Hospitality is an industry that welcomes newcomers. It offers opportunities to learn while working, gain skills through training, and move up the ladder fairly swiftly. However, that doesn’t mean that hospitality jobs lack skill. In fact, hospitality workers and managers are among the most skilled professionals, especially in areas like emotional intelligence and soft skills.
1. Customer service skills
Above all else, the one thing that can make or break you in hospitality is your ability to meet customer expectations. Whether you’re simply serving drinks or running an entire hotel, it’s your job to ensure that your customers are having a great time and that they have nothing to worry about.
Research shows that 93% of customers are inclined to return to establishments that provide outstanding customer service, while 86% agree that good customer service can turn one-time visitors into loyal advocates.
While customer service and communication go hand in hand, delivering exceptional service goes beyond just being friendly and empathetic.
It involves being responsive, actively listening to feedback, and anticipating customer needs proactively. Outstanding customer service means going the extra mile by offering additional assistance or services to enhance their experience, displaying genuine warmth and empathy, and finding solutions to any requests they may have.
2. Teamwork skills
In hospitality, regardless of your role, you’ll always only ever be one cog in a much larger machine. Whether it’s within a particular hotel department, in a busy kitchen or as part of the bar staff, you need to be able to work well with others, especially during busy periods.
A strong and efficient team is characterised by:
- Trust and mutual respect among team members
- Clear understanding of individual roles and responsibilities
- Open and effective communication
- Collaboration based on equality rather than hierarchical power dynamics
- Dedication to a shared mission or goal
To be a valuable team player, it’s essential to respect, listen to, empathise with, and communicate effectively with your colleagues. The key to honing these skills is practice; the more you work in teams, share tasks, and take on responsibilities, the more proficient you’ll become.
3. Organisation and time management skills
In any hospitality role, it’s essential to be able to work efficiently under time pressure. You need to be able to plan ahead, delegate and prioritise tasks and manage your time wisely. If you’re not naturally organised, don’t worry – you can learn and practice these skills. Using helping tools like apps, calendars, and diaries can also improve your organisation, scheduling, task management, and time management.
4. Communication skills
Strong communication skills are highly valued in every industry, but especially so in hospitality and tourism. Both verbal and non-verbal communication skills are vital for hospitality professionals. Being a strong verbal communicator means you can:
- Offer and seek help when needed
- Speak clearly and confidently to colleagues and customers
- Share information with managers in a timely manner
- Listen actively and respond appropriately
- Accept and apply feedback
- Train and guide others
- Provide excellent customer service
Effective non-verbal communication in hospitality involves:
- Understanding and responding to non-verbal signals
- Avoiding negative gestures like eye-rolling
- Maintaining a friendly demeanour through body language and facial expressions
- Adjusting the volume and tone of your voice to suit the situation
Just like other soft skills, communication can be developed through learning and practice.
5. Problem-solving skills and initiative
This is a skill that is highly valued in any industry; in hospitality, though, the ability to think on your feet and solve problems quickly can save yourself a lot of potential hassle.
For example, if a guest complains about their room, you could offer them complimentary drinks in the bar while you wait for another guest to check out. This keeps the customer happy, leaves a good impression of the hotel and saves you the trouble of a potential conflict.
Taking the initiative to solve these problems can be incredibly rewarding. Going above and beyond for a customer not only earns their appreciation but also benefits the business. In fact, a survey of hotel brands found that 96% of consumers value exceptional customer service when it comes to brand loyalty.
6. Foreign languages skills
While not always essential, language skills can greatly enhance your prospects in this field by enabling you to communicate with a broader clientele. This is especially advantageous if you’re aiming for a role in the tourism sector, where multilingual abilities come in handy on a daily basis.
Furthermore, language skills can have long-term career benefits. Speaking your clients’ language allows for a deeper connection, fostering customer satisfaction and loyalty over time.
7. Attention to detail skills
Whether you’re managing a luxury hotel’s rooms division or serving tables in a small restaurant, attention to detail is a must for all hospitality professionals. From spotting a waiting guest to ensuring the availability of cold drinks, being aware of every detail plays a vital role in delivering exceptional service.
The good news is that you can hone your observation skills and develop a keen eye for detail while on the job. Here’s how:
- Challenge yourself with observation tasks, like noticing every customer wearing red
- Keep a checklist handy to remind yourself of everything you need to pay attention to, and review it regularly during your shift
- Practice mindfulness techniques to stay focused and observant in your surroundings, avoiding distractions and capturing every detail in the room
8. Conflict management skills
How well a professional can manage conflict has a huge impact across hospitality businesses. Firstly, resolving conflicts with customers in a manner that leaves them feeling satisfied can significantly influence customer retention rates, especially regarding online reviews. Research shows that 83% of hotel guests are likely to rebook if they receive a “reasonable” response from management to their negative online review.
Secondly, in hospitality, teamwork is crucial for business success. Conflict within teams creates stress for both staff and customers, disrupting business operations. Learning conflict management skills is essential, especially for those aspiring to leadership roles.
By practicing various conflict resolution strategies and engaging in self-development exercise, you can become proficient at resolving conflicts with maturity, maintaining a calm demeanour and setting clear boundaries.
9. Emotional intelligence skills
Emotional intelligence is the foundation that underlies all the other soft skills such as communication, teamwork and listening. It entails the ability to understand and respond to the social and emotional dynamics around you with maturity and self-awareness. People with high emotional intelligence:
- Take ownership of their actions and mistakes
- Approach others with empathy, maturity and curiosity
- Consider the impact of their actions on others without needing to be prompted
- Can be relied upon to fulfil responsibilities and obligations
- Excel in communication and active listening
- Demonstrate effective leadership qualities
Just like other soft skills, emotional intelligence can be cultivated through practice. You can strengthen your emotional maturity by engaging in self-reflection activities, learning about various communication methods and concepts from behavioural psychology, discussing emotional challenges with others, and seeking regular talk therapy.
10. Industry knowledge
In addition to the personal and professional skills discussed earlier, industry knowledge is a crucial aspect to highlight. While it may not be considered a skill in the traditional sense, it’s undeniably essential for anyone aspiring to be a hospitality professional.
Having a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape enables you to chart your career path effectively, whether you’re an employee, restaurant owner or hotel division manager. Familiarising yourself with various hospitality brands and businesses helps you grasp your options and enhances your ability to improve the services, products, or operations of your own hospitality venture. Specifically, it’s beneficial to have insights into:
- Online booking platforms, apps and OTAs relevant to your hospitality business
- Local and international competitors and the range of products and services they offer
- Your own menu, food and beverage, and the sourcing of your produce
- The operational divisions within your own hospitality business
- Your customer base and their preferences
- Emerging trends in hospitality business expansion, such as packaged food items or wellness initiatives
- Employment and training opportunities available in the industry
- The qualifications and training necessary for advancement in hospitality careers