Top hospitality skills to look for in candidates

Prioritize the skills you need to grow your business with this list of top hospitality skills and attributes. Understanding and recognizing these hospitality skills boosts your chances of hiring employees who interact well with customers and each other and support a high-quality service environment behind the scenes.

1. Communication

Included in 30.87% of hospitality job postings

Clear communication ensures consistent service and helps customers feel welcome, valued and understood. During interviews, you can assess communication skills by asking questions that require active listening to develop empathetic, nuanced answers. Put the focus on verbal communication skills with questions such as, “Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult customer.” Likewise, you might develop a written test when you need someone who is adept at handling email and mail correspondence.

Consider these examples when you’re writing descriptions for any job requiring guest interactions.

• Uses exceptional communication skills to assist guests with booking, changing and confirming reservations
• Reads and understands work orders, communicates clearly with other team members and updates supervisors with supply orders
• Manages staff, resolves customer concerns with clear communication and maintains high levels of service

2. Customer service

Included in 23.53% of hospitality job postings

Great customer service skills require a combination of communication, empathy, problem-solving and versatility. Enabling employees to understand and meet customer expectations, these skills demand someone who can gracefully handle questions and complaints and enhance guest experience.

Identify strong customer service skills by using interview questions that focus on candidates’ empathy, such as, “What do you do when someone comes to you for help?” Other questions can focus on problem-solving skills, such as, “How do you assess risks before making decisions?” These questions provide candidates with a way to showcase their patience, how well they communicate and their general attitude.

Craft custom job descriptions for customer service jobs with these examples.

• Makes recommendations and handles multiple guest requests to enhance customer experience
• Manages customer expectations, builds rapport with guests and creates a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere at special events
• Excels in customer interactions, provides relevant recommendations and delivers quick, polite service, even during peak hours

3. English

Included in 11.46% of hospitality job postings

Interacting with guests from diverse backgrounds means proficiency in English is a sought-after skill for those in the hospitality industry. These skills let staff easily understand and fulfill requests, tell customers about services and amenities and handle routine telephone conversations, such as reservations and call transfers.

How you test for English skills typically depends on what’s needed for the job. For instance, if you need someone who can read, write, speak and listen well in English, several tests, including the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), provide benchmarks for comprehensive proficiency. If candidates only need to speak and listen in English, you might conduct oral interviews that assess verbal communication skills, including fluency and pronunciation. Likewise, you can test for written English skills with tests that require candidates to prepare reports or answer emails.

Personalize these examples to add English skills to your job descriptions.

• Has strong verbal and written English communication skills
• Clearly explains complex information in English
• Delivers high-quality customer service to guests in English

4. Hospitality

Included in 9.25% of hospitality job postings

Hospitality skills help your business create and maintain top-notch guest experiences. From teamwork and problem-solving to customer service and communication, these skills help your company project a welcoming yet professional environment.

Role-playing scenarios that reenact real-world interactions offer a great way to assess hospitality skills. Likewise, group exercises that require candidates to work together as a team also show you how well potential employees can collaborate with others.

Prioritize hospitality skills in your job descriptions with these examples.

• Solves guest problems quickly and efficiently for enhanced experiences
• Takes a team-focused approach to deliver high-quality service
• Upholds brand reputation with exceptional hospitality skills

5. Management

Included in 8.77% of hospitality job postings

Management skills are crucial for overseeing operations, leading teams offering conflict resolution, planning staff development and understanding financial acumen. These attributes rank highly when you need leadership with restaurant and hotel skills.

Behavioral interview questions such as, “Tell me about a time you had to coach your team through a crisis” tell you a lot about the candidate’s experience and approach to management. You might also present them with a case study that requires them to make an action plan that showcases their understanding of the hospitality industry and analytical thinking skills.

Attract candidates for office manager, general manager and assistant manager jobs with descriptions that include these examples.

• Guides and inspires teams with strong, dependable leadership
• Plans and executes strategy with a focus on the hospitality industry
• Motivates staff and fosters a positive team environment

6. Microsoft Office

Included in 8.52% of hospitality job postings

Numerous administrative and management tasks within the hospitality industry require proficiency in Microsoft Office. Skills within this area include creating and editing documents, working with data, financial analysis and proficiency in applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

You can test for these skills by requiring applicants to prepare documents based on the criteria you set.

List examples such as these in your job descriptions for management, night auditors and event coordinators.

• Analyzes data and manages budgets with Microsoft Excel
• Creates compelling presentations for staff training with Microsoft PowerPoint
• Manages email and staff scheduling with Microsoft Outlook

7. Computer skills

Included in 7.79% of hospitality job postings

From managing reservations and processing transactions to maintaining guest records and keeping track of orders, computer skills are vital to the hospitality industry. These skills let employees handle online bookings, use digital communication tools and operate various specialty management systems.

Practical tests and technical interviews that quiz candidates on software and hardware offer simple ways to assess computer skills.

These examples demonstrate how to effectively add computer skills to job descriptions for front desk agents, IT staff and general management.

• Uses computer systems for everyday front desk duties
• Troubleshoots basic computers, software and app problems
• Maintains digital guest records with high attention to detail

8. Microsoft Excel

Included in 7.09% of hospitality job postings

Microsoft Excel skills enable hospitality employees to manage large amounts of data, such as including financial records and guest bookings, to analyze complex data, forecast budgets, plan operations, manage inventory and generate reports.

Test proficiency in Excel by asking candidates to create reports based on large outputs in data and presenting their analytical process.

Write descriptions for hotel management and desk agent jobs requiring Microsoft Excel skills with these examples.

• Organizes and analyzes guest data with Microsoft Excel to optimize service
• Uses Microsoft Excel formulas to efficiently calculate and analyze occupancy data
• Schedules staff and manages shift data with Microsoft Excel

9. Hotel experience

Included in 6.82% of hospitality job postings

Handling check-ins and checkouts, managing room assignments and responding to guest requests are essential for creating a welcoming ambiance to enhance the guest experience in the hospitality industry. To identify candidates with the desired skills, you can conduct interviews that include a combination of role-playing and behavioral interview questions, request references from prior employers and seek candidates who have prior hotel or similar field experience.

For front desk clerks, concierges and housekeeping staff, consider listing the following skills in your job descriptions.

• Manages front desk operations, such as guest registration and checkout
• Coordinates housekeeping and maintenance tasks to meet hotel standards
• Monitors occupancy rates to optimize hotel operations and maximize room revenue

10. Power tools

Included in 5.21% of hospitality job postings

Experience and proficiency with power tools is an essential part of maintenance and engineering tasks in the hospitality industry. Enabling employees to perform repairs, install fixtures and renovate rooms efficiently and effectively, power tools skills let staff handle everything from quick fixes to major refurbishments.

Maintenance knowledge tests offer a great way to assess potential candidates’ theoretical skills, while checking references, training and certifications do the rest.

Use these examples in your job descriptions when you’re hiring groundskeepers and maintenance staff.

• Performs routine maintenance and emergency repairs with power tools
• Familiar with the maintenance and care of power tools
• Proficient with a variety of power tools for handling necessary renovations

11. Microsoft Word

Included in 5.09% of hospitality job postings

Microsoft Word skills let employees create and manage documents, professional promotional material and operational reports. Assess proficiency in Word by asking candidates to write a report or edit a document using specific guidelines.

Add examples like these to job descriptions requiring documentation and reporting, such as when you’re hiring receptionists, office managers and administrative staff.

• Drafts and formats documents in Microsoft Word;
• Creates professionally branded hotel correspondence with Microsoft Word;
• Compiles and organizes operational manuals and training documents with Microsoft Word;

12. Time management

Included in 5.07% of hospitality job postings

The fast-paced nature of the hospitality industry makes excellent time management skills a must to ensure prioritization of important tasks, assist with efficient workload management and help staff meet deadlines. Time management skills are essential for keeping operations flowing smoothly and enhancing guest satisfaction.

See how well candidates manage time by using simulations and asking behavioral interview questions, such as, “Tell me about a time you had to complete multiple tasks with a tight deadline.”

Job titles such as event planners, kitchen staff and front office workers may have the following examples in their job descriptions.

• Ensures timely check-ins and checkouts by managing time efficiently;
• Schedules and executes event setup and breakdown within tight deadlines;
• Handles high volumes of guest questions and reservations promptly and courteously;

13. Organizational skills

Included in 4.36% of hospitality job postings

Organizational skills help are necessary to manage resources, to keep track of scheduling and to maintain records in an orderly fashion. They enable smoother operations and assist in multitasking and solving logistical challenges.

To assess organizational skills, ask behavioral interview questions, such as, “Describe a complex project you’ve managed, including how you organized each facet.”

The examples below can help you attract and hire candidates with these skills for positions in hotel management, catering personnel and housekeeping supervisors.

• Manages guest bookings and accommodations with excellent organizational skills
• Organizes staff scheduling to ensure full coverage levels and optimal service
• Keeps deadlines in fast-paced settings with top-notch planning and organization

14. Leadership

Included in 4.01% of hospitality job postings

Effective team management, decision-making and excellent customer service require superior leadership skills in the hospitality industry. These skills aid employees in guiding their teams, managing operational challenges and showcasing brand values.

Ask questions that focus on conflict resolution, decision-making and motivation when assessing leadership skills. Role-playing exercises and leadership assessment tests also help you find qualified candidates.

Use the following examples when creating job descriptions for department managers, executive chefs and food and beverage directors with strong leadership potential.

• Leads by example and motivates staff to enhance guest satisfaction
• Makes informed decisions that reflect the company’s goals and standards
• Manages daily operations and resolves conflicts effectively

15. Sales

Included in 3.92% of hospitality job postings

Maximizing revenue requires having employees with strong sales skills on your teams. Essential for upselling and cross-selling services and amenities, these skills include tailoring suggestions for guests, communicating business value during sales meetings and closing deals that enhance the profitability of businesses.

Role-playing scenarios, such as having candidates present a sales pitch during their interview, may allow you to evaluate if a candidate has the demeanor and persuasive skills necessary in many hospitality industry jobs.

You can add sales skills to jobs focused on revenue generation, such as reservation agents, sales managers and inside sales representatives, similar to the examples below.

• Identifies guests’ needs and matches them with appropriate upgrades
• Promotes special packages and seasonal offers to guests
• Conducts sales presentations to help secure group bookings

16. Restaurant experience

Included in 3.75% of hospitality job postings

Restaurant experience covers a comprehensive set of dining industry skills that helps employees succeed in dynamic food service settings. These skills require a combination of customer service, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, menu knowledge and food safety awareness.

Interview questions may center around interpersonal skills and role-playing scenarios that mimic guest interactions may help assess a candidate’s skill set.. You may also find it beneficial to look for candidates with prior restaurant experience.

These examples help you create effective job descriptions for sous chefs, servers and restaurant managers.

• Manages high-pressure service periods with calmness and efficiency
• Handles inventory and supplier relations to ensure availability of fresh ingredients
• Provides upscale dining experience with skills in table setting, serving and guest interactions

17. Supervising experience

Included in 3.73% of hospitality job postings

In the hospitality industry, supervising experience is necessary for overseeing operations, leading teams and maintaining high standards of service. These skills help maintain a harmonious work environment, help staff resolve conflicts effectively and assist in motivating and training employees.

One way to assess supervisory skills is to ask open-ended, situation-based questions such as, “Tell me about a time you had to coach an under-performing employee.” You might also assign practical tasks, such as creating a written report about how the candidate would approach management tasks within your company.

Highlight supervising experience skills when you’re hiring leadership roles such as hotel supervisors, maintenance supervisors and restaurant managers with these examples.

• Has proven supervisory skills for managing front-line staff
• Leads and motivates teams in fast-paced hospitality settings
• Trains and develops staff to enhance knowledge and service skills

18. Writing skills

Included in 3.14% of hospitality job postings

Writing skills are valuable in the hospitality industry when communicating with prospective and current guests, creating marketing materials and documenting operational processes and ensuring overall professional informational delivery.

You may ask candidates to provide writing samples or create a personalized writing test to evaluate writing skills.

For communication centric positions, such as marketing managers, guest relations officers and administrative staff, you can include the following examples in your job descriptions to attract candidates with strong writing skills.

• Creates compelling, grammatically correct marketing copy
• Writes detailed operational manuals and training guides
• Has proficiency in writing press releases and managing social media content

19. Computer literacy

Included in 3.11% of hospitality job postings

Computer literacy skills help employees navigate reservation software and point of sale (POS) systems. Employees may need to perform diverse tasks in which computer literacy and proficiency are necessary, such as processing bookings, managing guest information, handling financial transactions and communicating digitally.

To evaluate computer literacy in potential employees, you can look for candidates who hold various certifications or conduct assessments that test for proficiency in specific software as part of the interview process.

For hospitality jobs like reservation specialists, IT support and guest service managers, be sure to describe how computer literacy and software skills are integrated into the role in your job descriptions.

• Uses POS systems for completing dining and retail transactions
• Manages digital guest records and room assignments with hotel management software

20. Microsoft Outlook

Included in 2.66% of hospitality job postings

Microsoft Outlook is essential for managing internal and external communications, scheduling, organizing tasks and coordinating meetings and events.

While most candidates may have experience using Microsoft Outlook, you can still test for proficiency by including a few questions on an assessment on the program’s functionality, such as the steps taken to edit multiple calendars or create an automatic reply. When hiring for managers, office administrators and customer service representatives, include tasks to be completed using Microsoft Outlook in your job descriptions.

• Prioritizes emails for enhanced response times and operational efficiency
• Sets up and maintains task lists in Microsoft Outlook to track projects
• Collaborates with various department teams by using Microsoft Outlook

21. Microsoft PowerPoint

Included in 2.42% of hospitality job postings

Microsoft PowerPoint allows employees to craft presentations to persuade, inform or entertain both customers and staff. Employees can visually communicate ideas, make effective sales pitches and lead staff meetings.

Potential employees may be asked to create a sample presentation from scratch or using a company branded template using Microsoft PowerPoint.

Incorporate these examples when you’re hiring for positions such as corporate trainers, marketing managers and event coordinators.

• Creates captivating presentations for various audiences with Microsoft PowerPoint
• Designs informative, visually appealing training materials and training modules with PowerPoint
• Summarizes guest feedback and operational data in PowerPoint presentations for management review

22. Guest services

Included in 2.39% of hospitality job postings

Guest services cover a wide range of skills from communication and problem-solving to empathy and attention to detail. Ideal for cultivating meaningful guest experiences, guest services skills help staff handle inquiries and complaints and ensure guest interactions remain courteous and professional.

You can assess interpersonal skills by asking open-ended interview questions about various guest-related scenarios helps you discover qualified candidates.

The examples below can be added to job descriptions for receptionist, concierge and guest service manager positions.

• Uses strong interpersonal skills for positive engagement with guests from diverse backgrounds
• Handles special requests and accommodations for guests
• Provides timely, accurate information to guests concerning amenities and local attractions

23. Upselling

Included in 2.30% of hospitality job postings

Upselling skills help boost revenue by strategically promoting additional services and guest upgrades. Upselling requires a deep understanding of what your business offers, the ability to communicate the additional value and an ability to gauge guest interest.

To evaluate upselling skills in potential employees, have candidates prepare a sales pitch based on a product or offerings you normally offer to customers as part of the interview process.

Include upselling language in your job descriptions for front desk operations, sales managers and restaurant servers with these examples.

• Has proven ability to upsell hotel rooms and services
• Promotes seasonal packages and special offers to guests
• Identifies opportunities to upsell and cross-sell services

24. Front desk

Included in 2.08% of hospitality job postings

Front desk positions have a direct influence on guests’ first and last impressions of your business, and they are the cornerstone of the hospitality industry. Front desk experience includes a vast array of workplace soft skills, such as customer service, communications, multitasking and problem-solving to enhance customer satisfaction with your establishment.

You can assess soft skills necessary for front desk positions with written tests that cover everything from computer literacy to customer service to find qualified candidates.

Write effective front desk job descriptions with these examples as a guide.

• Provides detailed information about facilities and services
• Proficient in using hotel reservation and management software
• Handles cash transactions and accurately processes payments

25. Marketing

Included in 1.76% of hospitality job postings

Marketing skills assist staff in promoting services, engaging with potential guests and boosting brand visibility. This is also a broad skillset, spanning talents in planning and strategy, content creation, digital marketing and data analysis.

When hiring marketing personnel, a combination of behavioral and practical tests give you insight into how well candidates handle interpersonal interactions with teammates and customers.

Use these examples when writing job descriptions for marketing managers, social media interns and event coordinators.

• Develops promotional materials to increase brand awareness and customer engagement
• Utilizes SEO best practices and Google Analytics to increase website traffic and boost bookings
• Creates and manages budgets for marketing projects and campaigns

Other top hospitality skills in-demand

Here are an additional 25 hospitality skills that are common in hospitality job postings on Indeed:

26. Hotel management: Included in 1.73% of hospitality job postings

27. Cleaning: Included in 1.58% of hospitality job postings

28. Sanitation: Included in 1.56% of hospitality job postings

29. Spanish: Included in 1.54% of hospitality job postings

30. Bilingual: Included in 1.53% of hospitality job postings

31. Analysis skills: Included in 1.47% of hospitality job postings

32. Phone etiquette: Included in 1.12% of hospitality job postings

33. Janitorial experience: Included in 1.11% of hospitality job postings

34. Project management: Included in 1.09% of hospitality job postings

35. Social media management: Included in 1.04% of hospitality job postings

36. Maintenance: Included in 1.04% of hospitality job postings

37. Teaching: Included in 0.95% of hospitality job postings

38. Catering: Included in 0.93% of hospitality job postings

39. Event planning: Included in 0.89% of hospitality job postings

40. Typing: Included in 0.89% of hospitality job postings

41. Events management: Included in 0.88% of hospitality job postings

42. Basic maths: Included in 0.85% of hospitality job postings

43. Budgeting: Included in 0.85% of hospitality job postings

44. Administrative experience: Included in 0.81% of hospitality job postings

45. Retail sales: Included in 0.80% of hospitality job postings

46. Maths: Included in 0.79% of hospitality job postings

47. Food service: Included in 0.75% of hospitality job postings

48. Negotiation: Included in 0.74% of hospitality job postings

49. Public speaking: Included in 0.72% of hospitality job postings

50. Cash handling: Included in 0.70% of hospitality job postings

¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023