Management trainees have a busy schedule and a steep learning curve at the Sino Group of Hotels. They have the chance to train in four different hotels - from the busy city establishment, The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers, to the relaxing resort, the Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel.
'It can open up your horizons. You can learn so much every day in a very dynamic environment,' says Prudence Ho, a management trainee for almost a year now.
She spent six weeks at the front desk, where trainees have to measure up to the group's stringent requirements. She also spent time in the business centre, reservations, the telephone operator's office, and at the concierge. 'This is normal in our programme. Since I joined, I have learned so much more,' says Ho, an English major who worked for a year as a teaching assistant.
Sino Group of Hotels' popular programme, which started 10 years ago, received over 500 applications this year. It usually takes in 10 candidates, often with a first degree in hospitality management.
The group director of human resources (HR), Simon Sung, says that applicants should have a cheerful personality, excellent communication skills and be easily approachable.
'If our management enjoys talking to you, we can imagine that the guests will enjoy talking to you, too. This is important because you will be the hotel's ambassador,' Sung says, adding that passion is also very important, as well as proficiency in English, Cantonese and Putonghua.
There were over 200 participants at the initial interview. 'We organised it at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel to see if they had the commitment and the flexibility, as they would have to work in all the hotels,' Sung says.