This has open up the possibility of many job opportunities for the locals. In fact the Hospitality & Tourism sector is one of the largest employer of Jamaicans and the biggest contributor of foreign exchange. The major universities have incorporated courses geared at equipping individuals to work in this fast growing industry.

This is an enticing career field and can be quite tempting, especially with the very lucrative pay waiting for you and benefits in store. However, getting into this industry is not all about perks, benefits and big tips. It demands of you a lot of work which involves commitment and discipline.

So, before you pass that resume or application to undergo training, try to think carefully first if this kind of profession is really for you. Here are some points to ponder on to help you see the big picture more clearly.

Humility: Do You Have It?

This job is service oriented; therefore you are required to be prepared at all times regardless of the situation to offer service. This job asks for humility, you have to be humble and has a caring heart for people you are serving. If you are the type of person that cannot lower your pride, then this would be a pretty tough job for you. However, if you are the type who loves to serve and accommodate the needs of other people, this would be pretty easy on your part.

A Perpetual Smile

Being in this kind of profession means having a perpetual smile on your face throughout your working hours. You cannot grumble and complain about work, especially in front of your guests. No matter how bad your day has been, you should be prepared to serve people with a smile.

Smiling is one way of being hospitality careers It is also one good way to make people feel that they are welcome in a new place. So, if you think you can’t keep that smile plastered on your face even if you’re not in the mood, then this kind of job is not ideally for you.

Ready To Work The Graveyard Shift?

Jobs in this field usually involve working in hotels, cafes, casinos and restaurants. All of which usually requires 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service providers. In most cases, you are not the one who will be setting your schedule but your manager.

You have to be ready to work the graveyard shift, schedules of working duty also varies. You have to be flexible and be prepared to adjust to whatever schedule you are given. It requires commitment so you have to be prepared physically and mentally also.

Goodbye Holidays!

Holidays are the busiest time of the year for this industry, therefore, you have to be prepared to give up your own holiday celebrations while you serve other people so that they can have their holiday vacation of a lifetime. This part of the job does not only affect you, but also your family. So it means that you will also have to prepare them so they can understand the nature of your job.

Home Away From Home

Travelling is a part for most positions in this career path. If you’ll be working in a cruise or airline setting, then you should be prepared to have your home away from home, which would be your ship or airplane. There are also tour guide positions in which you would sometimes be on tour for a number of days. You get to go home for about a day or so and you’ll be off on another tour once more.