Interviews are stressful in any industry, but when you are looking for jobs in hotel management, you have to demonstrate your ability to wear the many hats required to meet the demands of the job. You must present yourself professionally, be outgoing and engaging and show how well you handle stress. These are the essentials to acing your next hotel management job interview:
Be on Time
Dress Well
Do Your Research
Prepare Prepare Prepare
Ask Questions
Be On Time
It may seem like a painfully obvious point to make, but it is one of the most important ones. Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control, so if you are running late or need to reschedule, let your interviewer and recruiter know immediately! Hotel hiring managers, especially at smaller properties, are usually also running the daily operations. Showing up on time shows that you respect that they have squeezed your interview into their already hectic day.
Dress Well
You usually don’t need the full suit and briefcase of the corporate world, but what you wear should be a step up from the standard hotel staff dress code. Think dark pants, a white shirt, maybe a blazer and sensible shoes. Above all, your clothes (and you) should be clean and groomed, showing an attention to detail that all hotel management roles require.
Do Your Research
The scope of roles and skills needed in hotel management varies wildly across the hotel industry. Don’t wait for the interviewer to fill you in on the property or company. Research the property size, service level, company history, and local area to inform which skills and experiences to highlight. Book a night at the property, or at least explore the lobby to get an idea of the property’s strengths and weaknesses.
Prepare Prepare Prepare
Take honest stock of your professional strengths and weaknesses as well. You will want to provide thoughtful answers to some common interview questions like these:
What is your management style?
How do you handle confrontation?
What qualities make you a good manager?
Why do you want to work at this hotel?
What makes you the best candidate?
What do you like least/most about managing a hotel team?
Be prepared with specific examples that emphasize your work ethic, showcase your supervisory skills, and demonstrate that you are a problem solver. The interviewer will want to know that you understand the business/budget side of things as well as being able to motivate difficult employees and appease unhappy guests.
Ask Questions
Wrap up by asking for details regarding what is expected of their hotel managers, what they are looking for in an ideal candidate, and of course, what the next steps will look like. Once you have demonstrated your experience, professionalism, and enthusiasm, how can they resist moving forward with you?
Partner with a Hotel Recruiter
When you are on the hunt for the next step in your hotel management career, it’s helpful to have someone on your side. An experienced hotel recruiter, like the ones at Horizon Hospitality, can help answer questions, give feedback, and provide resources you won’t find on your own.
Browse through all of our current opportunities in the hotel industry or submit your resume to be considered for future hotel clients through our Job Board.
Find even more resources for your hospitality job search on our Career Services page.
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