Maya Angelou, an acclaimed American poet, says: “People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
In the hospitality industry, this quote holds considerable significance. Your guests or customers may not remember the details of their hotel room or what food they had, but they will remember how they felt during their stay.
Now, if you’re planning to have a rewarding hospitality career, you must have certain skills to create great customer experiences. Hospitality is a rewarding career path only if you have what it takes to perform your job with ease and great efficiency.
As we understand, hospitality careers can be incredibly rewarding yet challenging at times. If you don't have the right skills, it's easy to become overwhelmed or undervalued by employers.
In this blog post, we’re going to talk about the following thirteen must-have skills that will help set you up for long-term professional growth and development within the hospitality industry. Let’s get started!
1. Interpersonal Skills
Are you good at communicating well with other people? In today's ever-changing and increasingly competitive industry, it is important to understand the dynamics of teamwork and be able to effectively collaborate with others.
When working in teams, strong communication should be at the forefront of your mind so all members can work together efficiently and productively.
It is also useful to develop good listening skills that allow you to hear out different ideas from team members as well as comprehend what guests may need or want.
Having empathy and understanding towards both colleagues and customers alike will help create a positive atmosphere within the workspace which ultimately leads to better customer service satisfaction. Here are some of the valuable interpersonal skills:
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Active listening
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Empathy
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Conflict resolution
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Teamwork and collaboration
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Emotional intelligence
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Negotiation
Cultivating these interpersonal abilities will result in improved relationships between staff, managers, and customers – leading to greater job satisfaction and ultimately more rewarding career prospects.
Related: Top Interpersonal Skills That Employers Value
2. Cultural Competence
The modern hospitality industry requires employees to effectively work, interact, and build meaningful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. Cultural awareness is one of the most crucial skills for any hospitality worker.
To ensure you are well-equipped for a rewarding career, here's what you must have:
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A global outlook: You must be open to different cultures and understand that each nation has its own customs and practices.
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Strong communication skills: Being able to actively listen and communicate with people from all walks of life is key.
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Respectful attitude: Always remember that respect should be given regardless of race or culture – it will help make your interactions smoother and more successful.
Cultural awareness isn't just about understanding other cultures; it also involves having empathy and patience when dealing with customers from diverse backgrounds. With these traits along with the aforementioned skills, you'll be well on your way to having a great hospitality career.
Doing a hotel job abroad or becoming a part of a training program in a different country or culture will give you a chance to enhance your cultural awareness skills. HRC is one of the leading training and career development companies for international hospitality.
Related: Cultural Competence is an Important Skill Set for the 21st Century.