Tell us about your journey. How did it all start? 

I have always been a people-oriented person and wanted to be in this industry. During my last semester in the third year, I was appointed as a Front Desk Associate for Hyatt Regency Kolkata and since then I have never looked back.  With an illustrious experience of nearly 18 years in the industry, I have held leadership positions and worked with Hyatt hotels across multiple cities in India. Pre-Opening is been an integral part of me and it has not only added learning but a different perspective to see a construction site turning into reality. It’s been a wonderful learning and growing opportunity, truly blessed to be a part of the incredible team at Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort, managed by Shanti Hospitality Group or wherever I have been.

 What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry? 

I believe in breaking ground with new ideas, spearheading new concepts, and originating new proposals and this is a fact that “If you want to make an impression, you have to differentiate yourself from others”. It takes hard and smart work to be successful in any industry and along with that be kind and be the better version of yourself than you were yesterday. There should be consistent efforts genuinely put across and look after the people that you work with. These are the keys to success in any of the industries you work in.   

What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring?  If someone wants to work with you, what should they do? 

I look for traits of integrity and how positive the interviewee is with his/her thoughts. I also look for candidates who are enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. Their successes should shine through during the interview. People who love what they do, bring stability, and their positive attitude reflects at his/her work culture, making the outcome amazing.  

What advice would you give to a young, aspiring hotelier for their internship?
One thing I believe is whatever you are doing just do it wholeheartedly, and follow your passion, it will lead to success. I feel lucky to have chosen this industry as a profession. Working in hospitality teaches you skills you could not learn anywhere else. It teaches about prioritization, swift problem-solving, crystal-clear communication, humility, and how to keep a smile on your face despite having a rough day. Working in hospitality means working with the team to overcome any hurdle.

What is your favorite interview question and why?

A question like - What did you do to prepare for this today? This indicates a lot not only about the candidate’s interest in the job but about how the person operates as a professional. If a candidate can share only platitudes about his or her preparation for something as important as a job interview, that speaks volumes about how this person will prepare for important tasks when he or she has the job.