What you need to know before applying for a hotel job

We’ve given a number of interview and general tips for job applicants and covered a number of jobs before in our blogs. For this one, we’d like to focus on those hopefuls who are looking to break into the hospitality industry, specifically hotels.

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For experienced hotel employees and those who’ve taken Hotel and Restaurant Management, or any similar course back in college, this might come as bit of a refresher to you. For those with little-to-no experience, here are some things you need to know before heading into the interview, just so you don’t sound like you know nothing about the job you’re applying for.

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How to handle issues and concerns of guests
When a guest has an issue or a concern, it should always be handled as soon and as quietly as possible. You should know just how important the first major concern of a guest can be, since how it is handled is often a tell-tale sign of whether or not said guest will return.

How to address hotel guests
When applying for a hotel position, you should know how hotel staff treats guests. Since guests need to be as comfortable as possible, the staff should know their names. Knowing the names of guests is the first step in knowing what they want and do not want.

Thanks for reading my blog. Larry Polhill here. I’m a retired career consultant. Click here for more tips on how to ace your next job interview.

Interview tips: Four characteristics that lead to sound work ethic

One of the most oft-asked questions in a job interview relates to a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. For this blog, I would like to touch on the four traits that translate to a sound work ethic so that you may use them in future interviews.

Determination

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Without determination, a good work ethic would simply not be possible. It’s determination that keeps people going whether they’re having a good or bad day, grappling with failure or basking in success. Determination for many employees means the longing to finish something they started.

Professionalism
The ability to put work above and personal issues, to dress and speak in a manner befitting a professional is what professionalism is all about. Being professional mean being dedicated to the goals of a company. This is also one of the integral traits of a leader.

Integrity

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Integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching. How does this fit into a good work ethic? A person with integrity is a trusted person and one who continues to work (when needed) even after everyone else has gone home.

Humility
Humility is the fourth trait and possibly the most abstract in the context of work ethic. Humble people are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and they accept it. What they also do is work on their weaknesses so they can contribute more to their company. Being humble also means an employee is open to learning new things, which is important in work ethic.

Hello! I'm Larry Polhill, an Arizona native and retired career consultant. From time to time, I still offer advice and insights on how jobseekers can land their dream job. For more job-hunting tips, visit this blog.

Computer skills that employers want and you should list on your resume

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A good list of computer skills on your resume is not just nice to have. It could get you hired at the end of the day, especially if those skills are integral to the performance of the job you’re applying for. The rapid pace at which technology develops and changes affects the weight and value of these computer skills you’re listing on your resume.

Computer skills are best presented in a separate skills section, where employers can easily find and understand them. However, they can also be woven into your career summary as well as job descriptions. You can say, for instance, that you “Edited content within an internal content management system using basic HTML coding.”

Ideally, you should be listing computer skills per segment if there are a number of them. You can group them according to buckets such as Microsoft Office apps, Google apps, database management (MS Access, Oracle, Teradata, etc.), QuickBooks, web (HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.), and writing (WordPress, Shopify, Google Sheets, etc.). Showcase advanced computer skills under this same heading, listing skills such as Java, PHP/MySQL, web development, debugging, and more.

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It’s best to prioritize computer skills that are most relevant to the position you’re gunning for. For instance, if it’s a digital marketing role, you might want to list first skills such as Google Analytics, content management systems, email marketing (such as Mailchimp), search engine optimization, and web page design.

Larry Polhill is a resident of Arizona. He used to work as a career consultant, but is now a full-time grandpa and organic gardening enthusiast. Learn more on this page.

How should applicants explain their greatest strengths?

If you've been in the workforce for quite some time, you must have been asked by interviewers to explain your greatest strengths and how these traits will help you excel in the job you are applying for.  As a career counselor, most of the people I have worked with thought that their answers to this question cost them their dream jobs.  Let me share with you some tips on showcasing your expertise and good traits without going overboard:

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Talk about character-based and skill-based strengths appropriate for the position you are applying for

We know you have a lot of strengths.  And it’s good if you are aware of them.  But for a job interview, you have to choose only the traits that will show interviewers why they should give you the post.  For example, you can share how your being resourceful helped save funds for a project.  Or you can also talk about how clients and superiors commented on your design skills.  The key is to show that your strengths are essential for the specific job you are applying for.

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Say something about your credentials—certifications, degrees, or awards and talk about how these things contributed to what you consider to be your greatest strength

When asked about what you do best, don't be shy to back it up with your accomplishments.  This will show that you are passionate and capable.  While you have to make sure you don't sound like a braggart, don't be too modest about your accomplishments especially if they are already on your resume.  You can also talk about how these achievements have helped you in your current position or latest project.

The interview stage of the application process can be the most unnerving.  To ensure that the question won't catch you off-guard you have to think of your best points beforehand so that you'll be able to talk about them comfortably with the interviewer.  Good luck! Hello! I'm Larry Polhill, an Arizona native and retired career consultant. From time to time, I still offer advice and insights on how jobseekers can land their dream job. For more job-hunting tips, visit this blog.

What companies look for in managers

So you’re applying for a management or a supervisory position at an office near you, and it’s your first time doing so.  You’ve already had experience after being promoted at your previous job, but you know the interview will be different.  

Here’s one very important thing you should remember about companies looking for managers – they need someone who can lead. That said, you have to put your best foot forward and show that you’re a leader, not just a manager. 

How do you do this?

First off, leaders are much more than managers.  By this time, it’s already expected of you to know the ins and outs of being a manager, from administrative tasks and goal-setting to conflict-resolution and all the other things managers do.  The interviewer will probably ask you if you know how to emphasize the bottom line and focus on systems and structures.  And you should answer all these quite capably.

However, you should also exhibit an eagerness to make a connection to the team you’ll be assigned to, and to upper management as well.  You should make it a point that your priority is to lead, to motivate, and develop trust among the members of your team, yourself, and those above you.

There are key differences between managers who are simply managers, and those who are true leaders, and interviewers can see this from a mile away.  Be the leader.  It opens a lot more doors. Larry Polhill is a retired career consultant who offers views and insights on how jobseekers can land their dream job. He currently lives in Arizona, taking care of his three grandchildren and running a mini farm. More articles like this on this page.

Effective Tips To Calm Your Nerves During An Interview

Our nerves have a way of acting up especially during important events like job interviews. If telling stories and jokes in front of your friends can be easy and light, you can also feel this way when you get interviewed for a job. 

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Avoid speaking too fast. Calm down, and speak to the interviewer with no rush. Practicing deep breathing—breathe in through the nose slowly for three counts, then out through the mouth—to lower your heart rate can to beat your nerves. While tightening your butt cheeks to seem confident and composed can sound funny, it’s actually effective. Most clothes will mask the action anyway, why not do it? 

Find something to praise about your interviewer. Instead of boasting about what you can do when you land the job, it’s also effective to calm your nerves by making the other person feel special. Be confident and genuine with your answers and don’t be scared of asking questions, too. Listening is a key communication skill people tend to forget. Slow down and listen attentively to what the interviewer is asking to provide them with the right answers. 

As cliché as it sounds, be yourself. You’ll find yourself more relaxed, confident, and authentic when you’re not hiding behind a fake persona. Use words that belong in your vocabulary instead of trying to say words that you just read somewhere. Enjoy the interview and be grateful for your past experiences. Job interviews should be a breeze when you’re prepared and equipped with the right tips to make it through successfully. 

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Hi there! My name is Larry Polhill, and I’m a retired career consultant. Subscribe to my blog to get more tips on how to do your best in a job interview.

Proper Etiquette Tips During a Panel Interview

The way we behave and act during a panel interview can make or break our chances of landing that job, so we’ve to be extra careful about the simplest things we might be doing unconsciously, like fidgeting with a pen or repeatedly scratching an arm.

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Of course, these are not aspects of etiquette entirely, and most interviewers will not fault the interviewee for being a bit nervous. Yet body language is important, and the path toward getting hired begins with thorough mindfulness.

Greet everyone as your or they enter the room. Stand up if you’re first in the room and give each panel member a firm handshake. Show a sincere smile despite any feeling of nervousness.

Avoid closing your arms and slouching while being asked questions, as these can likewise exude insecurity. Sit straight without looking rigid. Even as your arms are kept open, keep your legs held together. This will make you exude an air of both confidence and professionalism.

During the actual interview, never rush to answer questions. Wait patiently for each question to finish, collect your thoughts, and reply without stuttering and stumbling. Project your voice as you answer, without shouting, so that everyone can hear you clearly.

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Of course, don’t take too long to answer. Focus on each individual question and don’t get caught up overexplaining even if you’ve felt your answer was incomplete. Finally, thank everyone individually and shake hands anew after the panel interview is done.

My name’s Larry Polhill, a retired career consultant from Arizona. I understand the daunting tasks that hiring managers and recruiters face, so I continue to offer insights for jobseekers to get ahead. More on my work and interests here.