Although unemployment has decreased steadily since April, there are still millions of hospitality professionals who are searching for a job or furloughed waiting to return to work.

And, although it may feel like there’s not much you can do to advance your career at this point, having some extra time on your hands each day can be a wonderful opportunity to brush up on some highly-desirable skills in the hospitality industry.

Not only does this give you a positive, productive way to spend your time and cope with the anxiety and uncertainty from the pandemic, but it also empowers you with additional knowledge and skills so you can be that more prepared when the hospitality job market bounces back, establishments begin opening again, people move about more, and employers ramp up hiring.

We’re hopefully getting closer to recovery, now with vaccines starting to be distributed, so it’s important to focus on the positives and prepare your job profile for better times ahead.

Here are 4 important things hospitality professionals can do at home to enhance their skills and increase their chances of landing a job:

Study a new language

Speaking more than one language is a clear asset when you work in the hospitality industry. Regardless of the type of establishment you work for or your position, being able to communicate with guests or colleagues from around the world is a huge plus, and being able to show or demonstrate these skills on your resume will surely help you to stand out. 

Luckily, many websites are offering discounts or free trials right now on language classes, so access to language learning tools has never been easier to find. Here are a few we’ve found:

• Babble has been named the “most innovative company in education” and is offering up to 60% off right now.
• Duolingo gamifies language learning and is a fan favorite because of its fun, interactive learning style.
• Rosetta Stone is the mother of all language tools, and they are offering steep discounts now, including a 7-day free trial to get started.
• MosaLingua offers personalized learning based on your unique skill level.
• uTalk Language App will help you talk like a native.

Read, read, read

Now is a great time to brush up on your industry knowledge by reading important books on the hospitality or service industries. Luckily, many libraries across the country have ramped up their virtual catalogs and other literary sites (like JSTOR) have expanded their free offerings, so it’s easier than ever to access great content online that can help you level up your knowledge while you’re at home. 

To help you get started, we recently put together a list of the top 10 books every hospitality professional should read. Click here to get inspired and start your reading list! 

Stay plugged in!

There’s no getting around it. The national headlines these days are increasingly grim, and many people are now choosing to scale back their daily intake of news simply in order to preserve their mental health and keep their anxiety levels down. If you’re looking for ways to shift your focus away from 24/7 coronavirus coverage, there are plenty of things you can be doing online and on social media to stay plugged into the hospitality industry and enhance your learning. Search out good webinars, podcasts, blogs, or hospitality-related news websites. Set up google alerts for topics in the industry you’re interested in so you can keep up with what’s happening at the moment. Find those influencers and voices on social media, especially on LinkedIn or Twitter, to stay tuned in to what people in your space are doing and talking about. 

Level-up your training

Last but not least, an extended period at home is also a great opportunity to engage in online learning. Whether you’re looking for an actual course, to start a degree program, or get new certifications or training, now is a great time to take advantage of all the virtual offerings when it comes to training and online education.

For example, the National Restaurant Association in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation just announced this week that they are offering five popular career training classes for free during the month of April. Classes include the ServSuccess Restaurant Professional and Restaurant Supervisor learning suites and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Supervisory Skill Builders, Hospitality Manager: Leadership, and Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Review courses. Click here for more information on the courses and how to register.