Lorne Robertson has joined The Depot Riverside Bar & Restaurant. The Depot restaurant in Barnes enjoys one of London’s best locations with a cobbled Victoria Courtyard in an award-winning historic conversion on one side and unobstructed view of the River Thames on the other side. Lorne was previously the General Manager at Bertorelli Restaurant, Bertorelli Restaurants are traditional Italian restaurants based in London.
Lucy Thomas has joined Le Cordon Bleu as the Resource centre Director. Le Cordon Bleu is a world renowned network of educational institutions dedicated to providing the highest level of culinary and hospitality instruction through world class programmes. Lucy has made the move from Graze.com where she was Head of Innovation
Denize Inceer has joined Sodexo as a Account Manager. Sodexo is a market leader iIn the UK and Ireland with 35,000 people are striving to improve the quality of daily live at more than 2,300 client locations across all market sectors.
Michael Hedger has joined Daylesford Organic as a Assistant Manager at the Sloane Square Store. Daylesford Farm is one of the most sustainable farms in the UK, located in 2000 acres of beautiful countryside of the English Countryside.
May 12
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Ten weird interview questions
There are some standard interview questions that most of us will be familiar with and expect to crop up in an interview. General questions such as ‘tell us a bit about yourself’, ‘why do you want to work for us?’, ‘describe your biggest achievement’ etc. are all typical interview fodder that most candidates will feel well equipped to answer.
Increasingly though, companies are throwing in a curve ball; a seemingly bizarre, unrelated question that can catch a candidate completely off-guard. Often these questions are designed to assess a candidate’s powers of deduction, analytical thinking and general way of viewing the world – with the process of getting to an answer usually more important than the actual answer itself.
Ten of the strangest
Glassdoor.com, a free online career community, recently published a list of the top 25 oddball interview questions of 2011 as shared by their readers. Here are the top 10 weirdest!
1. Room, desk and car – which do you clean first
2. What do you think of garden gnomes?
3. Name five uses of a stapler without staples.
4. How would you get an elephant into a refrigerator?
5. How many people are using Facebook in San Francisco at 2:30pm on a Friday?
6. If Germans were the tallest people in the world, how would you prove it?
7. How would you cure world hunger?
8. How many different ways can you get water from a lake at the foot of a mountain, up to the top of the mountain?
9. If you were a Microsoft Office program, which one would you be?
10. Pepsi or Coke?
Handling a weird interview question
Firstly, take your time when answering a bizarre and seemingly random interview question. Your interviewer has designed the question to be intentionally testing and won’t necessarily expect you to have an immediate answer at your fingertips.
Think about what the company does and what the role in question aims to achieve. If there is an opportunity to show off technical ability, mathematical skill or specialist knowledge in answering the question, this is more than likely what the question is designed to do.
For the most part, these bizarre questions are an opportunity to demonstrate your powers of lateral thinking, so try to think creatively about how you could approach the problem. For some of these bizarre interview questions, there may be a number of possible answers and not necessarily a right or wrong answer.
Try not to get flustered, but try to apply reasonable rationale and talk the interviewer confidently and calmly through the steps you’d take to come to a conclusion. Your acceptance and willingness to embrace an unusual question and your efforts to give a logical answer will be looked upon favourably by an employer, whatever answer you eventually arrive at.
Once upon a time, a potential employer looked at your CV to find the references you’d hand-picked to represent you, picked up the phone, and usually got the glowing reviews you knew you could expect. (That’s why you picked those references, right?) Now, in the days of LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+, a hiring manager has a number of additional tools at his or her disposal to check you out before hiring you.
No longer does a hiring manager have to contact only the references you suggest. He or she may search LinkedIn to find someone who worked in your department at your former employer, and contact him or her for information. He or she may peruse your Facebook or Twitter posts to learn more about you – and contact those with whom you interact with online to develop a broader reference check.
According to Jeff Shane at Allison & Taylor, a professional reference checking company, job seekers should take steps to ensure that their social media data isn’t used against them. Here are four tips:
1. Take the time to research yourself online prior to beginning your interview process. (One example: “Google” yourself.) The odds are very high that your application, resume and credentials will be reviewed by prospective employers for inaccuracies – better that you identify them first, if they exist.
2. Consider expanding your reference list to prospective employers beyond simply an HR contact or supervisor. Associates like a supportive second-level supervisor or a matrix manager(s) can be key advocates on your behalf and might be more supportive than traditional references like immediate supervisors.
3. Find out what your references will say about you prior to beginning the interview process. Use a third-party reference verification firm to find out what references at your most recent places of employment (in particular) will actually say about you. Increasing the scope of your reference search (to second-level supervisors, etc.) may identify additional favorable references in senior positions whose names you may wish to invoke during the interview process.
Our adventure started on a very early and somewhat wet Thursday morning as one of our Directors, Dewi Jones set off to experience the challenge and excitement of indoor climbing. The venue for this challenge was the Westway Sports Centre which is set underneath the A40 flyover near Shepherds Bush.
It is a somewhat unusual experience to be standing in their climbing centre with the underside of the Westway flyover forming the roof of the building and everywhere you look, you are surrounded by brightly coloured looming rock faces. The uninitiated may expect that climbing is all about brute strength and getting to the highest point on the wall as fast as you can…..in fact, the most successful climbers rely hugely on technique, skill and balance.
With that in mind, joined by the Centre Director, Stuart Parker we tackled the newly constructed “bouldering wall.” This is a different style of rock climbing which is undertaken without a rope and limited to short, technical climbs…..with a soft and thick crash mat underneath to support any untimely falls!! So with the stretching, bending (and procrastinating) out of the way, the wall would wait no longer. Initially we attempted several straight forward routes which served as a great warm up, before moving onto a much more challenging WIBL (Westway Indoor Bouldering League) route. Starting from a seated position on the floor, you make your way along a physically demanding overhang and then back up onto a vertical cliff face. This proved to be too big a step and we were both beaten ¾ of the way along the route. Stuart did however invite one of the climbing team, Matt to show us how it was done…..and like a true professional (and spider!) he made the route look somewhat child’s play! With advice and tips passed on by Matt, we went off to explore the rear of the climbing centre which is reserved for experienced and advanced climbers.
With a self contained zone and over 30 metres of wall covered in creative art work and dazzling colours, this area offers an extreme physical test – severe overhangs loom everywhere you look and as you are constantly being forced away from the wall by the gradient, the routes we tried soon left our arms and backs burning for a rest. Despite this torture, we completed several of the medium grade routes and fully engaged in this new found sport, we intend to return to challenge ourselves on the hundreds of other more technical and strenuous pitches on offer. Following a quick warm down, we both happily retired to the “Crush Cafe” where great coffee and cake was on offer to replace all the calories we had burnt away.
I will certainly be returning to the Westway to enjoy the climbing on offer and would heartily encourage anyone looking to get fit and challenge themselves with a new activity to come along and give it a go. For more details on the climbing centre you should review: http://www.westwaysportscentre.org.uk/climbing/
De Vere Village hotels has introduced a trial of a new superior room type at three of its 26 hotels.
Known as UpperDeck, the rooms – unveiled this week at Chester St Davids, Solihull and Swansea – are the first major initiative from Robert Cook (pictured), who was appointed chief executive of mid-market hotel group Village in January. It is expected that an average of 20 UpperDeck rooms per hotel – a total of 1000 rooms – will open across the estate by September 2012.
Cook explained that UpperDeck will enhance guests’ experience, as well as drive average room rate and profitability.
“With UpperDeck we are re-inventing the wheel,” he said. “Across the industry, and even before the economic downturn, we saw the downgrading of the upgraded status, especially in the midmarket segment. Cost cutting to improve profitability or just to keep your head above water has in most cases has prompted the stripping back of the basics in room amenities. Meanwhile, the sector is not seeing much by way of new investment and little is on the horizon.
“I could see a great opportunity to offer, to both corporate and leisure guests alike, a must-have upgrade that has real benefits, both during the stay and for another three months afterwards if they maximise the benefits of the UpperDeckClub website.”
The enhanced features of an UpperDeck room include: SweetDreams bed – a hybrid of a Sealy Palatial Crest bed – with luxury mattress topper and Egyptian cotton linens, full Sky entertainment package including Sky Movies, Bose sound docks, Arran Aromatics toiletries, and Starbucks hospitality tray in-room.
In addition, guests who book into an UpperDeck room will have access to the UpperDeckClub for up to three months after their stay, enabling them to buy partner products at specially negotiated prices from British brands such as Antler (luggage) and Espa (spa products).
“I’ve always thought that the real potential of Village was waiting to be realised,” added Cook. “I also believe that every weekday night away from home is begrudged so it must be as good as, if not better than, staying at home. What I want to achieve in UpperDeck epitomises my hospitality philosophy: great service, great rooms and, above all, an amazing stay.”
Source: www.caterersearch.com
Your impeccable CV and cover letter have secured you a much sought after job interview. Now it’s time to impress the person you are meeting!
The way you compose yourself, and the body language you display during an interview can have as much bearing on the outcome as your ability to actually do the job on offer.
Hiring managers want to meet candidates who are at ease and able to confidently discuss key issues, so we’ve drawn up a list of essential do’s and don’ts to help you succeed in getting through the interview with confidence and composure:
Don’t:
• Scratch or rub your head or back of neck. You’ll look disinterested, distracted and uncomfortable.
• Drum with your fingers or fidget with your hands on the table in front of you. It will make you appear easily distracted.
• Rub your nose, eyes or the side of face. It will make you look shifty or dishonest.
• Fold your arms in front of your chest. You’ll come across as arrogant and unfriendly.
• Rock back and forth or slouch down in on your chair. You’ll look lazy and uninterested.
• Cross and re-cross your legs repeatedly. You’ll come across as nervous and uncomfortable.
Do (where possible):
• Compose yourself prior to entering your place of interview. Find a mirror, straighten your clothes and check yourself over for good appearance.
• Stand up before greeting and shaking hands with your interviewers.
• Use a firm handshake and make sincere eye contact while greeting and saying goodbye to your interviewers.
• Only take a seat at the interview table once you’ve been invited to.
• Sit up straight, keep your hands above the table and ensure you can align yourself to make eye contact and speak clearly with all interviewers.
• Express enthusiasm throughout your interview through positive gestures such as nodding, agreeing and smiling when appropriate.
• Keep it together right up until you’re well clear of the building, and only then remove ties, loosen collars or change out of interview shoes.
Positive body language comes from feeling confident, which you can only do if you’re equipped to show off your skills and ask the right questions. So, sufficient preparation is the crucial first step in projecting the right body language.
The construction of a new cable car link spanning the River Thames in London has reached its latest milestone with the installation of the 1.1km (0.7-mile) steel cable by Mace.
Work has also been completed on the erection of the three main towers that form part of the Emirates Air Line and will allow 34 cabins to cross the river at a height of 90m (295ft).
The multi-million pound, Wilkinson Eyre Architects-designed cable car scheme is to provide a new link between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, with passenger service due to commence this summer.
Mace is providing design and build services on the scheme, along with its specialist facilities management firm, Macro. Cable car specialist Doppelmayr is also among the firms involved.
“Now the cable has been tensioned to the correct height, the next step will be to commence the testing of the whole system,” said Mace project director Matt Randall.
Details: www.macegroup.com
Simon Traynor is now heading up the Sales at Le Cordon Bleu which is a worldwide leader in Gastronomy, Hospitality and Management. Simon was previously a General Manager for Hilton Hotels the international hotel chain which includes many luxury hotels and resorts as well as select service hotels.
Kim Chapman has joined Kew Green Hotels as HR Manager for there Birmingham property. Kew Green Hotels were formed in 2001 to operate high quality hotels’ under brand franchises in prime locations throughout the UK. Kim has made the move from Infinite Group where she was HR Services Manager
Mark Brega has been appointed as Head Chef at HSBC Tower for Sodexo UK. In the UK & Ireland Sodexo provide food and facilities management services to clients in the corporate service, education, healthcare, leisure and defence arenas. Prior to this, Mark was the Senior Sous Chef at the Lansdowne Club a private club in Mayfair.
Kalijopa Carras has recently become the Corporate Sales Manager at City Golf which is a unique and contemporary club combining London’s finest indoor golf facilities and academy with superb entertainment and relaxation. She was previously the Events and Sales Manager at The Commonwealth Club.
Your CV needs to hook its reader within seconds of them picking it up if you’re to stand any chance of progressing to the job interview stage. Recruiters and hiring managers can receive hundreds of applications for a role, and sometimes only have the time to scan CVs before deciding whether to progress to a meeting.
Make an impact
In order to make an immediate impact, your CV will need to communicate the following information in the most succinct yet readable form:
• Roles and responsibilities – You’ll need to tailor your CV to each particular job that you apply for, so it’s vital that the job titles and the responsibilities you include in your CV are relevant (if not a direct match) for the job on offer. Although you need to clarify your remit, it’s important than your CV offers more than just a list of your responsibilities.
• Experience – Your CV will be scanned for the right kind of experience. Ensure your experience, whether six months in one role or four years in another, comes across as consistent and relevant to the job you’re applying for. Be clear where you added value, and your exact contribution to any high profile project.
• Skills – Ensure you include all relevant skills gained and required of you in previous roles. You’re skills will complement your experience and should ultimately illustrate your suitability for the job on offer.
• Results and achievements – Hiring managers love to see results, so if you achieved above your target as a sales manager, for example, make sure you state your targets as amounts or percentages, and demonstrate how you’ve overachieved.
• Education – Ensure you highlight relevant educational certificates, particularly when they’ve been listed as essential or desirable on the selection criteria.
Once you’ve got the details right, your CV will need to look, feel and read well if it’s grab the attention of a hiring manager or recruiter quickly and effectively. To do this, make sure you pay attention to the following details:
• Easy to read – Ensure the layout of your CV is clear and consistent, containing only one font type (bold can be used to highlight) and using bullet points to outline skills, achievements, responsibilities etc. rather than rambling sentences.
• No inconsistencies – Ensure sure your CV runs in clear, reverse chronological order and that there are no unexplained time lapses or inconsistencies regarding responsibilities you held or achievements you’ve included.
• Relevant language – Ensure you include instantly recognisable keywords throughout your CV. Avoid excessive jargon and be mindful that the person reading it may not be a technical or industry expert, however they will know what to look out for.
• Format and label – Ensure your CV is formatted in such a way that the recipient will be able to open it easily – no hiring manager wants to download software to view a CV. Also, make sure that when you save your CV you include your name i.e. Smith,John-CV in the saved title.
You may possess all the desired skills and experience to excel at a role, but if don’t document them clearly in your CV; you may fall at the first hurdle in being considered for the job you’ve applied for.
Regional hotels bucked recent trends by outperforming their London peers in February for the first time since August 2009, according to preliminary hotel figures from PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.
Rooms yield in London grew by just 0.3% to £101.94 from £101.57 in February 2011. Room rate rose by 2.8% from £131.73 to £135.39, but most of this was offset by a 1.8 percentage-point drop in occupancy from 77.1% to 75.3%.
In the regions, a 0.7 percentage-point rise in occupancy from 63.7% to 64.4% was reinforced by a 0.7% increase in room rate from £59.91 to £60.33, resulting in rooms yield growth of 1.7% to £38.86, compared with £38.22 12 months ago.
“These are a respectable set of results given the general malaise throughout the UK economy,” said Robert Barnard, partner for PKF Hotel Consultancy Services at PKF. “The performance of regional hotels, in particular, provides a welcome boost after an especially challenging winter season.
“Rooms yield growth of 1.7% at a time when the all-important corporate market remains sluggish should be viewed as an encouraging sign. It suggests to me that hoteliers have a good understanding of the trading environment and are getting their revenue management just about right.
“I’m not unduly concerned by the slowdown at London hotels, which has been largely driven by a fall in occupancy. Fundamentals in the capital remain sound and I expect a return to healthier growth as we head into what should be a very busy summer season.”
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