Being the youngest staff member in the hospitality industry can be daunting, especially when it comes to advocating for yourself. Do you speak up for yourself when things could use some improvement, or do you suck it up, get on with it, and hope that something changes sooner or later?
The reality is, if you don’t say something, there’s no guarantee someone’s going to do it on your behalf. In fact, there’s a good chance they’ll think you’re happy with the status quo.
Yes, being the youngest worker means you don’t have as much experience as your coworkers, but this doesn’t mean your options, experiences, or hopes are any less valid. In July 2025, just over 53% of Americans aged 16 to 24 were employed. Of these 21 million people, 25% (5.4 million) were employed in the leisure and hospitality industry.
With the holidays coming up, there are plenty of opportunities for younger staff to get their foot in the door. If you’re one of them, know this: the industry values fresh perspectives and is willing to listen to what you have to say.
The trick is learning how to speak up, and the following tips will help you do just that.
If you want to climb the hospitality ladder, it’s vital that you develop the ability to advocate for yourself. One of the most important reasons for this is getting your ideas heard, whether it’s because you have an idea that could improve customer experience or because you’re dissatisfied with shift allocations.
Self-advocacy in hospitality is also important, as it enables you to
The trick is knowing how to lay a foundation from which to speak up in a way that gets you heard.
Learning to advocate for yourself begins with mastering the basics of your job. Whether you’re waiting tables, working at the front desk, or on the housekeeping team, make sure you can do every one of your daily tasks efficiently, competently, and reliably.
When you do your job well, your authority will grow, your confidence will be boosted, and your coworkers and managers will have no doubt about your credibility. Mastering the basics builds credibility – one of the most important foundations for career growth in hospitality.
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Various studies have explored how uncertainty erodes self-confidence, and that’s the last thing you need. You can’t advocate for yourself effectively if you don’t have the confidence to do it. Like every young person working in the hospitality industry, you’ve got a lot to learn. Your older coworkers also had to face a learning curve at some point in their lives (and many of them are still learning).
If you’re unsure about something, see it as an opportunity to learn and show genuine curiosity about it. This lets your supervisors and managers know you’re serious about doing a good job and growing in your skills. Curiosity is one of the fastest ways to gain confidence and develop your hospitality career.
Showing initiative is a great way to add weight to your voice. Rather than waiting for your manager to ask you to assist with tasks beyond your immediate job description, ask them for small responsibilities you can take ownership of. For example, offer to handle social media posts during special events or compile guest feedback into a single document on a daily or weekly basis.
Making yourself a valuable member of the team lets your managers know you’re invested in your job and in the organization, whether it’s a restaurant or a hotel. This builds the kind of respect that gets your bosses to listen when you need to advocate for yourself regarding more serious issues. Taking initiative shows that you’re serious about professional development in hospitality and helps you stand out from the crowd.
A good mentor will do more than teach you about your job and working in the hospitality industry. They’ll also provide you with new perspectives and throw their weight behind your self-advocacy when required.
Your mentor doesn’t need to be someone on your team or your direct manager. They should be someone you like and respect, and who is capable and confident. When you’ve identified someone you think you can learn from, approach them respectfully and ask them if they would be willing to meet with you occasionally to mentor you or at least give you advice on various aspects of your job, the organization you work for, or the wider industry.
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If your manager conducts regular performance appraisals, these meetings can be a great opportunity for self-advocacy, especially if you can back up your belief that you’re a valuable member of the team. You’ll find it difficult to do this without evidence, so make sure you keep track of your accomplishments, no matter how small they seem.
Start by making a list of the skills you had when you started working and those you’ve developed since being onboarded. Next, consider the contributions you’ve made to the establishment since starting work there.
Lastly, list your wins, such as small milestones you reached, positive feedback from coworkers or supervisors, and compliments from guests. Add to your list regularly, as this makes prepping for appraisals much easier. This kind of reflection helps you see just how much you’ve grown – and it’s one of the simplest forms of self-advocacy in hospitality.
When you need to speak up about something that isn’t working for you, do it calmly, clearly, and constructively, advocating for yourself with solutions. By doing so, your supervisors and managers will see you as being mature and proactive rather than as someone who’s doing little more than complaining.
For example, if your workload has increased, avoid saying, “I can’t cope with this unrealistic workload.” Instead, state your case while proposing a solution or inviting collaboration, such as by saying, “I’ve noticed a significant increase in my workload. I want to ensure I continue delivering the best I’m capable of, so is it possible for us to take another look at deadlines or priorities?”
The same goes for sensitive topics like unpaid hours or overtime discrepancies, which can occasionally happen in busy hospitality settings. If something doesn’t add up, raise it respectfully and focus on finding a fair solution together. If the issue isn’t resolved, ensure you understand your options, which may include reviewing your contract, consulting with HR, or exploring your rights under local employment law. Knowing your rights, reviewing your contract, and communicating professionally are all key parts of building confidence in hospitality.
Self-advocacy in hospitality isn’t just for people with years of experience in the hospitality industry. It’s also for the youngest on staff and everyone in between. Finding your voice begins with understanding your value. Once you have that, you’ll command respect that gets results. Whether you’re a student, trainee, or young team member, developing self-advocacy in hospitality will give you the confidence to grow your career and be heard.