<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/36109586.cms" />Getting into the hospitality sector can be tricky at times. We recently had a word with Marriot Ayesha Barse, <keyword id="115881" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="HR-manager">HR Manager</keyword>, Courtyard by <keyword id="2297313" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Marriot-Pune">Marriot Pune</keyword> City Centre and she told us the ‘mantra’ on how to crack your first interview in the hospitality sector. This is what she said. 
 There is a popular saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This is most true when a candidate appears for a job interview. In our heavily competitive market, the <keyword id="68179" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Hospitality-industry">hospitality industry</keyword> can appear to be perpetually hiring, and with a high turnover rate, that’s often the case. But just because an industry has plenty of opportunities, that does not allow you to relax your standards. Just like any other industry, competition is high, and you will need to present yourself in the best light possible. 
 
It is very natural to feel tense about the interview, but do not appear nervous. Look confident, but also be mindful that you do not come across as over confident. Do not look stressed and the best way to ensure that is to be prepared for your interview. Here are a few ways how you can ensure you leave a great first impression. 
 
First and foremost, review your resume time and again. Ensure that you are truthful about everything that you have stated in the resume. Expect to be questioned about anything you have mentioned. Carry at least two copies of your resume to the interview. 
 The hospitality industry is all about appearance, so remember to dress smartly, be well-groomed and most importantly, be confident. Wear a smile. Opt for subtle shades of clothing - avoid loud colors; <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword> must wear minimal accessories and only essential make up. Men should dress sharply, shirts should be buttoned up, and the use of a strong after shave should be avoided. 
 
Candidates must do their homework prior to the interview. Seek as much information as possible about the organization you are applying to so that you can speak knowledgably in the interview. Do some thorough reading on the history of the company and its brands, its direct and indirect competitors, the employee strength, market position, work culture, etc. 
 Know the name of your interviewer and greet him/her. Communication skills in the hospitality industry are absolutely critical, so be articulate and speak clearly. Shake hands confidently. Maintain a good posture; it may seem silly but there is no harm in practicing your sitting style before you appear for an interview. Ensure that you are at ease and comfortable at all times. Make eye contact and avoid distractions. And for heaven’s sake, keep that mobile phone on silent or simply switch it off. You can always update your <keyword id="6354576" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Facebook">Facebook</keyword> status once you have cracked the interview and share the excitement. 
 
Body language can be noticed right from the time you enter the company premises. Avoid folding your hands as it reflects that you are a closed person. Hands must never go into the pockets of your blazer. Be a good listener, if you do not understand a question repeat what the interviewer has asked you and reconfirm. In case you need more time to respond to a question, it is not wrong if you take a few minutes to think over it before you respond. 
 
Some common interview questions can be expected. Be ready for out-of-the-box questions. Plan your answers for the expected interview questions ahead of time so that you can deliver them with confidence. Ensure you have enough relevant scenarios from your previous experiences to back up your answer and prove that you are a candidate deserving of the job. It is also very important to showcase that you have a long term vision for your career in the hospitality industry. 
 
Some basic interview questions are as below: 
· Tell us about yourself. 
· What are your strengths and weaknesses? 
· Why do you want to work with the organization? 
· What are your short-term and long-term goals? 
· What salary range are you seeking? 
· Why should we hire you? 
 
It is also important the candidate comes with a list of questions he wants answers to. This shows the interviewer that the candidate is expressing a real interest in the company and the role he is applying for. Moreover, the most effective interviews are those where there is two-way communication. It is crucial the candidate gains an understanding from the interviewer about work culture, remuneration structure, training programs, growth opportunities and employee perks. 
 
The interviewer evaluates you based on your overall responses and whether they consider you as a good fit to the culture of the organization. If you have more questions you may ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. Thank the interviewer for considering you for the role and also thank him for his/her time. 
 
Lastly, breathe. Do not stress. And get a good night’s sleep prior to the interview.

HR From Courtyard By Marriot Pune, City Centre, Told Us How To Prepare For Your First Interview In The
Hospitality Sector

<ul><li>California and Pune-based startup <keyword id="741520" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Druva">Druva</keyword> has raised $130 million in a round led by Viking Global investors. </li><li>The total funding raised by the startup has gone beyond $328 million.</li><li>The 11-year old startup counts big names like Pfizer, McAfee, DHL, Hulu, Carlsberg, Marriott and others as its clients.</li></ul>Cloud <keyword id="187124" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Data-Protection">data protection</keyword> startup Druva has raised $130 million and entered the Unicorn club, with a valuation of over a $1 billion. Its latest round which was led by Viking Global Investors, also saw participation from funds like Neuberger Berman and Atreides Management. Existing investors Riverwood Capital, Tenaya Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners participated in the fund raising too, according to <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/cloud-start-up-druva-in-unicorn-club-as-130-mn-funding-takes-its-valuation-past-1-bn/article28086670.ece">reports.</a> After this round, the total funding raised by the startup has gone beyond $328 million. It had last raised a funding of $80 million in 2018 which also saw participation from Sequoia Capital India. Druva is a SaaS (Software as a Service) startup which was founded by Jaspreet Singh and Milind Borate in 2008. Its patented cloud architecture enables cyber governance, improves cyber resiliency, and helps customers gain critical insights. The California and Pune-based startup has clients like Pfizer, McAfee, DHL, Hulu, Carlsberg, Marriot. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/staqu-turns-profitable-after-1100-police-cases-and-one-funding-round/articleshow/69871636.cms">EXCLUSIVE: This Indian startup has made a profit solving 1,100 police cases with just one round of funding</a>

India's latest unicorn is a data protection startup Druva – backed by Viking Global and Nexus Venture Partners

Mumbai, Feb 23 () Chalet Hotels, the hospitality arm of leading realtor R Raheja Corp, is targeting to increase its margin, which is already the highest in the industry, to around 45 per cent on the back of expansion and rising room prices. The company currently has margins of about 41 per cent. Chalet operates close to 2,780 keys spanning six properties in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune, and is adding around 600 more rooms in three greenfield properties by 2022 at an investment of Rs 1,300 crore. Chalet will be opening the city's first super-luxury brand 'W' from the Marriot stable with 150 keys in Powai by 2022. It will also add a 260-room Hyatt Regency in Navi Mumbai through its maiden association with the Hyatt group, apart from adding over 80 keys to the just acquired Novotel in Pune towards the end of the year. That apart, it is investing around Rs 600 crore to upgrade the 600-keys Renaissance Convention Centre &amp; Hotel into The Westin later this year. The company is also keen to enter Chennai and Goa, and "doesn't mind buying out an operational property in Delhi", taking into account the "considerable developmental risks" in the national capital, according to its Managing Director and Chief Executive Sanjay Sethi. According to publicly disclosed numbers and also those collated by industry tracker Horwath STR India Hotel Review 2019, Chalet's margin is almost double of its peers and also the highest by a wide margin at 41.4 per cent as of the December 2019 quarter as also in the first nine months of the fiscal. As against this, Taj (Indian Hotels from the Tatas) has a margin of 24.4 per cent, East India Hotels that operates the Oberori/Trident brands has the lowest at 21 per cent and the mid-sized Lemon Tree stands at 32 per cent (in the first three quarters). "Our target is to take margins to the mid-40s, as taking it to 50 per cent will be tough," Sethi told when asked whether margins can improve with expansion of its portfolio. Explaining how it maintains high margins, Sethi said, "We've the lowest salary cost in the industry even though our salaries are much higher than the industry average. Our employee-room ratio is 1.2 against the industry's 2 per room." "This makes a lot of difference as salaries are the biggest expenses head in hospitality. While the industry average is 21 per cent, ours is only 14 percent," he said. Also, at Rs 8,367 a room per night in the first three quarter of the year, Chalet's average tariff is higher than the industry's at Rs 6,698, according to the Horwath data. Again, it has the highest room occupancy at 75 per cent against 69 per cent of the industry, Sethi said. Another factor that helps maintain higher margins is the eco-friendly properties that Chalet operates, which helps it cut down on energy usage, he said, adding that HLP (heating, lighting and power) is the second biggest expense head for the industry. While the industry average is 9 per cent, Chalet's is only around 7 per cent, he said. On the tariff front, he said it has risen by 9 per cent so far this fiscal and the upward trend is likely to continue given the limited number of inventory entering the market and the industry, that contributes 7.5 per cent of GDP, is expected to grow 16.1 per cent annually through 2022. Chalet operates the Marriott-branded Renaissance at Powai with 600 keys, making it the largest in the city. It is being upgraded to The Westin soon. It also operates The Westin in Hyderabad with 427 rooms, and the Lakeside Chalet in Powai (Marriott Executive Apartments) with 173 suits; The Westin in Hyderabad with 170 rooms; JW Marriott near Mumbai airport with 588 rooms; the 391-keys Marriott in Bengaluru; Four Points by Sheraton in Navi Mumbai with 152 keys and the upcoming 260-room Hyatt Regency at Navi Mumbai and the Accor group-branded Novotel in Pune with 223 keys. It will be adding 88 more keys to the Pune property, which was its first acquisition for Rs 176.8 crore. During the December quarter, Chalet reported a 134 per cent spike in net income at Rs 33.3 crore on an income of Rs 284.7 crore, up from Rs 255 crore, as its RevPAR (revenue per room) growth doubled to 9.9 per cent. Chalet, which went public last February with a public issue, also owns co-located non-hotel real estate assets in Bengaluru and Mumbai, said Sethi. Chalet stocks closed down 2.2 per cent at Rs 339.45 on BSE on Thursday with an m-cap of Rs 6,958.73 crore, making it the second largest in terms of market value against Taj's Rs 16,650 crore, EIH's Rs 887.55 crore and Lemon Tree's Rs 4,919.6 crore. BEN ABMABM

You Searched For "Marriot Pune" and got 3 results

HR From Courtyard By Marriot Pune, City Centre, Told Us How To Prepare For Your First Interview In The Hospitality Sector

Sulabh Puri

India's latest unicorn is a data protection startup Druva – backed by Viking Global and Nexus Venture Partners

Sanchita Dash

Chalet Hotels plans to take margins to 45 pc on luxury expansion

PTI