’ ready to go just in case.

Do your homework!

Do some initial research and get a good understanding of what role/area of the pub/hotel you are interested in. It should be clear to the recruiter that you have thought about the role, property and hotel brand.

Make it known why you are excited to work for the hotel/pub. Clearly demonstrate why you are the ‘right fit’ for the role.

Consider the best way to send your application. Many ‘lifestyle’ hotels have created a market niche by deliberately challenging industry convention about what a hotel should look and feel like to guests.

In this case, perhaps an expression of interest via video could be a great way to ‘stand out from the herd.’

When visiting the hotel, look at their guest facilities and get a feel for the type of guests they attract as this will help you shape your answers during an interview. For example, a roof top swimming pool means the hotel probably has a high proportion of leisure guests on holiday – reflect on how you can be part of making their holiday special.

A large bistro and bar area in a pub likely indicates a busy food and beverage trade. Reflect on work experience you have that required you to work efficiently and accurately, in a fast paced environment, when shaping your answers.

 

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