Getting a Resort Job

Getting a resort job is a fairly easy process in terms of the availability of jobs.

There are always openings at resorts due to the seasonal nature of the job, thus leading to high employee turnover.

However, even though very few qualifications or certifications are required and those with no or little experience can apply, there are always those little extras that will help you get the job you are eyeing. To help you get a resort job, here are some excellent pointers to give you the edge.

Do Your Homework

Before you even apply for a job with any resort hotel or theme park resort, you should do as much research as you can about the company. Understand them and how they operate, learn about how many establishments are under their name, what their key aims are and more. Another point about doing your homework is to research all the possible resort jobs and really match them to your specific skills and aptitudes. Are you an outgoing, lively person? Then a host or other customer service based job will be perfect. Are you shy and prefer to be behind the scenes? Then a housekeeping job will suit you better. Understand where you will fit in the best before applying.

Promote your Strengths

Knowing your strengths is a very important aspect to job hunting, especially in the hospitality industry. Various strengths are required of most resort jobs, but all of the main strengths that resort employers look for are to be friendly and outgoing. Promoting your strengths to employers will be more about how you act at your interview, how well you speak over the phone, how well you dress to the interview, how meticulous and organized your resume looks, and how well your application form is filled out. Remember, that resorts are looking for confident individuals who have a spark, a bubbly personality, with the excellent communication and organizational skills. Attention to detail is another trait that employers favor, so take care when you apply and attend interviews that you are paying as much attention to detail as possible. It is not about talking the talk, but more about walking the walk!

Quick Fact: Visit the website of the company you are interviewing with to learn more about their history and what they offer guests.

Highlight Past Experiences

Although most resort jobs are offered to entry level workers and students with no particular skills or qualifications, and even those just looking for a summer job, highlighting any previous experiences you may have had will go a long way towards impressing your potential employers. Small jobs like babysitting or packing groceries at your local supermarket will show employers certain traits about you. For example a simple packing job will show that you have worked in a service related field before and have interacted with customers. Any experience counts in the hospitality business.

Perfect Your Resume

Your resume is the first impression of you that a potential employer gets. It should be well structured and easy to read, as well as professional. Go over it again and again to make sure it is absolutely perfectly written and laid out with no errors. When asked about resumes for resort jobs, Lynn Johnston says,

“It depends on the type of job, but we always look for candidates with a well put together resume that is professional, showing their relevant experience.”

Application Form Advice

Most resorts will require you to fill out an application form in order to apply for any openings, and care should be taken to do this expertly. Here are some tips about how to correctly fill out your application form for a resort job:

• Make sure you fill it out neatly and ensure that there are no spelling or grammar errors. If you are filling it out online, double check it before you click the submit button.
• Complete the form in full, even if there are sections that you do not need to complete, rather put an N/A there instead of leaving it blank.
• Fill out the forms fully. If there is a quarter of a page left open for a statement on something like “why do you want this job?”, use all the space given, otherwise it may seem like you are not all that interested in the job.
• Watch your timeline and make sure that there are no gaps in any of your employment history or education; otherwise it might look like you are hiding something.
• Be honest and accurate and do not over exaggerate anything.
• List your most recent experience first, because this is what employers will be most interested in reading about.
• Take a copy of the application form to your interview, so that you can refer to it.
• Personalize your application form by attaching an attention grabbing covering letter.

The Interview Process

The interview process differs from resort to resort and you should be prepared for anything including telephone interviews, face to face interviews with a panel or individual, as well as psychological and skills testing. At the Sheraton for instance, the typical interview consists of a face to face interview with 50 questions. It is best to find out when you apply how the interviews work so that you can practice with a friend and be prepared. When you attend an interview there are a few things that you should do:

• Look good – Dress neatly and make sure that what you wear fits in with the culture of the company you are interviewing with.
• Be tidy – Make sure that your hair and make-up are tidy and conservative. Wear little or no perfume and small, inconspicuous jewelry. Make sure that your footwear matches your outfit as well and that your overall look is pleasant.
• Be yourself – This is what employers look for, so don’t try to be someone you’re not. You won’t fool them.
• Be confident – Shake hands firmly and look the interviewer in the eye. Give detailed answers to the questions and talk positively. Also think about your answers carefully before you speak. You don’t have to rush through it.
• Prepare – Think about some of the common questions you might be asked and prepare some answers.
• Don’t assume they have read your application – If they ask you something on your application, don’t get annoyed or look at them in a strange way, just answer the question again, stating exactly what you said in your application.
• Be on time – This means you should arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled interview.

Other Important Factors

When you are interested in getting a job working at a resort, there are some other important factors that you should keep in mind.

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – Apply for a few different jobs at different companies. It is OK to shop around and find the best job and even if a company says they want to hire you, there is no obligation until you sign a written contract.
• Check details carefully – Ensure that you check the hours you have to work, how much you get paid, what off days you have, and what benefits you receive, and if you are not sure or don’t get a straight answer ask for this in writing so that you can read through it.
• Your first day on the job – Once you have landed a resort job, the first thing you should do before starting is find out where to report to on your first day and who to speak to.
• Ask questions – It is ok to ask questions that might not have been stated such as when you get breaks, what fire or emergency procedures are in place, what to do if you become ill etc.
• Know your rights – Some employers could try to take advantage of your employment by asking you to complete extra shifts or work overtime, without mentioning additional pay. Make sure that you understand exactly how many hours you should work for a certain amount of pay, what your minimum wage should be, how you are taxed, paid leave rules and regulations for part time or seasonal employees.
• If you are working overseas make sure that you find out about your passport, visa and work permit policies and inquire about any documentation that you or your employer is supposed to organize before you leave.

Example Resort Job Interview Questions

To give you a little further insight as to what could be asked, here are sample job interview questions for a resort position in Asia:

• Tell me more about yourself?
• What made you choose to apply for our open position?
• Where would you like to be, in your career, five years and ten years from now?
• What have you learned from your past jobs?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Tell me about your last position and what you did?
• Please tell me what you know about the position for which you’re interviewing.
• What, in your opinion, are the primary tasks of someone in this position?
• What are the top 3 skills needed for this job??
• What do you know about our company?
• What tertiary qualifications have you attained that relate to the job?
• Are there skills you learned recently which translate directly to this position?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

As you can see, getting a resort job does not require much in the form of formal training, but there are some simple guidelines to be followed in order to give yourself the best possible chance of being employed in the position you are aiming for.

Quick Summary:

• Make sure your resume is perfect before sending it
• Check your application form for errors and complete it thoroughly
• Prepare some answers to common questions you may be asked