Hospitality is more than a front desk. After working in hotels for several years, there are two sides to it. There is the amazing side that includes employee discounts, awesome food and events, and then there is the other side, what I like to call the ugly side.
SIDE NOTE: When I tell people I work for hotels, they normally follow up with "Oh really?! That's what's up! So what hotel company? Marriott?" I respond, and then before I can finish my sentence, they say "Oh so you the hotel plug then?! Can I get a discount?"
My normal answer is typically "no", because hotel employee discounts are a privilege, and we're supposed to be selective about who we give it out to, in the event something bad happens, the employee could get the benefit taken away or worse-- fired.
But that's not what I wanted to you all to know. I probably just needed to get that off my chest (lol).
I think we often try to focus on the positive aspects of hotels without realizing it can rear it's ugly little head. I have seen hotels close down with no warning, get sold and people lose their jobs or go through a brand conversion and never tell their overnight guests.
I want to talk about, how to know when it is time to leave. Below are four signs I use to know when it's time for a change of career scenery when you're at the TOP of your game:
1. No Room For Growth So, you've been at your job for some time now, and your reviews have been great with your department head, and you express your desire for more, and...nothing happens. You follow up with your department head, and they do one of two things: give you the run around or come up with a reason as to why you're not ready. If you have been performing well and reviews have been "above and beyond" style ratings, this doesn't add up. It's happened to me. My suggestion? LEAVE. Run, honestly. Ok, I am being a bit dramatic, but kind of serious. The last thing you want is to work and be loyal to a company who isn't investing in to you and providing room for growth.
2. Lack of Career Advocacy I am a firm believer in career advocates. Now, it's important to note that this is not the same thing as a mentor. Professor Renée Dye gave a speech at the University of Michigan a few years ago and she said:
"A mentor can be a friend, a coworker or a therapist who will help you think through what you need to navigate your career more effectively. An advocate is someone who is going to create opportunities for you."
When I joined my first hotel, I was terrified because we were in desperate need of a renovation, we were up for sale and my director and mentor left the hotel. Six months into my new job after college, and I didn't know what to do. I was lucky enough to have an amazing General Manager, Shannon, who essentially told me to run like hell and find a new job.
Then I met my new department head, and new career advocate. She was seasoned in the hotel game, tough but fair, and a straight shooter. After realizing that, I almost immediately made my case on why I deserved a promotion and to be moved. In my heart, I knew it wasn't time for me to leave just yet (although I had been actively interviewing and had an offer letter for another hotel company....we'll talk about the art of negotiations later). A few weeks later I moved to Northern Virginia, to start brand new job within the company, with a substantial pay increase.
3. Hotel is Up for Sale Technically, a hotel can be sold any day, any hour for the right price. Now the example I gave above, I would've normally told anyone to run ESPECIALLY when senior leadership is throwing in the towel. Each case is different, as was mine, but keep your eyes peeled open if your property converts brands, ownership groups and/or management companies. If you sit anywhere in management, this could, and likely will affect your job.
4. Culture: When the Vibe Ain't Right At my first job, I was the only black woman, and the only person who was barely legal to drink. So, needless to say it was kind of awkward. The office was mainly silent, and when they did talk, they talked about things that we're not relatable to me, like kids and hip replacements (deadass tho, hip replacements) while I was barely awake because I had to work at 8am, and I still slept and partied like I was in college. Needless to say, this environment wasn't a fit for me, and every hotel job won't be the perfect fit, sometimes you got to take some small Ls in the short term when you're playing the long game.
Have any other trigger warnings you think I missed or want to share your own story? Comment below, and remember...