Expert: Steve Young - 6/13/2008

Question
Hi Steve, I am interested in a sales position in hospitality. I have sales experience in retail, as well as packaging materials. My goal is to continue in sales, but I want to work in a more interesting environment.  My friend suggested the hospitality industry. Can you give me any advice on how to leverage my past sales experience and get a good job in hospitality sales?

Answer
Retail and packaging has many skills that transfer over to hotel sales.  In retail you probably upsold customers, helped them meet their needs, turned a dissatisfied customer into a happy satisfied customer.  In packaging you probably exceeded your goals, came up with creative ways to exceed budgeted goals....

In hotel sales, you will be selling guestrooms, meeting and banquet facilities, and amenities to maximize revenue for your hotel.  

Learn the hotel language and ins and outs of the hotel business before your interview.  The Director of Sales is the one that does the hiring, and they strongly prefer someone that knows the business.

You can learn the business by calling a hotel sales manager at a hotel and asking them for some advice.  Try www.ecornell.com or www.aprinda.com or possibly www.ahla.com

You could also start at the front office and try and transfer over to the sales department.