How hospitality networking can help you boost your career

With the rapid growth of the hospitality industry, networking has become an essential strategy for professionals to advance their careers and remain competitive. The goal of this activity is to connect with peers, share knowledge, explore possibilities and collaborate on initiatives that can lead to more job opportunities. With more than 85% of positions filled through personal or professional connections, networking is one of the best ways to land on your dream job. Join us as we look in detail at the benefits of networking in hospitality.

Benefits of networking in hospitality

In the tourism and travel sector, networking is more than just exchanging business cards; it’s a strategic tool for career advancement and personal development. Building a robust network can provide numerous opportunities that can significantly boost your career. Let’s look at some of the main benefits.

Access to job opportunities

One of the most immediate benefits of networking is access to professional openings. Many positions, especially higher-level roles, are filled through referrals and internal recommendations rather than public job postings. By connecting with industry professionals, you increase your chances of hearing about and being considered for these roles. A strong network can open doors to new job opportunities that might not be accessible otherwise.

Learning and development

Networking allows you to learn from the experiences and insights of others. Peers and mentors can provide valuable advice on career paths, industry trends and best practices. Attending industry conferences, workshops and seminars through your network can further boost your knowledge and skills. Continuous learning and development are vital for staying competitive and advancing in your career.

Building your reputation

A strong professional network helps you boost your standing in the industry. When you consistently engage with others, share your knowledge and contribute to discussions, you establish yourself as a knowledgeable and reliable professional. This positive reputation can lead to recognition and respect within the industry, further boosting your career prospects. Higher visibility can open up more career opportunities and elicit invitations to speak at events or contribute to high-profile projects.

Mentorship and guidance

Networking can connect you with experienced professionals who can provide guidance, support and advice. Mentors can help you navigate challenges, set career goals and develop strategies to achieve them. They can also introduce you to their own networks, further expanding your opportunities and resources.

Collaborative opportunities

Networking can lead to joint ventures, partnerships and projects. Collaborating with others in the industry can provide new experiences, build your skills and increase your visibility. These collaborative projects can also lead to significant achievements that bolster your resume and career profile.

Staying updated with industry trends

The hospitality industry is dynamic, with constant changes in trends, technologies and customer preferences. Networking keeps you informed about these changes. Engaging with industry groups, participating in forums and following thought leaders helps you stay ahead of the curve. Being knowledgeable about current trends makes you a valuable asset to employers and positions you as a forward-thinking professional.

Support and encouragement

Building a network of like-minded professionals provides a support system that can offer emotional and professional support, especially during challenging times. Encouragement from peers and mentors can boost your confidence and motivation, helping you overcome obstacles and continue progressing in your career.

Developing interpersonal skills

Effective networking helps you develop essential aptitudes such as communication, negotiation and relationship building. These skills are crucial for career advancement, as they enable you to interact effectively with colleagues, clients and stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills can also improve your ability to lead teams and manage projects successfully.

Career longevity and security

In times of economic downturns or industry disruptions, a strong network can offer support, advice and potential job leads. Knowing you have a network to rely on can provide peace of mind and security, allowing you to focus on your career growth and development.

Preparing to network effectively

Networking can be a confusing and challenging activity for many. The following steps should help you on your way to making effective connections.

Understand your goal

First, decide why you are networking. Are you looking for career opportunities, seeking advice or trying to form business partnerships? A clear goal will guide your approach to connecting with the right people or organizations for fruitful results.

Develop a positive mindset

Networking requires a friendly and approachable demeanor. Learn how to smile, make eye contact and be genuinely interested in others. People appreciate when you reflect such confidence and positivity in your interactions.

Research and learn

You have to understand the industry and its audience before you make an approach. Learn the latest industry trends, news and developments in your targeted hospitality niche to help you start meaningful conversations. Showing others how well informed you are regarding the industry will earn you connections genuinely interested in hiring you for their organizations.

Actively listen

Master networkers develop great communication skills, which includes listening. You can do this by asking open-ended questions and encouraging others to share their experiences and insights. Reflect on what others are saying and respond thoughtfully, showing you value their input.

Be prepared for rejection

Not every attempt will be successful. You need to remain open-minded about rejections instead of getting discouraged by the failures. If someone doesn’t respond initially, politely follow up and express continued interest. Most importantly, you need to know how to learn from the experience and move on.

Best practices for maintaining a strong professional network

Once you’re ready to start meeting people, consider implementing the following best practices to maintain a healthy professional network that supports your career.

Regular follow-ups

After meeting a potential business partner at a conference, send a follow-up email within a week to thank them for their time. Remind them of your discussion and suggest a coffee meeting to explore collaboration opportunities further. This is the easiest way to keep the relationship active and show your genuine interest.

Keep your network informed

When you achieve a significant milestone, such as a promotion or a major project, share the news with your network through LinkedIn or an email update. It will open the door for congratulatory interactions with your network, which might come with job offers or project ideas.

Personalize your interactions

Instead of sending a generic greeting, personalize your message by referencing a recent conversation or shared experience. For instance: “Happy holidays! I hope you’ve had a great year since we last met at the XYZ conference,” could be much more effective than a standard message.

Be authentic and genuine

During networking events, focus on building genuine relationships rather than collecting contact information. Ask open-ended questions and show a sincere interest in learning about the other person’s work and interests to open doors for genuine conversations.

Challenges in hospitality networking and how to overcome them

Professionals looking to leverage connections for career advancement don’t always find it easy. Acknowledging the issues and understanding the correct way to deal with them is the key to success. Discussed below are some of the more common challenges along with the suggested approaches to overcome them.

Overcoming initial nerves

Networking can feel intimidating, especially for those who are new to the industry or naturally introverted. To overcome initial nerves, start practicing the art of networking with small events to build confidence. Prepare for an elevator pitch and exercise active listening for a great start.

Building and maintaining relationships

Making initial contacts and nurturing these over time requires consistent effort and engagement. One of the easiest ways to do that is to send a thank-you email or message after your initial meetings with potential contacts. You can also use social media and professional networks such as LinkedIn to stay connected.

Balancing quality and quantity

Some professionals constantly pursue expanding their network by focusing on the number rather than the quality of their connections. Poor quality networks can lead to superficial interactions with limited value. Prioritize quality over quantity by investing time in understanding contacts before networking, engaging in genuine conversations and offering help where possible.

Fear of competition

Some people hesitate to share insights or collaborate due to the fear of losing a competitive edge in their respective industries. They tend to value immediate gains over mutual benefits and long-term relationships. However, people who share industry knowledge and expertise build trust, which helps them reap bigger rewards.

One of the best ways to learn how to overcome these challenges is to study for a hospitality degree. Through classes and internships, you will learn how to handle networking and get a chance to start building your own professional connections.

Dos and don’ts of hospitality networking

As well as using the best practices outlined above, consider the following advice to achieve success in your networking endeavors.

Dos

Some of the top things to consider when networking are:

• Use active listening: show engagement by nodding, smiling and responding during conversations
• Ask open-ended questions: encourage deeper conversations by asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer
• Follow Up: send a thank-you email after meeting someone, suggesting the next steps to maintain the connection
• Offer help: support others in achieving their goals to build reciprocal relationships
• Be positive and confident: make a good impression by approaching professionals with positivity and confidence
• Be truthful: always be honest about your business to maintain credibility
• Be authentic: show your genuine self as professionals value authenticity more than a fake persona
• Keep your LinkedIn updated: regularly update your profile with new achievements

Don’ts

There are also plenty of things to avoid, such as:

• Avoid monopolizing the conversation: instead of taking a dominating position during a conversation, make it a two-way interaction
• Avoid hard selling: keep aggressive sales tactics way out of the conversations
• Don’t fear competition: attend events even if your competitors are there; it’s a chance to learn and mark career growth
• Don’t go unprepared: have your elevator pitch ready and research attendees in advance
• Avoid being distracted: focus on the person you’re speaking with rather than looking for the next contact

Conclusion

Networking in the hospitality industry is a powerful tool for boosting your career. It provides access to job opportunities, facilitates learning and development, builds your reputation and improves career security. The more you put effort towards building meaningful relationships, the more support you will receive for your long-term career goals.

If you want to learn how to master hospitality networking skills and build a strong support team of elite professionals, see how a degree from a renowned hotel management school such as Les Roches can help.

Main Image: Xavier Lorenzo / Moment via Getty Images