Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, once said, “All things come to him who waits—provided he knows what he is waiting for.” During a hospitality job search, waiting is normal—particularly after you’ve submitted a resume. While unavoidable, the waiting period fortunately doesn’t have to be painful, especially if you adopt these five rules of employment follow-up.
1 . Confirm your resume submission. Did they get it, or did it get lost? As days stretch into weeks, it’s a question that’s at the top of many job seekers’ minds. However, whether you dropped it off in person, attached it to an email, or submitted it through an online portal, you can take some of the angst out of the waiting game by confirming the employer received it. If you have the hiring manager’s contact information, reach out to him or her directly. Otherwise, give the hotel or restaurant a call and ask to be connected with someone who can provide verification.
2. Learn more about their hiring process. When it comes to waiting, the unknown is always worse than the known. Find out as much as you can about the hiring process of the hotel or restaurant you’re considering. For example, if they use applicant-tracking software, it will take time for your resume to work its way into real human hands. If they’re not in a hurry to fill the position, they may extend the application period to gather as many resumes as possible. This type of information should reduce your level of worry—and a simple phone call is all it takes to gather it.
3. Keep an eye on the job posting. If the employer notices that their job posting isn’t attracting ideal hotel or restaurant job candidates, they may update it with additional information. Use this as an opportunity to connect with them. For example, let’s say that the list of general manager requirements now includes “alcohol awareness certification.” If you have this credential, contact the hiring manager and let him or her know that your background is still a match for their establishment’s needs.
4. Remain positive. Searching for a hospitality management job can be frustrating, especially if you’ve submitted a number of resumes without a response. However, the quickest way you can destroy your chance of landing any position is to allow that frustration to seep into your communications. Whether you contact the hiring manager by email or phone, stay positive, politely reiterate your interest in the role, and offer to provide anything else he or she might need to evaluate your hotel or restaurant experience.
5. Practice persistence. If you’ve applied for a hotel or restaurant management job and have yet to receive an interview request or a rejection letter, you might assume they’ve filled the position. Unless you can verify it, don’t. The hiring manager may have been too busy to reach out to candidates, or perhaps he or she put filling the job position on the back burner due to budgetary constraints. Whatever the reason, polite yet persistent follow-up will improve your chances of landing at the top of the hiring manager’s list when he or she is ready to hire.
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