Finding the perfect winter role can sometimes feel like
finding a needle in a haystack. There are many different roles, in many
different resorts which all have many candidates applying for them. Knowing
where to start in securing a role is often the most difficult part so here are
just some tips which will help you through this process.
RESEARCH
Before you start sending the same CV out to many different
companies, stop and really think about what you want from your season. There is
no point getting a job with a company that really doesn’t suit you in a role
that you don’t enjoy. Would you rather a fairly lower level company where there
may be other staff of the same age? Do you want to go higher end and gain some valuable
5* hospitality experience? Do you want a chalet/hotel/bar/restaurant environment?
Also really think about what job would suit you; there is no point in you
applying for the role of chef if you can’t cook. Have a think about your skills
and previous experiences and be sensible in choosing the role to ensure you
have what the recruiter is looking for. Then once you have a clear idea in your
mind of the resort you’d like, the environment you’d like and what role you
would be well suited to you can actually start researching the job market more
effectively. There are some main websites which I can recommend you use as a
starting block, these websites focus on winter season jobs so will have what
you are looking for:
When you come across a job that on first glance seems
suitable please don’t just hit apply. Stop and actually read the job
description in full and please DO NOT apply if you clearly don’t have the experience
that they are looking for. You are not only wasting your own time but the time
of the employer.
Once you have fully read and understood the job description
and feel competent that you could do the role then go and visit the company’s
website. Get familiar with the product, have a look over the different resorts
they operate in, the hotels/chalets in their portfolio and even have a look at
the pricing to get a feel for the level of clientele they attract. It is also a
good idea to look at the vacancy listings on the website as you may actually
see a different role that is even more suited to you. Once you have completed
this process in full then you should apply to the role but TAILOR your
application. I can spot a well thought out application immediately and always
prioritise them – so it is definitely worth the time.
COVER LETTER
Basically DO one!
And don’t send the exact same one to every employer under
the sun; it is obvious when you do. I often get cover letters where the
applicant has forgotten to change the name of the company or the job role that
they are applying for. By tailoring your cover letter you can show that you
have been on the website by specifying specific chalets that there or you the
resorts we operate in. I want to read on a cover letter why you are interested
in working for that company specifically, what is it that attracts you to them?
Why you would be an asset to their company – outline your skills and experience
and what you can bring to the role. Please don’t be tempted to list some adjectives:
‘I am hardworking, punctual,
reliable, bubbly, dedicated, organised and proactive.’
Anyone can write these words but they are worthless if you
can’t back them up. I want to see proof that you have these qualities. For
example:
‘I am seen to be hard working
in my current role which has been recognised by my recent promotion. I have
never been late or not turned up to my shifts and have only taken 1 sick day in
the last 5 years....etc.’
If you meet most of the requirements outlined in the job
description except a couple of them then don’t just ignore that fact. The recruiter
isn’t going to forget what they want for the role. The cover letter is your
chance to address it and assure us that you will still be able to perform the
job well in spite of it. For example, if you need to have previous driving
experience in snowy conditions but you haven’t actually got this experience
then say that whilst you lack this experience you have had years of driving
experience in France, in different types of vehicles and that you are confident
that you will get used to the conditions very quickly. A cover letter is your
chance for the recruiter to get to know you better and for you to convince them
that you are the best person for the job. It strengthens every application so well
worth the effort.
WRITING YOUR CV
This is very much dependent on the recruiters preference, we
all like different layouts and different content. But there are general points
to note which are important to every employer.
The first thing I look for is Personal Details so having
this first does always work for everyone. I don’t need to know absolutely
everything here so don’t go into too much detail but your name, address and contact
details. Some candidates aren’t comfortable putting their DOB on, which is
fine, but then be conscious of the amount of career history you chose to have
there. You aren’t hiding much by not putting your DOB if you then put 30 years
of career history and the dates you obtained your O Levels! The next thing I
look at on a CV is I scan your employment history – so in my mind I like for
this to fall underneath the Personal Details. I scan initially to see if you
have the previous experience that I need for the role – if I have stated that I
need for you to have 5 years recent silver service experience then I can very
quickly see if you have or not. If your experience is the last 20 years is in
the banking industry and you have never worked in a restaurant in your life
then you will be quickly discounted before I have even looked at your personal
profile, cover letter or the rest of your CV. So this goes back to my earlier
point of only applying to roles that you are suitable for. Because I scan the
employment history first, it needs to be clear. So by glancing at it I need to
quickly see your job role, place of work and dates of employment then with your
responsibilities listed underneath. I do not need to see 25 years of employment
history, I would suggest maybe the last 5-10 years; unless you have been in the
same role for that long then perhaps pop your previous employer on but with a
much briefer explanation of the role. If you have the right level of experience
then I will go through the CV in more detail and move on to read your personal
profile. This should just be a few sentences to explain your current situation
– not in terms of your job as I have read about that already – but in terms of
why you are looking for a new role, why in France, why in this particular
industry. Just so I can understand better why you want this job at this present
time.
Lastly, regarding your CV, please be sensible and keep it to
a couple of pages (absolute max 3 pages) and a sensible font. I have read a CV
which has been in font 20 and it was about 8 pages. Please also don’t think it
is ‘cool’ to write it in Cosmic Sans
– I don’t know why anyone would want their CV to look like a child has written
it?!
Follow Up
Once you have applied I would always suggest following it
up. So after maybe 24 hours call the recruiter if a number has been provided to
see if they have had a chance to look over your application yet. Sometimes the
recruiter will have had a chance to look and you have the benefit of building
that report with the employer which will help your chances when the recruiter
is shortlisting. If the recruiter hasn’t yet had a chance to look then they may
be able pull your application out of hundreds and take a look there and then.
It will also show to the employer that you are specifically interested in
employment with that particular company by taking the time to call.
Interview Stage
If you are offered an interview then appreciate that you
have been chosen over hundreds and make the most out of the opportunity. You
must PREPARE. I think some people think that as it isn’t an office job then
they don’t need to make such an effort. You do. I would expect interviewees to
know the company inside out, know the resorts they operate in, know some of the
chalet names that got their attention, know the service that they offer, know
the job description exceptionally well, know the competitors and know the other
roles within the company so they can see where they slot in the company. This
is your opportunity to really understand the company and role and if you are
prepared you can really benefit for having that one on one time with the HR
Manager. It is your chance to see if this is really for you as well as us
seeing if you are suitable, interviews are always a 2 way thing. Know where the
interview is taking place so you are not stressing out on the day and be slightly
early. Although this is ‘just a winter job’ I would still expect you to dress
smartly. There is no such thing as being over dressed for an interview. Have questions
prepared and written down. Then if all of them are answered during the
interview then at least the interviewer can see that you have 10 or so
questions prepared in front of you.
Something that is a personal preference of mine and may not
be to everyone’s liking is to receive and email from the interviewee later in
the day or the following day thanking me for my time. A little does go a long
way and it means a lot to me when I get a personal thank you for my time.
Skype interviewing seems to be becoming more popular with
those recruiters who are based out in resort. I personally feel it important to
meet face to face but do completely appreciate that this is not always possible
for some recruiters. Treat your Skype interview as a real interview, by this I
mean be prepared, be early and be dressed smartly. Laying in bed having just
woken up and using your phone is not acceptable! Be sat somewhere sensible,
with good lighting so that the recruiter can clearly see you. Be aware of
things in the background that they can see, e.g. a glass of wine or a poster
with swearing on the back wall are not things we want to see. Have a test
conversation with a friend a few minutes before your call to ensure that the
sound, microphone and camera are all set up and working well. Then just treat
it exactly the same, have questions prepared in front of you, pen and paper to
take notes ready and remember to turn your phone off.
After a Job Is
Secured
Please don’t think you’re invincible after an offer is made.
Many companies will then reference you. If any of your references are
unsatisfactory then your offer will be retracted. In the run up to the start of
the season it is good to be proactive, so return your signed contract and
completed paperwork in a timely manner and pay your commitment deposit quickly.
It is then nice to stay in touch with the employer in the run up to the start
of the season.
When you arrive in resort ready for training, with most
companies you are on a probation period which basically means that they are
legally able to send you home if you are not meeting their expectations. So
although you have successfully passed the interview stage and an offer has been
made you are still required to perform well throughout training and then
continue to keep up the standards throughout the season.
The training period is a great opportunity for you to shine
and been noticed by management – but make sure it is for the right reasons. You
are constantly being watched and assessed throughout a training program so it is
important to participate in sessions, be punctual, smartly presented,
proactive, asking questions and generally proving to the client that they did
the right thing in offering you the job. So make the most of the opportunities
given to you, appreciate being in the mountains and have a great season.
I hope this help you in your job search and good luck!
Written by Philippa Orford, Director
SILVER SWAN
RECRUITMENT
