There’s nothing worse than paying for college hospitality courses then after 2-4 years realizing that the hotel business is not as easy as you may have imagined.

Only the strong can survive in this business that sometimes is more concerned about the bottom line than service (that should upset a few people).

Visit my banquet manager blog at So You Want To Be a Banquet Manager

The CEO of Southwest Airlines says it well when he says “You can train for skills but you can’t train for attitude.” The tasks you’ll need to learn to work in hospitality are considerably less complex than brain surgery, and if you’re smart enough to turn on your computer, you’ll master them.

But you won’t be really successful in this business if you aren’t kind and caring, both to your guests and your co-workers.

Yes, some people will talk down to you, make impossible demands, be rude and dirty, and ask you to do things that are demeaning or illegal. That’s the nature of the business. Far more people, though, will be interesting to meet, grateful for your assistance, and delighted if you go the extra mile to make their stay more enjoyable. If you’re the right person for this business, the glow you get from helping the latter will far outshine the funk the former can put you into.

Would everyone who knows you describe you as “a nice person”? Are you kind? Are you caring? Then you’re right for this business and if you work hard and willingly I can assure you of success.

I am an experienced front desk clerk and moving to the area. From what I’ve seen and heard of your location, I can only dream of getting in, but I plan to send you my resume nonetheless.

Cheers to you and your beautiful hotels.

~Adriana Van Leeuwen

I can see what you mean about the Hotel Industry being short of management staff. It certainly explains why I got the GM job.

As you can see from my name I am in the wonderful stage of my adolescence called ‘what are you going to do with your life’. My parents want me to go to medical school. I don’t want to medical school. But I probably will have to go to medical school since I have no idea what else I’ll do for hmm.. 6 years? Well that’s all changed.

I’ve always known I had to knack for to please people and interact with them. I wanted a job that will give me opportunities to use my creative abilities. I want to travel all over the world. I know I am still young and naive but I think this career is the perfect blend of everything I want. You have no idea how good it finally feels to know what you want, and have something to direct and motivate you to achieve it.

So before I write my life story on here I want to thank you so much Mr. Craig for pretty much inspiring me to go for my dreams.

And who knows, maybe one day I’ll work for you at the Opus.

Never say “Bite me.”

Barbara

However its so true about slipping standards for hiring and its effect on service standards. Also more and more work gets passed to the managers. Except now we can’t find managers. Must be time to cut another service, self serve banquets it is, doscount given if you roll your own table away.

Odd question for you on the short staffed economy and junior-middle Managers. Do you think it looks bad to have a couple shorter term jobs in a row (under a year each) if each move showed a new opportunity or does it speak to disloyalty?