Hospitality?
The biggest industry that serves and proves the best customer service in the world!
Would you agree if I defined so? My comparison is valid enough based on my experience with most businesses. HubSpot agrees because the hospitality industry considers customers, or specifically “guests,” as everything. ‘Hospitality’ originates from the Latin word ‘hospes’, meaning visitor or stranger. The sector takes every measure to develop and improve standards to ensure customer satisfaction during every interaction, starting from the first touchpoint.
Nevertheless, I’m not going to compare the industries here, but I will tell my own story of how I started as a fresher in the hospitality industry and what values it has on freshers. So, I started my journey in hospitality at the age of twenty. I just dropped out of college, having the basics in hospitality, and entered the job searching phase. For an individual with diverse ambitions to have no particular career interest, research is one of the best things that help — lots and lots of research.
Although I had a slight impact from my family background, it had no intervention for my choice. Honestly. I read many materials on leading industries, the best industries, the happiest jobs, etc. Well, yes, how career-focused I was back then too. It was then the hospitality industry popped into the limelight.
Unexpectedly, I develop an interest in it, learning there is more depth to it than just strangers visiting hotels or any hospitality establishment. I felt it was the only industry that would provide me a beneficial exposure to new people and learn about cultures, one that would extract my potential and make me more extroverted. I joined my first workplace as a fresher, being rejected in another travel firm’s first interview. And I’m honestly glad it refused before I would deny it because I had no interest in the people and culture there.
Thus, I sent an email along with my resume to the hotel management of one of the leading hotels in the country, and my area. To my surprise, I received a call from the HR manager after a few days for an interview. I had no personal references at that present moment, but I had a pleasant first impression, a cordial welcome leaving me relieved and satisfied. I applied. I passed. I joined. I started my career. I remember during the interview, my general manager asked why did I chose hospitality. And I simply said, ‘because it looks fun and interesting’. He did warned me it won’t be fun all the time, and it is tough. It is, and I’m thankful I surpassed it.
I recommend an indecisive fresher start their career in hospitality because it sustains another strong foundation by setting a stepping stone to enter society. However, it is not easy, and it is never easy. Every day is challenging because we deal with our own kind daily — people! And you know how challenging that can be. You will be in a world full of varying people with one expectation — satisfaction! And for some competition. Albeit, we must understand at the end of the day, the winner is ‘teamwork’.
Moreover, you deal with various teams from many departments. Hence, proper communication and understanding are utterly significant.
Some might have this vivid imagination that working in hospitality is super fun, or some might have false notions of traditionalism that there is no respect for it. It falls explicitly upon females. Well, there is no time to lollygag, as in every career. Regardless of whichever gender works in hospitality, it is a respectful career with much potential.
It teaches us to treat people equally regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender, etc. It is a career that accepts people as people and embraces them to ensure they remain happy and secure. There may be diverse personas both working and being served. One can expect a vast diversity working in the hospitality sector, and it is a beautiful experience to learn about different cultures, languages, and standards.
Whichever it is, we must be responsible and self-respectful brand ambassadors to deliver our service the right way.
The perks sound like a rewarding career but expect a lot to tackle. Experts know it all, but as freshers, hospitality teaches you how to deliver outstanding service; however, you can only sometimes expect the same from others. A career in hospitality teaches us patience, tolerance, kindness, and courage. Sometimes we have to take charge by calling our inner leader out. Sometimes we feel we are left behind, tired of standing or sitting for long hours, hectic with pressure, and making autonomous decisions; nevertheless, each experience only strengthens us.
Once you nail it, it helps you wear your confidence. And that’s how I resolved it resiliently as a fresher for almost four years in the only five-star categorized hotel in my area. It is why I love this career and feel blessed to choose this industry as my first.
Hospitality is one of the best industries that gives you a sense of home away from home; with strangers, you ensure to make them feel welcome. Would you feel the same? Yes! It might be challenging, but that challenge strengthens your persona. I’m happy that I commenced my career in an industry with immense growth that innovates daily with new technologies and creativity.
Would I recommend freshers to enter hospitality? Obviously, yes. It will help your journey of growth, be it career or personal. If it is your passion, you will prosper, having passed the hurdles, and even if it is not, the experience will add essence to your career profile. Build your own brand! Most importantly, the best thing is I learned what genuine customer service is, which will benefit me throughout whichever career path I take. Plus, I have made fantabulous connections for a lifetime!
