Types Of Hospitality Jobs
Hospitality jobs are available at various levels, ranging from entry-level jobs to junior management and senior management positions.
Here are a few examples of the different types of jobs that are available in the hospitality industry:
- Catering Assistant
- Restaurant Manager
- Executive Chef
- Hotel Receptionist
- Hotel Manager
To find out more about what each of these positions entails, have a look at the detailed descriptions below:
Catering Assistant
The purpose of this role is to provide general assistance to the catering manager. The catering assistant will be required to assist with performing administrative tasks, preparing and serving food, and communicating with guests.
Typical employers:
Catering companies, events planning companies, restaurants and cafeterias, schools, universities and hospitals
Main duties/responsibilities:
- Maintaining food safety and hygiene standards
- Assisting with food preparation
- Serving food to guests
- Cleaning
- Assisting with financial recordkeeping
- Assisting with administrative tasks as required
Qualifications and Experience:
Formal qualifications are not required. However, a basic certificate in nutrition, catering, or food safety management will count in your favour when applying for a job.
The level of experience required will differ from one job to another. An entry-level job in this field will usually require little to no experience, and will allow you to learn on the job.
Skills required:
- Communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Ability to work under pressure
Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager is responsible for making sure that a restaurant is run profitably, efficiently, and in compliance will all the relevant health and safety regulations. He or she is also responsible for ensuring guest/customer satisfaction.
Typical employers:
Restaurants, cafés and coffee shops
Main duties/responsibilities:
- Hiring and supervising restaurant staff
- Managing the restaurant’s budget
- Maintaining stock levels and ordering supplies as required
- Attracting guests/customers to the restaurant
- Monitoring the quality of the service and food provided by the restaurant
- Resolving customer complaints
- Ensuring that high standards of hygiene, health and safety are maintained
Qualifications and Experience:
While formal qualifications are not required, many employers look for candidates who have completed courses in restaurant management, catering management, food and beverage management, or general hospitality management.
Experience is essential for this position. The level of experience required will depend on the size and structure of the establishment, as well as on your qualifications and training.
Skills required:
- Communication skills
- Numerical skills
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Organisational skills
- Problem solving skills
- Strong focus on customer service
- Attention to detail
Executive Chef
An executive chef manages the kitchen. He or she is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the quality of all dishes that leave the kitchen, creating menus and inventing new dishes, and supervising the kitchen staff. Except in small establishments, an executive chef will generally spend more time on administrative and managerial tasks than on food preparation.
Typical employers:
Restaurants, cafés, coffee shops and catering companies
Main duties/responsibilities:
- Planning menus in consultation with the restaurant or catering manager.
- Delegating tasks to kitchen staff.
- Ensuring that food supplies are ordered on time.
- Ensuring that food is prepared in accordance with the relevant food safety standards.
- Ensuring that food is prepared on time.
- Monitoring the quality and portion size of all dishes prepared in the kitchen.
Qualifications and Experience:
There are no fixed educational requirements for becoming an executive chef. While it may be possible to work your way up to this position through on-the-job training and practical experience, it is recommended that you study towards a relevant qualification, such as a restaurant management certificate, hospitality management certificate, culinary arts degree, or hospitality management qualification.
Because the executive chef is the most senior person in the kitchen, he or she is often required to have a minimum of 5 – 8 years of relevant experience.
Skills required:
- Cooking skills
- Menu planning skills
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Time management skills
- Attention to detail
Hotel Receptionist
The hotel receptionist is responsible for most of the interaction with guests in a hotel. He or she is often regarded as the “face” of the hotel, and is therefore required to deliver exceptional customer service.
Typical employers:
Hotels, guest houses, holiday resorts and guest lodges
Main duties/responsibilities:
- Greeting guests upon arrival.
- Assisting guests with checking in and checking out.
- Answering the telephone.
- Responding to queries and complaints from guests.
- Advising guests as to the services that are available in and around the hotel.
- Performing other administrative tasks as required.
Qualifications and Experience:
In many cases, only a Matric or equivalent certificate is required. However, a qualification in office administration or hospitality will make it easier for you to find a job, and may increase your earning potential, as well as your opportunities for career growth.
In larger and/or more exclusive establishments, formal qualifications may be required, along with relevant experience.
Skills required:
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Computer skills
- Problem solving skills
- Good telephone manner
- Customer service orientation
- Attention to detail
- Well-groomed personal appearance
Hotel Manager
The hotel manager oversees the daily operations in a hotel, and contributes to strategic planning in a hotel environment. He or she usually performs a wide range of activities that are aimed at maintaining high levels of guest satisfaction, while making sure that the hotel remains profitable.
Typical employers:
Hotels, guest houses, holiday resorts and guest lodges
Main duties/responsibilities:
- Ensuring a warm, welcoming environment for guests
- Hiring, training and supervising hotel staff
- Managing hotel budgets
- Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations
- Overseeing housekeeping and general maintenance
- Addressing complaints from guests
Qualifications and Experience:
While formal qualifications are not required, many employers look for candidates who have completed relevant courses in hotel or hospitality management. Experience is essential for this position. The level of experience required will depend on the size and structure of the establishment, as well as on your qualifications and training.
Many hotel managers start out as junior hotel employees, and work their way up from there. In many cases, they study towards hospitality management qualifications on a part-time basis to increase their chances of being promoted to a more senior position.
Skills required:
- Communication skills
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Organisational skills
- Problem solving skills
- Strategic thinking skills
- Numerical skills
These are only a few examples from an extensive list of jobs that exist within the hospitality industry. Other options that you can explore include:
- Barista
- Bartender
- Concierge
- Cook
- Cruise Ship Attendant
- Flight Attendant
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Front of House Manager
- Guest Relations Manager
- Reservationist
- Sous Chef
- Spa Manager
- Theme Park Manager
- Waiter