Are you thinking about a job in hospitality? Lucky for you, you couldn't be searching at a better time as vacancies recently hit a record-breaking level of 134,000. As the industry recovers from the challenges of Covid-19, more employers are looking to build resilient teams. Not only that, but if you want the security of working at a company that has an impressive diversity of brands, with businesses nationwide, M&B could be the place for you.

If you're still wondering whether a job in hospitality is the right move, then read on to check out the top five questions you need to ask yourself.

How does it fit in with my long-term career goals?

If you’ve not thought about your long-term goals, then you might be tempted to skip over this one, but a top tip from us is to always think about where your next job will take you. Whether you're unsure of what you want to be doing in one year, or you’ve got a clear vision of where you’ll be working in ten years, you should always give some thought to the next step.

The simplest way to answer this question is to list a few of the skills you’ll pick up in a hospitality job, such as:

• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Communication

Next, work out how important these skills are to you. You might decide that in a few year's time you’d like to be in a leadership role, and so a waiting job that develops your communication style would be a perfect career move.

How important is career progression to me?

Your answer to this question will be entirely different to anyone else’s. Some people like comfort and routine, while others want to be challenged on a daily basis. The good news is that you can find a bit of both in hospitality.

That said, no matter whether career progression is a top priority or not, the drive to always do better is essential in any hospitality role. For chefs, it’s their job to always be one step ahead and ready for the next rush of orders to hit the kitchen. Meanwhile, bar staff need to keep up with drink orders and impress guests with their customer service skills.

Do I want to be offered training?

Now, if development matters to you, you need to think about access to training. According to Survey Monkey, 86% of people agree that job training matters to them. If you fall into this category, hospitality could be the industry for you, it's just a matter of finding the right company.

All employers will offer the basics. If you're a kitchen assistant you'll be taught the prep and par system, while waiting staff will be run through food safety. But how about training programmes that will help you develop your career? Not every hospitality company will offer this, but larger businesses like Mitchells and Butlers give you access to award-winning training and apprenticeship schemes.

Does hospitality suit my lifestyle?

There isn't a single industry that will suit everyone, which is why it's worth asking yourself if hospitality is right for your lifestyle. The hours can be long and the work can feel physically demanding as you're on your feet. But the fast-paced atmosphere is one of our top five reasons to love working in hospitality because our people thrive in this environment. You might turn up for work at 10am, get ready to welcome the guests through the doors and before you know it, your team has powered through the lunch rush and you're all ready for a short lull before the next wave of guests come in for their evening meal.

Hitting targets with your team brings about a feeling of camaraderie - something you don't get in every industry.

Do the company values match my personal values?

This isn't just a question to ask yourself if you're toying with the idea of a hospitality career. It's an important bit of advice to take on board for any job search. Always find a company's values and question if they align with yours. If the answer is yes, you're onto a winner.

Explore our latest hospitality jobs

Whether you're looking for a part-time role to fund your way through uni, an apprenticeship scheme that will let you earn while you learn the ins and outs of the hospitality industry, or you're passionate about building a hospitality career, we've got a role for you. With 13 brands, many being household names, a job with Mitchells and Butlers is one you can forever be proud of.

Browse our latest bar and waiting jobs, management roles or kitchen positions to see what we have to offer you.