How To Stand Out on the Hospitality Job Hunt

By: Alexa Little, Director of Human Resources

We all know that the hospitality and events industry has met hard times. However, things are bouncing back, and many folks are ready to make a move! While navigating the hospitality job market isn’t easy, we at 360DG strive to make our recruitment process as positive, impactful, and streamlined as the events we plan. Whether you’re an industry veteran or a fresh face ready to break in, we’ve gathered tips from our HR experts on what will set you apart and help you land your dream role. Read on and prepare to shine!

Before You Hit Apply

Applying to as many positions as possible is tempting, especially if you’re unemployed. However, even though the “one-click to apply” world of LinkedIn and HR portals makes boosting your numbers a breeze, we’d like to share some words of wisdom to get you on the right track.

1. Make Sure Your Resume is Rock-Solid

A super common mistake we notice when reviewing resumes is a lack of detailed explanation with regards to a candidate’s job duties and responsibilities. While recruiters don’t need an autobiography, we do want to understand what you did in detail, where you’ve been, the success you’ve had, and what you learned. Luckily, we have some tips on additions you can make to your resume depending on the hospitality job you’re applying for: 

• Sales Roles: Provide numerical statistics on your average annual sales revenue and the percentage you’ve hit or exceeded in yearly sales goals.
• Operations: Provide ranges on the programs you’ve operated, including budgets, attendee count, program duration, and your responsibilities, including transportation, load-in, and strike.
• Destination/Event Management: Offer a range of budgets for the programs you’ve managed and include your proposal writing knowledge and the software(s) you’ve used.

2. Only Apply for Positions Where Your Skills and Experience Are a Match

Ensuring that you have the required level of experience and tenure the position calls for is the best way to set yourself up for success in the recruitment process and beyond. If you want to work for a company but don’t see a role that’s the right fit, contact the hiring manager via email with your resume and detailed reasons why you would make a great addition to the team. If you can make a personal connection with us and a solid case for why we should consider you, that will go a lot further than applying for a job in which your experience doesn’t align. Plus, we often have Coordinator level positions available that can give you a foundational understanding of our team structure and work before you move up the ladder.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Explain Gaps in Your Resume

Just like when prepping a venue for an event, sweeping things under the rug is never a good idea. Everyone faces challenges in life and work, and lapses in employment or short stints at companies are nothing to be ashamed of. However, if we don’t have details, we’ll start trying to fill in the blanks and make incorrect assumptions. In your resume and LinkedIn profile, explain why you were out of work or needed to move on. Bonus points if you can share examples of how you stayed involved in the industry during this time, like conferences and workshops you attended or classes you took to further your skills! We always appreciate a continuous learner.

Let YOU Shine Through

While not the case at all DMCs, at 360 Destination Group, we love hiring people with diverse experience. Throughout the application and interview process, focus on what makes you special, including previous hospitality jobs in hotels, venues, or with vendors. A unique and multi-faceted understanding of the industry gives you an edge. The same goes for experience in different areas of event planning, as this gives us confidence that you understand the bigger picture and how our various teams work together. Event planning is very collaborative, and sales, design, and operations must work hand-in-hand to make things happen. Well-rounded candidates who have worked in other business areas set themselves and their teams up for success.

Follow Your Passion

Passion for what you do is crucial in the fast-paced, often high-stress world of meetings and events. Don’t be afraid to showcase your excitement about the position throughout the recruitment process—but especially the interview! Working for a DMC is a fun, exhilarating, and creative career. The best candidates are those who can properly articulate their love for the industry and desire to be part of the magic. We all love what we do, so we want to know that you do too! We know interviewing can be stressful, but you won’t go wrong if you focus on what makes you pumped to get out of bed in the morning.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Boots-on-the-ground knowledge is one of the things that sets 360DG apart from other DMCs, and it’s something you can’t teach. Therefore, we always look for candidates who either currently live or have lived in the destination they are looking to serve. We should be able to tell from looking at your resume that you have in-depth knowledge of the location and what sets it apart. All of our positions at 360DG are hybrid, so you must live or be willing to relocate locally to collaborate in person with your colleagues and clients multiple times a week. In your interview, be prepared to speak to your knowledge of the city, such as hotels and resorts, off-site venues, activities, and tours. We want to feel confident that you know the landscape and have ideas for engaging corporate groups.

360DG is a company where people plant their roots. One of the biggest reasons is that we hire for experience and culture-fit first and foremost. This starts with our recruiting process, which focuses on empathy, transparency, and communication. We don’t beat around the bush regarding salary, job expectations, hybrid work, or work-life balance. At 360DG, we respect your dedication to finding your next role, and we want to reciprocate that every step of the way! We hope this article has you feeling a little more prepared to take the next step in securing your ideal hospitality job. We wish you the best of luck if you’re looking for a career at 360DG or elsewhere. You’ve got this!