Hospitality jobs

The hospitality industry is one of the largest sectors in the world. From hotels and restaurants to event management and tourism, hospitality jobs are diverse, fast-paced, and rewarding

Why choose a career in hospitality?

Hospitality isn't just a job - it's a global career. Even a few months of work experience in the industry can open doors in countries around the world. In fact, the World Travel and Tourism Council states that in 2024, the hospitality sector created 27.4 million jobs, reaching nearly 330 million jobs in travel and tourism worldwide.

The industry is highly career-driven. According to Unilever, a new hospitality position becomes available every 2.5 seconds, and many companies promote from within. This means that entry-level roles can quickly lead to supervisory or management positions.

Best of all, it's never boring - every day brings new challenges, interactions, and experiences.

What jobs can I do in hospitality?

Many hospitality workers start with part-time or seasonal roles, which provide hands-on experience and help you build your CV.

Common entry-level positions include:

• bar or waiting staff
• catering assistant
• hotel porter
• receptionist.

If you're looking to progress to a higher-level career, here is a roundup of roles in hospitality that require specific experience, training or licenses.

Hotels and resorts

Accommodation/hotel manager

Overseeing guest services, staff, and facilities, and often handling budgets and business planning, you'll also be responsible for setting and achieving sales and profit targets for your organisation.

Discover the skills needed to become an accommodation managerÌý´Ç°ùÌýhotel manager.

Holiday representative

Managing arrivals, excursions, and entertainment on package holidays, you won't need a formal qualification to become a holiday rep. A friendly personality, high energy levels, and customer service skills are essential. A second language or childcare experience can also be a bonus.

Check out the salary of a holiday representative.

Food and beverage

Chef

Starting at a commis level, you'll learn kitchen management and culinary techniques. As you develop your skills, you'll prepare, cook, and present food, and may even be given responsibility for curating menus and creating new dishes.

Explore the skills you'll need to become a chef.

Public house manager

Handling daily operations, staff, budgets, and menus, you'll need a personal alcohol license to work as a pub manager. Work experience often outweighs formal study for this role.

Discover the average salary of a public house manager.

Events and entertainment

Event manager

You're responsible for planning and delivering conferences, exhibitions, and parties, relying on organisation, problem solving, and attention to detail skills.

Learn more about the qualifications you'll need to become and event manager.

Exhibition designer

Combining creativity with practical planning, you'll create engaging displays at conferences, product launches and award ceremonies. To secure a role, you'll likely need a strong design portfolio or relevant degree.

Read more about the responsibilities of an exhibition designer.

Corporate and support roles

Conference centre manager

It is your job to ensure conferences and events run smoothly across venues such as hotels, universities, and arenas. You'll need to be organised, financially aware and have exceptional customer service skills.

Take a look at the career prospects of a conference centre manager.

Marketing executive

You'll promote hospitality and events businesses, plan campaigns, manage budgets, and develop strategies to attract and retain customers. Creativity, analysis, project management, and team leadership are all vital in this role.

Explore the salary of a marketing executive.

What skills do hospitality employers look for?

Hospitality employers look for more than qualifications - they want employees with strong transferable skills such as:

• adaptability - you'll be expected to handle situations with calmness and creativity
• attention to detail - ensuring high standards of service and guest satisfaction
• communication - clear and professional interaction with guests and colleagues
• cultural awareness - respecting and adapting to different cultures and expectations
• teamwork - working efficiently with diverse groups of people.

Above all, employers appreciate candidates who are enthusiastic, positive, and willing to learn - qualities that can set you apart - even with limited work experience.

Discover what skills employers want.

What qualifications do I need to get a job in hospitality?

While you don't always need a degree to start in hospitality, relevant qualifications can give you an advantage.

For entry-level roles, employers typically look for basic customer service skills, and many provide on-the-job training in food hygiene, health and safety, or bar and kitchen procedures.

For more senior or specialist positions - such as management or operations - a hospitality-related BTEC, HND, or degree can be helpful. Some roles may also require specific certifications, such as food safety, first aid, or alcohol licensing depending on the type of business.

Practical experience is highly valued across the sector. Internships, work placements, and part-time jobs in restaurants, hotels, or event venues can give you hands-on skills and make your CV stand out.

How much can I earn working in hospitality?

Earnings in hospitality vary depending on:

• experience
• location
• role
• type of establishment.

Entry-level positions such as kitchen, waiting, or bar staff typically pay between £10,000 and £18,000 per year, while holiday representatives usually earn £500-£700 per month, rising to £800-£900 with experience.

Supervisory and management roles generally start around £16,000-£21,000 and can rise to £35,000 or even £60,000 with experience.

Many roles also offer benefits such as staff meals, accommodation, discounts, bonuses, and commission, which can significantly boost overall earnings. Salaries tend to increase with experience, responsibility, and employment in higher-end or larger organisations.

How do I find a hospitality job?

To get started in hospitality, it's helpful to gain some experience early through part-time work, casual roles, or volunteering, but it's not essential - many entry-level positions are open to candidates with no prior experience.

When preparing your CV, focus on transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, and customer service, and highlight any relevant training or certifications in fields like food safety or event planning.

Networking can also be useful - attending job fairs or connecting with industry professionals can open doors. Flexibility is important too, as many roles require working evenings, weekends, or holidays, especially when starting out.

Find out more

• See what the hospitality and events management sector has to offer.
• Discover how to become a wedding planner.
• Explore hospitality apprenticeships.