Where are We Really?

I met with a couple of clients this week…and business is off…not the greatest but they manage. One is a in lodging, and they are running about 52% occupancy year around on a room inventory of 70 rooms.  It’s not a large property but it is huge with all that they offer.  I think that they will survive.

The other is a small restaurant that holds their own and the owners told me that they get by ok.  I know this because he was a customer of mine when I sold food.  The place has great food and is a small place that does breakfast & lunch only. He told me that he put an ad in the paper for a server that could work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, he said that the ad specified that you had to be able to work all 3 days.  He said he never got so many applications for 1 position, and that they came from all walks, banking, retail, and managers, People who were in a different career field.

The ironic part is that the lodging client was seeking an Executive position, and they were overwhelmed, for the 1 position, they received over 300 applications, 40 locally, with people who have been a hotel GM and such other experience.

In the old days, you would go to your Rolodex and call a buddy or someone you had worked with and got them the job. It’s not like that anymore. It’s all web based. A test here, a quiz there, And they wonder why there are so many Un/Under Employed.

 In the hospitality field as job searching goes. In my opinion, if I worked with you, and you have progressed, and I have a position available, you’re gold.