Key Takeaways
- Apply exclusively through careers.ihg.com — IHG does not accept speculative applications, paper resumes, or email submissions. All applications must go through the official careers portal.
- IHG operates 19 brands across 6,800+ hotels in 100+ countries with 375,000 employees — tailor your application to the specific brand (luxury InterContinental vs. efficient Holiday Inn Express vs. boutique Kimpton) rather than applying generically.
- The average hiring timeline is approximately 17 days, with 81% of candidates reporting a positive interview experience and difficulty rated 2.7/5 on Glassdoor. Hotel roles often move faster than corporate positions.
- Prepare for behavioral interviews using the STAR format, with IHG's own guidance to emphasize the Action component. Practice answering scenario-based hospitality questions about guest recovery, team conflicts, and operational challenges.
- IHG's three employee promises — Room to Belong, Room to Grow, Room to Make a Difference — and five values (Do the Right Thing, Show We Care, Aim Higher, Celebrate Difference, Work Better Together) are genuinely used in hiring decisions. Reference them authentically.
- Early career candidates should explore IHG Academy (paid training), the Future Leaders Program, the Future Leader Aspire Programme (18-month rotational), US Corporate Internships, and the US Manager in Training Program as entry points.
- IHG's asset-light franchise model means two distinct career tracks exist: corporate roles at global offices (Windsor UK, Atlanta, Singapore, Shanghai) in technology, marketing, finance, and strategy, and hotel-level operations roles at franchised properties worldwide.
- Multilingual skills and international experience are significant differentiators — IHG's global footprint means cultural fluency and language capabilities add tangible value across both corporate and hotel roles.
- IHG is investing heavily in digital transformation, AI, and cloud technology — technology professionals should highlight relevant experience with data analytics, cloud platforms, AI/ML, and digital product development alongside hospitality domain understanding.
About IHG
Application Process
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1
Search and apply through careers
Search and apply through careers.ihg.com, IHG's global career portal. Filter positions by category (Hotel Jobs or Corporate Jobs), brand (InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, etc.), location, and function. Note that Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in the Americas has a separate application path accessible through the same portal. IHG also posts roles on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor.
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2
Submit your application with a tailored resume and any required information
Submit your application with a tailored resume and any required information. IHG does not accept speculative applications, paper resumes, or applications submitted via email — all applications must go through careers.ihg.com. Read the full job description carefully before applying; enter your personal information accurately, as IHG explicitly values attention to detail at the application stage. Tailor your CV for each specific role, highlighting skills and experience relevant to the position.
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3
Await recruiter contact for a phone or video pre-screen
Await recruiter contact for a phone or video pre-screen. Updates about your application status are sent to the email address provided in your application, or communicated directly by the recruiter supporting the role. This initial screen typically covers your background, motivation for joining IHG, salary expectations, availability, and basic qualification alignment. The pre-screen assesses communication skills and cultural fit with IHG's 'True Hospitality for Good' purpose.
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4
Complete one or more interview rounds, depending on the role and level
Complete one or more interview rounds, depending on the role and level. The first interview is typically conducted by a hiring manager or recruiter and focuses on qualifications, experience, and your understanding of hospitality. A second interview, often with a senior manager or department head, focuses on behavioral competencies, situational responses, and alignment with IHG's values. Corporate and leadership roles may include panel interviews with cross-functional stakeholders. Some positions require skills assessments, role-play exercises, or mock scenario evaluations.
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5
Undergo a background check and reference verification
Undergo a background check and reference verification. IHG conducts criminal background checks and contacts professional references as part of the pre-employment process. For hotel roles involving guest safety, food handling, or financial responsibilities, additional screening may apply depending on the property and jurisdiction.
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6
Receive a formal employment offer if successful
Receive a formal employment offer if successful. The average hiring timeline at IHG is approximately 17 days from application to offer, though this varies significantly by role — some hotel positions move in 1-2 days, while specialized corporate or security roles can take considerably longer. Approximately 46% of candidates report receiving an offer within a day or two of their final interview.
Resume Tips for IHG
Lead with guest service and hospitality experience
Lead with guest service and hospitality experience. IHG's entire business revolves around delivering exceptional guest experiences across 19 brands. Highlight any direct guest-facing roles, customer service achievements, or hospitality industry experience prominently. Quantify your impact: 'Managed 200+ daily guest interactions with 95% satisfaction rating' is far stronger than 'Provided customer service.'
Tailor your resume to the specific brand and role within IHG's portfolio
Tailor your resume to the specific brand and role within IHG's portfolio. A Kimpton boutique hotel values creativity, personality, and lifestyle sensibility, while an InterContinental property prioritizes polished luxury service and global cultural fluency. A Holiday Inn Express emphasizes operational efficiency and consistent standards. Research the specific brand's positioning and reflect its values in your application language.
Showcase multilingual abilities and cross-cultural competence
Showcase multilingual abilities and cross-cultural competence. IHG operates in over 100 countries with guests and colleagues from every culture. Language skills, international work or study experience, and demonstrated cultural adaptability are highly valued — especially for InterContinental, Six Senses, and Regent brands that serve a predominantly international clientele.
Quantify operational and business results wherever possible
Quantify operational and business results wherever possible. Hospitality hiring managers value concrete metrics: occupancy rates improved, revenue per available room (RevPAR) contributed to, food cost percentages managed, team sizes led, guest satisfaction scores achieved, or upselling conversion rates. For corporate roles, include project outcomes, budget management, and stakeholder impact.
Highlight team leadership and collaboration skills
Highlight team leadership and collaboration skills. Hotels operate as complex teams across departments — front desk, housekeeping, F&B, engineering, sales, and management must coordinate seamlessly. Show evidence of cross-functional collaboration, mentoring junior staff, managing shift teams, or leading department-level initiatives.
Include relevant hospitality certifications and training
Include relevant hospitality certifications and training. Industry certifications strengthen your application: ServSafe (food safety), TIPS or responsible alcohol service, CPR/First Aid, hospitality management diplomas, revenue management certificates, or brand-specific training. For corporate roles, include relevant professional certifications (CPA, PMP, SHRM, digital marketing credentials).
Keep formatting clean, professional, and ATS-compatible
Keep formatting clean, professional, and ATS-compatible. IHG's careers portal processes applications digitally — use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills), avoid graphics or complex formatting, and include relevant keywords from the job description. IHG's own career advice emphasizes keeping work experience descriptions concise while highlighting achievements that convey your personality and abilities.
ATS System: IHG Careers Portal (Custom/Proprietary)
IHG uses a custom-built careers portal at careers.ihg.com for all corporate and brand-level recruitment. The portal supports filtering by brand, location, job category, and function. All applications must be submitted online — IHG explicitly rejects paper resumes, email submissions, and speculative applications. Application status updates are communicated via email or directly by the assigned recruiter.
- Apply exclusively through careers.ihg.com — no other submission method is accepted
- Tailor your resume to the specific IHG brand and role, using keywords from the job description
- Use clean, ATS-compatible formatting with standard section headers and no graphics
- Enter all personal and professional information accurately — IHG flags attention to detail at application stage
- Monitor the email address provided in your application for status updates from recruiters
Complete IHG Careers Portal (Custom/Proprietary) Resume Guide →
Interview Culture
IHG interviews are rated 2.7 out of 5 for difficulty on Glassdoor, with approximately 81% of candidates reporting a positive experience — notably higher than many hospitality peers.
What IHG Looks For
- Genuine passion for hospitality and guest service. IHG's purpose is 'True Hospitality for Good' — they want people who find authentic satisfaction in creating memorable experiences for others. Demonstrate specific moments where you went above and beyond for a guest, customer, or colleague, not just that you 'enjoy working with people.'
- Cultural awareness and inclusivity. IHG operates across 100+ countries with the value 'Celebrate Difference' at its core. They seek candidates who thrive in diverse environments, adapt communication styles across cultures, and actively contribute to inclusive team dynamics. International experience, language skills, and cross-cultural collaboration examples are strong signals.
- Operational reliability and attention to detail. Hotels run 24/7 with zero tolerance for service failures. IHG needs people who show up consistently, follow brand standards precisely, maintain safety and hygiene protocols, and catch small details before they become guest complaints. Accuracy at the application stage itself is noted as a screening factor.
- Adaptability and composure under pressure. Hospitality is inherently unpredictable — overbooked nights, staffing gaps, weather disruptions, difficult guests, and simultaneous demands are routine. IHG values candidates who maintain professionalism and problem-solving capability when plans change rapidly.
- Growth mindset and eagerness to develop. IHG's 'Room to Grow' promise means they invest heavily in employee development through IHG Academy, IHG University, mentoring programs, and cross-brand career paths. They want candidates who actively seek learning opportunities, pursue certifications, and aspire to grow within the organization — not just fill a position.
- Team-first collaboration. Hotels succeed or fail as teams, not individuals. IHG looks for people who support colleagues across departments, share knowledge generously, step in when others need help, and contribute to positive team morale — reflecting their 'Work Better Together' value.
- Brand awareness and commercial acumen. Understanding IHG's brand portfolio, competitive positioning, and business model (franchise-heavy, asset-light) demonstrates genuine interest. For management and corporate roles, commercial understanding — revenue management, cost control, market positioning, owner relations — is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Open Positions
IHG currently has 20 open positions.
