WVB CONNECT’s Post

Never undervalue your potential in your resume! Transferable skills are versatile assets across various roles and industries. They are incredibly valuable, demonstrating your ability to adapt and succeed in different environments. Check out this advice from Heather Mikelberg.

Happy Frontline Friday! I'm sure I didn't make this up (even though in my mind I did). Today, let's take a moment to recognize and thank all the frontline workers for their dedication and hard work. From retail to hospitality, every frontline worker deserves our respect and gratitude. As someone who has worked on the frontline in both retail and hospitality, I understand the challenges and the importance of the work they do. I want to share a flashback to my days as a front desk agent, where Dr. J (yes, Julius Erving 😊 ) gave me some of the best words of encouragement during my shift. It was a moment I'll never forget. Not only that, but I also secured my PR internship at the Governor's office while being a front desk agent thanks to the Chief of Staff's impression of my experience during their campaigns. Based on my firsthand experience in the industry, I would like to share some key insights that I believe could benefit your teams if not already incorporated: ⭐ Recognition and rewards go a long way and should not be underestimated. ⭐ Implement proper trainings to maintain brand standard consistency and fostering confidence among team members. Every department should feel confident when reviewing a report or notes from an "anonymous guest." ⭐ Don't forget those working the "graveyard shift." Support, training, and communication are essential to ensure their success. ⭐ Leverage the diverse skill sets within your team. Encourage showcasing individual skills and allow them to share new ideas and give feedback. The ingredient you think you're missing could be in front of you. Let's take this opportunity to show support and gratitude to our favorite frontline workers or recognize an industry for their hard work. Thank you to all the frontline workers for everything you do! #frontlineworkers #hospitality #hospitalityindustry #retail #recognition

Minnesota friends, TODAY I’m doing a meet & greet. Radisson Blue, MOA in Bloomington. 2-4pm Come have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with me, and let me help! If you have questions or seeking info on the following: (no particular order) 🎄Job Market 🎄How do I start my job search? 🎄Resumes 🎄Banner or no Banner - LinkedIn 🎄Executive Bio or Career Summary - do you need one? 🎄LinkedIn - how to stand out? 🎄Branding - how do I start? 🎄Best ways to start a job search 🎄How to get in front of hiring managers??? 🎄college students: Internships or how to start your job search 🎄Hiring someone on a confidential basis and the best way to handle it 🎄Going through a down turn at the 1st of the year and you want to get your people job assistance services 🎄Hiring challenges 🎄How do I improve my internal recruitment team? 🧑🎓🧑🎓🧑🎓Mom’s and Dads’s if you have some graduating🧑🎓 in the Spring, this is a great opportunity for them. Date: Today Time: 2-4 Location: MALL OF AMERICA Radisson Blue in the Restaurant/Lounge. No cost I be will in jeans so come casual. Bring your resume if you can, but not necessary. Come over and let me answer any questions you have. Cheers! 🥂

Transferrable skills are incredibly important, yet so often not given the credit they deserve. There are so many experiences we will have in life that may not align with the "plan" we have set for ourselves, so it's easy to chalk those up to a waste of time. ⭐ Had a retail job? More than likely, you've had some tricky customer experiences that can teach flexibility, patience, or how to be firm in a decision. As someone who quit my job at Macy's after 2.5 weeks because of the busy holiday season and did NOT persevere, individuals in these settings manage a lot of customer expectations. ⭐ Spent time in a restaurant setting? As someone who has managed a Disney restaurant, I can say with 100% certainty keeping up in a food setting is one of the hardest things to do. Food service teaches you efficiency, prioritization, adapting on the fly, and how to handle difficult customer situations. ⭐ Worked part-time in school, so you weren't able to participate in many student organizations? You probably learned to prioritize and manage a busy schedule. Not everyone can handle the pressure of maintaining a GPA and supporting their own income. When I interviewed for my first professional internship at The Walt Disney Company, which I later got the offer for, I left off an experience from my resume because it didn't feel "relevant." It ended up coming up in the interview, and my recruiter told me to add it before he passed me along to the hiring manager because it WAS great experience. Every experience is an experience, though each learning may not quite be what you thought you needed. #careers #transferrableskills #jobsearch

I made my first LI rookie mistake yesterday... I posted the same post twice 😅 But, I’m embracing the growth mindset and rolling with the punches. I’m currently on an internship and also working part-time in the cafe I've worked at for the last 3 summers, so my mind was a bit all over the place yesterday (if you know the 10-hour shift struggle!) I often get asked, why do you still work in the cafe if you have your internship? But, I think working in hospitality gives you so many valuable skills that can be used in any situation. You learn... ➡️How to treat customers with respect ➡️The art of patience when dealing unhappy tourists  ➡️The importance of being part of a community when the locals come in for their morning coffee ➡️How useful it is to speak different languages ➡️The importance of pricing fairly so customers come back ➡️How important it is to like the people you work with ➡️To appreciate rest and downtime even more! ➡️That organisation, routine, and cleanliness make everyone’s day easier  ➡️To appreciate local produce (all our stock is from cornish small businesses) You also learn how to make killer coffee art, which is always a cool talent! I come away from the cafe smelling like a cornish pasty, but I really appreciate the days I get to work there and the lessons I've learned. What kind of part-time job did you have when you were younger? #parttimejob #cafework #smallbusiness

It is sometimes mind bugging and i want to ask this time round; 1. Are our universities in this country really churning out graduates with professional knowledge and skills to directly fit into the job market, or just birthing graduates with knowledge? 2. As a country, do we have enough job space for the disciplines our universities are tutoring people on? 3. Or is it also the case that sometimes the excitement associated with being enrolled in the university after senior high school education virtually clouds the minds of these enthusiastic students to not count the cost of what would become of them after pursuing a certain discipline? 4. Or better still, is it due to the lack of existing jobs for certain disciplines that we see a lot of graduates applying for jobs that has absolutely nothing to do with what they trained for? To some, these questions might be unfounded, but i think about them a lot. Why? I posted an ad for a front desk executive role for a beach resort which needed filling as a matter of emergency. I received close to 70 CVs in 3 days. As part of the basic requirements, a candidate should be a graduate of hospitality management, or worked, interned, volunteered, etc. for at least 3 months to a year in that position. Out of the lot, i had only 1 CV where the candidate have had some training in hospitality management, with some period of internship. Most of the CVs had education and experiences that had absolutely nothing to do with hospitality. I kept asking myself, is it the matter of just securing a job to earn a living, or charting a career path? Instinctively, most of these applicants surely are trying to satisfy the former. As a matter of fact, the saying that "attitude can never be taught, but skills can always be taught" is what HR professionals sometimes implore when recruiting candidates for a position. We would continue to find candidates with the right attitude to work and offer the necessary skills training.

A year ago, I made a bold decision to delete all my social media accounts. At first, it felt daunting – I worried about losing connections, missing out on trends, and not documenting my life. But looking back, this decision was transformative and invaluable. Without the constant distractions and comparisons from social media, I found myself with more time to reflect on my true passions and goals. This period of introspection led me to a profound realization: my dream is to pursue a career in hospitality. Why hospitality? Because it's a field where I can make genuine connections, create memorable experiences for others, and continuously learn and grow. Working in hospitality aligns perfectly with my desire to contribute positively to people's lives and make a tangible difference. Deleting social media allowed me to: ➤Dive deeper into my coursework and excel in my studies. ➤Develop essential skills and gain practical knowledge through internships. ➤Fully embrace new experiences and opportunities in the hospitality industry. ➤Confirm that I can travel and experience life without social media. Currently, I’m in Hawaii, participating in a Work and Travel program and working as a dining host. These experiences solidified my passion for hospitality and gave me a clearer vision of my future. I realized that my ultimate goal is to own a bed and breakfast, a place where I can bring joy to travelers and create a welcoming, homely environment. I'm grateful for the clarity and focus I've gained over the past year. If you're feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about your path, consider taking a step back from social media. It might just help you discover your true calling. #CareerJourney #HospitalityIndustry #PersonalGrowth #LifeWithoutSocialMedia #FindingYourPassion

"Embracing My ADD: How a Passion for Hospitality Became My Superpower" At 18, I was diagnosed with ADD, a revelation that came thanks to a perceptive math teacher. Throughout high school, my busy life—juggling dance, social activities, and the stigma around ADD—masked my struggles. By the end of my freshman year in college, despite having made many friends, my academic performance was dismal. I was on the brink of failing, which was particularly frustrating given my interest in behavioral psychology and political science. Recognizing my brain worked differently, I transferred to a university closer to home. There, I worked at my aunt’s restaurants, immersing myself in a vibrant hospitality environment. Balancing work and school proved challenging, and I was again struggling academically. However, this period sparked my passion for hospitality and led to a major shift in my career direction. By my fifth year and during an internship at a Houston hotel, I was both determined and anxious about graduating. My father’s words, “Megan, just walk across that stage, your talent is people,” became a turning point. His support made me realize that my grades didn’t define me; my ability to connect with people did. I graduated with a mix of relief and pride, and from there, my career took off. At 24, I became a Director of Sales & Marketing and was honored as DOSM of the Year by Starwood for limited service hotels. By 27, I joined The Venetian Resort, which I believe is the best hotel in the world. My role here continues to challenge and excite me, and I’ve found that the hospitality industry is where my ADD thrives as a unique strength. Hospitality is more than a passion......in the words of Lady Gaga, “I was born this way.”  #CareerJourney #ADD #HospitalityIndustry #PersonalGrowth #FindingYourPassion #motivation

Rejecting a job offer because of the office environment and lacking facilities can be a mixed emotional experience. It reminded me of my internship experience, when I first walked into the office, I felt a bit of a letdown. The atmosphere was far from what I had imagined – it was dull and uninspiring. The lack of natural light and cramped spaces made it feel almost claustrophobic. As I toured the facility, it became clear that the equipment and amenities were outdated and insufficient for the kind of work I envisioned myself doing. It was disappointing to see that there wasn't a dedicated area for collaboration or a quiet space for focused work. The break room was tiny and poorly maintained, adding to the overall sense of neglect. Yesterday I received an offer where they included a video of their workspace. With just that, I feel the need to reject the offer. Making the decision wasn't easy. I had to weigh the job's potential benefits against the daily reality of working in that environment. In the end, I realized that the office environment plays a significant role in my productivity and overall job satisfaction. I wanted to be in a place that motivated and energized me, and this wasn't it. Communicating my decision was tough. I felt a mix of regret and relief as I explained my reasons to the hiring manager. Regret, because I knew I was turning down a potentially great opportunity, and relief, because I was being true to myself and my needs. Ultimately, I knew it was the right choice for my well-being and career growth.