Whether you have a long-term career in hospitality or not, many of us will end up working in the industry at some point during our lives. Simon Soar, CEO of the Jersey Hospitality Association, discusses the benefits of spending time working in the sector …
‘Whether it is as a summer job, a weekend job while at school, or during your university years – the majority of people do end up working in the hospitality industry at some point during their lives. That period can be much more than a way of earning some money, it can actually set people up with skill sets that will stand them in good stead whatever they decide to do in the future.
‘The majority of hospitality jobs are customer facing in some way, and the lessons you learn through having to provide good customer service are invaluable in the workplace. At the same time, hospitality roles give you an excellent grounding in core life skills such as time keeping, team work, workplace etiquette, and the importance of hard work.
‘Customer service is obviously key to any hospitality role, and there are some really important lessons that young people can learn. Having to deal with difficult situations and analysing exactly what customers want and what their needs are can be tricky, but it stands them in really good stead as they move forward with their careers in any front facing role. I’ve had organisations from industries such as finance say to me that they really value potential employees with a previous career in hospitality as they know that they will have excellent core skills and a good work ethic and attitude.
‘As the JHA, we’re really keen to encourage young people to embrace the benefits of a hospitality role and see the industry as offering more than just short-term employment. There are a whole host of opportunities in many different areas, it can be a very sociable and enjoyable job, and it’s also a great way to travel the world. Hospitality skills are highly transferable, so starting a job in Jersey and learning the skills there could really take you anywhere.
‘While a hospitality job can often be hard work, it can also be a great fit for your lifestyle due to the flexibility of the roles on offer. Night owls can work shifts that suit them, while early risers can find a job covering the breakfast shift and then have the rest of the day free for other activities. Often you can fit a role in the industry around the type of lifestyle you enjoy, which is a huge advantage.
‘We’re always encouraging more people to come into the industry and consider it as a career, and there are lots of good reasons why they should do so.’
