NC Jobs: How to Find and Secure a Job in the Hospitality Industry
The hospitality industry in North Carolina is dynamic, with seemingly endless opportunities. From bustling cities like Raleigh and Charlotte to smaller metropolises like Winston-Salem and Goldsboro, the North Carolina state boasts travel destinations and unique dining experiences far and wide. The state’s geographic diversity includes coastal destinations and mountain oases.
This guide will help you navigate the often competitive NC hospitality job market throughout the state’s many cities and tourist hotspots. We’ll explore ways to find and secure part-time and full-time employment in this sector, from leveraging the latest job search platforms to proactively networking and sharpening your skills through top-tier training.
Key Points
Be thorough in your research and look for trends and up-and-coming job postings.
Approach each interview with confidence, preparedness, and dedication to expressing your unique value.
Take training courses and earn certifications relevant to your desired career.
Seek out career opportunities on specialized hospitality job platforms.
Build personal and professional connections through in-person and online networking.
Research the Job Market
Understanding the lay of the land in the NC hospitality industry is a crucial first step. A well-prepared job seeker always starts by surveying potential career opportunities.
Identifying Potential Job Openings
Begin your search for job listings on websites such as Indeed and Glassdoor. Check out ServingCareers.com, the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) digital headquarters for everything hospitality in North Carolina! ServingCareers.com features an Indeed-powered search tool with industry and state-specific opportunities.
Tailor your searches to locations, positions, and job descriptions that best fit your experience and career goals. The volume of openings can be daunting in a market as large as North Carolina’s, but platforms like ServingCareers.com specialize solely in hospitality jobs, offering a more focused job search experience.
As the premier online job board and career center for North Carolina’s hospitality industry, ServingCareers.com is not just a job search tool; it’s a repository of tailored employment opportunities.
Take Training Courses
The hospitality industry places a high value on specialized training and certifications. North Carolina is no exception, with many employers looking for candidates with additional skills and credentials beyond the basics.
Enhancing Your Resume
Additional training on your resume can set you apart from other applicants, increase your eligibility to secure higher-paying new jobs, and demonstrate a commitment to your craft. Several websites offer courses designed to prepare you for the specific demands of the NC hospitality sector, from food safety to professional bartending.
If you need more experience in this industry, the free online certifications and training at ServingCareers.com will make your resume stand out and ensure you land your first position in hospitality.
Utilize Online Platforms
Online platforms have made training more accessible than ever. You can complete courses at your own pace, and the digital format allows for more interactive and engaging learning. Certifications from these platforms carry weight in the job market and can open doors to career advancement.
If you’re a North Carolina worker or resident, NCRLA Training offers free training courses, certifications, and educational resources to give you a step up.
Network and Build Connections
In the hospitality industry, who you know can be as important as what you know. Social interaction and personal connections can significantly increase your chances of landing a job. Stop by local establishments with printed resumes in hand! When you make an in-person visit, ask the hosts or customer service personnel if you could share a copy of your resume with the general manager. Make eye contact and engage in friendly, yet professional, conversation with the front-of-house employees you meet. This is an opportunity to investigate working conditions, the atmosphere, and the general environment of the businesses you visit.
Attend Industry Events
Local chapter meetings or national conferences for the NCRLA can be a great place to start networking. Be proactive and approach speakers and other attendees confidently. Remember: always have an updated copy of your resume on hand.
Online Networking
Platforms like LinkedIn are virtual watering holes for professionals across sectors. Join NC-specific groups or connect with NC-based industry leaders to broaden your connections. Engage with content and posts relevant to your field and start insightful conversations to demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow from others.
Personalize Your Approach
When reaching out to potential contacts, tailor your message to reflect your knowledge of their work. A personalized touch can go a long way in making a memorable impression. Genuine interest in the individual can lead to a more meaningful and long-lasting connection.
Prepare for Interviews
Securing an interview in the highly competitive NC hospitality job market is a considerable achievement. Once you do, it’s time to prepare to make a lasting impression.
Company and Position Research
Dig deep into the company’s background and the position’s specifics. Prepare insightful feedback to ask during the interview, showing you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the opportunity. Ask critical questions about equal opportunity initiatives, company culture, healthcare, and their opinion on the importance of human resources to understand better what ideals the company believes in and supports.
Mock Interviews
Practice answering common interview questions with a friend or colleague. Record these sessions and review them for areas of improvement. The more you practice answering complex questions, the more comfortable and confident you’ll be during the actual interview.
Key Talking Points
Incorporate personal anecdotes and experiences into your interview answers. Paint a vivid picture of your skills and achievements that directly relate to the job you’re interviewing for. Be specific and use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when discussing your past actions and accomplishments.
From what not to say in an interview to choosing the right business for your career path, ServingCareers.com levels up your knowledge with industry info and job search intel.
Showcase Your Skills
In the hospitality industry, employers often look for inherent qualities such as a positive attitude, team spirit, and the ability to handle stressful situations. Tailor your resume and application to highlight these attributes.
Focus on Customer Service
Customer service is the backbone of hospitality. During the application process, share stories of memorable customer interactions demonstrating your commitment to exceeding expectations and providing a stellar guest experience.
Team Players Stand Out
Team dynamics are integral to a well-oiled hospitality operation. Describe experiences where you were an influential team member, perhaps under challenging circumstances, to showcase your collaborative spirit and problem-solving abilities.
Problem-Solving Scenarios
Think of incidents or challenges you’ve faced in previous roles and how you’ve turned them around. Use these stories to illustrate your resourcefulness and adaptability, two traits highly valued in hospitality.
Utilize Online Job Search Platforms
With the digital transformation in full swing, online job search platforms remain the go-to destination for job seekers and recruiters.
Maximize Job Alerts
Set up job alerts with specific keywords and phrases to notify you when new listings that match your criteria go live. Doing so can give you a competitive edge, as you’ll be among the first applicants to apply for a new position.
Complete Your job search profiles
Ensure your profile on each job search platform has updated work experience, job titles, education (i.e., high school diploma, GED, college, culinary school), certifications, skills, mailing address, and a professional photo. This makes you more discoverable to recruiters and can also improve the quality of job recommendations you receive.
Follow-Up and Secure the Job
The period after a job interview can be nerve-wracking, but there are a few steps you can take to secure the position you’ve worked so hard to attain.
Write a Thank-you note
Send a thoughtful thank-you email to your company contact within 24 hours of your interview to express your gratitude and reiterate your interest. This can make a big impression and keep your application fresh in the interviewer’s mind.
salary and benefits negotiation
Don’t shy away from negotiating your salary and benefits package once you receive an offer. Research salary ranges for similar positions in North Carolina and come to the table prepared to articulate your value to the company.
accepting the job offer
When you’ve negotiated terms you’re comfortable with, accept the offer promptly. Confirm start dates, training periods, and any other necessary details. This transparent communication sets a positive tone for your future with the company.
Securing a job in North Carolina’s thriving hospitality industry is both a challenge and an opportunity. You can position yourself as a top candidate in this field by embracing the application process, harnessing the power of networking and training, and honing your interview and job-search skills.
Remember to double-check the resources available, such as NCRLA Training for certifications that give you an edge on the competition and ServingCareers.com for incredible NC job opportunities in hospitality.