How Have Millennials Impacted the Hospitality Industry
Love them or hate them, there’s simply no denying the effect that millennial workers have had on the general job market. In fact, the hospitality sector itself has experienced a huge growth in business as a result of the spending habits of the millennial generation. While it’s easy to see how this can equate to increased profitability on behalf of companies operating within the hospitality industry, millennials are having a real affect on other aspects of the hospitality industry as well. Technology Usage One of the most obvious effects of the millennial workforce is the increasing reliance and adoption of innovative technology. Moreover, the majority of millennial workers are already highly familiar with computer software and, in some cases, hardware, before they even enter the workforce. This gives companies, including those in the hospitality industry, the opportunity to embrace new technologies without having to worry too much about assimilating their staff to new systems, concepts or applications. In some cases, a millennial employee may even be able to offer their own recommendations when it comes to implementing new technology or software into a company’s day-to-day operations. Such recommendations should always be considered before committing to a solution, but they should never be dismissed outright or ignored as such endorsements typically come from an employee’s personal experience. Real-Time Communications Millennial talent is used to real-time, instantaneous communications. Due largely to their familiarity with social networking, text messaging and even online chat rooms, it can be difficult for a traditional workforce to keep up with these standards and expectations. However, companies that can adapt to the concept of real-time communications may be able to increase customer service, bolster profitability and improve relationships with their entire staff. Health and Wellness in the Workplace Today’s millennial talent also tends to be more mindful of their eating, dieting and exercising habits as opposed to workers of old. With healthier dining options than ever before, as well as greater access to exercise facilities, the majority of millennial workers lead active and healthy lifestyles. As such, it’s in an employer’s best interest to accommodate these trends wherever possible. If you maintain an in-house cafeteria or lunchroom, for example, make sure healthy options, including vegetarian meals, are available. Company-sponsored recreational activities can go a long way in ensuring your staff stays active, including your non-millennial workers, and some companies even go so far as to partner up with local gyms to offer discounted memberships or, in some cases, free services to their employees. RMG and the Millennial Workforce As you can see, the millennial workforce is quite different than their older, more traditional counterparts. With that in mind, it’s important that you are able to accommodate millennials as well as non-millennials in both service and employment. If you need assistance making the proper adjustments to your workforce, or even if you just want to find out more about the type of services we provide, please contact us today!
Interview: Expect the Unexpected
While some job seekers in the hospitality industry find the initial interview process to be a breeze, others struggle with the process. One of the biggest issues cited comes in the form of answering the unexpected or ad hoc questions that may be asked by their interviewer. While there’s no surefire way to prepare yourself for every possible question that may arise, there are a number of steps you can take in order to boost your confidence when it comes to providing answers to the unexpected. Recruit Friends or Family for Assistance Friends, family members and even previous co-workers or managers all make for great resources when it comes to helping you prepare for an interview. Not only can they ask you specific questions that you’ve come up with, they can also come up with some questions completely on their own. Apart from instilling confidence in your ability to answer unexpected questions, this also strengthens your ability to think on your feet without hesitation. Rely on Past Interview Experiences Think back to your past interview experiences. This is especially useful if you can recall interviews you’ve had within the hospitality industry. While you obviously won’t be able to remember every single question and answer from the past, this serves as a good launching point when it comes to ensuring preparedness for nearly any question that may be asked in upcoming interviews. Research, Research, Research! If you are new to the hospitality field, do your research beforehand. Not only will this give you an idea of the kinds of questions you can expect during the interview and onboarding process, it can also give you a better idea of whether or not the hospitality industry is a right fit for your skill set. Even if you’ve been in the field of hospitality for quite some time, it never hurts to research a company before entering the interview process. This is incredibly useful when it comes to preparing for any ad hoc or unexpected questions that may arise during the initial interview. Finding Help With RMG While the above tips are great when it comes to preparing for possible interview questions, it’s not enough to prepare you for every question that might be asked. If you find you are struggling with the interview process, please contact the Miami staffing professionals at RMG today!