Five Most Important Qualities Needed in the Hospitality Industry

  • Mental Endurance
  • Thick Skin
  • Tolerance for Stress
  • Good Memory
  • Attention to Detail

The hospitality industry offers many high-paying careers for energetic people with excellent communication skills. Many professionals getting started in the hospitality industry want to know about the personality traits needed for a successful career in the food and beverage service industry. From hotels and restaurants to country clubs and catering companies, hospitality businesses demand a high level of focus and accuracy from their employees. The traits on this list make up the top five qualities every hospitality worker should have.

Related resource: 50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management

1. Mental Endurance

Hospitality workers often spend entire days on their feet. Carrying supplies, food, drinks and large, bulky objects requires physical strength and stamina. Hospitality workers must also have the mental stamina to endure the long hours and physical stress of a day’s work. Mental endurance is a trait associated with conscientiousness, and people who are hard workers can train themselves to increase their mental stamina. Newly hired restaurant and hotel employees often feel fatigued before the end of the day during their first weeks on the job. Employees who make it through the first few weeks of work can easily get used to the demands of the hospitality profession.

2. Thick Skin

Hotel and restaurant employees know that some customers can be very challenging. Hospitality workers with thin skin typically don’t last very long in this line of work. Thick skin is a trait associated with low neuroticism, which is inherent in a person’s temperament. People with naturally low neuroticism are ideal candidates for the hospitality industry because it’s nearly impossible for them to become flustered. Most people have about an average level of neuroticism. They get upset sometimes, but they can stay composed if they make an effort. The hospitality industry may not be the best career choice for highly neurotic people.

3. Tolerance for Stress

According to The Telegraph, hospitality industry jobs can be more stressful than professions in medicine, finance, and law enforcement. A high tolerance for stress is a trait associated with conscientiousness and low neuroticism. Being able to handle stress in the hospitality industry requires excellent focus and calm nerves. When hundreds of people arrive at a hotel or a restaurant all at the same time, the stress on employees can be very intense. Staying organized by taking notes and handling tasks in order of priority can help hospitality workers keep the stress at a manageable level.

4. Good Memory

Excellent short-term memory is essential for hotel and restaurant workers who need to keep track of a long list of tasks with time limits. While it’s important to write down as many tasks as possible, keeping track of them in memory is a good way to stay focused and organized throughout a shift. Staying focused and organized during a shift is an ability associated with conscientiousness.

5. Attention to Detail

When customers make special requests and ask for personal attention, they expect their requests to be fulfilled without any hassle. Bartenders and waiters must get all the details of an order correct while many other customers compete for their attention. Paying careful attention to detail ensures that customers remain happy and spread positive reviews of their experience to their friends and family.

The hospitality industry is always growing and evolving, and employees with the right qualities for this industry have many opportunities for advancement. The top five personality traits required for the hospitality industry are essential qualities related to hard work, strong focus and physical stamina.