Unlike many other industries, the lodging industry is still experiencing growth – despite inflation and the higher costs of travel. Hotels continue to build out their teams to account for a slow yet steady increase in demand within the industry.
Prior to submitting an application for an open hotel position, a job seeker needs to learn about a role and the organization in which it operates. It’s important that applicants fully understand the role and its responsibilities to ensure alignment with what they are looking for in a potential opportunity. A lot can be learned from a position’s job description (JD).
Core Features of a Job Description
Job postings and the role descriptions within them vary greatly depending on the organization, role, location, and hiring manager or owner preferences. However, learning what to look for in a job description is key to fully understanding the scope of the opportunity.
Organization Description: Most JDs begin with a brief overview of the company prior to diving into role specifics. That generally includes some information about the organization’s history as well as its mission or core values. For a healthy, ongoing working relationship, there needs to be at least some alignment between those core values and the employees supporting the mission daily.
Job Responsibilities: Following an organizational description, JDs typically cover what’s expected from those in the position. That can be presented in a bulleted list of responsibilities, an overview of success measures for the role, and a description of a typical shift – often a combination of a few of these in order to provide a comprehensive description for potential applicants.
Required/Preferred Qualifications: In the hotel industry and the jobs within it, the bulk of many roles can be learned during an initial onboarding and training process. However, employers often look for certain skill sets or experience when evaluating applicants. A strong job description should contain specific requirements or preferred qualifications so potential applicants can assess whether they bring those as strong candidates.
Compensation/Comp Structure: Job applicants value transparency, so most hotels publish a role’s compensation on the job description. Some positions might include an annual salary, but most hotel roles utilize an hourly compensation structure. Full-time positions often come with benefits beyond core compensation. Those benefits include paid time off (PTO) and insurance (medical, dental, vision) and are included in the JD as well.
Application Instructions: When job seekers determine a role is aligned with their needs, they must know how to pursue the opportunity. A job description details how interested applicants can submit their candidacy. For online postings, this generally involves submitting a resume via email and/or completing an interest form that goes directly to the hiring team. Some hotel employers might also require a cover letter.
Utilizing a Job Description as an Applicant in the Hiring Process
An effective job description doesn’t only provide employment seekers with a strong understanding of the positions and their requirements. Additionally, it can be used as a tool by applicants throughout the hiring process. Many important skills like communication and organization can be showcased at the various stages of applying and interviewing for a role. Stand out from other candidates by ensuring you demonstrate what they need in an employee.
Most job offers come only after an interview with either someone within human resources (HR) or the hiring manager for the position – sometimes both. During an interview, much of the focus is put on the candidate being interviewed. However, most interviewers also allow candidates to ask questions about the opportunity as well. Heading into an interview having thoroughly reviewed the JD means a candidate can ask relevant questions or for further clarification around any parts of the job that may seem ambiguous. Hiring managers appreciate applicants who take the initiative to do so as it is a sign of proactiveness that will likely transfer to the workplace.
Finding Job Opportunities in the Hotel Industry
Equipped with a basic understanding of how to read a hotel job posting, there are many channels in which eager applicants can access and apply to opportunities. Some hotels rely on word of mouth or social media to advertise their open positions. Others utilize staffing agencies to fill positions – this is especially useful for hotels without a fully developed in-house talent team.
We’ve instead created (and continue to regularly update) a database of opportunities within our organization that includes all positions nationwide and is easily filtered to only show positions in a certain geographic area or on a certain hotel departmental team. Job descriptions within that database follow the general outline described above, providing potential applicants with a well-rounded understanding of each position and what it entails.
Considering a shift to hospitality from another industry? With ample entry-level opportunities and training programs available for industry newcomers, beginning a career with the Westmont Hospitality Group (WHG) means access to the foundational knowledge needed to thrive while working in hotels. We strive to create both a job applicant and new employee experience that is engaging and empowering. We’ve learned that doing so leads to an incredible guest experience as well. For any questions regarding job descriptions/roles within our database or to discuss a potential career with WHG, we encourage interested applicants to reach out to our HR team today!