Rare pre-opening work experience in a brand new resort hotel is on offer, with jobs open in all departments. This month Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong is conducting mass recruitment for its opening at the end of this year.
“Our team currently comprises around 40 staff. We anticipate our headcount to be over 200 when we are fully operational,” says Janet Lai, senior manager of human resources.
The hotel is not recruiting for all the vacancies at once but jobs are open in finance; sales and marketing for travel, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions), corporate and weddings; engineering; and housekeeping, including a florist and gardener.
The food and beverage department is recruiting seven chefs and kitchen staff, as well as restaurant employees including a manager, sommelier and bartender.
“We are proud to say that we are a highly motivated and fun team that is full of vibrancy and energy. We are truly passionate about creating an inspirational workplace that will allow everyone to fulfil their potential,” Lai says.
The resort will reflect the PRI2DE philosophy – pioneer, respect, innovation, integrity, devotion and excellence – of its parent company, HKR International, and support its mission of creating healthy, stylish and distinctive living experiences through teamwork and the passionate pursuit of innovation and excellence.
“Auberge Discovery Bay aims to be a pioneer in innovative hospitality by embodying our company values. We therefore require candidates who possess strong levels of creativity to deliver our mission,” Lai explains.
The hotel is looking for energetic candidates with positive attitudes and dynamic personalities. Successful applicants will be passionate about the hospitality industry and look for every opportunity to create a memorable stay for guests.
The ability to constantly and continuously exceed guest expectations is important. Being a good team player and highly adaptable, as well as having a customer-service orientation and cultural awareness, are also important soft skills necessary to do the job well, according to Lai.
Good communication skills are also needed, together with strong language abilities in Cantonese, Putonghua and English.
The hotel is committed to training and investing in its team and emphasises finding people who will stay with it to develop their careers.
“Since our thinking is long term, our hiring process is geared to absorbing people of the right fit and taking into consideration not just the skills, but also the values and attitudes of prospective candidates. We arrange face-to-face and one-on-one interviews for each candidate with the respective department heads and the general manager,” Lai says.
An effective induction programme helps new hires settle into their roles. A six-day orientation programme updates them on customer service, telephone-communication skills, language training, health and safety, product knowledge, and systems training. This is followed by on-the-job training for three weeks before the soft opening.
Further training will be offered depending on the job nature. Team leaders will get help in people management and interview techniques, while sales staff will learn more about negotiation and presentation, as well as professional and advanced selling skills. Business-skills training is also provided.
Team-building activities are also scheduled, with the next one taking place in August. The two-day programme will bring the management team together by creating a vision of the future via programmed activities and signature games.
Auberge is proud of the competitive package it offers staff, which includes top-up MPF payments, 12 to 18 days’ annual leave, marriage, paternity and compassionate leave, a discretionary bonus, and dental and medical care, with the latter offering preferred rates to family members.
Staff will get a range of benefits to help with transport fees, including free transport from Central, Sunny Bay and Tung Chung to Discovery Bay.
