Hiring for Success

Jannat Kaur Waraich, hotelier by education, hospitality marketer and founder at Grow by profession, lists the qualities that hospitality brands seek when hiring.

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It's all about your passion and soft skills. When I started my career in the hospitality industry, I gave multiple interviews to land my dream brand. I went on to prepare like every other person prepares; from researching about the company, improving my grooming standards, polishing my communication skills, working on my body language and staying updated with the news and industry trends.

Over the years, what I learnt from my experience was that while technical skills remain crucial, your personal characteristics and overall personality are the backbone of your selection, something which matters the most, since that comes from within and cannot be taught and made to learn unlike technical skills.

The leading hospitality brands look for professionals who can deliver excellent guest service, which makes them prioritize:

Confidence: An essential tool for a professional to survive in the industry, as it gives the employer assurance that the employee would be able to handle guests, challenges, and responsibilities with poise.

It makes the professional more credible, approachable, helps in making wise decisions, dealing with stressful situations, and maintaining a calm presence. Employers usually assess confidence through group discussions and interviews by observing your body language, communication skills, and responses. To build confidence, practicing public speaking, giving mock interviews, gaining industry knowledge, taking up added responsibilities and facing new challenges are effective.