Beyond the Job: Strategies for Developing Talent and Mastering Hospitality Career Pathways

The Hospitality Career Pathway: Key Findings from Harri & CGA’s Groundbreaking Report

 

The hospitality industry is a world of untapped potential, and understanding the career pathways within it is more vital than ever. This article, drawing insights from Harri and CGA’s comprehensive report ‘Getting Retention Right’, zeroes in on the career development aspect. We shed light on strategies for talent growth and retention, uncovering what truly drives career advancement in hospitality.

Certain aspects of hospitality are inherent, and those who excel in the industry often display a natural aptitude for it as though it is ingrained in their DNA. Even still, the intrinsic qualities are further developed and refined through training, mentorship, and experience. And while 36% of hospitality professionals have fallen into the industry as a career path, 67% of frontline employees say hospitality offers a good and worthwhile career according to the latest research conducted by Harri with CGA .

This improvement in sentiment is largely in part due to the concerted efforts of leading brands that have excelled at communicating the key benefits of a career in the industry to current and future employees. Nonetheless, more than two out of five hospitality employees are still considering a change of career path – highlighting that there is still work to be done to shed the perception of the industry as a stopgap workplace. 

Crafting Clear Career Pathways in Hospitality

A server, initially viewing their restaurant job as a temporary gig, may lack motivation without knowing the growth opportunities available. But with a manager’s guidance aligning their aspirations with company prospects, a significant shift happens. This server becomes engaged, recognizing a real career path ahead—whether in management or a corporate role—boosting job satisfaction and fostering long-term commitment to your organization through visible growth and skill development opportunities.

Clear career paths are crucial for talent leaders, driving employee growth and business success in hospitality. They boost retention and job satisfaction, enhance your brand’s appeal, and secure a flow of skilled talent. Effectively, they position hospitality not just as a job, but as a rewarding, lifelong career choice.

“We provide structured development, often linked to a nationally recognised qualification, that allows you to join us as a kitchen porter and move your way through all the cheffing roles, or to join as a member of the bar team and move through to supervisor, assistant manager and into general manager.”

Dawn Browne, People & Talent Director at Fuller, Smith & Turner

Acknowledging the impact this has on retention and overall business objectives, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) made skills and talent development one of their top priorities this year.

“Our people want to look at how they can develop and learn new skills and how they can progress their career once they acquire those skills,” shared Mel Amphlett, HR Lead UK&I Hotel Operations at IHG. “Having really strong learning frameworks alongside a clear progression pathway is really important to us.”

Actionable Strategies for Hospitality Career Pathways

Taking the time to establish clear career pathways is an investment in employee growth as well as the long-term success of your restaurant or brand. To do this effectively, consider approaching this both internally and externally.

Internal Strategies

Through structured programs like mentorship, comprehensive training opportunities, and regular performance reviews, internally you will boost employee morale and job satisfaction as well as cultivate a workforce that is well-equipped, motivated, and loyal.

  • Mentorship Programs: Establish a mentorship program where experienced staff mentor newer employees. This provides a platform for knowledge transfer, guidance, and personal development. Mentors can help mentees set career goals, navigate workplace challenges, and develop professional networks.
  • Training Opportunities: Offer continuous learning opportunities such as workshops, seminars, and online courses. This can include cross-training in different departments, leadership training for potential managers, and specialized skill development relevant to the hospitality industry.
  • Regular Performance Reviews: Conduct consistent and constructive performance reviews. These should be opportunities for employees to express their career aspirations and for managers to provide feedback and set clear goals. This process helps identify areas for growth and potential career advancement opportunities within the organization.
  • Employee Referral Networks: Encourage your staff to recommend potential candidates for open positions and make it easy to incentivize referrals. Additionally, candidates referred by current employees tend to have a better understanding of the company culture and are more likely to be a good fit.

As you implement these strategies for establishing clear career pathways, consider the diverse perspectives within your workforce. Different generations — from seasoned professionals to those just starting their careers — bring unique expectations and aspirations to their roles in hospitality. For instance, 78% of 35 to 54-year-olds in hospitality say they are satisfied with their current role, compared to 68% of those in the 18-to-34 age bracket.

External Strategies

Consider this: 36% of young adults begin their job searches based on recommendations from friends and family. By implementing effective external communication strategies, you can significantly widen your talent pool and enhance your brand’s appeal, making your organization a sought-after place to work in the hospitality industry.

  • Social Media Storytelling: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to share success stories of employees who have grown within the company. These narratives can illustrate the potential career paths and the supportive work environment.
  • Community Engagement: Participate in local job fairs, school career days, and industry events. Engaging with the community helps in creating awareness about the brand and the career opportunities it offers.
  • Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Partner with hospitality schools and colleges for internships, guest lectures, and career workshops. This not only helps in early talent acquisition but also positions the brand as an industry leader in employee development.
  • Content Marketing: Develop blogs, videos, and articles that showcase the work culture, employee experiences, and career advancement opportunities within the organization. Highlight experiences that prospects can be inspired from, like the story of your hostess who is now head of operations, or the bartender who is now a regional manager.

“People need more storytelling. We need to champion our industry and replay the success stories—like those who have gone from glass collector to managing director. We need to show that not only is there a career and real money in it, but you can have much more fun than in your traditional nine-to-five office job.”

Jamie Smith, People and Talent Director at Revolution Bars

Leverage Tech to Align Employee Journey with Company Objectives

An all-encompassing system that integrates onboarding, applicant tracking, and career pathway visualization can significantly enhance the employee experience from recruitment through to career progression. Tailor your communication to suit your staff and prospective employees to respect different learning styles and stages of professional development. Moreover, integrating tools for regular feedback within this interface, such as Harri Engage, is essential for maintaining employee engagement and adapting to their evolving needs.

Establishing clear career pathways in hospitality, bolstered by effective internal and external strategies aligns employee journeys with company objectives to create a more engaged, skilled, and satisfied workforce. For a complete understanding of the hospitality landscape, including industry sales, consumer dining behavior, generational differences, and key insights from industry leaders, download the full ‘Getting Retention Right’ report by Harri and CGA. Elevate your knowledge and strategy with this comprehensive guide to navigating hospitality’s top talent challenge.

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