Getting a sales and marketing job in a hotel

Question

I am a postgraduate student in tourism management. How should I make the first move if I want to work in a sales and marketing department in a hotel? What kind of position should I look for, and is there a training programme I need to undertake?

What the expert says

Jane Riches, national programmes manager, Springboard UK

While you are still a student, I would suggest you try to get some work experience in the sales department of a hotel to get a better understanding of the responsibilities. I am sure that if you telephone a few hotels, you will get a positive response.

You can also look out for advertisements for hotel sales assistants and co-ordinators in the local press and on recruitment Web sites, or by contacting recruitment agencies.

Many of the large hotel chains have a sales and marketing team at head office level, and their individual hotel teams would be more interested in conducting business at a local level.

Some people find a way into sales and marketing through conference and banqueting, organising functions or reception management.