After all, it has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world which means higher-than-average salaries, comfortable living standards for all who reside there, and an abundance of potential job opportunities.

If you are considering a move to Dubai or other regions of the UAE, then you may be wondering how on earth you are going to be able to obtain a job.

With so many people looking to move there, the standards that companies expect from job seekers are high, and a large number of applicants can make it difficult to stand out.

This is where networking comes into play. When looking for a job anywhere in the world, networking is essential; however, it is especially crucial in Dubai where many positions are filled through word of mouth and those who are already in the know.

Hospitality jobs in Dubai are some of the most sought-after jobs for those looking to move to this Emirate as many of the skills one already possesses can easily be transferred.

The ability to speak English is often a big help, as is prior experience in the service industry.

Obviously, if you have yet to develop your life in Dubai thoroughly, this can be seen as a hindrance. But remember, if there is a will there is a way. If you are looking to make your dreams of working in hospitality in Dubai a reality, read on for three tips for networking your way to the prize.

1. Understand what you have to offer and cultivate your networking strategy.

If you don’t know why you should get a specific job, then how are you going to be able to pitch yourself to a potential employer? Not only do you need to be confident in your abilities, but you also need to know how to present them to a stranger transparently and efficiently that also brings the wow factor.

Before you start your networking journey, spend some time thinking deeply about your skills and experiences and how they will relate to a job in the hospitality industry in Dubai. Consider all your life experiences, not just the obvious ones, and find ways for them to connect to the position.

All experiences have taught you something, so even if you haven’t ever worked in the hospitality industry, or have been out of it for a few years, you should still be able to find ways to utilize the skills and expertise you do have to show that you are prepared.

Once you know the reasons that you are going to present, then it is time to practice your pitch. Repeat it over and over again to yourself, and then your friends and family, so that you become comfortable promoting yourself in a manner that seems confident and natural.

2. Update your resume, business cards and online presence.

Just like in the golden olden days, resumes are still crucial, especially when it concerns applying for a position in a foreign country. These are still the gold standard by which firms judge applicants’ experience, capabilities and professionalism. For this reason, it is essential that you have your resume up to date.

Additionally, you want to have business cards — both the printed and the online version. Spread your business cards around liberally. Anyone you meet, give them your card. Networking is all about getting to know more and more people and having your name move around the right circles for the career you want. So, if you meet someone in a different industry but who works in Dubai, then you certainly want to give them your card.

Because you never know — they could be back in Dubai next week at a dinner party and hear a friend of a friend complain about how they can’t find anyone to fill a position, and BOOM, your business card is placed into their hand.

There is a very good chance that this may never happen; however, it certainly won’t if you don’t put yourself out there and network as though your life depends on it. (Your life may depend on it.) You have nothing to lose.

However, no matter how many people you talk to, give your business cards to, or meet online/offline, remember that being genuine is the most important characteristic that any human can have. So, while you are selling yourself, remember to stay humble and show interest by asking thoughtful questions and act in the same manner that you would should you be an employee of the said firm.

While you can’t overlook the old manner of doing things, you also shouldn’t forget about the new ways — social media, for instance. Generally, when you meet someone in person, you are able to solidify your relationship with them and convince them of your skills a lot quicker. However, if you are unable to meet anyone in person, then social media is a necessary middleman.

Through Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, you can start and encourage relationships with recruiters in a variety of companies that you are potentially interested in working in and for.

Social media can be used to start these relationships, as well as to maintain others, and to expand your network. You always want to be growing your network.

3. Attend in-person or online networking events.

As mentioned earlier, networking is still the predominant way that firms in Dubai hire recruits, which means you have to put yourself out there. If you honestly want to create this new life for yourself, then you need to be proactive. It certainly isn’t going to just fall into your lap.

Luckily, in 2018, you don’t necessarily have to attend in-person networking events (although those are always a great idea!). If you haven’t yet jumped ship to the area, then you can instead join online networking sites or job boards that can assist you in connecting with the appropriate people.

In these groups, you can work on building relationships with recruiters, firms, or other people in the industry through monthly meetings. Once again, make sure that you are a proactive member of the group because even if there isn’t a position open now,  you want someone to think of you when something opens up immediately.

When it comes to any of these methods of networking, just make sure that you are taking full advantage of any opportunity that comes your way. Make the time to attend all networking opportunities and always be working on expanding your network. You never know who is going to be able to present you with your dream position, what conversation may lead to a job offer, or where you may hear about the job you have been longing for all these years.

Networking is only powerful when you actually bring yourself to the table. It is a two-way street; the more you put out there, the more you are going to get back. If you are scared of promoting yourself, unsure about your capabilities, nervous about approaching someone, or insecure in your communication, then it isn’t going to work.

Have you ever considered moving to Dubai? Are you interested in finding a hospitality job there? What is stopping you from making it happen? Let us know your thoughts, hopes and fears regarding the matter in the comments below!

AUTHOR BIO

Daulet Zhumagulov is the Founder and CEO at WeHoteliers, a specialized online hospitality portal in the GCC region where prospective and experienced talents can explore career opportunities and be discovered by the top employers of the industry. The company’s mission is to provide an efficient and modern platform that will focus on the needs and interests of hospitality professionals.

The post Dabble in Dubai? Network your way to a hospitality job appeared first on HospoHub.

Employers tend to look for someone who is:

Friendly

First and foremost, if you want to work in hospitality, you’ll need to be a friendly and approachable person, and this is something an employer is going to be looking out for. Bar owners and managers want their customers to feel welcome and comfortable in their bar, so they’ll want to know that they’ll be greeted by friendly faces.

You might be a naturally friendly person anyway; great! Just make sure to show your potential employer that you are as friendly and approachable as you say you are.

Interesting

In a recent interview with Australian Bartender, Ivy Mix, an award-winning bartender, said, “A good bartender is going to look at you, sum you up, and chat to you – a good bartender should make sure you are never on your iPhone.”

Ultimately, a really good bartender should be interesting enough to engage with customers. It’s often these interactions that keep customers coming back every weekend, not just the drinks or prices.

Tenacious

When you are tending a bar, it’s important that you know when to say no to a customer. Sometimes, people will drink more than they should and it could be up to you to cut them off. An employer is going to want to see that you are tenacious and will stick to your guns if you’re dealing with a customer who has had too much to drink.

They may say that the customer is always right, but when you’re working in hospitality, that’s not always the case, so you’ll need to show that you’ve got the grit to make tough calls.

Responsible

When you’re working behind a bar, you take on a lot of responsibility. You’ll be handling cash, looking after customers and making sure that you’re following the relevant alcohol laws. This means that an employer is going to want to see that you can be responsible and trustworthy. Little things like turning up to an interview on time and well dressed can go a long way to showing them that they can trust you.

With this in mind, you’ll also need to make sure you’ve got your Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate – you can’t serve alcohol without it. You can find out more about the course here.

Quick Thinking

One skill that all bartenders need is the ability to think on your feet. Every shift is different behind a bar and you could be facing different challenges every day. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re a quick thinker and a problem solver. This will show that you are able to take on the challenges of bartending.

There are lots of different things that employers will be looking for in a bartender, but the most important thing is to make sure they see what you can bring to the table. Be honest, but be prepared to show off your skills and knowledge.

Anthony Gregson, Hospitality Training Solutions

Hospitality Training Solutionsis a UK based company which specialises in offering training across the hospitality industry, awarding personal and premises licences.

The post How to Become a Bartender: What Employers Like to See appeared first on HospoHub.

So how can you make sure your café business keeps growing and thriving into 2018 and beyond?

Make the customer experience extraordinary

Hospitality will always be all about the customer experience. From the food and drinks you serve, to the way your staff behave, to the décor and ambience of your café, every detail adds up to make people love, or loathe, what you have to offer.

To achieving lasting success in an industry known for the dizzyingly fast entry and exit of businesses, you must understand who your target customers are and exactly what they want.

To achieve that, you need to open a dialogue with your customers (especially your regulars/ big spenders), and keep on talking to them. Find out what they love and what they’d like you to do differently, test your new ideas on them, let them try your new products – and use their feedback to guide you in everything from what you put on your menu, to where you focus your marketing spend.

Build and leverage your community

You’re an important part of your local community, so it’s a good idea to look for local opportunities to promote your business – setting up a coffee and cake stall at markets and school fairs, for example, or offering to cater local events.

But the most powerful tool at your disposal when it comes to building a community is social media. In fact, social networks have now become the most indispensable marketing tool for Australian hospitality businesses.

Increasingly, consumers are using mobile devices to find places to eat, and reading online reviews to help them make a decision. So if you’re not online, you’re missing out on one of the most important marketing trends in the hospitality industry.

Here’s are just some of the ways you can use the internet to help market and grow your café business.

• Set up Facebook page and invite customers to follow you for news, menu updates and special offers. Use it to engage with them, gather their feedback, ask for suggestions and above all keep your café at the top of their mind.
• Positive reviews from genuine customers are pure gold, but most people won’t bother to leave one unless you ask them. As well as requesting reviews on your own site, encourage people to rate you on sites like www.beanhunter.com or www.goodfood.com.au. Keep your eyes open for surveys and polls too, which could get you some great publicity if your tribe is willing to speak out for you.
• People love looking at pictures of food! A well-shot photo on Instagram of a steaming cup of coffee or your latest cake sensation can be a great way to get people salivating – and even better, sharing your images and talking about how great you are.

Expand with caution

If your café is thriving and you feel it’s time to expand your premises, congratulations. But Shaun McGowan from Lend.com.au says “Before you take out a business loan to rent a bigger space, hire more staff or invest in more furniture and equipment, be sure to check your numbers and get professional financial advice. Always compare your business loan options.”.

You need to be sure that the extra sales you can generate will cover the additional costs of your business finance, and that your increased overheads won’t leave you dangerously short of cash.

The post Tips from the trenches – How to grow a café in 2018 and beyond appeared first on HospoHub.

There are two aspects to corporate catering for your office: taste and nutrition. We all know and care about taste, and every caterer prides themselves on delivering a delicious spread.

But how often do we put health in the same basket? As employees and organisations increasingly strive to punch above their weight, the health value of catered office food is important to consider.

Healthy food means healthier, happier, and more productive staff. Is it any surprise that the Health Enhancement Research Organisation found that employees with healthier diets are 25% more likely to display better performance?

What Is Healthy Catering All About?

What we mean by ‘healthy’ in corporate and office catering at Order-In, is the provision of snacks and meals that incorporate items from the fruit, vegetable, grains, dairy and protein food groups. This food will contain minimal or healthy fats, and is usually prepared in natural oils, if any. Sugar content is also at a reasonable standard, or is entirely natural.

Benefit 1: Healthy Food Provides Energy

What catering is best for energy: Egg dishes, whole grain sandwiches, yoghurt pots and chicken or salmon dishes.

Food with a high health value, particularly the right carbohydrates and proteins, injects more energy into the workforce, with the following positive results for your business or firm:

• Improved memory skills
• Increased capacity for work output
• Minimal risk of burnout
• General health benefits

 Sharper brains with a stronger clarity and bodies fuelled with energy from delicious catering will be even greater assets to your business. This is because workers are physically and mentally capable of higher productivity.

Benefit 2: Eating Is a Social Activity

What catering is best for socialising at work: Food that is easy to eat, such as a cheese platter, fruit skewers, mini rice paper rolls, healthy satay skewers, or burger sliders on whole grain buns.

With today’s preoccupation with fitness and dieting, healthy catering options appeal to a broader grouping, and will encourage your employees to eat in the office, rather than eating unhealthy takeaway meals. This increases productivity by:

• Fostering a positive company culture employees can be proud of
• Eliminating travel time from lunch breaks, except for the stroll to the kitchen of course!
• Providing an opportunity for employees to bond

Eating together creates a stronger team. You learn things about your colleagues you might not have otherwise known, and meet staff from other departments you wouldn’t have if you’d eaten out. The office kitchen or lounge will become a sanctuary from the daily grind, and a place to bond over delicious food.

Benefit 3: Healthy Catering Makes Employers Look Good 

What catering is best for increasing employee morale: That really depends on your staff, but we find that fruit, coffee, milk and a delicious lunch are employee perks that keep workers smiling!

Food makes people happy, because simply, everyone loves eating. In fact, a Seek.com study ranked free food at the workplace among the top 10 perks for Australians. The option to indulge in a healthy corporate lunch will invigorate the office with an air of positivity when:

• Employees appreciate the managers who paid for the catering, and feel the senior staff care about their wellbeing.
• A boost in energy affords a productive day’s work, leading to a sense of fulfilment and achievement.
• Bonding from the communal enjoyment of delicious catering facilitates more efficient teamwork.

Happy workers are productive, productive ones feel fulfilled. This is the picture of a well-rounded worker who is more likely to remain loyal to the company, and strive to reach their full potential.

Turn Your Office Into A Powerhouse

Remember that healthy food will balance out your staff’s diet with nutrients and provide energy. The resulting flow-on effect will produce capacity for higher productivity and overall morale.

About the Author:

Jonathan Rowley is the Founder of Order-In, Australia’s #1 Corporate Catering platform. Passionate about creating a great place to work and a positive workplace culture, Jonathan is determined to connect Australian businesses to the best caterers in their area & enhance businesses’ relationship to exciting culinary options. Read more about Jonathan Rowley.

The post Good Food Gets Good People To Do Good Work appeared first on HospoHub.

#1 What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

We reckon having a sense of humor is a must-have for any hospo guru. Staying positive and having a laugh in the face of a massive balls-up during a busy shift can be a sanity-savior. Get a feel for what they find funny and suss out if they could be a good fit for your team. They reveal a slightly embarrassing story about themselves? Brilliant! It shows that they don’t take themselves too seriously and can stay positive in an awkward situation. Understanding what they find funny can ensure you end up working shifts with someone who will actually laugh at your dad-esque jokes.

#2 Describe the business like it’s a person.

This is a goody for understanding how they see your business; it’s personality, vibe and culture. Get them to tell you if your business would be a male or female, what they would look like, what they would wear, their likes and dislikes, and what type of music they’d listen to. If they don’t know enough about your business to give an opinion, then they may not be that keen on the gig. We admit this can be a bit of a brain buster at first, but it’s all about seeing who is willing to give it a go! Even if they are a little off the mark, describing your business as the reincarnation of Donald Trump (ok, WAY OFF), they are willing to jump in and give it a burl which is a great attitude to have.

#3 If you won $1 million, what would you do with?

Let’s be frank. In this day and age it would be pretty hard to live out your days comfortably with this amount. So, if someone says “I’d retire”, you can assume that they have an unrealistic view of the costs of living, or maybe they are just really damn good at money management? If that’s the case, you put them straight to work on your finances!  Seriously though, you can get an indication of what is important to them in life. Buy a house? They are a forward-thinker when it comes to making decisions. Travel? They are open to new experiences and love a challenge. Just cross all your bits in the hope that they don’t win Powerball and then boot-off overseas… leaving you a man down.

#4 What is something you HATE doing?

Nobody loves everything. Everyone has something that really grinds their gears. This question will help you weed out the complainers and those that don’t REALLY understand the scope of the job. “I hate doing dishes” is probably a red flag for someone that is applying for the kitchen-hand position.

#5 Do you have friends from past workplaces?

Hospitality is the friendliest industry going around (in our opinion)!  You have to be able to communicate and build rapport with a stack of different characters. A true hospo guru will usually have at least one work BFF from a previous job. The fact that they can build good friendships at work and maintain those once they leave can suggest they are sweet as to work AND hang-out with.

#6 Are you a morning rooster or a night-time owl?

Knowing if someone is an AM ass-kicker or a PM performer can help you decide if they are right for the job. A self-confessed morning foe could find it a challenge to rock up on time and be chirpy for your breakfast crowd. If your barista peaks in the PM, everyone’s morning coffees may not be bang on until mid-afternoon. Disaster. However, there does exist a very rare breed of people that are firing at all hours of the day. Find them and never let them go.

#7 You’ve got a free day to yourself. What do you do?

A person is more than their job. Use this opportunity to find out something about their personality and what they like to get up to outside of work. If someone responds quickly with a hobby, you know they have the capacity to be passionate and focused. If they spend a lot of time sweeping the corners of their brain for a response, it could mean they don’t really have much going on, or that they spend a lot of their down time sleeping off the night before.

#8 What’s your ‘ jam’?

How awesome were the 90s?! Some great and equally appalling music came out of this era. Getting an indication of a possible co-workers musical taste never hurt nobody. If they choose a tune not up to standard, this presents a primo opportunity for some friendly banter, in turn seeing if they can hold a very random conversation… because  at one time we have all been stranded talking to THAT customer. Bless them. Another point to consider; would you be happy setting up for service while they blast Nickelback from the speakers? We didn’t think so.

#9 What’s the biggest stuff up you have ever made?

The thing about humans is that we all make mistakes. The people who can own up to their mistakes and learn from them make special and valuable additions to your crew. If they are not willing to admit they once made a blunder it could be a sign that they are also not prepared to take responsibility for stuff (or stuff ups) they do. If they confess a massive doozy? You could give them kudos for telling it straight up and just hope really hard that they learnt from it. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?

The post Good Job Interview Questions appeared first on HospoHub.

If you are the head-honcho responsible for sourcing new talent for your business, chances are you spend a lot of time and energy organising and conducting the all-important ‘job interview’. As well as getting sick of hearing your own voice (hey, we have no doubt that you sound smooth as), you may also be a bit over asking the same old questions…

We thought we’d whack together 50 of our best interview questions to help you mix it up. Remember that for some questions it’s all about how they handle it and arrive at their answer rather than the actual answer itself.

Happy job interviewing!

RESTAURANT STAFF

1. What was one thing you loved and one thing you disliked about your last gig?

2. If you got the job and we said we wanted to start training you up to be a future manager, what would you say?

3. What do you think about the philosophy that ‘the customer is always right’?

4. You have a free day to yourself. What do you get up to?

5. What is your favourite restaurant to dine at and why?

6. How would you make someone feel comfortable in our restaurant?

7. A Zebra trots through that door wearing a giant bow tie. What does he say and why is he here?

8. Would you describe yourself as messy, neat or freakishly clean?

9. You have a customer that is unhappy about their meal. What would you do to make sure that the customer left feeling as happy as Larry? (also, who is Larry?!)

10. What is the thing that matters most you to about your job?

CHEF / COOK

11. What do you think is the most important quality/skill that a chef should have (other than being able to cook!)?

12. You get a ridiculous complaint about a meal you prepared from a customer. How do you handle it?

13. You’re alone in the kitchen and a table of 30 walk in – how the hell do you make this work?

14. You are making breakfast for 20 people. What ingredients and how much of each would you need?

15. What’s the biggest stuff up you have ever made?

16. You go-to meal to make at home?

17. How do you feel about customers making ‘special requests’ to alter items on the menu?

18. It’s busy and a wait staff keeps stuffing up their orders. How would you feel and how would you deal with it?

19. What’s a pet hate of yours when you are eating out?

20. How do you like your eggs?

BARISTA

21. Do you have any experience making bangin’ brews?

22. How many times is too many times to show someone how to do something?

23. Making coffees all day can get a bit monotonous. How would you keep your focus and cool?

24. Would you be willing to jump in and take on some extra tasks and if yes what would you be willing to take on?

25. Are you a morning rooster or a night-time owl?

26. What’s the difference between someone that makes coffee and a barista?

27. Describe your ‘signature touch’ when it comes to delivering a great customer service experience?

28. Are you here to make money or make friends?

29. What’s a Melbourne ‘Magic’ and how do you make it?

30. For or against latte art?

CAFÉ STAFF

31. What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

32. How did you fill downtime at your last job?

33. What is something you take pride in?

34. If you were hiring staff for the business, what qualities/skills would you want them to have?

35. What part of this job do you think you’d be kick-ass at, and what part of this job do you think you wouldn’t be the best at?

36. Do you have friends from past workplaces?

37. A work colleague needs help finishing a task but your manager said you can knock off early. You can either leave while the other person finishes late, or offer to stay back and help which means you both finish on time. What do you do?

38. Describe why you left your last gig in one sentence.

39. In a circus, are you the ring leader, lion tamer, lion or spectator?  Why?

40. You need to seat customers, wipe a table, take an order and deliver food to a table for the kitchen. Which do you do first?

SUPERVISORS / MANAGERS

41. You are leading a team you have never met. How do you approach it?

42. What was a suggestion that you made that was implemented at a previous job?

43. Describe our business like it’s a person.

44. How many times is too many times to show someone how to do something?

45. How do you reinforce behaviour you want repeated? (no bribes allowed)

46. What do you think makes a hospitality business successful?

47. What do you think hospo staff admire and look up to in a manager?

48. What do you think is important to our regular customers that keeps them coming back?

49. What’s your management style?

50. Why do you work in hospitality?

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