Reflection about my career and my future in the hospitality industry

I finished my degree two years ago in my hometown. I did several internships while I was studying, as travel agent or receptionist just to make sure which path I would take. After my second internship in a hotel, I realized that this is my vocation. When I was doing my last practicum I got a job in the same hotel chain one month later so it was amazing because it was exactly what I was looking for. After that, I worked for 3 years in the same chain, getting a lot professional and personal experience until I decided to come to Canada. 

Now that I have finished at ILAC and with my professional experience acquired I would like to find a great job.  My goal is get a job in a company like Marriott International, Four Seasons or Hilton Worldwide. The reason is because they are recognized and important brands worldwide. They care about their internal customer and also about their guests. Therefore, they give you opportunities to grow professionally in their different departments and alongside the company. 

However, when I was looking for a job in my hometown, I used to go directly to the company to leave my resume. I did not use job websites much because sometimes they can miss information or they can skip your resume, so I prefer to leave it face to face then they can have a first impression of me. Nevertheless, something has changed since I arrived to Canada because now I am using these job websites a lot but I still like going to the company to leave my resume in person. In fact, this was how I got my current job in Canada. I found it on a website and I applied for the position, then I went to the work place and I left my resume with Human Resources. She did my interview there and then and I got the job the same day. 

My advice is: if they do not contact you in two days, you should go in person to the company so they can see that you are interested in working with them. 

As I mentioned before one of my goals is find a job as a receptionist or housekeeping supervisor at Marriott because I heard very good opinions about them and I also searched why employees like work with  them. One of the reasons is the management team believes in you and gives several options for advancement, the workplace culture is different, and new and most staff members are friendly, therefore it is a great place with good environment. There are also good benefits and employees discounts (Leigh Gallagher, 2015; Shivani Vora, 2016). However, I like their rules they follow for success which are connected with the theory I have learned in class and also with everything mentioned in my blog. For example, take good care of your internal customers, and they will take care of your customers, and they will come back. They also few every problem as an opportunity to grow but they also know what they are good at and they keep improving. Therefore, they emphasize the importance of the small details, exceeding customer expectations and creating loyalty (Bill Marriott 2016)

Sometimes, it is hard to work in the hospitality industry since you try to do your best, provide good customer service, handle different kind of guest or different situations, and always with positive attitude but it is more difficult when we talk about front desk in a hotel because the reception is the heart of the hotel. Not only must you keep in mind all these aspects but also you must be aware that your schedule or your life is going to change because maybe you will work when people are sleeping, on weekends or holidays, and even your vacations can only be when the summer ends. However, I chose this and I gave these things up because I enjoy working with people, I like to see new guests every day and listen to them, be in touch with them, but most of all, give them a great stay. 

References:

Bill Marriott (2016). Rules for success. 

Retrieved from: http://www.blogs.marriott.com/marriott-on-the-move/2016/07/rules-for-success.html

Marriott Careers. Retrieved from: http://www.careers.marriott.com/life-at-marriott/

Leigh Gallagher (2015). Why employees love staying at Marriott.

Retrieved from: http://fortune.com/2015/03/05/employees-loyalty-marriott/

Shivani Vora. (2016). This is what makes Hilton a great place to work. 

Retrieved from: http://fortune.com/2016/03/03/hilton-100-best-companies-to-work-for/