Are Hospitality Workers Better Served In Tech Sales? | These 5 Skills Set Them Apart

The hospitality industry experienced one of the lowest periods in history as the pandemic made waves across the world. In the wake of stay-at-home orders, lockdowns, and restrictions, along with rising rates of infection, employment for hotel, bar, restaurant, casino, and event staff in the U.S. dropped by nearly a quarter in the first year of Covid alone – that’s roughly 4 million people left without work...

Even as meeting spaces and eating places open back up, there have been irreversible changes in daily industry operations. From stringent health protocols to work constraints caused by social distancing regulations, it's reasonable to expect that this sector, like many others, won’t be the same for a long time (if it ever returns to pre-pandemic operations at all).

But surprisingly, the tech industry experienced double-digit growth in the same period as the hospitality sector nosedived. Big tech – think Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft – reported record profits and record growth in 2021 with a combined $1.2 trillion in revenue. To put that in perspective, that’s more than some countries' GDP.

With shrinking opportunities in the hospitality sector and booming growth in technology, we don’t blame you if you’re thinking of a career change. If that sounds like you, we can help you make a successful transition into the tech industry, where there is more than enough room for your skills and talents.

Why Tech Over Hospitality?

Did you know, U.S. tech stocks were worth US$9 trillion in the year 2020? Compare that to just under US$4 trillion for the entire global hospitality industry.

Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the computer and information technology sector will grow at 13% from 2020 to 2030. In the next ten years, we may see up to 667,600 new computer and information technology jobs in the U.S. alone.

But before you make the switch, first get the facts. This will ensure that you make the right decision for yourself when it comes to job security, compensation, and perks. The tech industry can offer promising opportunities on all four fronts.

It’s in demand

While hospitality jobs were slashed over the pandemic, sales teams boomed with job openings reaching new heights. By ZipRecruiter’s estimate, more than 700,000 sales positions were advertised up in 2021, up 65%.

It pays well

Though wages vary depending on position and seniority, the average U.S. hospitality worker earned $19.57 in December 2021, or under $40,000 per year at full-time hours. Compare that to tech sales reps, who earn roughly $77,000 per year. That’s like giving yourself a raise of more than 50%!

It has a low barrier to entry

You don’t need a Ph.D. in salesology to become a successful tech sales rep. Not only are there accessible ways to train and upskill into tech sales, but the learning curve is further reduced as more people own digital gadgets (and simply look up what they don’t know on the internet).

It’s flexible

Ask anyone before the pandemic if working from home was a viable option for them. You'd probably get blank stares and a no.” But now, work-from-home sales teams are on the rise, reports Salesforce, with 46% of sales reps surveyed saying they expect to do most of their selling virtually into the future.If you have been grappling with any doubts about the pay and perks in the tech sector, then these figures should reassure you.

Don't miss out

Currently, Samsung, Google, and Meta (formally Facebook) are among the top-tier tech companies hiring right now. These tech giants can easily take your career to the next level through exposure and continuous training. You'll also be surprised to learn that there are many lesser-known tech companies with the capacity to employ and compensate you with an above-average wage. It's time to take that leap of faith into a brighter future.

The 5 Essential Tech Skills (That You Already Have)

Most people are fearful of taking a step into the tech world – and that’s okay! You might think that your skills are so specific to the hospitality industry that you’ll be disqualified for that new job. We’re here to tell you: the same skills you built in the hospitality sector are the same ones that can make you a tech sales success! These skills include:

1 - Teamwork

Whether you were a chef, a server, or a front desk agent, teamwork likely played a critical role in your day-to0day. The top performers in tech sales also need teamwork and collaboration to learn new skills, perfect their selling techniques, and close deals. New entrants with high standards of teamwork can easily thrive in tech sales teams that require collaboration.

2 - Time Management

Managing schedules is a must-have trait in the hospitality sector. Most service professionals work under pressure to juggle busy schedules and competing priorities. The tech industry also needs exceptional time managers. Whether you’re working on presentations with strict deadlines or managing multiple prospects in different stages of the sales funnel, time management is a critical skill.

3 - Communication

Hospitality is about people. As such, communication skills are often at the core of the service you provide. To advance in a tech sales career, you also need communication skills to unearth a client’s core problem and position your product or service as a great solution. (Good thing Uvaro offers courses that cover topics on communication in-depth to help students master the art of interpersonal interactions.)

4 - Commitment to Targets

Service providers in the hospitality sector are no strangers to performance targets. You were likely accountable for KPIs like customer satisfaction, product quality, and speed of service. Hitting sales targets isn’t that much different. Though the exact numbers will change depending on where you work, at their core, they’re all about earning revenue by taking initiative and providing top-tier service. You can easily thrive in any tech company if you are someone who is driven to perform at your peak.

5 - Industry Knowledge

Don’t worry – your years of experience in the hospitality sector were not in vain. You actually gained a ton of industry knowledge that’ll give you an advantage as you transition into tech! Many blossoming tech companies are keen to hire individuals with experience and knowledge in the hospitality sector, especially when their core clientele are hospitality businesses.

Uvaro is Your Bridge to a Fulfilling Career In Tech!

We get it – the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. Not to mention the unexpected roadblocks that emerge along the way. But when it comes to taking the leap with your career shift, Uvaro makes the transition seamless and fast. Now that the hospitality sector is not working for you, you can stop working for it – and Uvaro has a solution perfectly fit to guide you through.

Our courses help you make that all-important switch to the tech industry. What's more, we have a flexible program that won't take you out of your comfort zone. Our courses have a tailor-made approach that makes it easy for you to learn online.

Uvaro is your career success company! Check out our life-changing courses and start scaling your tech career with us.