You can complete a qualification like a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree and enter hotel management through a management trainee scheme.

This role is open to graduates of all subjects, though a related course may give you an advantage. These include:

• hotel management
• hospitality management
• hospitality business management
• international hotel management
• travel and tourism

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You can apply to do a Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Hospitality Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, to train to become a hotel manager.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this career by getting experience as a deputy manager in front of house, guest services or catering operations. With further training on the job, you could be promoted to a more senior managerial position.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to use your initiative
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• business management skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As a hotel manager, you could:

• provide leadership for hotel staff teams
• promote the hotel and its facilities to bring in new business
• plan rotas and organise cleaning and catering services
• manage budgets, set sales targets and forecast income
• make sure the hotel meets licensing and health and safety laws
• oversee fire safety, building security and site maintenance
• manage corporate bookings and events
• recruit, train and organise staff
• meet and greet customers and deal with complaints

In a small hotel you may manage all of its operations. In a larger hotel, you may have more specific responsibilities, for example reservations or revenues management.

You could work in a hotel or at a conference centre.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.