Hungry for a job in the food industry? Whether you want to carve out a career as a chef or land a senior role working for a large food company, the following tips can help to get you there.

Bag some relevant experience

It can be frustrating trying to get your foot in the door when every employer wants experience. You may have to start from the bottom at first and work your way up – working on a food production line or taking up a job doing pot washing may not be the most glamorous roles, but they could lead on to greater things.

Alternatively, you may be able to bag some voluntary experience work shadowing someone in a senior position. Sites like Do It have a multitude of voluntary vacancies available. You may also be able to ask for voluntary experience by contacting employers directly via email.

Consider an internship

Internships are a great way to gain experience, often leading onto a full-time paid role. They can be a great way of landing a role in a leading company. You can find internships advertised online. Companies may only offer a limited amount of vacancies so it’s worth putting some time into building a winning application.  

Get some qualifications

Qualifications aren’t always necessary, but in most cases they can put you at a huge advantage. A food science course could help you to develop skills essential for food manufacturing, preparation, storage and transport. You could even consider SQF and BCR certifications in food safety if you’re planning on getting into food safety auditing.

Link up with specialist recruiters

If you’re struggling to find vacancies, it could be worth signing up with a recruitment company that specialises in the food industry such as Focus Management Consultants. Such recruiters often work with top food industry companies aiming to provide them with the best talent possible – this could be ideal of you’ve got your sights set high.

Be prepared to travel

Whilst there are countless food industry vacancies out there, the best may require doing some travelling. Many major food companies have their head office based in a city, whilst factories and agricultural plants are likely to be based more rurally. When it comes to top class restaurants, giving yourself the best chances possible could involve being prepared to travel the world to find that ultimate role.

Network with professionals already in the industry

As is the case with many careers, knowing the right people can be hugely advantageous. If you know anyone in the food industry, see if you can get them to put a good word in for you. You can also find and meet people by attending events such as food fairs, connecting with professionals on Linked In and joining clubs related to the food industry.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.