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Far Horizons
In this combined retail and hospitality feature, we ask several international retailers about their recruitment plans for the year ahead as well as what an international role means within their business.
Company focus: Hilton
Q: Describe the career paths available for employees looking to work internationally within your group.
We are open to applications from other countries and provide opportunities to work globally across our family of brands.
Q: What are the main benefits to employees who work internationally within your group?
International experience is second to none, and really adds depth to a resume. As a company we feel that it provides us with an international understanding, helping us provide the best level of hospitality in all of our hotels.
Q: Please describe a specific example of a colleague who has progressed their career internationally within your group.
We have a number of team members who have started in junior roles, and progressed their careers both within the UK and internationally. One of our general managers at Hilton London Gatwick Airport started his career on the elevator program, Hilton's Award-winning graduate programme. He has worked in Zurich, London and Istanbul, before now returning to London to take on his first general manager role.
Q: How do you facilitate a smooth transgression for employees moving to new cultures as well as assist with the practicalities of moving countries?
All team members follow a tailored induction programme, and particularly when moving countries, a high level of support is provided to ensure a smooth transition within their new professional and personal lives.
Q: What qualities do you most look for in potential employees to work abroad?
Passion and ambition are key, as we aim to provide the highest level of hospitality worldwide.
Q: How would you characterise the working culture at your business?
A hard working team spirit runs through the company. I recently heard a story about a sales team in one of our larger hotels who assisted 500 conference delegates with their luggage on departure.
Q: What do you think qualifies your business as an employer of choice?
We offer a happy and progressive working environment for people who embrace our culture and want to be part of the largest hotel chain in the world. The opportunities are endless, and many of employees have been with Hilton for many years.
Q: If you had to characterise your company’s plans for 2012 in a single word, what would it be?
Hospitality - we want to provide the best level of hospitality worldwide, by sourcing the industry's top talent and providing first class training to all of our employees.
Q: What’s the most exciting initiative currently taking place / set to be launched within your business?
There are always many exciting initiatives within Hilton Worldwide as we continue to grow. We have the chef apprenticeship programme, which is a 12 month program that runs from September and provides on the job training as well as a nationally recognised qualification. We have also launched a new chef de partie program which we have introduced in a bid to define a career path for our junior kitchen teams.
To read the rest of this article please go to:
http://www.theappointment.co.uk/careers-centre/features/far-horizons