Forum

Answer from TARGETjobs Advice, Tue, 03/11/2009 - 10:36:

Hello again, We don't offer a CV-check service here at targetjobs.co.uk, but I'm fairly sure that your old university careers service would either look at your CV for you or recommend an organisation that can. If you're not a graduate or you're not able to get in touch with a careers service, then some local councils have free careers advice services that could help you. Failing that, there are companies that will check CVs: you'll have to pay, but you'll probably get quick service that will enable you to move on. On the networking front, have you tried asking your old school for contacts of any alumni in the hospitality industry? Or sending some speculative letters? We have some free templates at targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-hunting-tools-downloads that you can adapt. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Olivia @ targetjobs.co.uk

Answer from Newtoluxury, Mon, 02/11/2009 - 23:51:

Dear Olivia, Thanks for the advice. I have been using networking as a tool to try and break through and am continuing to do so. The trouble is I haven't got many contacts in this area. I want to get out of sales but figured that this is the best route I have of getting into the Luxury Hospitality industry as it is what I have worked in so far. Ideally, I want to be in a role where I can analyse opportunities and learn about the industry in detailed fashion as this'll carry me better for the long term. Would you be able to offer me an evaluation of my CV and tell me where I'm going wrong so that I avoid making the same mistakes next time? I appreciate the help.

Answer from TARGETjobs Advice, Mon, 02/11/2009 - 12:18:

Hi You don't say whether you want to get into the business development aspect of luxury hospitality or another area, but either way I'd advise that the best way to get into it is to start off informally. Contact everyone you know in the hospitality field and ask to meet up for a chat to talk about their job and how they got into it. Before you go, read our article on networking at targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/where-to-begin-your-job-hunt/networking-tips-to-help-you-get-talking-and-get-informat for some tips on what to say. You can then start to apply their ideas to your own career. Keep in touch with them after your meeting, as once they know you're interested in this line of work they're more likely to let you about any job opportunities they hear about. If you're a graduate, it would be worth contacting your university careers service to find out if they're in touch with any alumni working in luxury hospitality. Many careers services will help recent graduates or put you in touch with another organisation who can. Let us know if you need more ideas. Best wishes Olivia @ targetjobs.co.uk