This week, Hireology, the official HR technology partner of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), joined hospitality leaders from across the country at The Hospitality Show to tackle one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: hiring and retaining great people. As hotels across the U.S. rebound from years of workforce disruption, one theme echoed throughout every session — success in 2025 and beyond will depend on how hotels attract, engage, and retain their workforce.
The Evolving Hospitality Job Market
At the AHLA General Manager Summit, Hireology VP of Marketing, Kristin Tschantz, shared national hiring process insights drawn from the Hireology’s 2025 applicant research report, What Today’s Automotive Applicants Want.
- Applicant volume surged 14% in 2025, while job postings rose 11%—signaling steady demand and growing candidate confidence.
- Roles like housekeepers (+25.6%), room attendants (+21.9%), and front desk agents (+10.5%) remain the most in-demand.
- Hiring cycles lengthened slightly —from 20 to 23 days—as employers compete for talent and adjust to higher applicant expectations.
- Hotel wages rose 2.13%, totaling $128.5 billion nationally, with Rhode Island leading wage growth at +69% since 2019.
“Hospitality jobs are products and they must be retailed just like your rooms. Your career site, job descriptions, and communication touch points are your brand’s storefront for talent.”
What Today’s Hospitality Applicants Want
Hireology’s research shows that 41% of hospitality job seekers visit a hotel’s career site first — not a job board — to evaluate culture, benefits, and growth opportunities. And 59% expect an interview invitation within four days of applying. In other words, speed, clarity, and authenticity now define a great candidate experience.
Key motivators driving job searches include:
- Pay and compensation (37%)
- Career growth (23%)
- Shift or schedule availability (8%)
Leading hotels meet those expectations by combining a mobile-friendly career site, frictionless applications, and recruitment automation to enrich candidate engagement.
The Connection Between Guest and Employee Experience
The parallels between guest and employee experience were a major theme throughout the summit:
- A smooth booking process mirrors a seamless interview process.
- A warm welcome at check-in reflects a supportive onboarding experience.
- Just as a clean, comfortable room builds guest loyalty, a positive work environment drives retention and referrals.
When hotels invest in employee engagement, turnover decreases, referrals increase, and guest satisfaction soars — all measurable impacts on profitability.
Data-Driven Hiring: Visibility Into What Works
Another session highlight from AHLA’s General Manager Summit at the Hospitality Show was the importance of complete visibility into hiring performance. Using analytics, hoteliers can pinpoint where candidates drop off in the hiring process, which sources deliver the best hires, and how long each stage of the process takes. Thus, empowering leaders to optimize every dollar spent attracting talent.
That same data-driven approach is at the heart of Hireology’s hospitality applicant research, which captures insights from hospitality job seekers nationwide. The study showcases what candidates value most, and how top hotels are adapting their strategies for 2026.
Looking Ahead: Building the Next Era of Hospitality Hiring
As AHLA continues to elevate workforce innovation through partnerships like its collaboration with Hireology, it’s clear that people remain the industry’s most valuable asset. From front desk to housekeeping to F&B, the hotels that succeed in 2026 will be those that prioritize a streamlined hiring process and rich employer brand — built on speed, transparency, and connection.
Explore key benchmarks and actionable insights in Hireology’s 2025 applicant research report, What Today’s Automotive Applicants Want.
