As a hotel executive, the decision of accepting or rejecting a job offer holds significant merit. It’s important to be sufficiently prepared when deciding whether or not the role being offered is the right opportunity for you— now or in the future.
Of course, we aren’t just speaking on what’s expected. It’s assumed that you’ve already asked about the position, responsibilities, and hotel culture. We are talking about the questions that frequently go under the radar, but could be a determining factor in whether or not you accept the role.
Here are questions that will be able to uncover helpful information about the hotel, the team, and your future success.
The Job
When learning more about the job itself, look beyond the job’s responsibilities. You need to know how your role within the hotel will fit in with the organization’s overall strategic plan. You’ll also want to learn more about the specific parameters of the compensation package, potential challenges, and anything additional that will give you insight into the inner workings of the job.
Questions to ask about the job:
- What are the main challenges of the position in the first 6 months?
- What does success look like within the first year on the job?
- Can you provide an example of someone who has gone above and beyond with this hotel?
- What did the previous person in the position struggle with/what could they have done better?
- What role does the position play within the hotel’s strategic plan?
- How will your success be measured? What are the specific goals? How will you be evaluated?
- What are the exact parameters of the compensation package?
The Property
Learn about the hotel’s structural organization. It will provide you with unmatched insight into the hotel owner(s) and leadership’s minds, as well as how they regard the hotel and its workers. Questions about why they believe visitors come to their hotel, what the exit strategy is, and whether they have a leadership succession plan, will give you valuable information you can use to evaluate the offer.
Questions to ask about the hotel:
- Have there been any recent structural changes, reporting changes, or realignment of business units?
- What is the ownership’s end-game/exit strategy? Are they looking to grow, maintain, or sell?
- Why do visitors come to this hotel? What’s this hotel’s key differentiator/value proposition in the market?
- What is the financial health of the hotel?
- Have there been any recent leadership changes?
- Do you have a leadership succession plan?
- What types of personalities flourish here?
- What is the hotel’s current strategic plan for the future?
- What training and development, if any, do you offer your hotel employees?
The Industry
Whether you’re simply moving hotels or completely switching into the hotel industry, questions regarding the hotel industry will give you insight into how they view the future of the hotel industry, and how they plan to outperform the competition and continue to grow.
Questions to ask about the industry:
- At what stage of the industry lifecycle do you see the hotel industry?
- How do you address the impact of the competition?
- Who are your biggest competitors in the hotel industry?
Asking the right questions will provide insight that will convince you that this is the right (or wrong) opportunity for you. Whether you receive full responses or “we cannot disclose that”- type of responses, it’s asking the tough questions that will help you in your pursuit of the ideal next role.
Are there any other questions you would recommend adding to this list?