EDITOR ’ S DIARY
PASSION FOR HOSPITALITY
RECRUITING TIPS from NYU STUDENTS
Culture is one of those feel-good buzzwords I hear at every industry event , and honestly I more often than not roll my eyes . I think about my hotel experiences and the team members I see who don ’ t look as though they are sipping the company kool aid . I talk to managers and executives who have their share of aggravation and act more overwhelmed as opposed to switched on . Profitability is not so easy to attain and pressures to deliver now run from housekeepers to CEOs . It ’ s simply the nature of the beast — always has been and likely always will be
Editor In Chief the case . So what ’ s the answer to living and working with contentment and providing enough realistic , near-term opportunity ?
Back in June just before the start of the NYU investment conference in New York City , I asked the NYU hotel school to bring a half-dozen students to the table to talk about career expectations , wants and needs ( see p26 ). Honestly , I don ' t recall being that polished and as self-assured when I was as young as the five international students I sat down with that morning . They know what they want and were able to articulate it . They knew what qualities they will look for in an initial employer , and they do not appear likely to settle .
The bottom line from my perspective as I completed the interview : They want to work in an organization with a culture of balance , inclusion and social responsibility . They want transparency and instant feedback in a way that doesn ' t just go from the top down . If you want them to go into operations , be prepared to pay them well as they know life balance is difficult to obtain . They want varied opportunities within the business — and they don ' t want to wait years to get them . They also want to know if you have very specific processes in place to help them learn and people willing and able to mentor them . Be clear , if your promises seem false , they will see right through them .
Maybe they are young and naïve and after they spend a few years in the business they will understand the harsh realities of the day-to-day , and if they are patient and productive enough opportunities will indeed come their way . To that implied reality they say , ‘ If you can ’ t deliver and help me meet my goals on my timetable , I will find someone who will .” Considering how tight the job market is right now , they are likely right .
The takeaway I got from my 90 minutes with five very smart and motivated students is you ’ d better start creating and living a modern day organizational culture right now . If you are not sure what that looks like ask your management trainee candidates , local hospitality students and the very people who are working hard to get ahead .
NYU student Tristan Jordan offered a great example of what will attract the next generation of leaders : “ It ' s really important for the company to be able to curate a journey of work , and allow me to see that I am able to grow within the work .” I promise , if you can deliver Tristan will not roll his eyes .
EDITORIAL Jeff Weinstein , Editor In Chief 1.312.274.2226 E-mail : jweinstein @ hotelsmag . com Barbara Bohn , Managing Editor 1.312.274.2209 E-mail : bbohn @ hotelsmag . com Bert Ganzon , Senior Art Director 1.312.274.2227 E-mail : bganzon @ mtgmediagroup . com Steve Vanden Heuvel , Senior Art Director 1.312.274.2218 E-mail : svandenheuvel @ mtgmediagroup . com Brittney Hackbart , Associate Art Director 1.312.274.2216 E-mail : bhackbart @ mtgmediagroup . com Carolina Martinez , Freelance Design E-mail : cmartinez @ mtgmediagroup . com Bill McDowell , Vice President , Editorial Director 1.312.274.2201 bmcdowell @ mtgmediagroup . com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Judith Crown , Megan Rowe , Juliana Shallcross , Erin Sund
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INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Nakul Anand Executive Director , ITC Ltd ., Gurgaon , India Stephen Bartolin President , Broadmoor Sea Island Co ., Colorado Springs , Colorado Alex Kyriakidis President and Managing Director , Middle East and Africa , Marriott International , Dubai Christopher Nassetta President and CEO , Hilton Worldwide , McLean , Virginia Monika Nerger Chief Information Officer , Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group , Atlanta Paul Sistare President and CEO , Atlantica Hotels International , São Paulo Susan Terry Vice president of culinary and food and beverage operations , Marcus Hotels & Resorts , Milwaukee , Wisconsin
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6 hotelsmag . com October 2019