Put yourself out there with a professional online profile
The CV is no longer a few printed pages that represent your entire professional career. In the hospitality industry especially, you have to have a professional profile across multiple online channels in order to get noticed. Word of mouth is not just offline these days… A professional online profile is an exercise in personal branding – it’s important to stay on top of your reputation and be aware of how the rest of the world is seeing you. Know what is being said about you, network online, and set up alerts so that you’re notified whenever your name is mentioned online. Optimising your online profile involves showcasing yourself as an individual, highlighting your talent and skills, and building a name for yourself. Even though this may seem at odds with building your company and promoting that brand, at the end of the day people are interested in people. Build your own profile in order to build your company’s.
Recruiters, prospective employers and clients will google you. If you’ve come under their radar by applying for a job, or through word of mouth, they will definitely look you up to see what they can find out about you online. Preempt them by googling yourself – does anything unsavoury turn up? Make sure that everything that can be found online is positive and flattering.
Be authentic
Customer service is obviously key in hospitality, so your social profiles need to reflect the qualities that embody someone working in the service industry, i.e. helpful, friendly, polite, good attitude, organised, team player, calm under pressure, that sort of thing. Be authentic and consistent in what you say and do online as well as offline.
Bio
Your biography and ‘about’ information should be available everywhere if you’re hoping to get noticed and become a ‘household name’ in the hospitality industry. Your bio should be a brief overview of your skills and goals e.g. “An ambitious hospitality management student seeking a management position in the hospitality and tourism industry.” Make sure all of your details are up-to-date everywhere that you have an online profile – if something changes in your life, change your profiles. Also ensure that every profile has a link to your online CV.
Blogging
If you’re really serious about developing your personal brand and professional profile, then start blogging. Register a personal domain such as www.joesoap.co.za or www.janedoe.co.za and set up a blogging platform such as WordPress. Post articles related to your area of expertise or interest, as well as everything a prospective employer or client would need to know about you as a professional. Maybe share photos of your work or recommendations, or a portfolio if it’s relevant.
A high quality LinkedIn profile is critical for hospitality professionals. Make sure that your profile is 100% complete, with a professional headshot, a detailed work history, and recommendations from previous employers or clients. Join professional groups that share your interests and network with alumni from your school through LinkedIn groups. Share content from your blog or website, and news relating to your field of interest.
In hospitality, you sometimes have to be all things to all people. A Facebook profile that’s been ‘cleaned’ for prospective employers is a good way to show how outgoing, friendly, and social you are, but you also need to protect your professional image. Check your privacy settings on Facebook and make sure you set what you want people to be able to access. Once you’re done, preview your profile to see how it looks to those outside your inner circle.
Twitter is a great place to post short snippets of content that link back to your blog or website, and to connect with like-minded people in, or interested in, your industry. It’s a platform to network with people you know, as well as people you want to know, and is a great way to promote yourself, your skills, and your industry knowledge. In some cases, prospective clients or employers may be more interested in how you interact and engage with people online than what you have written about yourself, so try to stay active online. Create a custom background for your page using professional photos, and be consistent so that people recognise you no matter what social network they find you on. Creating a personal brand online will help you stand out and differentiate yourself from the rest of your competitors, and is a must if you’re serious about your reputation as a professional in the hospitality sector.
