Hospitality jobs

Why choose a career in hospitality?

The UK hospitality industry employs around 2.7 million people, making it one of the country's largest employers. It is also a sector known for strong internal progression - many organisations promote from within, meaning that entry-level roles can quickly lead to supervisory or management positions.

The sector is highly international. Even short periods of work experience can open doors to roles working abroad in global accommodation, entertainment, and restaurant chains.

Hospitality offers variety, teamwork, and constant interaction, making it ideal if you enjoy working with people and thrive in lively environments.

What jobs can I do in hospitality?

The hospitality sector is diverse and fast-paced, offering roles in:

• bars hotels
• entertainment venues
• events
• restaurants.

Here are examples of roles across hospitality fields that require specialised skills, training, or experience.

Hotels and resorts

Concierge

Working in hotels, resorts, or luxury apartments, concierges assist guests with bookings, travel advice, and personalised services. While formal qualifications aren't required, experience in hospitality or customer service is essential.

Common entry routes include roles such as receptionist, front desk assistant, or guest services staff, and volunteering in customer-facing positions can also help build relevant experience.

Holiday rep

Working for travel companies or resorts, a holiday representative welcomes guests, runs activities and organises excursions. First aid, childcare or sports coaching certificates can be useful, and language skills are particularly valuable for overseas work.

Experience in seasonal hospitality or tourism can help your application stand out.

Check out the salary of a holiday representative.

Receptionist

Often the first point of contact in hotels, offices, or event venues, you'll need strong organisation and communication skills to become a receptionist.

GCSEs in English and maths are useful, while qualifications in customer service or administration can provide an advantage. You can gain experience in front‑of‑house or admin roles.

Other hotel and accommodation job profiles:

• accommodation manager
• customer service manager
• hotel manager
• tour manager

Food and beverage

Barista

Preparing and serving coffee, tea, and other beverages in cafés and restaurants, most baristas start by learning the basics of drink preparation as waiting staff before taking on advanced responsibilities. You won't need formal qualifications to get started, though food hygiene certificates or specialist barista training can give you an advantage.

You'll need to be able to work efficiently in a fast‑paced environment, and you can gain experience through part‑time café roles, bar work or volunteering at events.

Catering manager

Overseeing staff, planning menus, managing budgets, and ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are met, catering managers work across restaurants, hotels, and event venues, coordinating daily operations and ensuring high-quality service for customers.

Most positions require Level 2 or 3 food hygiene certification, alongside vocational qualifications in catering or hospitality management. You'll usually work your way up to management from a catering assistant entry-level role.

Mixologist

Creating cocktails and managing the bar, mixologists focus on designing and preparing drinks for bars, restaurants or events, and often gain their expertise through bartending courses, alcohol licensing training or wider hospitality qualifications.

You'll need creativity, precision, along with an understanding of spirits and current drink trends. Many people begin their career as bar staff or trainee bartenders and advance to supervisory or freelance roles as they build experience.

Other food and beverage job profiles:

• chef
• fast food restaurant manager
• public house manager
• restaurant manager

Events and entertainment

DJ

Performing at clubs, weddings or private events is a common entry point for aspiring DJs, and although formal qualifications aren't required, courses in music production or sound engineering can help develop technical skills.

Most DJs build experience by playing at local venues, student nights, festivals or private parties and strengthen their portfolio by sharing mixes online. Discover how to start a career in music.

Club promoter

You'll play a central role in organising and marketing events and often start in the role by supporting ticket sales or social media campaigns for clubs and venues.

While there are no mandatory qualifications, experience in marketing, hospitality or events can be highly beneficial. Success in this field also relies heavily on networking and building strong relationships with local venues and audiences.

Event planner

Planning and coordinating events such as conferences, exhibitions and weddings, event managers organise schedules, budgets, and multiple tasks simultaneously. Many start as assistants or coordinators through internships, volunteering, or part-time work, gradually building a portfolio of successful events.

While not always required, degrees or vocational qualifications in events management, hospitality, or business provide a strong foundation for career progression.

Explore what qualifications you'll need as an event manager.

Other events and entertainment job profiles:

• exhibition designer
• conference centre manager
• theme park manager
• tourist information centre manager

What qualifications do I need to get a job in hospitality?

Many entry-level roles don't require a degree, and employers often provide training in areas such as food safety, health and safety, and bar or kitchen procedures, giving you the practical skills needed to succeed on the job.

For more senior roles, relevant qualifications - such as a BTEC in professional cookery, a Higher National Diploma (HND) in hospitality management, or a degree in hotel management - can be highly beneficial, demonstrating both practical knowledge and industry expertise.

Some positions also require specific certificates, such as food hygiene, alcohol licensing, or first aid. For example, a restaurant manager may need Food Hygiene Level 2 to ensure safe food preparation, while a bar supervisor would require an alcohol licensing certificate to legally manage alcohol sales.

Apprenticeships are another popular route into the sector, allowing you to earn while you learn and gain a recognised qualification. They are available at multiple levels, and many employers support apprentices in progressing to permanent or senior roles.

For more information, see hospitality apprenticeships.

How do I find a hospitality job?

Networking plays a major role in hospitality recruitment. Attending careers fairs and open days is a great way to build connections and learn about opportunities that aren't advertised online.

You can also find roles locally by enquiring with businesses near you. Common places to find hospitality work include:

• music venues
• pubs
• restaurants
• sports stadiums.

Submitting speculative applications directly to employers can also be effective - especially with smaller businesses where roles may not be publicly advertised.

Larger employers advertise vacancies on their websites, and roles are often posted on large job boards and hospitality-specific sites such as:

• Caterer.com
• HospitalityjobsUK.com
• Hosco
• CODE Hospitality

Specialist recruitment agencies can also help match you to suitable roles. Some examples include:

• COREcruitment
• Change Hospitality
• Evolve Hospitality
• Xenia Recruitment

These agencies regularly place candidates in catering, events, front-of-house, and hospitality operations - ideal for gaining experience and expanding your professional network.

Discover our tips on getting a job.

How do I write a hospitality CV?

When writing your CV, mention any relevant training and highlight your transferable skills.

Where possible, add specific examples from your previous experience - whether from school, volunteering, part-time work, or internships - to show employers you can apply these skills in a practical setting. For example:

• communication - assisting guests with enquiries, giving clear instructions to team members, or handling customer complaints professionally.
• problem solving - resolving scheduling conflicts, managing last-minute changes to bookings, or finding solutions when equipment or supplies are unavailable.
• teamwork - supporting colleagues during busy shifts, collaborating to set up events, or helping train new staff.

Discover what skills employers want.

Emphasising your flexibility is also important, as many roles involve evening, weekend, and holiday shifts. Explore our tips on writing CVs and cover letters.

How much can I earn working in hospitality?

Hospitality salaries in the UK vary depending on experience, location, role, and employer. On average, full-time workers earn around £12.76 per hour. Typical salary ranges include:

• Entry-level positions typically pay between £20,000 to £26,000 per year.
• Supervisory and management roles usually begin at £25,000 to £29,000.
• Experienced managers can earn £35,000 to £60,000 or more.

Tips can form a significant part of income in customer-facing roles, and many positions also offer additional benefits that can boost overall earnings, including:

• accommodation
• bonuses
• commission
• meals
• staff discounts.

What does career progression look like?

Hospitality careers can progress quickly, with clear pathways based on experience, performance, and a willingness to take on responsibility. For example, you could:

• begin as a catering assistant and later advance to catering manager or even operations manager.
• gain experience as an events assistant and progress an event coordinator role, eventually moving into senior planning or production positions.
• move from a waiting role into a supervisory position before stepping up to restaurant management.

Progression doesn't always require changing employers. Large hospitality organisations often promote from within and provide structured training or qualifications to help staff develop their skills.

Hospitality skills are highly transferable internationally. UK experience can lead to roles overseas in:

• cruise ships
• global hotel chains
• resorts.

While the sector is rewarding and offers strong opportunities for growth, it's important to be aware that roles can involve long hours, peak season pressure, and physically demanding work. Seasonal positions are also common, particularly in events, and can provide valuable experience for building a long-term career.

Find out more

• See what the wider hospitality sector has to offer.
• Discover 5 skills you'll gain from customer service jobs.
• Explore hospitality work abroad with travel and tourism jobs.