HR Corner Extending a warm welcome by Isabella Lee Responsible employer to create 300 jobs for service-minded personnel As a city of charm with metropolitan sophistication, business opportunities, cultural diversity, and many events and attractions, Hong Kong is not only a premier destination for visitors but also a key market for travel industry players. The Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel is another quality visitor facility that will soon become another landmark. Scheduled to open in December this year, the new property of 658 guest rooms and hotel amenities with five-star features is located near the Hong Kong International Airport. Its proximity to world-class convention venue AsiaWorld Expo and nearby attractions including Hong Kong Disneyland is ideal for both business and leisure travellers. The escape from the city centre however, gives the impression of a long journey to work for the hotel staff. "This is all about perception. The idea of an airport hotel means a distance from downtown for many major cities in the world, but Hong Kong is such a condensed place that nothing will be too far from one point to another," observes Simon Sung, director of human resources, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel. 300 job openings A large portion of the hotel's workforce is expected to come from nearby districts —a win-win situation that Marriott, as a responsible employer, designs to help solve the unemployment problems in relatively remote communities by offering more than 300 jobs of different positions at the initial stage of SkyCity's operation. "Each property of the Marriott group is unique in terms of the physical design and location. But at its core, the values are the same. That is, the spirit to serve the community, customers and associates is consistent across all properties," Yasmin Akhtar, area director of human resources, Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia, Marriott International Inc points out. With a steadfast belief that people are the most important asset for the hotel business, the international hotel group strives to create a family-like atmosphere and a friendly environment where people care about each other. "We believe that if we take care of our associates, they will in turn take care of the customers who will keep coming back. This particular ethos highlights the importance of associates for our success. It has been one of group's most significant and enduring principles in talent management," Mr Sung notes. "The spirit to serve the community, customers and associates is consistent across all properties" To support the growth and personal development of all its associates, the hotel provides abundant learning opportunities at different levels. All new employees will be equipped with the necessary skills and techniques to achieve the Marriott service standards. Throughout their career paths, training will be tailored to maximise the individual's potential. Since comprehensive courses are in place to craft trainable expertise, the recruitment for talent focuses on the personality traits of candidates. According to Mr Sung, one of the vital elements the hotel is looking for in building their team is the heart to serve people. "There is a set procedure for recruitment activities and many tools were derived from our experience to help us identify the right people. For instance, by looking at the interviewees to see if their eyes can smile, we can tell whether they are willing to serve people from the bottom of their heart," Mr Sung notes. Rewarding experience Ms Akhtar adds that people possessing qualities aligned with the Marriott values, such as enthusiasm for hospitality, integrity and a caring attitude, will find a good start for a rewarding career in SkyCity, where competitive compensation and benefits packages are offered. Besides being a global brand leader with ventures all over the world, SkyCity is a platform for talent who want to seek broad exposure. Within the hotel, associates can find cross-functional opportunities through an internal rotation scheme. Beyond the property, exchanges among properties locally, regionally or internationally are also encouraged. "We have many examples in the executive levels showing Marriott is a great place to work. The company is not just providing financial rewards but also promotion and personal advancement in a diverse setting," Mr Sung comments. Mr Sung reminds candidates hoping to seek a place in the hotel that being true to oneself is the most important step to take, as experience and academic qualifications only come second to the right personality. Salient points * Established tools help recruit the best talent * Niche positions create exceptional career options * International business portfolio offers staff broad exposure * Learning opportunities abound Taken from Career Times 3 October 2008, p. C8 Your comments are welcome at [email protected]