When it comes to achieving an outstanding hospitality career, many may still think that the key to obtaining it is through education and experience alone. What others might also miss out on is that there is another way to increase the success rate of your hospitality career: by acquiring hospitality certifications.
This doesn’t mean you can earn instant success with just hospitality certifications under your belt, though! Hospitality certifications act as complementary credentials that certify you are a professional and have demonstrated skills, abilities, and knowledge in a specific hospitality area. In other words, this thing is a ticket to prove your capabilities and boost your career.
Our article today will talk about hospitality certifications in detail, from what they are to where you can attain them, as well as the types of hospitality certifications that you can pursue for a brighter career in the hospitality industry!
The 5W Questions of Hospitality Certifications
Acquiring a hospitality certification helps hospitality workers further their potential and access more opportunities. However, some of us might still be unfamiliar with the importance of hospitality certifications. That’s why we are going to use the 5W formula to divulge the details of hospitality certifications, which you can read more about below!
1. What is a Hospitality Certification?
Illustration of hospitality certification.
By its definition, a hospitality certification is a professional credential that certifies an individual has demonstrated excellent skills, knowledge, and capabilities in a hospitality area. It also serves as a symbol of accomplishment in the hospitality industry for all career levels!
2. Why Hospitality Certifications are Important?
A successful hotel employee gets a promotion.
The job competition in the hospitality industry has always been tough, but there is no need to worry if you have a hospitality certification. Taking hospitality certifications not only improves your overall capabilities; they are also a beneficial addition to your professional profile, making you stand out to employers and opening up more opportunities!
3. Who Needs Hospitality Certifications?
A hotel’s new employee.
Whether you are a first starter or have already begun your journey in the dynamic hospitality industry, hospitality certifications are for everyone from different career levels, as well as for anyone who wishes to advance to a higher level.
4. When to Get a Hospitality Certification?
Preparation before taking a hospitality certification.
Any time is a good time to attain or add more hospitality certifications to your credentials! However, do keep in mind that you should be well-prepared before taking a hospitality certification!
5. Where to Acquire Hospitality Certifications?
Finding hospitality certifications online.
Depending on your area of expertise, you can earn a hospitality certification from a hospitality association, organization, or academy that issues it. There are many available certifications that you can find online, and to make it easier for you, we have also prepared a list of some hospitality certifications to boost your career — all of which can be found in the next section!
10 Hospitality Certifications to Advance Your Career (and Where to Get Them)
Are you ready to take your hospitality certification? Well, you don’t need to rush if this is your first time! There are lots of hospitality certifications that lead to promising career upgrades, and it will be up to you to choose which one is in line with your passion or expertise in this industry. Let’s get to know some of them first through our list of hospitality certifications below!
1. Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM)
Administered by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
A digital marketing team of a hotel.
If you are about to begin or have started your career in a hotel’s sales and marketing team, the CHDM certification is highly recommended for you. It will surely make you stand out as a hospitality professional!
2. Certified Rooms Division Executive (CRDE)
Administered by American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)
A rooms division staff of a hotel.
Does your expertise lie in the rooms division area? Hop up and apply for the CRDE license! It is available for rooms division staff at every level, including but not limited to front desk, bell, and reservation specialists.
3. Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE)
Administered by National Association of Catering and Events (NACE)
Catering in a hotel.
The CPCE is awarded to qualified caterers who have established a standard of excellence in the hospitality industry. Earning this certification would undoubtedly lay a strong foundation for your career in the catering and events field!
4. Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
Administered by International Live Events Association (ILEA)
Events staff preparing a banquet at a hotel.
This hospitality certification has been established since 1993! The CSEP is granted to event professionals who have demonstrated skills, knowledge, and the ability to organize special events. If your hospitality study or occupation is focused in the events area, this one’s for you!
5. Certified Culinarian (CC)
Administered by American Culinary Federation (ACF)
Certified culinarian, one of the entry-level certifications for hospitality workers in the culinary arts field.
Hospitality certifications are not only for experienced individuals; first-starters can also obtain one too! One of the entry-level certifications is the CC. It can be earned by individuals with a certain level of education and experience in culinary arts, making them super rookies!
6. Certified Customer Service Specialist (CSS)
Administered by ETA International
Front office, one of hospitality roles that requires customer service skills.
The hospitality industry is a place where you will get to serve people from diverse walks of life, which is why customer service skill is required in every hospitality job. With the CSS, your customer service skills will be validated through employability concepts, eventually leading you to a higher level of career!
7. Certified Executive Housekeeper (CEH)
Administered by International Executive Housekeeping Association (IEHA)
Housekeeping staff in a hotel.
The job market for housekeeping is among the most competitive, which is why it’s important for those who wish to work in this hospitality field to stand out to recruiters. The CEH is a housekeeping certification you can pursue and leverage to improve your housekeeping career, as well as your salary prospects!
8. Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP)
Administered by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
IT staff in a hotel.
Leap to the next level of your hospitality technology career by attaining the CHTP! This certification is specific to the hospitality industry, and an individual who obtains it is considered an expert, having successfully demonstrated skills, knowledge, and abilities in the hospitality technology field.
9. Certified Restaurant Server (CRS)
Administered by American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)
Restaurant (F&B) servers in hotel.
Did you know that the restaurant server (also known as the F&B server) is currently among the most in-demand operational positions in the hospitality industry? Now that you know, it’s time to prepare yourself for the competition with the CRS. This certification will not only upgrade your capacity as an excellent server but also increase your chances of success!
10. Hospitality Human Resources (HHR)
Administered by The International School of Hospitality (TISOH)
Illustration of human resources field in the hospitality industry.
Hospitality workers are the greatest assets to every hospitality organization, which is why managing them is an essential task of the human resources department. With HHR certification, you will not only learn about human capital management, but you will also get to help grow employees’ potential and set the stage for success in your hospitality HR career!
Wrapping Up
Hospitality certifications surely are beneficial to hospitality workers! They are truly the medium for an individual to expand their capabilities as a hospitality professional, as well as proof of that prowess.
There are lots of certifications for specific hospitality fields, and adding one to your profile grants you higher professional points with employers. While there are many hospitality certifications, keep in mind to choose one that is aligned with your hospitality passion and expertise!
Of course, just a hospitality certification won’t be enough to gain success in the hospitality industry. Proper education and experience are always essential in this matter, and providing both has become our mission at RMC Asia since 2014!
Our cultural exchange programs are the solution we have come up with. They combine hands-on work training and cultural exchange experiences through hospitality internship placements in our Asia destinations. Not only do participants gain professional development, but they also get to discover their true potential in this unique abroad internship journey.
So, how do you feel about starting your own cultural exchange and internship adventure? Find the answer through our programs and join the success of our participants here!
Recommended: Elevating Careers with Hospitality Internship and Management Training!
