Moving out of operations

Question

I have been working in hospitality for the last nine years since I left university. I started at a pizza restaurant and spent seven years there, working up to the level of deputy manager. Since then I have been working for hotel chains in operations manager positions and have spent seven months as a acting general manager.

I am feeling a bit disillusioned with working in operations because of the unreliable staff, long hours and feeling guilty about taking a day off, among other things. I am looking to move to a position that will give me more regular hours, because the long hours are putting a strain on my relationship.

My partner works as a sales manager for two hotels and has fairly regular hours. She suggests that I apply for a position such as area manager for a restaurant chain. I wondered about working for a recruitment agency that specialises in hospitality, although I think this would pay less. What do you think I should do?

What the expert says

Lesley Reynolds, managing director, Portfolio International

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On the positive side, you have accumulated a number of years of related experience within the industry. As far as the hotel business is concerned, you have transferred across from a branded restaurant business to hotels, and clearly you have learned a lot in a short space of time. The role of an operations manager depends largely on the general manager and, of course, you haven't always had one. You have two choices. You could stay in your current position and try to get a career path planned out, because another short stint and company move is not necessarily going to enhance your CV right now. Alternatively, you could capitalise on your experience and move back to a restaurant chain in an area manager role. On the recruitment side, you mention salary and as I don't know what you are on, it is hard to know whether this would involve a salary drop or not. If you are good at the job, you can earn a good income through bonus payments, but if you don't make the grade, this move will probably not enhance your CV just now. I think your best options right now are to talk to your existing employer and your former employer. You have a strong background with both.