Is a hotel career good for Introverts? I can genuinely say: “Yes, it is!” Not only is it an excellent environment for Introverts, but it is an environment in which some might even be able to develop their skills and excel in their natural talents.
Frequently, these individuals end up in leadership positions they had never considered for themselves. I was such a person:
In June of 1972 – I had just turned 16 – I decided to leave my home and find work on a ship. It had been my childhood dream. I had many troubles at home and in school. I was shy, not blessed with many friends, and an outsider in school, and my head was filled with phantasies and dreams to see the world, live and work in faraway places, and visit exotic islands.
So, one Tuesday afternoon, I left my parent’s house. (Of course, without their approval), I slipped the key under the doormat and just left. My goal was simple: Get on a ship, work as a ship’s boy, advance to Captain and see the world.
I had 20 Deutsch Mark in my pockets, a backpack, a sleeping bag, and my passport. I could travel 100 miles by bus and hitchhiking on the first day. I used to sleep behind bushes near the street and traveled/ hitchhiked by day on trucks, tractors, and regular cars. I realized quickly that I had to get on “my ship.” I needed money and supplies. The ones I had would last only a few more days. Going back was no option for me.
After four days on the road, I reached the island of Fehmarn, in Germany’s north, and the port of Puttgarden. It turned out that for me to get on a ship, I needed my parent’s permission. I had no choice but to find different work. I ended up in a large hotel resort on South Beach where they were looking for waitpersons, bartenders, dishwashers, and so on.
The season had just started. I met the personal manager – recruitment in those days- was simple and quick and not the time-consuming process of CV – tests – interrogation (today its called an interview), and waiting for a reply. This was paradise if compared to today. I was hired on the spot and was to start at 11 AM.
After sleeping one night on the beach, I met the personal manager again; he introduced me to the F&B Manager, who then introduced me to the Executive Chef and asked me to report at 3 PM for the afternoon shift. Then I was given a room key – and some basic supplies and I established myself in the room, a lovely studio. I could not believe how suddenly my life was changing.
(Halleluja – I even had my room). I showed up to work 1 hour earlier. I was hungry, impatient, and could not wait to perform. The job was easy, and all I had to do was place plates, cups, saucers, and cutlery into a large dishwasher, and someone else at the end would take it all out.
I learned the system quickly, and within two days, I could perform all the processes myself without help. I found myself at the lowest social level of the kitchen hierarchy with a dictatorial and screaming Executive Chef ( this was the 1970s) and neverending shouts and conversation between cooks, waitpeople, and us, the dishwashers.
Within a week, I was an entirely accepted part of the team. Even though I was shy and quiet, I had established myself fast, was quite acceptable, and began exploring my future life. I quickly gained some essential self-confidence within this pretty rough group.
I was fascinated not only by the sheer size and volume of the hotel but also by the many people working there, different nationalities from all over the world, all working hand in hand to provide services to the guests. Even though I was “only” a dishwasher, I loved it! Eager to learn and also to make more money. If you have seen the movie “Coming to America” with Eddie Murphy working at the Mcdowells restaurant, taking pride in even sweeping the floor – that was me. No matter how messy the work was – and it was messy – especially breakfast and dinner, I took an enormous amount of pride in everything I did. No matter what.
I worked overtime in different departments and restaurants, and after three weeks, the F&B Manager asked me if I could work as Barboy in the “fancy” Nightclub. My attitude had made some impression. He did not have to wait for a reply. My eyes gave him the answer.
These events changed my life forever, and my fascination and love for the hotel industry never stopped and took me around the world for years to come. To “Far Away” destinations, grand cities and exotic places, desserts, and jungles.
I have never paid much attention to the subject of “An Introvert in hospitality,” – but I get this question asked frequently. Looking back at 45 years of work in the hotel business, I can genuinely say there are not only lots of opportunities for introverts in this industry but also the industry has the power to change introverts’ perceptions of the world around them. The “purpose-based” interaction will help every Introvert – without realizing it – how to deal with all kinds of people in all varieties of situations and face the world head-on.
Possibly – and down the line – you might not even consider yourself an Introvert any longer. You still are, but being either intro or extrovert will matter no more for you. You do not have to make choices, just as long you like the work environment. If you are an office person and want to work on a desk with a PC, Human Resources, Accounting, Training, Purchasing, and many of their essential clerical functions are waiting to be filled.
If you like to organize, supervise, and be involved with rooms, Housekeeping or Front Office work is for You. The hotel business is a people business; first, the objective is to make a living. And even if you choose to work in an office job, you will still enjoy the many interactions with people from all walks of life. No matter your role and department, you will become part of a larger team that works together to serve guests and customers.
I am mentoring 32 young hoteliers and ten managers in advanced positions from different countries. Believe it or not, 32 consider themselves introverts, and all are happy to work in the hotel industry. Of course, like in any job, there are ups and downs, but a hotel environment alone is a blessing compared to office tower jobs, factories, or online jobs, which are now evolving more and more.
So let me sum it up for You one more time: A career in the hotel industry can be a good fit for introverts, as there are a variety of roles that sometimes don’t require constant interaction with others. Some examples include:
Front Desk positions involve checking guests in and out of the hotel, answering phone calls, and handling reservations. While there is some interaction with guests, it is usually brief and focused on specific tasks. There is a natural and systematic career progression leading up to the rooms division manager or director position.
Housekeeping: Housekeepers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining guest rooms, often allowing for a more independent and solitary work experience. Here as well, there is a natural progression taking place. I have seen a lot of Executive Housekeepers becoming General Managers.
Maintenance: The maintenance team is responsible for the upkeep and repair of the hotel’s physical structure and equipment, which can be a good fit for introverts who prefer to work alone and has technical abilities or study. The Chief Engineer in a hotel can consider himself very lucky, as there are no up–down pressures. Hotel people are usually not the best technicians. So if you like the environment of a hotel, as Chief Engineer or his assistant you will enjoy the work, I am sure.
Accounts or IT: These roles involve working behind the scenes, with minimal interaction with guests or other employees. Again, here too, there are many upward opportunities and options.
Food and Beverage department: restaurants, In-room dining, kitchen, and the catering department. The interaction between which college and customers. The environment is fast-paced, and interactions with other people are much more frequent. But even if you are an introvert, you might enjoy the pace and the daily change of routines very much.
This interaction will not be a challenge for most introverts; instead, they will see it as a welcome opportunity to interact with others on a primarily job-based platform. And the best is that no matter what kind of position you choose for your career, they all will lead you to at least a Department Head position, if not a General Manager position, if you want and put in the work. Continued education is a large part of it, but this comes at no cost and regularly in good companies.
It is entirely up to You and what you have chosen as your career goal. Consider your personality and comfort level, and planning your career is essential. The one thing I cannot repeat again and again. There is no limit to what you can achieve if you start a plan and choose a true career objective. Take hoteliers like Horst Schulze, Franz Zeller, Raymond Bickson, Felix Gieber, Christoph Hoeflich, Nada Sheshtawy, Marc Dardenne, and many others. They all started small, and I know firsthand that they never thought about what they would achieve one day.
If I can help you, book your free career call on my website, and I will call you back via Zoom or Whatsapp. My job is to help you advance your career and make the right decisions.
Have a great 2023!
Helmut