Job Searching in Las Vegas? Ace Your Next Hospitality Industry Job Interview

job searchFinding a great job in the hospitality industry can be challenging. The job market can be very competitive. Are you positioned to show hiring managers you’re the best candidate for the job? Beginning your search is only the first step. Here are some tips for putting your best foot forward and acing your next job interview.

A great way to prepare for your interview is to think about common questions that are likely to be asked, and how you’ll respond. Ask a friend to give you a mock interview. You can practice answering questions and gain helpful feedback about your answers. You want to make sure that you can impress with your confident and friendly attitude and industry knowledge. A mock interview is a great way to build up that confidence.

When you get to your interview remember to:

  1. Arrive on time or a little early to show you’re prepared. Allow yourself extra time to get to the interview, just in case. You don’t want to miss your chance because you were stuck in a traffic jam or got lost! By arriving a few minutes early, you’ll be ready to meet with a hiring manager at the scheduled time, and won’t keep them waiting while you finish paperwork.
  2. Be confident. Smile and sit up straight. Be sure to project a positive attitude and show the hiring manager you are enthusiastic about the opportunity. You can also show your interest by asking good questions about the position.
  3. Show your prepared to get to work. If you’ve already obtained your TAM® Card and/or your Food Handler Card and Sheriffs Card, you’re ahead of the curve! Let the interviewer know if you already have these mandatory requirements completed. It can work in your favor if you have your cards already and can begin work sooner.
  4. Thank the interviewer for their time. Be sure you leave on the same positive note you came in on!

Now it’s your turn. Tell us – what other tips would you give to job seekers in the hospitality industry?

Looking for a New Career? A Job in the Hospitality Industry May Be Right for You

Ever you wish you had a job you love? If you’re looking to make a career change, you may want to consider looking for your dream job in the hospitality industry. Hospitality professionals work in a variety of positions including bartenders, servers, managers, hosts, security professionals, clerks and more. A career change could result in a number of benefits including increased job satisfaction, increased earnings, a chance to try something new and expand your skill set, and more.

You may enjoy a career in the hospitality or nightlife industry if:

  1. You enjoy interacting with customers. A desk job isn’t for everyone, and if you like being around other people, a career in the service industry may be right for you. Many hospitality professionals love that their careers allow them day to day interaction providing quality customer service to their guests. If you enjoy a job where you are face to face with your patrons, you may enjoy a career in the hospitality industry where you’ll get to converse with your customers, meet new people and listen to others.
  2. You have a great personality. One can make a lasting impression on patrons and increase their earning potential by having a positive attitude, being helpful and providing excellent customer service. As a server or bartender, you’re often the first, and last, staff member a customer encounters. Your interactions will set the tone for the evening so you want to greet your customers warmly, and leave them reflecting on a positive experience once they head for the door.
  3. You love living in Las Vegas and want to share that with others. Nevada in general and Las Vegas in particular is a very popular destination spot, and you’re likely to interact with tourists on a regular basis. By promoting and practicing safe alcohol service, and sharing your insider knowledge about what is great within the city, you can help do your part to ensure that newcomers to Vegas can have a blast, but make it around town and back home without harming themselves or others. Hopefully, they’ll return home to tell their friends what a great time they had! By sharing what the great state of Nevada has to offer, you can not only impress your guests and help them to enjoy a memorable experience, but hopefully they’ll spread the word, and that benefits everyone in the long run.

Are you ready to explore the idea of a career in the hospitality industry? A TAM® Card is required for anyone selling or serving alcoholic beverages in Southern Nevada, so be prepared! Many restaurants and bars will ask to see your TAM® Card before you start, so give yourself a head start and a leg up on other applicants by completing your alcohol awareness training and obtaining your TAM® Card today.

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

You’re Hired! Landing a Job in the Hospitality Industry

We all know the economy is tough right now, and the job market is competitive. However, this year things are slowly starting to turn around, and we can all breathe a little easier. According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation and Clark County Comprehensive Planning, five of the eight largest employers in Clark County are in the hospitality industry, great news for those looking to get hired. (Clark County, NV).

For dedicated job searchers, it helps to stay ahead of the pack and use all of the resources available to you if you want to land a great job in a tight market. In this day and age, it’s not enough to look through the ‘Help Wanted’ section in the newspaper. Employers are using job search websites, word of mouth, and social media tools to reach potential candidates, and connecting has never been easier. Here are a few sites that will help you to jump start the search for your next hospitality career!

Job Listing Websites – There are jobs out there, you just have to know where to look. A great first step is doing a job search on any number of reputable employment websites. Sites like Nevada Job Connect and Recruiting Nevada are great for finding Nevada-area careers. Also check national sites like Monster and Indeed for additional listings, and industry specific sites like Hospitality Job Site. Also, if there is a particular company you want to work for, but sure to check their company website. Casinos, restaurants and clubs often have sections on their websites dedicated to employment listings, and this is one of the first places you’ll find out about available positions.

Social Media Networks – Many employers are now using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and even YouTube to reach out to candidates. If you use Twitter or Facebook, make sure to ‘follow’ or ‘like’ companies you would be interested in working for, and watch for updates. Also, consider connecting with TAM ® of Nevada as we often rebroadcast any job postings or casting calls that we feel may be of interest to those in the hospitality or beverage industry on Twitter and Facebook. There are many individuals and organizations on popular social media platforms that focus on broadcasting job alerts, so you want to make sure to get out there and network socially. Let your social circle know you are looking for work, and don’t be afraid to reach out to others to help with the search; word of mouth can be invaluable.

Industry Websites and Blogs – It’s a great idea to stay up-to-date on what’s going on in your industry while you’re searching. Visiting hospitality industry blogs and websites will keep you in the loop with updates on what’s new in your industry and local area. Sites like Vegas Chatter are great for learning about new restaurant and bar openings in Las Vegas; you can easily get a heads up on who might be hiring new workers. Also check blogs like Hospitality Job Site’s blog or sites like Nightclub & Bar for tips and industry news.

Searching for a great position that you’ll enjoy and excel in can be a daunting process, but having the right tools to help you get started can greatly boost your chances of success. What are your favorite sites when searching for a job?

Resources

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada