If you’re looking to excel in the hospitality industry, having the right set of hospitality skills is crucial for success. Soft skills are essential for anyone working in hospitality—from providing excellent customer service to working effectively in a team, these essentially set top performers apart from the rest.
Interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills are all labeled “soft,” but hard skills are also beneficial for certain job roles within this industry, such as event planning or hotel management.
Having a combination of both soft and hard skills is key to succeeding in the competitive hospitality industry. In this post, we’ll dive into the top skills you need and provide tips for improving and showcasing them on your resume.
Let’s begin!
Key Takeaways
- Hospitality workers in search of a job need to include some crucial soft skills, like interpersonal and communication skills, in their resumes.
- Some specific hard skills, like proficiency in hospitality software and event planning, can also be beneficial for certain job roles in the hospitality industry.
- If you want to improve your hospitality skills, you should try different roles, find a mentor, or ask for feedback from customers, among many other things.
8 Soft Hospitality Skills to Include in Your Resume
When working in hospitality, it’s important to possess a certain set of soft skills that can help you excel at your job. These skills are not necessarily specific to the hospitality industry but are essential for anyone working in this field.
The hospitality skills list we provided should be enough to illustrate what’s essential for a job in this field.
Here are some of the most important hospitality skills examples:
#1. Communication Skills
Communication skills are essential for many jobs, particularly in hospitality, where you are constantly interacting with guests. This skill involves conveying information clearly and effectively.
It also includes active listening and being able to understand the needs and concerns of guests. Related skills include oral and written communication, being polite and positive, and being able to communicate in multiple languages, if necessary.
#2. Detail-Oriented Skills
Attention to detail is crucial in hospitality, as being able to notice the little things can make a big difference in the guest’s experience.
#3. Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are also important hospitality skills to put on a resume. It involves building good relationships with guests and colleagues.
It also includes being able to work effectively in a team and resolving conflicts in the workplace. Related skills are reading body language and adapting your communication style to different personalities, depending on the occasion.
#4. Adaptability
Adaptability is a key skill for anyone working in hospitality. This skill involves knowing how to handle unexpected situations and being able to quickly adjust to changes. It also includes being able to work in a fast-paced environment and being able to think on your feet.
Related skills include being open to new ideas and being able to learn quickly.
#5. Empathy
Empathy is an important skill in hospitality because it involves understanding and relating to guests’ needs and concerns. This skill involves active listening and being able to respond to their needs compassionately and with understanding.
Related skills include being able to remain calm in stressful situations and being able to provide emotional support when necessary.
#6. Multitasking
Multitasking is an important skill for hospitality workers that involves handling multiple tasks at once while still providing quality customer service. Along with this, it includes prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively. Related skills include staying organized and being able to work efficiently under pressure.
#7. Problem-solving Skills
Problem-solving skills are a must in hospitality because unexpected situations occur all the time. This skill involves identifying problems quickly and being able to find solutions that are both efficient and effective.
It also includes being able to think creatively, think outside the box, and make decisions quickly.
#8. Hazard Awareness
Attention to sanitation is crucial, especially in the current climate. This skill involves being aware of hygiene and cleaning protocols and following them strictly. It also includes maintaining a clean and safe environment for guests and colleagues. Related skills include being able to pay attention to detail and being able to work efficiently.
6 Hard Hospitality Skills
Additionally, there are also hard skills that can be beneficial for certain job roles in the hospitality industry. These skills are often more technical and specialized and can help you excel in your job.
It’s important to note that not everyone in the hospitality industry needs to have each of these skills since they are job-specific. However, by having a combination of both soft and hard skills, you can stand out as a strong candidate to potential employers.
Here are some of the most important skills for the hospitality industry that you should include on your resume and who might need them:
#1. Hospitality Software
Mastering hospitality software is essential for front desk agents, managers, and other administrative roles. It involves using programs such as property management systems, reservation systems, and CRM (customer relationship management systems) to manage guest information and bookings.
Hospitality software can help streamline operations and make it easier to manage guest interactions, which is crucial for providing excellent customer service.
#2. Event Planning
Event planning is an important hard skill for anyone involved in planning and executing events at a hospitality venue. It involves knowing how to coordinate with vendors, create event timelines, and manage budgets.
Event planning is crucial for creating memorable experiences for guests, whether it’s a wedding, conference, or other special event.
#3. Waitering
Waitering is not to be overlooked since it’s essential for servers and other food and beverage staff. It involves providing excellent customer service, taking orders accurately, and serving food and drinks on time.
Waiting can be a high-pressure job, but it’s also one of the most important roles in the hospitality industry, as it directly affects the guest experience.
#4. Hotel Management
Hotel management is an important skill for hotel managers and other hospitality leaders. It includes knowing how to manage staff, oversee operations, and ensure that guests have a positive experience.
Hotel management requires strong leadership skills as well as the ability to multitask and make quick decisions.
#5. Food Preparation
Food preparation skills are for chefs and kitchen staff in general. It involves preparing food safely and efficiently, following recipes, and managing inventory. Food preparation is crucial for making sure that guests have a great dining experience, and it requires attention to detail and a strong work ethic.
#6. Language proficiency
Language proficiency is important for anyone working in hospitality, particularly in areas with a high number of international guests. Speaking multiple languages can provide better customer service and create a more welcoming environment.
Language proficiency can help you communicate better with colleagues and understand cultural differences as well.
Some other technical skills can also be valuable, such as social media management, marketing, and revenue management. By highlighting these hard skills on your resume and during interviews, you can show potential employers that you have what it takes to get the job.
How to Add Hospitality Skills to Your Resume
When applying for a job in the hospitality industry, it’s important to highlight all of your relevant skills and experience to make a strong impression on potential employers.
Here are four important skills and examples of how to add them to your resume:
Soft Skills
Interpersonal skills:
- Summary/Objective: I am seeking a position in the hospitality industry where I can utilize my interpersonal skills to build lasting relationships with guests and colleagues.
- Skills Section: Interpersonal skills—the ability to build strong relationships with guests and colleagues through effective communication and conflict resolution.
- Experience: Collaborated with colleagues to provide exceptional customer service and professionally resolve conflicts, resulting in a 30% increase in positive guest feedback.
Problem-solving skills:
- Summary/Objective: I am seeking a challenging position in the hospitality industry where I can utilize my problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
- Skills section: Problem-solving skills—the ability to identify and resolve issues quickly and efficiently, ensuring guests have a positive experience.
- Experience: Successfully resolved numerous guest complaints by listening to their concerns, offering a solution, and following up to ensure their satisfaction, resulting in a positive review and increased customer loyalty.
Hard Skills
Event Planning:
- Summary/Objective: I am seeking a position in the hospitality industry where I can utilize my expertise in event planning to create memorable experiences for guests.
- Skill Section: Event Planning—experiences in coordinating with vendors, creating event timelines, and managing budgets to ensure successful events.
- Experience: Planned and executed a successful charity event for 250 guests, coordinating with vendors and managing a budget of $8,000 to raise $20,000 for the charity.
Language Proficiency:
- Summary/Objective: I am seeking a position in the hospitality industry where my fluency in multiple languages can provide better customer service and create a more welcoming environment for international guests.
- Skills section: Language proficiency—fluent in English, Spanish, and French, able to communicate effectively with guests from diverse backgrounds.
- Experience: Communicated effectively with international guests, providing recommendations and answering questions in their native language, resulting in a 17% increase in positive guest feedback on Yelp.
How to Improve Your Hospitality Skills
As the hospitality industry continues to grow and evolve, it’s essential to continuously develop your skills to remain competitive in the job market.
Improving your hospitality skills can help you excel in your current role, advance in your career, and provide excellent customer service to guests.
Here are some tips to help you develop and enhance your skills:
- Try different roles. One of the best ways to improve your skills is to take on different roles within the industry. By working in various positions, you can gain a better understanding of how each role contributes to the guest experience. This can help you develop more empathy and problem-solving skills, as well as a more comprehensive view of the industry.
- Get a mentor. Having a mentor in the hospitality industry can provide you with valuable guidance and feedback. Look for someone who has experience in your desired field and is willing to share their expertise with you. A mentor can help you identify areas for improvement, provide you with career advice, and offer support and encouragement as you progress in your career.
- Get feedback from clients. Asking guests for feedback on their experience can help you identify areas where you could improve. This can help you enhance your communication skills and provide better customer service. Whether through formal customer surveys or informal conversations, feedback from guests can provide valuable insights into their needs and preferences.
- Practice. Practicing your hospitality skills can help you develop muscle memory and improve your efficiency. Whether it’s practicing your language skills or setting a table, the more you practice, the better you’ll become. You can practice your skills in various settings, such as through role-playing exercises with colleagues or by volunteering in the community.
- Take courses. There are many online and in-person courses available that can help you develop your skills. Look for courses that focus on communication, problem-solving, and customer service. These can provide you with valuable knowledge and skills you can apply to your job, as well as demonstrate your commitment to professional development to potential employers.
Final Thoughts
The hospitality industry demands a unique set of skills from its employees.
Soft skills like empathy, adaptability, and communication are vital to effectively interacting with guests and colleagues. Hard skills such as event planning, language proficiency, or hotel management will further increase your chances of being hired.
Continuously developing your skills can set you apart from other candidates and signal your commitment to the industry. By improving your skills, you can provide excellent customer service, advance your career, and remain competitive in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.
