There are 7 simple strategies You can apply in order to get promoted quickly, even without a hotel school degree. There are countless success stories on almost every continent about entry level workers and hourly employees who have moved up the career ladder. A report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association revealed that there are plenty of success stories throughout the hotel industry. Many General Managers, Senior Executives, Executive Chefs and CEOs began their careers as dishwashers, waiters, hosts or hostesses and front office associates and were swiftly promoted up the ranks, often to replace a supervisor who got equally promoted or transferred. They all applied the same strategies I am showing you here. Due to the high demand for young and motivated hoteliers the chances to be promoted quicker and easier are much better today than they were just 10 years ago. Of course superior performance is by default the biggest criteria; but not the only one. Due to high turn over in many companies, the 2 year pandemic and of course the departure of the last baby boomers, many new career opportunities exist today worldwide and if you are now in the early stages of your journey, you should try to profit from it. No matter which position you are presently holding, I like to provide seven simple strategies, which will help you to speed up your career growth now and in the future at any level.
Here are my seven top tips to accelerate your career development:
TIP 1 : Select the company which is right for you.
Depending on your ultimate career goal You are well advised to select a company, where upward mobility, company sponsored training, employee satisfaction and a good company image is standard. This is the case with the large global players like Hilton Hotels, Marriott, IHG, Taj Hotels and of course Accor and Hyatt Hotels. These global companies own so many sub-brands, that chances to find a job within these companies are high if You fulfil their basic requirements. It is important, that You choose the company also based on your future career goal and aspirations. Research has shown, that an overwhelming share of salaried employees stay with these companies for over 4 years and even longer. In the early stages of your career you will built the foundation and your image for future accomplishments, recognition and career growth.
Study the top international brands , read their vision and mission statements, their philosophy and culture. You will find elements in all which You like and others which you do not like. If you do not have the short term luxury of choice because you are in need of a job, then of course you know what to do. But the time will come sooner than later, when you have the choice and then choose for the long term. Choose to be with a company whose vision, mission and corporate culture resonate with you. Do not just count the stars, evaluate each company based on what they can do for you in the long run. I know – and they know too – you will do the best you can do, once onboard.
TIP 2: Stand out
You can do this through outstanding performance. During the early stages you might not be able to stand out through special or improved skills however if you understand your job description well and know what your superior is looking for you should give the best you can do. Important is, that your definition of good performance is aligned with that of your superior. Even the best written job description is has some built in flexibilities. Make sure to know what is expected from you. Furthermore – and this is equally important – make yourself available to work overtime, cover for a colleague, take over a different shift or offer to help out in another related area or department. You will not only learn faster but also be accepted and welcomed as someone who can be relied on. Someone who might save the day, one day.
If you can accept the old fashioned concept of going the extra mile, getting along with your fellow colleagues and working long and inconvenient hours you have already a few of the necessary ingredients. A very important cornerstone is, that you accept and learn from your superiors what is not always easy. You should keep one thing in mind here. There are superiors who will test you and your ability to deal with discomfort and challenges at the workplace. Some will coach you and some will give you a one time chance. It will take some time for every young hotelier to differentiate between being put to the test or being taken advantage of. I am sure you will make the best out of it and learn from these realities, which exist in any industry all over the globe. I myself have had some challenging “bosses”. Looking back today, I have to admit, that I learned more from these bosses as compared to many academics who had a degree but never had to cut onions or cleaned the floors.
TIP 3: Take advantage “In House Training Programs “ and invest in Self Education
When I began my work at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City I found myself almost overwhelmed by the many in house training opportunities. Nothing like this existed in Germany. Over the years many programs have changed of course. Companies offer their associates all kind of training programs starting with very basic ones all the way to university style programs for middle and higher management. No matter which level you are. Make sure to take advantage of these programs religiously. For example there is today the Hilton Elevator. Hilton offers this program as a fast track to top level positions in their international hotel business. This program is designed, to enhance their experience to take advantage of career opportunities after only 18 months with the company. Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces offers the “Golden Threshold Program.” It is a full scale hospitality program whose participants, if selected, are often shortlisted for future Management positions. Marriott offers “Voyage” an excellent development plan on a global level. The International companies offer young talent excellent training not only to train but also to motivate and connect them to their culture. They truly invest in their associates to become future managers and leaders.
All these programs will not only help you in your advancement but they will also help you, should you decide one day to move to another hotel company. For example, if you are a graduate of Taj´ Golden Threshold Program, other companies, like Hilton, Marriott or Accor will understand its value well and prefer potential candidates with this training background to those who do not have that kind of training. The “Inhouse Training Programs” not only provide free learning but they also provide exposure for yourself. By attending as many trainings as possible, you not only show your interest and dedication but you also begin to built a relationship with the training department and the HR department. They will remember your name, when the search to fill a specific position comes up. They will also remember you, when a promotion is necessary. So, all in all, inhouse training programs are an excellent driver for your career advancement.
Besides In House training do not neglect self education: There are thousands of professional courses available. Only go for those which are internationally recognized and accepted. For each discipline (Rooms Division, Sales, Food & Beverage, Finance) there are specific certifications available. You should target at least one certificate from a well known hotel school like Cornell, Glion, Les Roche or Lausanne. There is a price to be paid, but it is a good investment and help You to brand and position yourself in order to stand out from your competitors. These certificates combined with a few years of experience are likely to open the door to bigger opportunities in the future and hold their value for your entire career. If You are determined to become a General Manager, you should take a look at the CHA “Certified Hotel Administrator” course offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). You find the educational offerings at https://www.ahlei.org/ . I recommend these courses and offerings simply because they are accepted worldwide, do not require a huge investment and their educational value is continuously updated and improved. The one we recommend also are certificates and degrees from Cornell University or Lausanne. You can visit their list of courses and certifications at https://sha.cornell.edu/admissions-programs/graduate/mmh/ . Cornell Graduation and E-Cornell certification will add substantial value to your career growth. This is further enhanced by the contacts you make during your studies, It is a costly investment, but if You are serious about becoming a General Manager it is highly recommended. Some companies do sponsor promising employees annually to participate in these seminars. Then there is the probably most famous hotel school Lausanne in Switzerland. It will help your career chances tremendously but not everyone has the chance to study here. There are many superb hoteliers who reached their goal without a degree from this famous hotel school.
TIP 4: Be a Selfstarter and a right hand to your superior ! Do not just do what is required by your job description but think beyond it. Ask and preferably know what you can do for your guest and anticipate how you can be of true assistance to your superior. Take the initiative and start to build your supervisors trust in your abilities. Keep observing and learn the art of hospitality. Once you have reached a certain level in your position, begin to think ahead, anticipate things which have to be prepared; anticipate events, where things can go wrong; Maintain excellent guest contact and be a solution provider. At the same time help your colleagues or juniors to perform equally. In short, be a team player and know, that in the hotel business You cannot be successful alone. You will always depend on the cooperation of others. This attitude will reflect positive on You; not only within your department but within the organization. Through your actions and “going the extra mile”, You will be shortlisted almost automatically when the time comes and your chances for promotion and transfers will increase substantially.
TIP 5: Have a Mentor ! Finding the right Mentor will help You charting your career in the most productive and strategic manner. 90% of young and also not so young hoteliers do or did not have not a mentor when starting out. The right Mentor can save You years in your career development and also help You making the right career decisions. He or she should be someone, who has real life-time experience in the hotel business, not an academic or life coach. Your mentor should ideally be someone who has served the hospitality industry in different countries, companies and positions over at least 30 years or so. Simply, because with maturity comes experience and a true sense of guiding and helping those who are ambitious and motivated to grow their career in a smart way instead of trial and error. The first mentor will likely be your supervisor or your Department Head. He or she will be ore like a coach showing you the ropes. What I mean by mentor is someone, who can and will advise you from the very beginning how to find out what you really want and help you charting your course to get there. A good mentor will first of all “LISTEN” and find out who you are and what you want, eventually even before you know it. Good mentors in the hotel industry are not easy to find or to get. First of all they are expensive and then hoteliers are simply too busy with their day to day demand. A good mentor is preferably someone who can afford to take the time to make your career his or her business. It requires experience, previous successes and also failures in their career and….very important empathy, patience and understanding. If you can find yourself a seasoned hotelier with an international hoteliers background and a good network, then you own it to yourself to reach out and make contact. A good mentor will help you finding your way, assist you during decision making times and eventually guide you to opportunities you might not even be aware of.
TIP 6 : Excellence in superior social skills.
Always remember, You are working in the “Service Industry”. If you do not have already substantial social skill levels, You need to acquire them rapidly. Always “anticipate” a customer´s needs and expectation. If You are at the receiving end of a customer complain your job is to solve it – not to dispute it. Now, this is tricky business and there are customers taking advantage of high service levels at times. However, if You are able to provide personalized solutions, this customer might become your biggest Fan and eventually “Promoter”. There are many examples how customer oriented employees were promoted due to a simple guest letter to the General Manager or even to the Corporate Office. Keep this in mind. Practice your social skills also with your fellow colleagues.
Learn to make your customers feel relaxed; go through the guest history list if you have access to it. know the preferences and wishes of the guests you are in touch with. Smile and become skilled in the art of warm, personal, competent and friendly interaction. Be someone your manager can rely on to connect with guests. Engage them in conversation and show great attention to detail in all areas of service. Training programs of all international companies dedicate a large part to customer service and are set not only to teach You specific skills but also to engrain their culture into you.
TIP 7: Excellence in Service
My tip list would not be complete to point out service excellence. Excellence is an attitude and philosophy best described in the book “Excellence Wins” by Horst Schulze, the founder and former CEO of Ritz Carlton Hotels. In his book he describes the deeper meaning of excellence and you should absolutely read it. No matter what kind of hotel you are working in, service excellence will always win. Be it in a Ritz Carlton or in a Holiday Inn. Providing excellence in your daily work, in your customer interaction, in the interaction with your colleagues, you will win. Excellence in serving a meal, preparing the guest room, welcoming a guest to your hotel will provide multiple pay back to you. It will come in many forms. The most simple way is a Tip. The more beneficial way is a comment or letter to the manager or even a guest comment made on social media. If these comments about you are coming back again and again, you will clearly be benefitting from it in your career. Read Horst Schulze´s book, incorporate it into your personal being and you will see miracles happen to your career.
These are my 7 Top tips for your career advancement. I know you will make the best out of it.
Helmut H Meckelburg