The hospitality industry has been defined by Oxford Economics (2015) as enterprises which ‘provide accommodation, meals and drinks in venues outside of the home.’
As the openness of this definition suggests, the hospitality industry in the UK is wide-stretching.
Most of us in the UK use hospitality services at least weekly, if not daily. Whether it is due to that morning coffee we cannot do without, or those ‘date night’ dinners that are part of the weekly schedule, we consistently pump cash into the hospitality industry everywhere we go.
As such, the hospitality industry is ever-thriving and ever-competitive; there is always vast demand for hospitality services from UK residents and tourists alike. As such, the hospitality industry is a vast jobs creator.
In fact, Oxford Economics reported that in 2014, employment in the UK hospitality industry stood at 2.9 million jobs, which represented 8.8 percent of total UK employment. This makes hospitality the fourth-biggest industry in employment terms, behind business services, wholesale and retail trade, and human health and social work.
Rota and What they do for Jobs
Understanding the prevalence of the hospitality industry in the UK, Rota are specialists in connecting hospitality venues with quality staff. It is an app which works by using an algorithm which matches a venue to their most suitable potential staff-members. This is done with a three-part selection process in order to ensure for a proper fit. The potential employee can then select the shifts that best suit them through the app – it’s as simple as that!
Who is Hospitality Suited For?
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hospitality jobs. That being said, there is usually something for everyone. One person might relinquish the social aspect of a bartender job, whereas others may dislike late nights and prefer work such as hotel receptionist roles. Here’s a breakdown of typical hospitality roles and what they may entail.
Concierges – Concierge roles are centred around looking after hotel guests, be it by helping them arrange for their belongings to be taken to their room, by making reservations for them, or even coordinating childcare for them. Many luxury hotels require thorough concierge training, whereas with standard hotels this is an entry-level job. Concierges benefit from tips from hotel customers.
Waiter/Waitress – Waiters and waitresses are fundamental to the hospitality industry, of which the delivery of fine food is often considered the centrepiece. Waitering jobs will vary vastly in responsibility depending on the restaurant and how casual or formal it is. Like with being a concierge, waitering can give rise to substantial tips.
Events Planner – Event planning fits well and truly within the remits of the hospitality industry and can be very lucrative when the business is executed well. Event planners are used to fully bring a prospective event or party to life. One of the most important event planning sectors is the wedding industry; more often than not will people enlist the help of an event planner to coordinate their big day. Event planners will have various responsibilities, depending upon the services they offer and the requirements of the individual events. They can expect to arrange everything from venue hiring and catering to invitations and photography.
Chef – Being a chef is never an entry-level role; all chef’s will have had to undergo completing training and qualifications prior to their first job. Cooking is, however, once again a prominent role in the hospitality sector. One might begin as a kitchen porter before working their way up to becoming a chef or a head chef in a restaurant. Chef jobs are not usually flexible, as most establishments like to have a consistent menu led by a single person or group of people.
Front Desk Clerk – The front desk clerk, or receptionist, is the person who deals with all immediate customer queries in a hotel or other venue. They are also responsible for processing bookings and answering telephones and emails. This role is found throughout both hospitality and non-hospitality positions. For example, many high-end hairdressers in Covent Garden or other Central London areas have professional front of house professionals on hand.
Many restaurants also have a front desk clerk, who has similar responsibilities that are simply limited to restaurant-booking and organising. Receptionist jobs are good for people who are comfortable when socialising with customers and being the friendly face of the business.
