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You may have noticed recently when applying for jobs, that there is an emphasis on “soft skills” in many hospitality positions. Obviously, hotels, resorts, and restaurants are in the people business and have always sought out candidates who have strong social skills, but how do you highlight the ones that are most important to make the best impression in your job search?
Hard Skills in Hospitality
By definition, “hard skills” are those you can learn and be taught…and are more easily proven with certifications and diplomas. “Soft skills” are a mix of social, emotional, and communications skills that are not as easily measured and are often acquired through experience. More and more, employers are focused on those people skills that enhance the customer experience.
Hard skills are more dependent on the specific job you are applying for. If you are applying for a job like front desk agent, or sales representative, there will likely be computer programs or systems you will need to learn and understand. If you are applying for a housekeeping or maintenance position, you will need to be knowledgeable about cleaning products and procedures or how to fix electrical problems or plumbing problems. You can find the hard skills you need in the job descriptions and match up which skills you have and which you need to find your fit.
Soft Skills in Hospitality
Of course, you have to have the technical skills needed for the job, but you must also demonstrate your ability to remain calm in a crisis, be a good problem solver, and be an excellent communicator which makes you a great employee. Showing you are able to work well in a team, manage your time efficiently, and take a leadership role when needed are highly valued attributes. Highlighting these skills on your resume shows you understand the importance of balancing both types of skills.
In particular, leadership and teamwork are two of the most important soft skills… and they can be learned. By utilizing coaching and mentoring, experienced colleagues can share what they’ve learned and bring new employees along with more quickly. With hospitality and tourism known for above-average staff turnover, equipping new staff with all the right skills and retaining those employees is vital.
Other soft skills that are worth cultivating include maintaining a positive attitude, having a strong work ethic, being dependable, and developing emotional intelligence (EI). EI relates to recognizing and managing your emotions: being able to accurately assess your own emotions, having the ability to control them, and being able to show empathy to your guests and team members. In hospitality, most positions interact with guests regularly, and your ability to maintain a positive attitude or remain calm can make the difference between solving a guest’s concern quickly or receiving a bad review online.
The Best Soft Skills for Hospitality
Here are some essential “soft skills” for hospitality and tourism professionals to master:
- Customer Service
- Empathy
- Communication
- Positive attitude
- Flexibility
- Listening
- Self-starter
Skill creation and attitude-building are fundamental to your success. You need technical training and competency (“hard skills”) as well as the personal attributes and willingness to provide outstanding customer service (“soft skills”). Hospitality is a dynamic industry with so much potential for advancement and growth. Having a mix of both types of skills is the best way to ensure you’re on the right path.