Often, job seekers are conditioned by an abundance of resources on how to ace a job interview. However, it is often a few simple mistakes made during the interview process that signal to hiring managers not to make an offer. Avoiding these common interviewing pitfalls greatly increases a candidate’s chances of securing a job in hospitality.

Don’t Arrive Unprepared

True in any industry, arriving to a job interview unprepared shows potential employers a lack of effort that will likely translate into the same if given the position. What does preparedness look like for those seeking a job in hospitality? Arriving on time (if not early) and dressing appropriately for the role is a great starting point.  

Adequately preparing for an interview also involves educating oneself about the role interviewing for as well as the organization offering the position. This translates to carefully reading over the job description multiple times and taking notes about any unclarities or questions to ask during the interview. 

Arriving prepared also means bringing with you anything an employer might need during an interview. At that point, they likely have a resume or job application from you, but bringing hard copies of these documents is a great addition and provides you something to reference should any interview questions stump you. Bringing a list of references (personal and professional) is another great idea. Most potential employers conduct reference checks at some point in the hiring process, so having these readily available saves them time and effort asking for them down the road.

Don’t Embellish your Experience or Skills

It’s easy to want to meet every qualification on a job description to make yourself desirable to an employer. During an interview (and when creating a resume), focus on the aspects of the role you have experience or skills that make you uniquely qualified. If there are areas an employer is looking for expertise or experience that you don’t possess, acknowledging that in an interview along with a desire to acquire those can actually work to your advantage. The right employer will appreciate that desire and want to support that growth.

Don’t, however, pretend to have experience or knowledge where you do not. If the truth doesn’t come out in any reference checks a hiring manager might complete before an offer, it likely will shortly after you step into the role unprepared. Beginning a working relationship based on anything but the truth leads to trust issues and a lack of mutual respect between employers and their employees.

Don’t Make Negative Comments About Previous or Current Employers

Many of those looking for new hotel jobs are either in existing roles with another hospitality employer or have worked within the industry in the past. If an interview inquires about reasons for leaving, keep the explanation professional – avoiding any negative talk about these employers or the management teams within them. That isn’t to say an applicant needs to lie about a negative experience. Just word those remarks carefully so as to not attack and focus more on what you are looking for in your next role that may have been missing in previous ones.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up

Sending a thank you note in the mail was long the tradition for enthusiastic jobseekers. While doing so now is a little too formal for hospitality roles, a follow-up email goes a long way with hiring managers. After interviewing (later that day or week), send a quick message, thanking the interviewer for their time and reinforcing your enthusiasm for the position and working for the organization as a whole. Offer up the opportunity for them to reach out should they have any questions or concerns in reviewing your candidacy. This note doesn’t need to be lengthy. In fact, it’s best to keep it fairly brief with respect to the interviewer’s busy schedule. However, like a resume, ensure the note is error-free and contains multiple options for communication if needed (phone number, email address, etc.).

Is it ok to follow up with an employer if you haven’t heard back? Absolutely – just don’t make it an everyday effort. After an initial thank you message, wait a week or two before sending a follow-up. It often takes hiring managers more than a week to meet with candidates and make a hiring decision. They are likely juggling that responsibility with managing a current team and keeping the hotel running smoothly.

Securing your Next Hotel Job Interview

Obviously, acing a job interview isn’t possible without first securing that interview, and that begins with a hospitality job search. Job hunting can be exhausting and frustrating, especially with the overwhelming number of places to find potential roles and the different hiring processes for each one. We strive to make it simple for prospective employees, so we’ve created a comprehensive database of current opportunities within your organization, including entry-level and management positions at many of our nationwide locations.

Within that database, potential applicants can filter opportunities by location, job type, and department – avoiding wasted time sifting through jobs that aren’t a fit. The application process is just as simple and takes just minutes to complete. From there, avoid the pitfalls mentioned above and follow these interview tips to ensure a successful interview experience. Opportunities await, and it is up to you now to take a step forward in your career. Check out the current hotel roles in your area and join the employer that hotel employees want to work for!