How to get your first hospitality job with no experience

Can you get a hospitality job with no experience?

Yes. Hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars and kitchens regularly hire beginners, especially for busy seasons, evenings and weekends. Experience helps, but for entry-level roles most employers care more about:

• Attitude — friendly, positive and willing to help.
• Reliability — on time for every shift and ready to work.
• Communication — clear and polite with guests and colleagues.
• Willingness to learn — taking feedback and following standards.
• Basic knowledge — understanding hygiene, safety and how the role works, so you need less training.

The first four come from you. The last one you can learn before you apply — which is what the rest of this guide is about.

Step 1: Choose an entry-level role

Applying for a specific role makes your CV and interview much stronger than "any job". These roles often hire people without experience:

Not sure yet? Browse the roles by area — hotels, restaurants, coffee & bars and kitchens — or start with the Hospitality Starter course, which covers what every venue expects.

Step 2: Learn the basics before you apply

You don't need to know everything, but understanding the everyday routine of the role makes a real difference in an interview and on a trial shift. Focus on:

• The service routine of your role — for example the restaurant service sequence or hotel check-in.
• Hygiene and food safety — handwashing, clean handling and allergens.
• Safety — spills, lifting, chemicals and what to do in an emergency.
• Guest communication — greeting, listening and handling complaints.
• The vocabulary — words like covers, 86, mise en place or room status. Our hospitality glossary explains them.

All of our guides are free. If you want proof of what you have learned, each certificate course ends with a free 20-question test; you pay only if you pass, and employers can check the certificate online.

Step 3: Write a hospitality CV without experience

Keep it to one page and make it easy to scan: managers in busy venues read CVs quickly, between shifts.

• A short profile (2–3 lines) naming the role you want and why you would be good at it.
• Transferable experience — retail, babysitting, caring, volunteering, sport, events or school projects all show reliability, teamwork and dealing with people.
• Availability — say clearly when you can work, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Languages — a real advantage in international venues and tourist areas.
• Training — list completed courses with the certificate ID so it can be checked.

Step 4: Find job openings

• Venue websites and careers pages — hotel groups and restaurant chains often list entry-level roles directly.
• Job boards and apps — search for the exact role title plus your town, for example "barista" or "room attendant".
• Walk in with your CV — at a quiet time, usually mid-afternoon, never during lunch or dinner service. Ask for the manager by name if you can.
• Staffing agencies — events, catering and banqueting agencies are a flexible way to gain experience quickly.
• Seasonal work — summer resorts, ski seasons, festivals and holiday periods hire large numbers of beginners.

Step 5: Prepare for the interview

Hospitality interviews are usually short and practical. Research the venue — look at the menu or website and, if you can, visit as a customer. Then prepare short answers to the questions you are most likely to hear:

“Why do you want to work in hospitality — and here?”

Mention something specific about the venue (the menu, the style, the guests) and what you enjoy: working with people, a lively team, learning new skills.

“What does good service mean to you?”

Talk about making guests feel welcome, noticing what they need before they ask, and getting the basics right every time.

“How would you deal with an unhappy guest?”

Listen without interrupting, apologise, fix what you can or fetch a manager, then check the guest is happy. Show that you would stay calm.

“Tell me about a time you worked in a team.”

Use a short real example from school, sport, volunteering or another job: the situation, what you did and the result.

“What is your availability?”

Be honest and specific. Evenings, weekends and holidays are when venues are busiest, so flexibility is a real advantage.

Our free guide to preparing for a hospitality job interview has more examples and a step-by-step routine.

Step 6: Make the most of the trial shift

Many venues ask candidates to work a short trial shift so they can see how you work with the team. Ask beforehand how long it lasts, what to wear and whether it is paid — the rules differ between countries. On the day:

• Arrive 10 minutes early, ready to work.
• Listen carefully and repeat instructions back if you are unsure.
• Keep busy: clean as you go, polish, restock, and ask what you can do next.
• Smile and greet every guest you pass.
• Ask questions — it shows interest, not weakness.
• Thank the team at the end and ask when you can expect to hear back.

Your first week on the job

• Learn your colleagues' names and who to ask for help.
• Learn the menu, the room types or the drinks list as fast as you can.
• Write things down: table numbers, recipes, codes and routines.
• Follow hygiene and safety rules every time, even when it is busy.
• Be on time for every shift — reliability is noticed quickly.
• Ask for feedback and use it.

Frequently asked questions