People get ready

Before you start a job, it's helpful (at least!) to know what the job will be like. Below is a snapshot look at first jobs and then what lies ahead. The salary figures quoted are all gross and for guidance only. Certain companies offer additional benefits, such as company pension schemes, private medical health insurance, life assurance, bonuses at management level, and in-house discounts.

First jobs

Trainee managers
This is a way in if you don't have a hospitality-related degree and have no practical experience of the industry. As a trainee manager, you could find yourself working in a small neighbourhood eaterie or a top-flight fine-dining restaurant, or even in a budget or five-star hotel.

These work environments will clearly be very different but, as a trainee manager, in each of them you will learn the same broad skills, according to hospitality recruitment agency Action Recruitment Europe. "The first weeks will be learning about the company," says consultant Helen Bowater, "then you'll be trained in all aspects of running an establishment over the course of a year."

Starting salaries for trainees are around £12,000 but, by the end of the first year, when you can look to specialise, you could be earning in the region of £16,000-£20,000.

Waiter/waitress
You'll be expected to provide friendly, professional and attentive service to restaurant customers and be able to assimilate a lot of information about the establishment's menu and wine list. Typical starting salaries are £250 per week if you have at least six months' experience.

With less experience, you could come in as a commis waiter and earn from £230 per week. You must still be confident enough to carry three plates at a time and open a bottle of wine in front of customers.

Receptionist
Receptionists are the first line of guest contact in a hotel and are therefore key members of staff. You'll be greeting guests, checking them in and out, and handling complaints, so you have to have excellent customer-focused skills and attention to detail.

Your career path can progress to shift leader, reception manager and front-office manager. For the most dedicated, the role of front of house manager awaits after three to four years, with a salary from £20,000.

Restaurants offer similar positions, where you'll be responsible for taking and managing table reservations and greeting customers.

Starting salaries in hotels are around £10,000 annually, or expect about £250 a week in a restaurant.

A developing area of the hospitality sector is the fitness sector. Health clubs and fitness centres also need receptionists, and these hourly-paid positions offer about £4.50 an hour. The benefits, however, could extend to membership and use of the facilities, a luxury that first jobbers might not otherwise be able to afford, says Adele Cordiner, who heads recruitment consultant Berkeley Scott's leisure division.

Commis chef
If you have basic food preparation skills, you can start as a commis chef where you'll be doing mise en place, making soups, salads or sandwiches, and earning from around £10,000.

Demi chef
For those with a formal qualification and knowledge of food preparation, this could be your first job in the industry. Salaries start around £14,500.

After a year or two…

Supervisory assistant manager
If you already have a year's placement in the industry and some management experience under your belt, you could look at this role, a step up from trainee management. You could be deputy manager of a budget hotel or pub after a year, earning £17,000-£18,000. Accommodation is often provided, a valuable perk, and starting salaries are typically £14,000-£15,000.

Assistant manager (restaurant)
A step below general manager, you'll need two years as an assistant manager in a quality restaurant. You'll be expected to have qualities and skills similar to those of a general manager, but not the same degree of financial ability. Salaries from £20,000, plus benefits.

Conference and banqueting co-ordinator
The conference and banqueting (C&B) department deals with all aspects of function management, from taking bookings and co-ordinating the diary, making sure rooms are correctly equipped, and managing the catering, to presentations to prospective clients.

Hotel companies will look at graduates with enthusiasm and some understanding of the department for this role, and pay £11,000-£15,000.

Chef de partie You could find yourself in any one of the kitchen sections, be it larder, sauce, grill, fryer or pastry, as a chef de partie. Groupe Chez Gerard looks for two years' experience at this level, and an NVQ-level formal qualification or equivalent, and will pay from £17,000.

Experienced candidates only

General manager (restaurant)
Financial acumen is essential, so that you can work within budgets and grow the business. Salaries start around £25,000, plus benefits.

Front of house manager (hotel)
If you have at least five years' experience in four- or five-star hotels and are an assistant front of house manager, this could be your next move. You'd be overseeing the front office and earning £20,000-£30,000, depending on the size of the property.

Sous chef
This position can be divided into senior and junior roles, and your job would be to support the head chef and run the kitchen in his/her absence. You'd earn £17,000-£20,000 plus benefits.