Career Progression: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Ronisha

In the hospitality industry, when responding to guest requests, we’re encouraged to provide an actual measurement of time. For example, we would tell a guest that their In-Room Dining order will be delivered “within 20-25 minutes” instead of saying “we’ll have it up to you shortly,” because each guest values their time differently and each has a different perception of time.

Similar to guests, I’ve found that college graduates beginning their careers often have a different perception of time, particularly when it comes to career progression. The span of time they believe it will take for them to move up, to move into another role, or to receive their first promotion varies dramatically from graduate to graduate and in my opinion, the word “slow” in any variation is often a word college graduates do NOT want to hear.

Realistic Time Frames

The idea that career growth will come “slowly” or move “slower” than their expectation is often unacceptable, but I feel it’s important that graduates embrace a realistic time frame. I know this is easier said than done, but it starts with the selection process when you’re interviewing for that first opportunity after graduation. Hopefully you selected an organization that offered career advancement, a company that during the interview process had recruiters and representatives that spoke to the available promotion opportunities and potential career paths if you joined their organization.

Assuming that this the case, you now have to examine your own perception of time. When do you expect to move up and receive your first promotion? Does your expectation match with the information you were given when you chose the organization? Recognizing that time frames will vary by industry, allowing yourself at least 1 – 2 years in your current role is probably most realistic. Focus on your day to day performance, excelling beyond the level of expectation for your current position, accepting that one good day or one successful project does not merit a promotion.

If It’s For You, Then It’s Yours

It’s easy to compare yourself to your peers, but essential that you realize that you are your own competition. Use the time to brand yourself as consistent, reliable, and prepared for the next role. Each day you’re winning fans and supporters, making an impression on the decision makers who will assist you with obtaining that position. You have to trust that your opportunity for advancement is there and steady the anxiety or eagerness that can deter your focus.

A Closed Mouth Doesn’t Get Fed

I can’t remember the first time someone told me that “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed”, but that one piece of advice has stayed with me. During your first year in your new role, take advantage of one on one time with your manager to solicit feedback and use scheduled performance discussions/evaluations to chat about your career progression and express your career goals.

Just remember that with these discussions timing is key. A discussion about your career progression on your 7th day of employment is likely too soon, but after 180 days of stellar performance, asking for exposure to additional facets of the division or new responsibilities is a reasonable request.

I Listen to the Things You Say

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Ronisha

As a recruiter for Hyatt’s College Programs, I interview a fair amount of students each year for both internships and management trainee roles. When you have only a short amount of time to determine if a candidate is right for a role with your organization, you listen intently to every word that is said.

There are interviews that make this recruiter’s heart leap with the excitement of finding a strong candidate, and interviews that make me cringe with each answer. Often it comes down to the choice of words a candidate uses during an interview.

“Dealing”

For example, when I ask you to tell me about your internship or your most recent employment experience, you respond and say that you “had to deal with customers” or you “dealt with reconciling financial accounts”.

How can you tell me that you’re a people person and love interacting with the public, but then tell me that all summer you had to “deal” with customers? I see a contradiction here and although it may not have been your intention, the phrase conveys that your experience was negative and one that you tolerated more than enjoyed.

Acronyms

Although I’m impressed when you tell me you founded a student organization and now are the president of “Future Executives and Leaders”, I’m puzzled when you tell me you’re the “president of FEL”. The hospitality industry is full of acronyms, but I’ve learned that college campuses have us beat!

You tell me you are the “President of GHI” or “volunteer regularly with MNO”, and I can probably speak for my recruiter peers when I tell you that it is likely we have no idea what those acronyms mean. Assume your recruiter is unfamiliar with the organization and use its proper name. Your usage of acronyms during an interview may be selling yourself short.

“I see myself…”

Recruiters are avid users of open ended questions. We want the details and pose questions that encourage elaboration. What’s key is that while elaborating, you support your interests and express your passion. For example, if at the beginning of the interview you say you “see yourself staying close to your hometown”, but later in the interview say you’re “open to relocation”, it’s likely that the recruiter will have a hard time believing you because there is now a conflict with an earlier statement. My best advice is to be honest and offer the truth, not the responses you feel your recruiter will want to hear.

Much like a person considering the purchase of a home, walking through the rooms imagining themselves living in this new space, during an interview I’m imaging you working within our organization. The stories you tell, examples you share, the words you use, all help me draw a mental picture. Choosing your words carefully will ensure that picture is one of success.

San Antonio, Texas…..here I come!

Posted on October 8, 2012 by hyattcareers

One of our favorites is on the move again! Samantha Konner, former Corporate Management Trainee, is making the move to a new Hyatt location. Here she gives us an update on the latest events in her Hyatt career!

I remember my Assistant F&B Director in Washington, DC telling me all about Lake Tahoe before I moved here. He called this place home for a few years during his career and said that it was “majestic” and that it would be a place I would love. Well Ben, I give you permission to tell me “I told you so” the next time I see you because I have in fact fallen in love with Lake Tahoe. It’s a place that is hard to leave, because again my co-workers became my friends, my bosses became mentors and it was here, at this hotel and in this city that I took the jump and became a department head.

I’ve spent the past 16 months learning about myself and letting the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe shape me into the type of manager I will be in the future. Managing managers was a whole new experience, training a new staff every season due to seasonality was the most foreign of experiences, and managing associates that were my own age, and not older, is harder than you think.

It was a resort world however, a 3 traffic light town, a 45 minute drive to the closest Target, a 2 hour drive to the closest Chipotle and instead of days off at street fairs and enjoying professional sports, I took to paddle boarding and skiing. In a blink of an eye my world had changed and here I go about to change it again and just when I was getting comfortable.

The conversation about leaving the High Sierra was a bit different then it was in DC. As the Director of Outlets, my greatest accomplishment was the reopening of the 3-meal restaurant, Sierra Café. This restaurant was my life for the last year, I picked out the uniforms, salt and pepper shakers, sugar caddies, and retrained the staff. I am 500% invested in its success because I had a part of making it what it is today. However I have come to learn that at the department head and above level moving is the norm. I have also found a common theme with moving within Hyatt; bosses that care, current and past. Now I have four food & beverage directors and two assistant directors who are on my side and all rooting for me to make the best possible career choices.

While talking with a colleague yesterday, she pointed out that I talk about moving like “it’s just another day”, and that’s because I love it! It’s fun and exciting to be plucked from everything you know and find new things to love in a new city. This move will bring me to the south, a place I have just passed through. It’s been great being close to my college friends, sister and extended family but it’s time to try Texas for a while. I only hope “Southern Hospitality” embraces my fast talking New Jersey ways like “Tahoe Time” did.

Yes if you’re counting this will be my 3rd Hyatt property since graduating college and the 6th state I have called home in my life. Again I will sit waiting for the moving company to come see my mountain apartment before they move my belongings to San Antonio, Texas next week. What I am going to do with a kayak in central Texas I am not sure, but if my life so far has told me anything….who knows where I will end up next.

Have You Visited Our Microsites?

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Ronisha

Students who have met me on campus or read my blogs regularly know that I’m a big believer in doing your research. Taking the time to examine a prospective company’s website, read their blog, and if possible to speak to a few employees is how you can find out more about an organization. I’m a big fan of using your resources, which is why I was so excited when we created microsites, another amazing resource for perspective employees.

Currently we have microsites for Culinary, Food and Beverage, and Sales. I love that within each microsite there are video testimonials from current Hyatt family members, updates on each division’s initiatives, and information on upcoming events.

You can also see career path examples for each division. Although there is great information within our career site: hyatt.jobs, the microsites are more intimate and tailored to each division. I’m even more excited that soon we will have a microsite for our College Programs as well.

If you haven’t already, take a look at our Culinary (culinary.hyatt.jobs), Sales (sales.hyatt.jobs), and Food & Beverage (foodandbeverage.hyatt.jobs) microsites.

Once you do, I’m sure you’ll see why I think they’re such an amazing tool!

Careers at Hyatt: Area General Manager

Posted on August 24, 2012 by hyattcareers

The opportunity to transfer between our brands and properties is one of the great benefits of working for Hyatt. In the following blog, Frank Dolley, Area General Manager, gives insight into his career path and why he stays with Hyatt.

A few months ago, my family and I moved to Orlando, Florida. The move was the result of my promotion to Area General Manager of the Hyatt Place Orlando Convention Center and Hyatt Place Orlando Universal. The city of Orlando is not new to me, ironically my career with Hyatt begin here twelve years ago.

In 2000, after graduating from Johnson and Wales University, with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management, I accepted a Rooms Corporate Management Trainee position at the Hyatt Orlando. After completing the CMT program, I was promoted to the role of Assistant Executive Housekeeper and remained in Orlando until 2003. I then moved to the West Coast, after accepting an opportunity at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla as their Assistant Front Office Manager. In less than a year, I was promoted again and transferred to the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Casino, where during my time at the hotel, I held the positions of Executive Housekeeper and Front Office Manager.

In 2005, I returned to the Sunshine State, this time to Naples, Florida to work at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa as the Executive Housekeeper. Two years later, I was promoted to the Front Office Manager position at the hotel and then in 2008, I opened the Hyatt Place Coconut Point as General Manager.

This was my first time being a General Manager and as the leader of a brand new hotel, I had to be stronger, faster, smarter, better than anyone else in my competitive set. I challenged myself to learn even more about the industry and each one of my competing hotels. I actually spent time at the airport and observed the arriving airline crews, I found out where they were staying and eventually secured their business at my hotel.

In 2010, I was promoted to Area General Manager of the Hyatt Place Charlotte City Park and the Hyatt Place Charlotte Airport, where I worked for two years before moving into my current role. I divide my time between both hotels, spending the majority of my day engaging with my guests and employees.

Frank with his wife Joyce

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family. A perfect vacation for me includes my wife, our children, and lots of time at the beach.

If a recent college graduate wanted to follow my career path, I would suggest that they pursue an opportunity in the Corporate Management Training program or start as a Gallery Host at a Hyatt Place or Hyatt House. My best advice is to work hard, be open to relocation and love what you do!

I stay with Hyatt because I love the company! I fell in love with the culture, the family atmosphere, the people I’ve worked with, the people who mentored me along the way. I believe in this organization, it’s a good fit for me.

Should your Social Media Profiles be Connected?

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Ronisha

I love Twitter! It’s probably my favorite social network. I have Twitter searches set up for each of the schools that I recruit at for Corporate Management Trainees and Interns. This is one of the ways I stay connected to what is going on at each university.

The Scenario

It’s through one of these searches that I found something that concerned me: a student tweeting negative and profane comments about his university and a specific professor.

I’m sure this isn’t the first time a student has vented their frustrations via a social network. What really concerned me was that this student listed the web address of his LinkedIn profile in his Twitter bio. With a simple click I was able to access his LinkedIn profile, view his major and employment history and discover that because he is a hospitality major, it is very likely that he will one day interview with me.

Now no matter how well he interviews, in the back of my mind, I will be thinking of his profanity filled 140 characters and how they represented his personal brand.

Brand and Image Alignment

Although the student in my example listed his LinkedIn profile on his Twitter page, I also see students who list their Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter pages on their LinkedIn profiles. I have often wondered if students realize that by providing this information, you are connecting your social and professional images.

Depending upon the content, granting your professional connections access to this information may do more harm than good. It’s truly about representing your personal brand and before you connect your profiles, I encourage you to consider how well those profiles align and support your image.

Consider your Decision

Think about the saying, “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Do you really want the social mingling with the professional? Keep in mind that ultimately this is all information that you supply when you create your profiles, therefore you have the control in determining the information that is given in each of your profiles.

I’d love to hear your opinion about aligning your online profiles. Do you have all of your social media accounts listed on your LinkedIn profile? Do you filter your tweets and posts? What do you think about listing your LinkedIn profile on your Twitter or Tumblr pages?

I Promise, It’s Okay

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Ronisha

My brother and I are 12 years apart in age. I started college the year he started kindergarten, and this year, I will celebrate my twelfth anniversary with Hyatt while he enters the working world as a recent college graduate. It’s a challenge being both a recruiter and a big sister because I don’t want to take over, and I also have to resist overwhelming him with too much advice. But as I watch my little brother apply for, interview for, and consider job offers, I keep reassuring him of three things. Hopefully these three things will offer some relief to you as well.

1. It’s Okay Not to Know

I always knew hospitality and specifically hotels were the perfect fit for me. It was a decision I made when I was 7 that was actually a good one! But I realize that not everyone is like me and although I consistently talk about the value of an internship and gaining exposure to your future industry, there is still the possibility that you may not be sure what career path you want to take after completing internships.

Reach out to your mentors, former professors, and industry contacts for guidance. Carefully evaluate the opportunities that are in front of you and select the one that seems best. Recognize that it takes courage to try, and you’ll never know if a position, a company, or a career path is the right fit for you unless you give it a try.

2. It’s Okay to Quit

Currently my brother is considering an offer and is hesitant to accept. He wants to make the best decision and just isn’t sure. As a Human Resources professional, this is hard for me to say, but I gave him permission to quit. More than a few graduates will accept opportunities and discover that the opportunities they accepted aren’t right for them. Yes, I know that longevity and stability are one of the factors recruiters consider when evaluating candidates. However, as much as it takes courage to give an opportunity a try, it also takes courage to assess the opportunity you’ve taken and determine if you should walk away. Keep in mind that when I say walk away, I mean with proper notice and the utmost professionalism.

3. It Will Be Okay

Graduation is a major accomplishment and the idea of not knowing what direction to move forward in after walking across that stage can cause some anxiety. I make the same promise to you that I’ve made to my little brother– have faith that it will be okay. Yes, there is a tremendous amount of pressure and you may not feel overly confident in the decisions you’re making, but this period of your life will pass and eventually you will feel settled. Hopefully it will be with a company and/or in a career direction that excites you, but if that is not the case, every experience makes us better and shapes us into the people we’re intended to be.

Are any of you recent grads facing new career uncertainties? How do you work through them?

Careers at Hyatt: Director of Food and Beverage

Posted on June 22, 2012 by hyattcareers

Director of Food & Beverage is one of the key leadership positions in our full-service hotels. It is also one of the positions on the path to General Manager. Tyson Warren, one of our Directors of Food & Beverage, gives us insight into his role and career with Hyatt.

I am currently the Director of Food and Beverage at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. My role is to insure that every guest has an exceptional experience whether it is in one of my two restaurants, the lobby lounge, Starbucks, In-room Dining, Banquets or at the pool bar. I also focus on the engagement of all associates in the hotel. Last, but certainly not least, I have an obligation to the ownership of the hotel to provide the highest quality Food and Beverage in Sacramento while increasing revenue.

My wife and I have a daughter, Madison, who just turned two. I love to golf, and explore the wineries of California. Every day for me is different and that is one of the things I enjoy about working in this industry. At work, I spend the majority of my time interacting with guests and associates in some fashion, if it’s bussing tables or seating guests in the restaurant, turning meeting rooms with the CS and Banquet departments or trying to become a certified Barista in Starbucks, those interactions take up a good portion of my day.

I attended Concord University in Athens, WV where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Food Service Administration. I attended college on a football scholarship, I was a 4 year starter at Left Tackle and was a 3 time All Conference Player. I am from Melbourne, Florida where I started in the hospitality industry very young working with my father who owned a few night clubs.

In 1999, my good friend, Alumnus and Hyatt Family Member, Sherry Hicks-Buckles, told me to apply for an open position at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport and my career with Hyatt just took off! I was a Food & Beverage Manager at Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport from 1999 – 2000. I was then promoted to Hyatt Regency Atlanta, the birthplace of the Atrium hotel and the property that really launched my Hyatt career. I was promoted four times while at the hotel and held the positions of Beverage Manager, Director of Outlets, Convention Services Manager, and lastly Director of Banquets.

In 2005, I was promoted to the Hyatt Regency Dearborn as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage and two years later, I was promoted to the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. One year later, I was promoted again! I became the Director of Food & Beverage at the Hyatt Morristown and two years later moved to the West Coast after being promoted into my current role of Director of Food & Beverage at Hyatt Regency Sacramento.

I stay with Hyatt because Hyatt is truly a family. People you meet when you first start with the company will become lifelong friends. Hyatt will also let you define your career; you will get out of your career what you put into it.

If a recent college graduate wanted to follow my career path, I would suggest starting as an Assistant Executive Steward or Assistant Restaurant Manager. These two entry level positions will prepare you for your new career. Assistant Executive Steward will teach you the back of the house operation, there is no meeting or event that is successful in a hotel without the support of the Stewarding department. Working in Stewarding also gives you a greater understanding of the entire Food and Beverage Operation because you’re working hand in hand with the Banquet and Culinary teams.

In the Assistant Restaurant Manager position you learn how to handle and deal with adversity due to the sometimes unpredictable levels of business. This role requires you to be very organized and is a great introduction to front of the house customer service, as well as financial management and forecasting.

When entering into this field you must embrace the opportunity to engage with guests and employees. You must enjoy being around different people and learning their different personalities. Most importantly you must be prepared to manage the different issues that come up on a daily basis and be creative at solving them. There are not any two days alike in the Hotel and Food Service industry.

Careers at Hyatt: College Recruiting Manager

Posted on June 15, 2012 by hyattcareers

College Recruiting Manager is one of many positions within Human Resources. One of our favorite recruiters, Brook Luedke, gives us a glimpse into the role.

After graduating from Missouri State University in 1999 with a Hospitality and Restaurant Administration degree, I started my Hyatt career as a Food & Beverage Corporate Management Trainee at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. After completing the program, I was promoted to the position of Skies Restaurant Manager. I then changed the direction of my career, moving from Food & Beverage to Human Resources.

The best professional advice I have ever received is “you don’t get, what you don’t ask for” and if I hadn’t followed that advice, I possibly wouldn’t have had the opportunity to transition into Human Resources. While still in the position of Restaurant Manager, I attended a Hyatt leadership meeting and during a breakout session, shared with the attendees at my table my desire to move into Human Resources, specifically College Relations. I thought nothing of it at the time, but one of the attendees remembered the conversation and encouraged me to apply when the position of College Relations Coordinator at Hyatt’s Corporate Office became available.

In 2000, I moved from Kansas City to Chicago to become the College Relations Coordinator. In June 2002, I was promoted to Employment Manager at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. In 2005, I was promoted again and became the Director of Human Resources at the Hyatt Regency Lisle. Two years later, I returned to our Corporate Office as a College Recruiting Manager.

My role as a College Recruiting Manager is all about connecting with both current students and recent graduates and assisting them in finding the right position within our company. I work closely with the Executive Level Directors at our hotels, Professors at our partner universities, as well as the Directors and Career Services teams on the campuses I visit every semester.

When I’m not working, I love to spend time at one of my two favorite Hyatt destinations (hopefully I don’t offend my friends at hotels I am not mentioning) the Grand Hyatt New York or Hyatt Regency Curacao. Grand Hyatt New York is one of my favorites because I love the hustle and bustle of the city and the hotel’s location. I assisted with the opening of the Hyatt Regency Curacao and the hotel holds a special place in my heart. I love that Curacao is a place you can go and truly be on island time!

If a recent college graduate aspired to have my position, a good starting position would be within our Corporate Management Training program, preferably in either Rooms or Food & Beverage Operations. I feel it is important that if you are selling our company and program (which is essentially what we do), you have first-hand knowledge and can speak to the day-to-day experiences future students will have while working with Hyatt.

My co-workers are part of what has kept me with Hyatt for the past 13 years, understanding that I also LOVE what I do! As a Hyatt employee, I am able to provide suggestions, give input, and I am consistently challenged. I feel these aspects are what keeps Hyatt employees engaged and happy.

My Love/Hate Relationship with Being “Open”

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Ronisha

I’m going to admit it. I have a love/hate relationship with the word “open.” I know hate is a strong word and I’ve been told that the opposite of love is actually indifference, but depending upon the day and the situation, my feelings for the word “open” are much stronger than indifference. I sometimes actually despise the word. I know, you’re judging me, but allow me to explain.

I frequently receive the response “I’m open,” when I interview students and ask about the locations they want to live in if they’re offered an opportunity for the career direction they want to go in after graduation. I understand why students offer this response. Stating “I’m open” tells the recruiter that you’re “open” to new experiences, opportunities, that your possibilities are limitless. Perhaps being “open” will give you an edge over candidates who want a specific position or location.

What Your Recruiter Hears

You say “I’m open” to a recruiter and inside we initially do a bit of a happy dance because in our minds, you’re open to secondary cities, open to living in Wichita or Cincinnati, open to accepting any position just to get your foot in the door. But remember I said a bit of a happy dance, because I’ve learned that my idea of “open” and a candidate’s idea of “open” aren’t always the same. This is why the response “I’m open” typically requires me to do more research and to ask more questions.

“Open” Isn’t an Available Position

Recently I received a resume from a candidate interested in a position with Hyatt. I gave the candidate a call to see what specifically they were interested in doing at our hotels. When I asked the question, the candidate’s response was “I’m open.” Well, that’s great, but open isn’t an available position. It is likely that a recruiter has several available positions; with so many options, when it comes to hiring and placing a candidate in a position, they need more information.

A recruiter needs to know your specific interests, your long-term goals, what motivates you and gives you energy. As a recruiter, I want to consider you for a role that will allow you be happy and satisfied with your work. I want to be confident that the experiences you desire align with what our company can actually provide. In order to achieve those goals, I need to know more than that you’re “open.”

“Open” to All Locations

In my prior blogs, I’ve encouraged students to consider other locations. I’ve encouraged them to look beyond their home towns and places that are familiar, to consider areas that are new to them and the allure of secondary cities. But in regards to location, I’ve learned that “open” isn’t always the right answer. I offered three students positions who said they were “open” last semester and all three declined their offers for opportunities that kept them in their home towns. This led to me to wonder if they were really truly “open.”

Therefore I encourage you to consider if you’re “open” to all locations. I understand you don’t want to limit yourself, but be honest, are there locations that you would be less “open” to relocating to for work? Although you’re “open,” are your loved ones (parents included) “open” to the idea too?

I believe many students offer the response “I’m open” to indicate that they’re flexible. Flexibility is attractive, but consider that there is a difference between being flexible and being “open.” I’d love to know if you share my feelings regarding the word “open.” Who knows, you might help me see the response “I’m open” in a different light.

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