Adelaide weather is warming up and summer is well and truly on its way.  Along with these longer days and summer sun comes many new seasonal hospitality jobs in Adelaide.

Adelaide hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants are taking plenty of bookings for November and December festivities.  Consequently these businesses are looking for extra staff which can also mean new job opportunities for you.

Naturally, employers tend to prefer experienced staff for hospitality jobs but don’t let this put you off if you’re new to the hospitality game.  There are many other things you can do to impress at interview instead of offering a resume of experience.  Below we suggest a few tips and tricks for anybody without experience and looking to secure a hospitality job.

Getting ready for hospitality jobs

You should be taking action that will allow you to stand out from the crowd even before you land your first interview.

  1. UNDERTAKE SKILLS TRAINING. HITsa Industry Training delivers a number of job-ready training programs for hospitality.  These short courses introduce you to the practical skills needed from Day 1 of your new job – https://www.hitsa.com.au/subsidised-hospitality-job-ready-training-sa/ . Whilst training can’t always replace real life “on the job” experience, you can demonstrate a commitment to your hospitality goal by completing a training course.  Such a course may also be a good way to connect with hospitality businesses as they regularly seek out these students when looking for extra staff for hospitality jobs.
  2. HAVE YOUR RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL (RSA) CERTIFICATE. To serve or sell alcohol in South Australia, you must have an RSA certificate from a Nationally Recognised RTO, such as HITsa.  Potential employers will expect you to have an RSA certificate if you are applying for hospitality jobs that involve the service of alcohol.  You can get your RSA certificate through online or class room learning or as part of the job-ready skills training course – https://www.hitsa.com.au/responsible-service-of-alcohol/. Consumer & Business Services can provide you with more details on RSA requirements in South Australia – https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/licensing-and-registration/liquor/responsible-service-of-alcohol-training-rsa/
  3. COMPLETE A FIRST AID COURSE.  This is another very relevant qualification for hospitality jobs that employers would consider favourably – https://www.hitsa.com.au/provide-first-aid-course
  4. REVIEW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE.  Most potential employers will check out your social media profile as part of their recruitment process.  Make sure your Facebook page is a positive reflection of yourself.

Got an interview?  Be ready to impress

An interview is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd so taking the time to prepare is very important.  Your research will not only give you a better understanding of your potential employer, their business and the role you may be offered, it will also help to settle your pre-interview nerves.

  1. BE PREPARED.  You should find out more about the place where you may be working.  If time permits, even go there for a meal or a drink and observe the staff, the décor and the ambience.  Then at interview, be sure to let your interviewer know that you’ve done this extra research.
    It’s especially important to think about the questions you could be asked during your interview and also practice your answers.  As you’re likely to be asked “Do you have any questions for us?”, it’s also a really good idea to have a couple of your own questions on the ready.  If you think you could get nervous and forget them, why not write them down?  You can impress with a thoughtful response rather than asking about pay rates or hours of work.  Perhaps there is a topical issue in the media that is relevant and can demonstrate your wider interest in the hospitality industry.
  2. HAVE A HIGH STANDARD OF PERSONAL PRESENTATION.  As you’ll be interacting with customers and handling their meals and drinks in your new job, good personal grooming and hygiene is essential.  Your interview outfit must be neat, tidy and ironed.  No rips, stains or frays.  If you have  long hair, it’s best to tie it back.

At the Interview

  1. DON’T BE LATE. A practice run in the car or on public transport is a very good idea so you can time how long it will take you to get to your interview location.  On interview day try to arrive 10 minutes early.  If you are running late for any unforeseen reason, give your interviewer a courtesy phone call to let them know.
  2. MAINTAIN POSITIVE BODY LANGUAGE. Be confident!  Walk with purpose, smile and use eye contact.  You want to present as warm, welcoming, positive and in control so don’t cross your arms or slouch in your seat.  There’s to be no swearing and no slang when you speak and it’s best not to use casual words like “dunno, yep or nup”.  Further, don’t interrupt when your interviewer is speaking and give them your full attention.  At completion of the interview, thank your interviewer using their name, and shake their hand.  Remember also that if there is more than one person doing the interview, make sure you acknowledge everybody.
  3. SELL YOURSELF. You may not have the work experience, but consider what other skills or experience you’ve got.  How about the training you’ve just completed?  Are you a passionate foodie? Do you love meeting new people?  Have you volunteered time to a community service whilst looking for a job?  Challenge yourself before interview to answer the question “Why should they give me this job?” and be ready to answer this at interview, with examples to back up your statements wherever possible.

HITsa – here to help to find a job

HITsa provide training and employment solutions to the South Australian hospitality industry.  Our jobs board is regularly updated and a great place for you to track what hospitality jobs are available across Adelaide – https://www.hitsa.com.au/job-board/ .  Please call or email to enquire about upcoming courses or current job vacancies.