In order to stand out from the pack, prospective employees must highlight the skills that employers think of as most in demand. As a prospective employee, make sure you are doing your best to highlight what employers want to see on your resume and cover letter. Here is a list of the top five skills that employers want to see and tips for making sure these skills stand out on your application materials.
1. Building Connections
Success in hospitality jobs depends a great deal on a person’s ability to make positive connections with clients, guests, vendors, and other employees. After all, the industry is all about comfort and service.
To let employers know that you are great at making connections, use keywords like relationship building, vendor management, client management, guest relations, and collaboration in your job descriptions.
Highlight accomplishments that demonstrate how you were able to have positive communications by developing relationships that lasted.
2. Multitasking
At all levels, careers in hospitality require employees to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Employers want to know you can handle the fast-paced, varied workload. Be sure to highlight these skills with keywords like organizational skills, proven time management expertise, and phrases that highlight your ability to adapt quickly to guests’ needs and manage simultaneous projects.
3. Attention to Detail
As a prospective hospitality candidate, use your resume and cover letter to highlight specific instances where your attention to detail shone through. Phrases like: exceeding guests’ expectations and ability to focus on crucial guest details will highlight this ability for potential employers and show them you have gone the extra mile for previous employers—and are ready to do it again for them.
4. Technical and Language Skills
Computer skills and language skills are two areas of technical expertise that can help you stand out from the pack. Be sure to highlight any technical expertise on your resume.
Definitely take the opportunity to mention specific programs that you are particularly adept at or special training that you have received at past jobs. For languages, accurately represent your abilities and indicate whether your skill with the language is basic, conversational, or fluent.
5. Flexibility
Hospitality can require long hours, covering shifts, or helping in another department. Keywords like: adaptable, versatile, and resourceful will let employers know that you are enthusiastic about the unique opportunities that hospitality careers present and flexible in how you will respond to their company’s needs. It is also very important to provide key examples to demonstrate your flexibility.