Wanted.” Many chain restaurants have job
applications available in their restaurants. You
can just walk in and pick up an application.
Another major source of job leads is the
Internet. Many hospitality businesses have their
own Web sites. Many hospitality business Web
sites have a section for careers or career oppor-
tunities. If these headings are not immediately
visible on the home page, search in the section
on corporate information or “about us.”
There are a number of Web sites just for
people who are searching for jobs in hospitality.
One of the largest is www.hcareers.com, 23-12. In
addition to job postings, this Web site provides a
variety of information helpful to job seekers.
Application
Once you have located a job opening, you
must apply for the job. For many entry-level
jobs, all you have to do is fill out a job appli-
cation. It is important to fill out a job application
thoroughly and neatly. When you find a job lead
on the Internet, you can often fill out the appli-
cation online.
Many job applications request that you list
several references. A reference is a person who
is willing to talk with employers about your job
qualifications and your personal qualities. A ref-
erence should not be a person related to you,
such as your cousin or uncle. It should be an
adult who knows you in a business or business-
like capacity. Examples include former employers,
coaches, teachers, club advisors, and other
adults such as your choir director or scout-
master. Before you start looking for a job, you
should find three adults who are willing to be
references for you. You should ask them for
permission to use them as references. It is also
a good idea to discuss with them your career
goals and the type of job you want. Then write
down their names, job titles, work addresses,
and work phone numbers. Bring this infor-
mation with you to all interviews.
Many hospitality want ads invite you to go
in person to the business. The ad will specify a
time, such as Monday afternoon, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
When you get there, you will usually have to
fill out an application and have an interview.
Many ads will request that you fax or mail a
resume. A resume is a written document that
lists a person’s qualifications for a job, including
education and work experience, 23-13. A resume
provides a quick way for an employer to learn
about the applicant’s qualifications. In general,
headings on a resume include objective, work
experience, education, activities and interests,
and honors. The last line on a resume is usually
“References provided upon request.”
A resume should be accompanied by a cover
letter. A cover letter is a letter that introduces
you, highlights your strengths, and asks for an
interview, 23-14.
Interview
An important part of any job application is
the interview. An interview is a formal meeting
between two or more people, during which
questions are asked of one person, 23-15. During
an interview for a job, the job applicant and the
employer try to get to know each other. The job
applicant wants to impress the employer and
learn about the job. The employer wants to learn
about the job applicant and decide whether to
offer the position.
Chapter 23 Skills for Success
533
Courtesy of Hospitality Careers Online, www.hcareers.com
23-12 Hcareers.com is an example of a Web site
where hospitality businesses can post jobs and job
seekers can search for jobs.