Kamaxi Overseas Consultants

To truly match your potential, it is not enough to study hard and land a job. The really successful continually improve themselves, learn from the past and others and plan for the future.

The key factors to doing this include time management, putting together a personal CV, frequently appraising your skills, assessing the skills that help you across all sections of life, and learning new skills.

People who look to improve themselves try to ensure they live a balanced life, where work, family, hobbies and learning go hand-in-hand. This can be difficult, particularly in the tough conditions of cruise ship jobs or hotel jobs, but not impossible. Learning to do this can be as simple as delegating or sharing jobs based on your position at work, making lists of things to do, and avoiding things you do not really want or need to do.

It also helps to know the times when you feel most energetic about doing things, so you can schedule in the hardest tasks during that time.

Do not only draw up a CV or resume to apply for new jobs in hospitality. These pieces of paper help you understand the skills you have learnt over the years and how you received them – through volunteer work, an internship, hobbies, education or employment. You can then pinpoint the ones you need to work on further.

There are some skills that help you in all areas of life, such as people skills or personal hygiene. Some of these that help you at all times include interpersonal skills, verbal and written skills, problem-solving skills, basic IT skills, empathy and organisational skills.

Often you might identify new skills you would like to have, but have problems learning them, either because you do not believe in yourself, you do not have the funds or time. Positive thought, getting support from inspiring people and taking small steps can help boost confidence and self-esteem. To tackle a lack of funds, look for free courses on the internet or scholarships by institutes in your vicinity that will save both time and money.

Every time you achieve a new goal or learn a new skill, keep a record of it – either in a diary or by adding it to your CV. All these help you set personal goals and get on track to achieving them.

Above all, never neglect your physical and mental health and well-being. Engage in regular exercise, eat healthy and spend time de-stressing whenever you can. Being healthy ensures that you can work at an optimum level all the time.

The world is increasingly harnessing the potential of social media in all fields. Overseas recruitment agencies are also looking at the virtual world to find new talent that will best suit the companies they work with.

One of the best social media tools in recruitment is LinkedIn. A 2015 study by Digital Marketing Ramblings found that LinkedIn’s 332 million users received 28 billion views in the third quarter of 2014, with the average user having 930 connections. Hotels and hospitality ventures often feature vacancy posts and career opportunities, and individuals are able to connect with influential people within the industry quite easily.

So how do you stand out from the thousands of prospective employees standing in the same shoes as you? Everything from the photograph you add to the content of your profile can make the difference between interest from a recruiter to being just one of the crowd.

The first thing to keep in mind is that LinkedIn is professional, and should be kept such. The kind of posts you would normally upload on Facebook or Twitter may appear too carefree on this social media website. Your profile picture should be simple or capture you in your profession – in uniform or in formal wear. Professional headshots are best, but if you do not have one, a straight-forward one will do.

Even if you are looking for jobs in the hospitality industry, avoid making it too obvious in your profile. It could appear desperate if ‘looking for new opportunities’ appears right under your name. Your headline should entice recruiters to offer you one instead. Your job title should feature keywords that the industry is familiar with and hiring managers are looking for – perhaps ‘chef’ instead of ‘cook’.

In the summary that follows, offer a brief overview of your career, including any highlights. When it comes to your experience, it is time to turn on the sell full-scale. Recruiters are aware of the roles and responsibilities that the various positions in the hospitality industry demand. Show them how you excelled in these roles and give them a reason to make you an offer.

It is also important to join various LinkedIn groups in the industry to keep in touch with the latest trends and issues. Sharing posts from other professionals shows you are engaged and interested in your profession.

Finally, it is vital to keep your profile updated with the latest in your career progression. Sharing relevant and timely articles or posts now and then helps keep you in view of recruitment agencies. Use LinkedIn to your advantage and watch your career grow.

In the hospitality industry, every employee represents the company, and those who interact directly with guests become its brand ambassadors in a way. So recruiters are always looking out for those who will reflect the company values as well as do the job efficiently.

The first thing recruiters will look at is your resume. To have one that stands out from the thousands of others, ensure it is brief; highlights education, work experience and skills relevant to the position you are applying for; and lists achievements, languages and contact details.

Companies often outsource recruitment to external agencies, and they take their jobs very seriously. Many conduct background checks on prospective employees since staff in the hospitality industry interact with guests frequently and may also have access to personal belongings. It is best to be truthful about all the information in your resume.

Recruiters like to see career progression, which proves to them that you have what it takes to succeed, and that you have goals and aspire to constantly improve yourself. In each previous job posting or internship, you may highlight the responsibilities and skills matching the position you are applying for.

Use words that show your competence for the job – such as ‘time management’ or ‘organisational skills’ – as well as terms that prove you have what it takes to succeed in the hospitality industry – such as ‘adaptable’, ‘versatile’ and ‘resourceful’.

Any gaps in your career should be adequately explained, even if it is to raise or look after family, unsuccessfully try your hand at your own business or engage in volunteer work unrelated to your field.

If you are on social media, be wary of what you post. Not all recruiters are interested in the content of the posts, but there’s no harm in being cautious. You may assert your identity, give opinion and generally be yourself, but bad-mouthing colleagues or your current employer;being racist, sexist or offensive; or proof of having indulged in illegal activities might work against you.

Many recruiters also look for candidates, particularly in mid- to senior levels on LinkedIn, so constantly updating your profile and connecting with people in the industry early on can help boost your chances to grow quickly.

Companies sometimes further screen candidates over the phone to find out about availability for the position, salary expectations, special requirements and other information pertaining to the job. This helps them further short-list the candidates to be called for interviews.

Some positions request for references, but it is always a good idea to offer the recruiter the option. Offering a good reference can help increase your chances of landing a job. However, it is best to suggest that the contact information of your references is available on request,particularly if you have not yet informed your current employer that you are leaving.

Choose references who will provide an accurate description of your work ethics. These can even include clients, previous business partners, and tutors if you do not have much work experience.

In the hospitality industry, the quality of staff demonstrates the quality of service, which indicates whether or not the venture will be successful. This makes recruiters fairly selective when it comes to hiring.

Interviews are often nerve-wracking for any individual, particularly in hospitality jobs where the applicants can be numerous and varied. Preparing ahead of an interview helps you stay calm, and knowing what the interviewer is looking for can boost your confidence with preparedness.

The first thing interviewers look at is your CV, on which experience and qualifications take precedence, generally in that order. Some interviews start off on the phone, when the human resources (HR) department calls. They can assess your communication skills and interest in working with the company you have applied for. When called in for a face-to-face interview, employers often take notice of smart dressing, confident body language and good eye contact. Hospitality jobs generally require team work, people skills and technical ability – qualities the interviewer will be watching for throughout the interview process.

But above all, in hospitality, they look for attitude and problem-solving abilities. This is one industry where learning to think on your feet can seal the deal between a disgruntled guest who will never return, or a thankful one who will recommend your company to everyone else. Based on your CV, interviewers will ask for details of a particular job or skill you acquired, so knowing what you’ve written is vital. They might also ask what you know about the company and job you’ve applied for to assess your understanding of the requirements and how you feel you might fit in with the company values and ethics. This is where your previous research will come in handy.

It is important to listen carefully to the questions being asked and reply appropriately, politely, and to the point. The interviewer’s time is important so it makes sense to get your answer across as briefly, but equally as informatively, as possible. Practising to answer questions before-hand can help. When speaking, the interviewer will look for confidence in yourself and your abilities, and perhaps a desire to learn – based on the level of job you are applying for.

Many interviewers also ask you to describe yourself. This can be tricky as there is obviously a lot you can say. It’s best to paint to a picture of yourself with the job in mind. They are looking for a human being that they can work with, who will produce results. Brush up on any skills you think are needed for the job you’ve applied for, in case they have an on-the-spot test.

Being positive in your answers can work to your advantage, even if the question might tend to draw your negatives – such as challenges dealt with previously, dealing with unhappy guests, etc. These are asked to see how you solve problems with diplomacy and tact. Avoid blaming someone else for a mistake, and choose examples from your experiences that show how you effectively handled the situation, or even if it failed, what you learned from it.

Many interviews end with a chance for the interviewee to ask any questions they might have. One of the most immediate queries you might have is salary, but this might not be the right time to ask. Often, this is either mentioned in the vacancy advertisement or given to you by the HR department when they offer you the job. Instead, take the chance at the interview to ask about working conditions such as what your typical day might be like, opportunities for expanding your skill base within the company, or the work processes.

Throughout the interview, be true to yourself and honest. When it’s all over, smile and shake hands if it feels appropriate. And hope for the best – you’ll get the job if it was meant for you!

Excelling in college is only half your work done. Landing the perfect cruise ship jobs or hospitality jobs depend heavily on work experience. But what if you’re only just starting out, and have no recommendations to offer? Making a good impression at your job interview helps a great deal. So how do you prepare?

The first thing to do is learn about the company you are applying to and what your prospective job will involve. Knowing a little bit about the company, including any major recent news about it such as takeovers or mergers, will show the interviewer that you are not just interested in a job that pays you, but in the business as well.

If you are applying to a hotel nearby, it might be beneficial to pop by for an incognito visit to get a feel of the standards they expect and the way they treat their customers. While you should avoid criticising the company during the interview should you spot something amiss, you can diplomatically suggest a few ideas to do things differently – something that will show the interviewer what you can bring to the table.

It is important to prepare yourself before the interview, which means keeping all your documents, certificates and recommendations filed and ready the night before. Note down any questions you would like to ask the interviewer, and think of possible questions that you might be required to answer.

Your CV is one of the most important pieces of paper you will carry with you to the interview. Most hospitality companies and cruise lines receive hundreds of job applications every day. You need to make sure you stand out from the rest. Keep your CV short, simple and easy to read with legible font and clear headings for experience, internships, volunteering, education and anything else you would like to highlight. It is ideal to have a CV that is no longer than two pages and lists your latest job or qualification first. Being honest by not fudging details and stressing your strengths will work in your favour. Contact information – such as email, working phone numbers and postal address – is imperative to make it easy for the company to get back in touch with you after the interview.

It’s best to also keep your clothes ironed and ready. Always choose to dress smartly, in clean clothes and shoes. Try to avoid loud colours and too much jewellery or make-up. Wearing long sleeves and trousers also help conceal any tattoos, statements that are best avoided for the first impression with a stranger. Hair should be neatly combed and set in place, and for men, any facial hair trimmed appropriately. Deodorise, and avoid smoking or drinking coffee right before your interview.

Ensure you know how to get to the interview venue and how long it will take you to get there so you are well ahead of time, even if you do get lost or are delayed in traffic. Get a good night’s sleep so you are fresh and alert during the interview.

Above all, be confident!

Hospitality jobs in the Middle East and in Western countries are worthwhile stepping stones to successful careers in the industry. Around the world, approximately 75 million more jobs are expected to be created in the travel industry over the next 10 years, says top audit firm Ernst & Young.

While each establishment has its own requirements, there are certain positions that are inevitable to fulfil world-class standards. Food production involves bakery, specialty kitchen and the cold section. The major positions are filled in the specialty kitchen and cold sections. At the entry level, you will be a junior assistant cook undertaking duties including preparation of basic food, organising the storeroom and keeping the work areas clean.

Assistant cooks generally prepare dishes as directed by seniors and ensure their quality. In some large kitchens, such as cruise lines, they are often assigned to a single station such as pasta, or salad, or bread. They also oversee use of supply, maintain sanitation standards and sometimes help test recipes.

A cook does much of the actual cooking that goes on in a restaurant with the aid of the assistant cook. They ensure that the customer is served a meal according to his/her request, taking into account any additions or subtractions desired from the meal such as spice level, allergies or dietary restrictions.

A chef de partie – station cook or line chef – heads a particular area of production with a demi chef de partie for assistance. Together, they prepare the food according to the standards and recipes of the restaurant they work in. Establishments often require you to work as a chef de partie trainee before being allowed to officially hold the title.

Together with the assistant butcher, the butcher prepares various meats from beef, pork, lamb, poultry and fish, to game birds, crustaceans, and other exotic cuts. They cut, trim, bone, tie, grind and slice, as well as prepare and place the cuts in an attractive display.

In the pastry department, there’s a pastry assistant, demi chef de partie and chef de partie who do exactly the same jobs as the counterparts in the kitchen, butinstead focus on desserts. Bakers and their assistants prepare a wide range of baked goods, particularly different types of bread. From the mixing of the ingredients to the product emerging warm out of the oven, they are involved at every step of the way.

The junior sous chef and sous chef are under the command of the executive chef. The sous chef is responsible for operations in the absence of the executive chef, and generally looks after scheduling of personnel, inventory, cleanliness, organisation and training. He/she also fills in for the chef de partie when needed. This hierarchy is replicated in the pastry department.

The entire staff is assisted by the utility rounds, assistant pantryman, utility cleaner, utility pantryman, and cook tournant.

Hospitality also involves the food & beverage(F&B) service department. Just like the food production division, the utility restaurant and utility snack personnel ensure impeccable cleanliness and hygiene in the areas under their responsibility.

Among the cruise ship jobs often overlooked is that of the mess steward. He/she ensures that the crew have enough to eat by replenishing the buffet service counters in the mess, cleaning the area and making sure soiled dishes and cutlery are taken back to the galley and replaced with clean ones. His/her counterpart in the hospitality division is the room service steward.

Junior assistant waiters, assistant waiters, waiters, assistant buffet waiters and buffet waiters engage in similar jobs, differing only in a hierarchy that comes with experience. They take reservations, set the tables, welcome guests and recommend dishes, convey the orders to the kitchen along with special requests, serve food, make and present bills, handle payments and also clear the tables.

In the beverage, or bar, section, these jobs are handled by the deck steward and deck supervisor who manage the pool area, and the bar waiter and assistant bartender who work in restaurants. Bartenders may also be hired for their flair skills, and all must have good knowledge of spirits and cocktails. Sommeliers have the specialised job of providing wine service and recommendations along with pairing wine with food.

Under housekeeping for hotels and cruise lines, utility hotel staff are engaged in janitorial work and ensure all areas are kept clean and sanitised. Cabin stewards are specific to cruise ship jobs, and are generally assigned a number of cabins to keep clean and tidy. The assistant cabin stewards help out before they learn the job well enough to be promoted.

With cleanliness a major feature in the hospitality industry, the linen keeper’s job is also quite important. They ensure that all linen is laundered, stored, and either replaced or repaired. Anything with stains or tears cannot go back into the rooms. He/she also ensures that the linen and soft furnishings in the restaurants, as well as aprons and staff uniforms are clean.

Many hotels also require a tailor whose job involves darning uniforms, linen and upholstery; stitching and altering uniforms according to specifications; any altering required by guests; and other duties required by the hotel.

Jobs are clearly aplenty in the hospitality industry around the world. It’s simply a matter of choosing which sector gives you the most satisfaction.

The world of cruises is constantly evolving to meet changing customer demands, and along with it cruise ship jobs change too. The industry has the rare privilege of being able to shift assets to more lucrative markets: the most recent being heading towards Asia.

According to Cruise Lines International, Asians are taking up a sizeable chunk of cruise passengers, with a preference for shorter cruises. They are also younger than usual, and cruise companies are responding by increasing capacity, sending more cruise ships to Asia, and tailoring services and activities towards this market.The end result is great opportunities for those looking for cruise ship employment.

Cruise companies are bending over backwards to cater to passenger demands. There has been everything from a heavy metal music cruise to a cruise for chocoholics, another for shopaholics and one for geeks who love science. River cruising is also emerging as a contender in the game. All of these present tremendous growth trajectories for those employed on board.

In the cruise kitchens, there are changing tastes to be catered to, and not just with regard to cuisine style. Ships now offer a variety of diet options, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo, low-calorie, low-carb, low-salt and everything in between, so the challenges of learning and delivering high-quality products consistently create a bubbling nest of knowledge.

As more families spend their holidays cruising, requirements from staff change too. From activities and amenities, to food and port tours, cruise lines are attempting to cater to one of the widest age ranges ever. Cruise ship hotel managers face the challenging but exciting role of ensuring that all sectors work together seamlessly, dealing with issues, answering questions from staff, addressing complaints and mingling with guests.

As the international cruise market expands at 6.9 per cent, cruise ship jobs are being created at an unprecedented pace. New cruise ships are being launched all the time, and with changing tastes the kind of positions on offer are very varied. Along with the regular hotel jobs on cruise lines such as waiters, receptionists, bartenders, stewards, and chefs, positions can get quite peculiar and cater to very niche needs.

There have been known to be cruise ship jobs as odd as Culinary Arts Center Host involving coordinating and hosting on-board culinary enrichment programmes such as cooking workshops and wine tasting; Crews Activities Manager to organise and manage crew activities; Brew Master to brew different types of beer in the on-board brewery and give tours; Dining Room Greeter to announce dinner time, assist with service and hand out treats; and even Kennel Master to care for, feed, play and clean up after pets on pet-friendly ships!

With a good overseas recruitment agency and an open mind, the cruise ship industry can offer career opportunities that are both lucrative as well as interesting.