Trainee managers
If you don't have hospitality-related qualifications or practical experience of the industry, this is a way in. You could work in a small eatery, a top-flight restaurant, or a five-star hotel. Salaries for trainees start at about £12,000-£15,000. By the end of the first year, you could easily be earning around £16,000-£20,000.
Waiter/waitress
You'll be expected to provide friendly, professional and attentive service to restaurant customers, and to learn about the menu and wine list. Salaries start at around £250 per week if you have six months' experience. With less experience, you could be a commis waiter earning from £230 per week.
Receptionist
Receptionists are the first person guests speak to, making them key members of staff. Good people skills and attention to detail are both crucial for this role. In a few years you could be a front-office manager with a salary from £20,000 upwards.
As a restaurant receptionist, you'll be responsible for taking table reservations and greeting customers. You can expect about £250 a week.
Health clubs and fitness centres also require receptionists, offering about £5.50 an hour. Job benefits may include club membership.
Commis chef
If you have basic food preparation skills, you can start as a commis chef earning from around £14,000-£15,000 pa.
Demi chef
For those with formal qualifications and knowledge of food preparation, this could be your first job in the industry. Salaries start at around £14,500.
Supervisory assistant manager
If you already have a year's placement in the industry and some management experience under your belt, this could be for you. After a year, you could be deputy manager of a budget hotel or pub on a salary of £17,000-£18,000.
Assistant manager (restaurant)
You'll be expected to have similar qualities and skills to a general manager, but not the same degree of financial ability. Typical salary: £20,000 pa, plus benefits.
Conference and banqueting co-ordinator
You would be dealing with all aspects of function management. Hotel companies welcome enthusiastic graduates, and will pay £11,000-£15,000.
Chef de partie
As a chef de partie you could find yourself in any one of the kitchen sections, be it larder, sauce, grill, fryer or pastry. With two years' experience and an NVQ-level formal qualification or equivalent, you can earn from £17,000.
General manager (restaurant)
Financial acumen is essential. Salaries start at around £25,000, plus benefits.
Front of house manager (hotel)
If you have at least five years' experience assisting the front of house manager, this could be your next move. You could earn £20,000-£30,000.
Sous chef
Your job is to support the head chef and run the kitchen in his/her absence. You'd earn £17,000-£20,000 plus benefits.