When you look at the definition of an intern, it’s something like: a person who works for a company or organisation without pay. They work in a similar way as an apprentice, but are usually given college credit for their period of employment. Hospitality is one of those industries that interns want to get into, however they don’t know where to start and what they should be doing to land the internship of their dreams! Uncovering how to get your foot in the house door and creating a positive impression from the start is essential.
You have a lot of questions about your first hospitality internship. Do you want to know what to expect? What are the best things you can do to make your internship a success?
1. Do your research
Before you start looking for an internship, do some research. Find out what other people in the industry are doing, and how they’re doing it. Read what they have to say about their experiences: blogs, Facebook groups and even Twitter can be great resources here. Also read the news stories about hospitality, so you can get an idea of what’s going on in the world of hotels, restaurants and bars.
2. Ask Questions
When you find something interesting, ask questions! There are lots of ways that you can ask questions: phone calls, emails and even face-to-face meetings if you live close enough to someone who works in hospitality (or if they’re willing to travel). The important thing is that everyone has something to learn from each other’s experiences — both good and bad — so try asking your questions as honestly as possible without making them feel uncomfortable or offended by them.
3. Find the right hospitality internship for you
If you’re looking for a hospitality internship, there are many different options to choose from. The first step is finding an internship that matches your interests and goals. For example, if you want to work with restaurants or hotels, then consider an entry-level position as a server or bartender. If you want something more specialised like event planning or marketing management, then look for an internship with companies like event planners or travel agencies.
Once you know what types of experiences interest you most, find out which companies offer those types of internships and apply! While it may seem like there aren’t enough jobs available for everyone who wants one, keep in mind that many companies need interns just as much as they need permanent employees. Even if they don’t have any openings right now, they may have something available in the future (or they may be able to refer you to someone else who does).
4. You need to be tech-savvy
Hospitality is a dynamic industry that requires you to be tech-savvy. Your job may involve working with computers, mobile phones and tablets. You may have to use applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint in your daily work. For example, if you’re working in a hotel front desk, you’re likely going to use these applications to communicate with customers.
You will also need to know how to work with various computer programs. These are software systems used by companies in the travel industry for managing airline tickets and hotel reservations.
You should also know how to use social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for marketing purposes or customer service issues.
5. You need to like to work with people
You need to like to work with people. Hospitality is a people business. You will be working in a service-oriented industry where the customer is king. You need to enjoy talking, listening, and engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds. If you’re shy or introverted, this may not be the right career path for you.
You need to be adaptable. The hospitality industry is constantly evolving, so it’s important that you are able to adapt to changes in your work environment. This means staying up-to-date on new technologies, trends, and best practices in hospitality management.
You need a willingness to learn new things every day. Hospitality is constantly changing as technology advances and consumer tastes change. You’ll need an open mind and an eagerness to learn how these changes will impact your work environment so that you can continue providing excellent customer service while staying relevant in your field.
6. Be ready for a lot of hard work and long days
Be ready for a lot of hard work and long days. Hospitality professionals are often required to work extremely long hours, sometimes with little time off for rest. While this may not be ideal for everyone, it is a reality that interns must face if they want to become successful in this field.
Learn how to multitask. A major part of being a good hospitality professional is being able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously without getting distracted or giving up on any part of your job. This includes taking phone calls while checking guests out at the front desk, updating reservations while filling up coffee mugs and keeping track of inventory while restocking rooms.
7. It’s all about the details
Being in the hospitality industry means being in the service industry. Your job will be to provide excellent service to your customers (and sometimes your coworkers too). You’ll need to be able to multitask and prioritise tasks, because every second counts when it comes to customer satisfaction. You’ll also need to be able to multi-task and prioritise tasks, because every second counts when it comes to customer satisfaction. You’ll need patience and flexibility while dealing with difficult customers or colleagues.
8. Have a good attitude, even when it’s busy
The hospitality industry is a service-oriented industry, and it can be very stressful at times. When you’re working in a restaurant or hotel, it’s important to maintain a good attitude.
If you’re an intern, you’ll likely be assigned the more menial tasks, such as setting up chairs and tables, cleaning floors and bathrooms, taking out the garbage and other similar tasks. It’s important not to complain about this kind of work. While it may seem like grunt work now, these activities are important for learning how things work in the hospitality industry.
You should also learn how to deal with difficult customers if you will be working in a restaurant or bar setting. If someone gets angry at you because they didn’t get their order right or they think they should get something free because they’re a regular customer, don’t take it personally! You’ll learn how to deal with difficult customers over time through trial and error — but keep in mind that no matter what happens on any given day, try to remain pleasant and professional at all times so that people will want to come back again!
9. Be open to learning from your internship manager and other employees
Hospitality is a collaborative field, so having an open mind will help you develop connections with other people in the industry. Your internship is a chance for you to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at hotels and restaurants, which means that you’ll have access to valuable information about how things work in this industry. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity by getting involved with projects, asking questions about what others are doing, and getting hands-on experience wherever possible.
Conclusion
Working in the hospitality industry can be very rewarding, but it requires dedication and enthusiasm for the field. Many hospitality companies have internships that offer paid work experience, which is a great way for young people to gain a foothold in the industry. It’s important for an intern to make the most out of the opportunity, whether it’s learning about the field or providing help to others. They should also be aware of what they can and should expect from their internship experience.