Becoming an event manager was my dream, and I had been with Marriott 2 years prior to looking into this position. I applied for the position towards the end of July 2008 and was contacted approximately one week later by Hewitt (their external HR service). The Hewitt representative informed me that I was going to have 3 interviews with the current senior event managers. Those interviews happened by phone on one day the following week. Each event manager had different personalities, and I appealed to each person based on the questions they asked. For example, one event manager was interested in how I worked within a team and another was more concerned with my work ethic/organizational skills. After the interviews (with additional candidates), the event managers had to meet and discuss who should be moved on to the second round of interviewing. I wrote thank you notes and delivered them to the hotel the day after my interviews. The thank you notes were personalized for each individual by using specific examples from the interview and expounding on how I can fulfill their expectations for the hotel. I was then contacted again by the Hewitt representative the week after that who informed me I would be interviewing with the Food and Beverage Director and the on-site Human Resources Director. I interviewed with them the following week against another candidate (who interviewed separately). The Food and Beverage Director asked me several standard questions, but then began gearing it toward personal motivations. The one question I remember most is "Tell me something about yourself that I can't get from your resume" and asked me to explain how that would be beneficial to the hotel. I'm originally from North Carolina and expressed how my upbringing with Southern hospitality was essential to being in and is the foundation of the hospitality industry (i.e. manners, politeness, treating every person with respect). I then met with the HR Director who asked many questions regarding why I would be an asset to the hotel. I then wrote thank you notes to both individuals, again personalizing each note, and delivered them directly to the hotel. The final step was meeting with the General Manager who was out of the office for 2 weeks following the other two interviews. I, again, was contacted by the Hewitt rep. who informed me that I would be having a final interview with the GM. The day I met with the GM, I was expecting an interview, but was offered the position in person. It was one of the most exhilerating moments of my life, and I will never forget that day for as long as I live. How I prepared for the interviews (every one of them) was by studying the layout/specs of the hotel, reading the job description, and by preparing specific examples to standard questions I knew would be asked. I had not had prior experience as an event manager, yet I was offered the position over 2 candidates who were technically more qualified. This reasoning was explained to me because of my enthisiasm and their perception of creative ideas I could bring to future clients. Marriott is a wonderful company which treats associates well, has an excellent benefits program, and keeps involved in its community as well as lends a global helping hand to environmental projects (most recently, the Juma rainforest pledging to help prevent deforestation). The Children's Miracle Network is another organization with which Marriott is closely affiliated and associates participate annually in the Torch Relay as well as other fundraising efforts. I am incredibly pleased with the company and can see myself with Marriott throughout my entire career.
