Are you interested in a job that improves your social skills, hard work, time management, organization, and stamina? Plus, a job you can do anywhere in the world? Since you’re visiting my blog, I’ll guess you’re curious about travel or want to start traveling. A common worry about traveling is the money issue, which is understandable. But, what if there’s a job that lets you work globally? Yes, such jobs exist in the hospitality sector.
I moved to the UK at seventeen and took the first job I could find to earn some money. It was a simple job at a pub where I worked part-time while attending college. My duties included serving drinks, chatting with the customers, and cleaning. Although it was mostly easy work, it could get very busy on Friday nights. Later, when I moved to Bristol for university, I continued working in a bar to manage my finances. Over time, I learned to make cocktails and gradually gained more experience. Within two years, I advanced from a basic bar staff position to the bar manager.
You might wonder why I’m sharing this. It’s because in the UK and Ireland, jobs in bartending or hospitality often don’t get much respect. They’re usually seen as temporary, just something until you find a typical office job or start your own business. But I want to show you why that idea is misleading, and how working behind a bar can actually lead to amazing opportunities worldwide.
My Experience while bartending abroad
I started traveling a few years after the pandemic, when things started to calm down and countries began to reopen their borders. I worked in a bar for a year after finishing university, saving money. The work hours were long, but the pay was good, even better than some of my friends who became teachers. While preparing for my travels, I learned online that the biggest challenge many people face is finding a job abroad, either because their job isn’t available there or there’s not enough demand for it.
My first solo trip took me to Canada where I was fortunate to land a bar job at a hotel in a National Park in Southern Alberta. This experience was quite different from what I was used to. For the first time, my job was not viewed as just an entry-level position. My skills and patience were appreciated, which resulted in higher pay and more respect. It felt odd realizing that others saw my job as desirable and challenging, even though I had been doing this type of work since I was eighteen.
Tipping is a big part of earning money in Canada, which helped me a lot. I spent my time working hard and saving as much as I could. Lucky for me, the work hours in Canada are reasonable—usually no more than eight hours a day. After that, I moved to Calgary. I quickly updated my resume and posted it on Indeed.com. Within ten minutes, I started getting job offers. They kept coming for several days. Even today, nearly nine months later, I received another job offer, which inspired me to write this.
I want to get rid of the negative view that my job back home wasn’t a ‘real’ job. People often worry about staying too long in the same industry. So they switch careers before fully benefiting from their current one. I’m not saying that everyone should work in this field. However, if you dream about traveling, having some experience in this industry can be helpful. Jobs in this sector are available worldwide.
Right now I am in Australia and have found myself in another bar job without really trying. Again the beauty here is the job is admirable and the pay reflects that. Working a Sunday night here, my wage is the equivalent to 23 pounds an hour. I was only making about 13 pounds an hour back home.
The Benefits
Having a background in hospitality can significantly enhance your employment opportunities while traveling. Here are a few ways how:
1. Transferable Skills
Hospitality careers cultivate a range of transferable skills, prominently including customer service, communication, problem-solving, and time management. These competencies are immensely valuable across various sectors. Significantly easing the transition to different fields that prioritize customer interaction and service excellence.
In addition to these core skills, hospitality jobs often require individuals to operate effectively under pressure, manage diverse teams, and handle complex logistical tasks, all of which are highly applicable in many other industries. For example, the ability to manage customer expectations and deliver high-quality service under tight deadlines is equally important in retail, event management, and corporate settings.
Moreover, the experience gained from handling a variety of customer interactions can enrich one’s interpersonal skills, enhancing their capability to negotiate and resolve conflicts effectively. This makes individuals with a background in hospitality desirable for roles that require strong diplomatic skills, such as human resources, sales, and public relations.
2. Extensive Network
Professionals in the hospitality industry often develop a broad network through interactions with customers, suppliers, and colleagues. This network can be beneficial as you travel, providing contacts that can offer employment or introductions to potential employers. The expansive reach of these networks not only aids in finding new job opportunities but also enhances professional development through diverse interactions and learning experiences. Engaging with a variety of people in this field helps build a rich repository of contacts which can be invaluable for career advancement and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, these relationships can lead to partnerships and collaborations that might not have been possible within a more isolated working environment.
3. Versatility in Job Roles
Hospitality offers a wide array of roles including positions at the front desk, event management, and food and beverage services. This sector’s versatility not only allows for a broad spectrum of job opportunities but also enables individuals to explore various career paths within the same industry. Moreover, the flexibility of these roles means that there are often opportunities available in different locations, catering to the demand in various regions. This can be particularly advantageous for individuals looking to relocate or explore opportunities in different cities or even countries. Hospitality jobs can range from customer-facing positions to behind-the-scenes roles, each requiring a unique set of skills and offering distinct challenges and rewards. This diversity makes the hospitality industry appealing to a wide range of job seekers, from those who enjoy direct customer interaction to those who prefer planning and logistics.
4. Seasonal Opportunities
Many travel destinations experience peak seasons where the need for hospitality workers surges significantly. If you have a background in hospitality, you find yourself in an advantageous position to capitalize on these seasonal employment opportunities. These jobs often harmonize superbly with travel schedules, offering a practical way to explore new regions while earning an income. This setup can be particularly appealing for those who enjoy traveling and wish to leverage their hospitality skills in various cultural and geographical settings, gaining diverse work experience along the way. Such roles are not only financially rewarding but also enrich personal growth and professional expertise.
5. Cultural Adaptability
Working in the hospitality industry provides a unique chance to meet people from various cultures, enhancing cultural adaptability. Exposure to different cultures and nationalities enriches personal experiences and broadens understanding of diverse perspectives. Consequently, hospitality workers develop strong interpersonal skills and an ability to embrace cultural differences.
This trait is incredibly valuable, especially for employers in tourist hotspots or diverse cities. It involves frequent interactions with international clientele. Culturally adaptable employees perform better and provide exceptional service to diverse guests. This adaptability also fosters a more inclusive, welcoming environment, key to business success in today’s global market. Thus, cultural adaptability from hospitality enhances career prospects in many fields beyond traditional settings.
6. Language Skills
Often, hospitality workers pick up language skills through their interactions with international guests, which can be a significant advantage when looking for jobs abroad. The ability to communicate in multiple languages not only enhances their resume but also makes them indispensable as they can cater to a diverse clientele. Moreover, gaining proficiency in languages like Spanish, French, Mandarin, or Arabic opens up opportunities in thriving tourist destinations worldwide. This linguistic capability enables workers to engage more deeply with customers, provide personalized service, and manage cultural nuances more effectively, making them highly valued by international employers in the hospitality industry.
7. Experience in High-Pace Environments
The ability to handle high-pressure and fast-paced environments is another valuable skill developed in the hospitality industry, making you well-prepared for challenging roles in any sector. This experience equips individuals with the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in dynamic settings, where quick decision-making and efficient problem-solving are essential. Working in hospitality often involves managing multiple tasks simultaneously, serving diverse clients, and maintaining high service standards during peak times. These capabilities are transferable to various professional fields, enhancing an individual’s competence in handling stress and uncertainty in any challenging job role.
8. Understanding of Customer-centric Services
A deep understanding of customer needs is crucial in hospitality. This knowledge is vital for any client-facing role, expanding job opportunities. Effective engagement with clients demands emotional intelligence, patience, and foresight, skills developed in hospitality. Professionals from this field are valued in retail, healthcare, and services for their customer-first approach, enhancing satisfaction and business success.
These aspects make a background in hospitality incredibly beneficial for those looking to find employment while traveling, as it opens up a wide array of opportunities across different locations and industries. If your goal is to work while you travel i whole heartedly believe this is the easiest way to. The people you meet and social aspect of the job are another great reason for choosing this industry.
Have you traveled the world working in this field or another one? What was your experience like? Please let me know in the comments section below.
Happy Travels <3
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