Make the most out of your work experience! - marriottU

By Betty Ann ~ This is an exciting time of year, so much going on.? You finish finals and before you know it, you?re starting your job.? It?s very important to have work experience in the hospitality field, so I hope that is the direction you?re headed.? Whether it is an internship, management trainee or a summer job ? stand out for the right reasons.?

I suggest being a sponge and get as much exposure to the industry as possible.? When a student applies for an interview and has Marriott experience, I almost always interview that student.? It?s a good sign that they have worked for Marriott, understand our culture, and would like to be part of our team in the future.? Be aware that before I offer a student a management trainee opportunity, if possible, I refer back to the internship evaluation.? We?re looking for super stars and how you conduct yourself during an internship/work experience is an excellent indication of your future performance.?

What will your evaluation tell me? ?I went back to some of last summer?s evaluations and pulled comments.? It?s blatantly clear who we would want to hire and who, not so much.?

Comments about our best performers:? professional, positive attitude, took feedback well and improved, self starter, took initiative, excellent at relationship building, team player, first to volunteer and learned everything they could about the position and property, exhibited strong leadership qualities.

Comments about the less than top performers: ?inconsistent attitude, left internship early, negative comments made of coworker?s performance in public area, did not show ability to make decisions, did not exhibit leadership abilities, did not prepare in advance for responsibilities, got frustrated easily.

It?s interesting, the qualities of a strong performer really don?t change that much as you progress your career.? Yes, the evaluation becomes much more detailed and your responsibilities are expanded; but you can never be successful without understanding and exhibiting leadership qualities.

Please share your current and past experiences with me ? what you?ve learned.? I?ve learned a lot from observing others and seeing what not to do, what about you?

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