Adventure Together

How to Take the Stress Out of Applying for Jobs

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Some people feel excited about applying for a new job because it’s fun to think about a new adventure, challenge, or promotion. But for others, especially in tough job markets like the one we’re in now because of Covid-19, spending a day applying to positions online can feel tedious, exhausting and frustrating. If you find yourself in this second category, I have good news for you: It doesn’t have to be that way.

Yes, there are things outside of your control, like how cumbersome different application platforms can be. But with the right expectations and preparation, you can cut down on the stress and feel more accomplished after you click “Submit.” Here’s how.

1. Reduce Decision Fatigue

What’s for breakfast? What can you wear that’s comfortable and makes you feel great? It may seem trivial, but preparing your meals and outfits the night before clears the path for you to put all of your energy into the important actions and decisions of the next day.

Former President Barrack Obama understood this well, which is why he once said, “You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing because I have too many other decisions to make.”

2. Report to “Work” at the Same Time Every Day

Sometimes getting started is the hardest part of any task. Overcome the temptation to procrastinate by treating the application process like it’s your current job and showing up to work at the same time each day. Intentionally establishing a positive routine will help you get into the flow faster and can make your job search more productive.

As William Vanderbloemen, author of “How Successful People Start Their Day and Their Year,” says, “Productive days don’t happen by accident. The most successful people I know have a consistent mourning routine, and they very rarely stray from it.”

3. Prep Your Workspace

Devices charged? Check. Comfortable seating? Check. Hard copy of your resume printed for quick reference? Check. Also, don’t forget to have a pen and paper ready to jot down notes from company websites and things you want to include in your qualifications.

4. Set a Goal for the Day

This is a personal goal, so it can be anything you want. Think about what will make you feel accomplished at the end of the day. It could be to spend two hours applying for jobs, or to find three jobs that you would really enjoy doing and apply for those before wrapping up. This is an important piece because it pushes you to work through any frustration you may encounter in order to achieve your goal. So set your goal and make a plan, because a goal without a plan is just a wish!

5. Update Your Resume

Adding your most recent position to your resume may seem obvious, but as a recruiter, I’ve seen a lot of them that lack this key information. Typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistent dates can also give the impression that you’re lazy or don’t pay attention to details. To avoid these mistakes, ask a friend or family member to proofread your resume after you’ve polished it to the best of your abilities.

6. Research Every Company You Apply For

To help your application stand out, visit the company website so you’re familiar with what they do and what’s important to them. Look for keywords there and in the job description that you can tie into your resume or on the application when describing your qualifications. Also remember to always attach a copy of your resume to your application, even if you’ve already manually typed the information into a form. Adding your resume shows you’ve invested time to properly represent yourself, and that makes a positive impression on recruiters!

7. Make Notes About Who to Follow Up With

Check the job posting to see if there’s a contact person listed or if it says who the role will report to. Make a note to follow up with that person the next day to let them know you applied. You can either email them a copy of your cover letter and resume or reach out to them with a quick note on a platform such as LinkedIn.

8. Be Ready for the Call

Ensure that your voicemail is set up, the message is appropriate, and the mailbox can accept messages. Having a full mailbox is a surefire way to get passed over during the screening process. Employers can sometimes have 50 candidates to choose from, so it’s important to alleviate any challenges they may have getting in touch with you.

9. Celebrate Your Success

Getting a job offer is a big win, but remember that there are also lots of little wins along the way that lead up to that. Once you’ve reached your personal goal for the day, take a moment to celebrate. You could do this by affirming yourself out loud – “I did great at staying focused today” – or by rewarding yourself with time to do an activity that you really enjoy.

Managing your mindset is key to reducing stress when applying for jobs, and following these nine steps can help. Be patient and kind with yourself in the process. Remember that the call you’re waiting for may come when you least expect it!

26 Ways to Connect with Community While Sheltering in Place

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Sheltering in place can feel incredibly isolating, and though we know it’s important for our physical well-being, it can take a toll mentally and emotionally. We’re all looking forward to the day when we can reconnect with friends in person, perhaps while dining in at our favorite restaurant or letting the kids expend months of pent-up energy at the playground. Until then, here are some ways to stay connected with the people you love and make a positive difference in your community.

Have Some Fun

1. Grab the popcorn and host an online movie watch party with family and friends

2. Decorate your vehicle and participate in a drive-by birthday parade with music and signs to celebrate someone’s special day

3. Teach an online class in cooking, art, history, or whatever you’re good at

4. Organize a stuffed animal safari for children in your neighborhood to enjoy

5. Join or start an online book club

6. Support your favorite local restaurant and show someone you’re thinking of them by having a takeout meal delivered to their home

7. Lead an outdoor workout in your neighborhood… social distancing style

Volunteer

8. Use your professional skills to become a virtual volunteer

9. Deliver hot meals to seniors in need through Meals on Wheels

10. Do yard work for a neighbor

11. Foster an animal to help crowded shelters and rescue groups

12. Volunteer to assist with food distribution at local schools

13. Reach out to a nearby senior care facility to see how you can best assist with their needs

Share Encouraging Messages & Information

14. Leave a message of gratitude and support for healthcare heroes by calling 1-877-226-HERO (1-877-225-4376)

15. Be a listening ear by volunteering to become a crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line, which has reported a dramatic increase in texts due to the pandemic

16. Chalk your walk with inspiring quotes

17. Send a handwritten note to someone who doesn’t have access to or struggles with using a computer

18. Share study plans and advice on homeschooling with other parents on social media

19. Post information online to connect the community with open businesses

20. Go through your entire phone contact list and call or text one person a day to check on them and offer support

21. Use social media to share ideas for coping with isolation and boredom

Donate

22. Make face masks to donate to organizations in need

23. Donate life-saving blood or plasma, especially if you’ve already recovered from the coronavirus

24. If you don’t need it, use the Economic Impact Payment you received from the Federal Government to start a personal relief fund to help others

25. Donate food and other essential items to homeless shelters and food banks that are running low on supplies

26. “Pay it forward” by continuing to pay service providers such as house cleaners, personal trainers, hairdressers, masseurs, and dog walkers, even if you’re not using their services right now. If you can't give them your financial support, reach out anyway. Tell them you're thinking of them, and that you look forward to booking an appointment as soon as this is all over. Consider writing them a positive review online praising their services.

6 Ways Having a Mentor Can Boost Your Career

Fri, 01 May 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Isaac Newton famously stated, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”

It sounds like Newton had some mentors in his life, and he’s not alone. Some of the most influential people throughout history have benefited from mentoring relationships: Socrates mentored Plato, Plato mentored Aristotle, Steve Jobs mentored Mark Zuckerberg, Maya Angelou mentored Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet mentored Bill Gates, and Stella Adler mentored Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando.

These examples demonstrate how powerful of a tool mentoring can be for career success and progression. Yet even though the concept of mentoring has been known and practiced for centuries, it’s often underutilized in the professional world today. If you don’t already have a mentor and are wondering what kind of value one would provide, consider these six ways having a mentor can boost your career.

1. A mentor can help you develop your soft skills

When chosen correctly, a good mentor will show you how to work smarter, not harder. They’ll help you develop the soft skills you need to understand and lead people, navigate office politics, recognize opportunities, and create successful strategies.

2. A mentor can fine-tune and expand your vision

Processing things out loud with a trusted mentor can elevate your critical thinking and help you quickly refine and expand your goals. Mentors can also help you become more self-aware by asking carefully crafted questions and listening intently to understand what’s important to you. Sometimes their questions will lead you to discover new things about your strengths and weaknesses. Other times, mentors will share ideas to challenge you and help you see beyond your sphere of influence.

3. A mentor can unlock doors to opportunities

Referrals and recommendations from your mentor can unlock doors to opportunities beyond your circle. Their connections become your connections, granting you access to a wide array of resources and experiences that can accelerate your growth and advancement.

4. A mentor can push you to go farther

A great mentor will never let you settle or become complacent. They will always share honest feedback with your best interest in mind, helping you learn from setbacks and pushing you to do better or go farther than you thought possible.

5. A mentor can protect you from missteps

Mentors protect you from possible missteps by sharing personal experiences and lessons learned. They can provide insight on how to make sound business decisions or navigate political landmines within your organization. Their wise counsel can help you avoid errors in judgement that may derail your success.

6. A mentor can help make you happier at work

Because a mentor helps you hone your skills, you will become more competent and successful at your job. There’s also a good chance that you’ll earn more, as your mentor can help you negotiate better pay or earn a promotion. When you’re good at what you do and growing, you will feel happier in your work and personal life.

In short, mentors provide invaluable counsel and resources that you may not have access to otherwise. By getting to know you personally, they can offer custom-tailored advice to help you reach your goals faster and easier.

The Best Ways to Follow Up After an Interview

Tue, 12 May 2020 16:00:00 +0000

After completing an interview, you may wonder, “What’s next? Do I just wait on a call or email?”

The answer is, “No!”

This is when you close the deal and make yourself the obvious choice by sending a well-worded thank you note via email or text. Here are some tips and examples to help you stand out.

Email Your Thanks within 24 Hours of Interviewing

Keep your message brief and customize it for each person you met or spoke with. Thank the interviewer for their time, re-emphasize your interest in the role, and express excitement for the next steps. You can also use your thank you note to highlight your skills and why you’re a great match for the position, or bring up anything you may have forgotten to mention during the interview. If you weren’t given a date to expect feedback, this is a great place to ask when you will receive an update.

Example 1

Hi Santiago,

Thank you so much for your time today. It was great to learn more about the marketing manager role, and I’m excited for the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to the team! If you have any additional questions for me, please feel free to reach out.

Please let me know when I can expect to hear back on next steps. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Sable Arrowood

Example 2

Hi Elise,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me this morning. I enjoyed learning more about Wyndham Destinations’ strategic pillars and how the sales department plays a role in these initiatives. My experience in hospitality and sales has instilled a strong belief in outstanding customer service, and the opportunity to work in an environment focused on customer obsession excites me!

Please let me know if there is anything you need from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Best wishes,

Sable Arrowood

Example 3

Hi Jamal,

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today regarding the guest services position. It was a pleasure to learn about your career path with Wyndham Destinations and where you see the company going in the future. I am even more excited about the opportunity after learning about the growth potential and areas I can make an impact based on my previous leadership experience.

Wyndham Destinations seems to be a great place to work, and I would love to be a part of this team. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Best Regards,

Sable Arrowood

Send a Same-day Thank You Text

If the interviewer has communicated with you via text message before the interview, it’s absolutely okay to follow up with a thank you text. If you choose this route, make sure to send it the same day as your interview, ideally within a few hours afterward. Include the same key points from the example emails above. You can also use text as a way to follow up if you haven’t heard back after sending a thank you email or the timeframe you were given for receiving feedback has passed.

When to Check in Again

If you haven’t heard back about a position within the timeframe the interviewer said you would, wait one additional day and the send another email checking in. If you were not given a timeframe to expect feedback, send your first follow up email five days after the interview.

You can either respond to the last message you received from the employer or start a new message with a subject line that includes the job title and date you interviewed. Keep the message brief and to the point. Let them know you’re excited to hear back and wanted to check to see if there’s an update on the position or if a decision has been made yet.

Example 1

Hi Megan,

I hope all is well! I wanted to make sure you received my last email following the interview for the maintenance technician on March 12, 2020, and see if you have any updates. I am very interested in this role and am looking forward to next steps. Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions for me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Sable Arrowood

What If…

What if the employer responds and says they don’t have an update yet?
Reply back thanking them for the update and ask when would be an appropriate time to check back again. Reinstate your excitement, but let them know you don’t want to follow up too often.

What if the employer hasn’t responded to any emails?
Make sure you’ve waited at least one or two business days (not including weekends) and then send another email verifying they received your last messaging regarding updates on the position. If you were emailing the hiring manager, try reaching out to the recruiter or HR team member who scheduled the interview and vice versa.

What if you know you’re not getting the job or moving forward in the process?
Still follow up! You never know when the position might open again, when you may interact with the interviewer in the future, or when the company will have another opportunity you are interested in. Send a message to let them know you would like to revisit the conversation if another opportunity arises.

How to Select & Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor

Wed, 27 May 2020 16:00:00 +0000

“Choose your mentors based on who you want to be. Mentors can reflect where you want to go, they can create access for you, and give you guidance as you plan your own personal development.” – Ranu Gupta

Having a mentor offers many positive benefits, including helping you develop new skills, speed up your progression at your company, and gain insight into how to navigate office politics. But in a sea of professionals, how exactly do you find an amazing mentor and convince them to help you? Here are seven tips to help.

1. Make a List of Potential Mentors

Choosing the right person is probably the biggest factor as to whether or not they’ll accept your request. Most people want mentors who exemplify their vision of success: well-known business leaders, entrepreneurs, developers, and activists. Chances are though, those people are busy or unavailable, so don’t be surprised or take it personally if they say no.

Instead, make a list of “ordinary” people whom you respect and feel comfortable speaking freely with. They don’t have to be a household name in order to be a good mentor. Anyone with experience and wisdom you can learn from can make a great mentor. The important thing is that they’re someone you trust and whose constructive feedback you’re willing to integrate with an open mind.

2. Consider Someone Who’s Not on Your Team

While you can find mentors in your direct chain of command (e.g. your manager or your manager’s manager), it’s best to have someone outside of your team mentor you so they can supplement the guidance and development your leader is already providing.

3. Make Your Request in Person

Asking someone to be your mentor is very personal, so it’s best to do it face-to-face or at least over the phone instead of email. If you have the opportunity to chat over coffee, you can better state your case and address concerns if any arise.

4. Explain Why You Want Them for a Mentor and What You Hope to Gain from the Experience

Share why you’re specifically asking that person to be your mentor. You don’t have to stroke their ego, but it is important to demonstrate that you respect who they are and value their expertise. One way to do this is by sharing a story of theirs that resonated with you and what you learned from it. Or, you could explain how their career mirrors your desired career path and what you would like to learn from them. If you have other interests or hobbies in common, be sure to mention them, but be clear that what you’re looking for is advice and guidance, not a new best friend or someone to do your work for you.

5. Come to the Table with How Much Time and Attention You Think You’ll Need

Provide a realistic estimate of how much time and attention you think the mentoring relationship will require, being sensitive to the fact that your prospective mentor is likely busy with their own projects. It may also help to suggest a format. For example, you might request meeting an hour for lunch every other week.

6. Don’t Push

If you get the vibe the person you’re asking feels uncomfortable or pressured by your request, back off. If you force them into it, you won’t get the best experience anyway. It’s better to go back to the drawing board and consider someone else who is fully committed to helping you out.

Once you've landed a great mentor, do what you can to keep the relationship strong, and remember that it's as much about what you put into it as what the mentor brings. Thinking through and articulating what you want to learn from the experience as well as what you want the format to look like will demonstrate your pro-activeness and professionalism. It will also help you and your mentor recognize when you’ve reached new milestones toward achieving your goals.

Interview Preparation: How to Be a Leading Candidate

Mon, 25 May 2020 16:00:00 +0000

“Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.”

This old British Army adage is applicable to most important events in your life, including interviewing for your next job.

After conducting nearly 10,000 interviews in my recruiting career, it’s become easy to recognize if a candidate has properly prepared. Essentially, this is your first impression on the company, which suggests another practical adage… it is everything! These pre-interview tips will help prevent the jitters we’ve all felt leading up to an interview and get you closer to an offer.

Do Your Homework

1. Know the Company

Unless it’s part of the potential job description, very few hiring managers expect you to know the intricacies of the company. Instead, focus on high-level information.

Size: revenue, number of employees, locations
Culture: mission statement, core values, etc.
Founding year
Products or services offered

Demonstrating during the interview that you made an effort to research the company shows initiative and that you’re truly interested in joining the team.

2. Know the Position

Instead of just reading through the job description, I recommend printing it out and pinpointing specifics in your experience that are transferable to each responsibility and requirement. Make notes of what each experience was and when it took place. This is a great way to refresh your memory about your accomplishments and what skills contributed to your success. It will also prepare you to answer questions regarding your fit and convey why you are the choice candidate. If you don’t understand one of the requirements, look it up or flag it to ask about during the interview.

3. Know the Hiring Manager

Again, keep it broad. Having too much information on them could get a little creepy. A few things to know are how long they’ve been with the company, their official title, education, and topics they follow using LinkedIn and social media. This knowledge provides a way to build commonality and rapport.

4. Know Thyself

When I ask candidates to tell me about themselves, the number of blank stares is staggering. The internal struggle is painfully evident: “What does he want to know?” “Should I keep it professional or personal?” “Keep it modest or brag about myself?”

The answers to these questions live somewhere in the middle. Preparing a 30 second commercial about yourself can help combat awkwardness and get your interview off to great start. Things you could include in your commercial are:

Personal: Hobbies and passions, proudest accomplishment, what’s important to you and your career, current goals, reasons you’re in the job market and interested in the position
Resume Rundown: Prior positions, years of applicable experience, reasons why you left positions or for gaps in employment, what your favorite and least favorite positions were and why

In your preparation, think about the key points you want to emphasize and practice your delivery, but stay away from memorizing a script because that can hinder your ability to be adaptable, creative, and genuine. You don’t want to be caught off guard by a question during the interview and freeze up. Instead, be yourself: honest and confident in expressing your abilities and experience.

The Day Before

5. Do a Test Drive to the Interview Location

If you can, drive to the interview location the day before during the same time slot your interview is scheduled for. This will give you the most accurate estimate for the commute and prevent you from getting lost the day of. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to give yourself cushion in case you run into any unforeseen circumstances. If that works out, take 15 minutes before you go inside to get your head straight, practice your personal commercial, or listen to a song that gets you into the right mood.

6. Plan Your Outfit

Preparing your clothes the day before your interview will help you arrive on time. Try not to mimic exactly what you think the employees wear on a regular basis. Instead, error on the side of being overdressed and under-scented. By that I mean, go light on the perfume/cologne and try to avoid smoking right before your interview. Some hiring managers have sensitive noses, and you don’t want them to be distracted during your meeting.

7. Prepare Your Interview Questions

Whether you think you know all of the answers or not, it’s always wise to prepare questions for the interviewer. Here are some examples.

“Why is this position available?”
“Who is your ideal candidate?”
“What do you enjoy about working for _____?”
“What benefits does your company offer?”
“What are some of the reasons someone may have failed/succeeded in this position?”
“What is your leadership style?”
“What are the next steps in the interview process?”
“When do you plan on making a decision on my application? How will you contact me?”
“Based our interview today, is there anything that would keep you from offering me the position?”

8. Gather Your Notes and Printed Copies of Your Resume

Unless directed otherwise, print two copies of your résumé. If available, use 100 percent cotton paper and keep them in a folder. You should also take along your notes from researching the company, your written questions, and a paper and pen for taking notes during the interview. This demonstrates professionalism and preparation.

Are You Ready?

It’s rare for anyone to feel 100 percent ready for an interview, and even fewer people actually have a perfect interview. What you can perfect is your preparation, because Perfect Preparation Provides Promise and Powerful Potential.

5 Ways to Build Your Personal Brand After Losing a Job

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 16:00:00 +0000

“All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” – Tom Peters

Do you feel like prospective employers see you the way you wish they did? If not, you may wonder how to build a stronger personal brand and market your value as a potential employee. I can relate. In 2012, I was devastated to be laid off from a job that I loved. I knew I had a lot to offer other companies, but I had no idea how to show them what a great employee I was, yet alone convince them to view me as the obvious choice for their openings. I didn’t even have a resume! It took time, but once I understood who I was and how I wanted to be viewed, the pieces fell into place. Here’s how I made those discoveries.

1. I Spent Time in Personal Reflection

Losing a job under any circumstances is stressful and can easily cause you to doubt yourself. But instead of going south in your personal reflection, I encourage you to use your introspection the way I did: remembering and reconnecting with the things that make you happiest in life, that you’re passionate about, that motivate you, and that you want to accomplish personally and professionally. Perhaps you’ve already been on course with where you want to go, and this job loss is a temporary setback. Or maybe you’ve found yourself in a career or industry that you’ve lost interest in and now is a good time to pivot toward something better aligned with what’s important to you at this point in your life. Think about where you want to be and what you want to be known for.

2. I Learned to Articulate My Strengths and Weaknesses

Malcolm Forbes was right when he said, “Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”

All of us can be blind sometimes to our own best traits and biggest foibles. One way I’ve found to gain deeper insight into my strengths and weaknesses (and have the words to explain them to others) is by taking personality tests like this free one based on Meyers Briggs. You may also find it helpful to ask people whom you trust what they see as your strengths and weaknesses.

3. I Created a Personal Brand Statement

A personal brand statement is a summary of how you define yourself and your personal mission. For example, mine today is: “I’m a recruiting expert who connects top talent with jobs they love in the vacation industry.”

For more examples and step-by-step instructions on creating your own statement, I recommend checking out this article from BrandYourself.

4. I Used My Resume to Tell a Story

Once I thought through who I was and how I wanted to be viewed, I was ready to create a digital copy of myself in the form of a resume. Many people view resume creation as a daunting task, but I think it’s an exciting opportunity to share the story of how far you’ve come. When crafting your resume, I recommend using the bullet points under each listed job experience to explain how your accomplishments made a positive impact for the customer or the company.

Since aesthetics can also help tell the story of who you are, it’s important to ensure that the spacing, fonts, and color selection align to make a professional appearance. One of my favorite websites to utilize for creating a sharp resume is Enhance CV Resume Builder. In addition to helping you style your resume with ease, this website analyzes the information you enter to help you maximize your strengths during the application process.

5. I Promoted My Brand Online

For me, social media invokes conflicting feelings of excitement and anxiety. It’s exciting to see what everyone is up to and share the side of me living my best life. The anxiety ensues when I’m not sure how to properly use a platform or when I feel nervous about what the response will be to something that I post. In talking with friends, it seems these feelings are pretty common, so let’s run through a crash course of how to wisely promote your brand online.

As a recruiter, when I attempt to find a candidate on LinkedIn and they don’t have an account, it’s a disappointment. Almost every hiring professional has a LinkedIn account and knows how to find yours, so this is the single most important online platform to make a good impression. If you don’t have one already, here are the key points on Creating a Great LinkedIn Profile. If you do have an account and are looking for ways to take it to the next level, follow these Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile.

Once you’re profile is up and running, the next step is creating content. A good mix should be 20 percent about you and 80 percent about others. Your 20 percent can be sharing an accomplishment you’re proud of, like a short story about helping a customer achieve their goal or a picture of a new certification you worked hard to earn. The other 80 percent should be about recognizing and affirming others or sharing helpful information, like industry news, blog posts, or resources.

Facebook

Although Facebook was designed for connecting with friends and family, it’s not uncommon for recruiters to look up candidates to learn more about them before the interview process. You can make a positive impression by selecting a professional looking headshot for your profile image and posting regularly about career-related topics you’re passionate about, projects you’re proud of, or coworkers you appreciate. If you’ve had a Facebook account for a long time, it’s also a good idea to audit your past content and delete photos or posts that don’t align with your current brand statement. When you’re done updating everything, follow these instructions to see what others see when they click on your profile and change your privacy settings if there is some content that you would prefer to only share with family and friends.

Twitter

The best way to use Twitter to promote your personal brand is to engage in conversations with people around topics related to your area of expertise. Think of it is a place where you can help others by exchanging relevant industry news or sharing ideas and knowledge based on your experiences. Hashtags (#), often considered the hallmark feature of Twitter, can be intimidating at first, but they’re actually just a way to make keywords searchable. Use them to find conversations about topics you’re interested in and add your voice to the discussion.

Overwhelmed? Take a deep breath and remember that you don’t have to do all of these things all at once. When I lost my job, these exercises helped me build a stronger personal brand and better demonstrate my value to prospective employers. It takes time, but I hope that they will also help you recognize and be proud of all you’ve accomplished, so that you can confidently portray that to others.

What 80 Percent of Managers Consider After an Interview

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 16:00:00 +0000

In today’s age of technology, everything is at our fingertips. Within seconds we have the ability to send a text, make a phone call, or respond to an email. These are all good methods for following up and saying “thanks” after an interview, but there is still one method that trumps them all: sending a handwritten thank you note.

As renowned communication philosopher Marshall McLuhan says, “The medium is the message.”

In other words, it’s not just what you say that matters. The format of how you present it also influences how it is perceived. Making the extra effort to purchase a nice card, thoughtfully ink out your appreciation, and mail it to a physical address shows a degree of professionalism and consideration that is rare in our bitmoji-saturated world. And that stands out.

In fact, according to an AccountTemps survey, “Eighty percent of managers said they take post-interview thank-you notes into account when deciding who to hire."

So here are some ways to make your message shine.

1. Choose a card that matches the office atmosphere.

If the company you interviewed at has a more formal office vibe, select a card with thick paper and a simple design. If the environment is more casual, then brighter colors and patterns are appropriate.

2. Keep thank you cards in your car.

If you’re worried sending a thank you card via snail mail might be too slow, keep a stack in your car so you can write a note immediately after your interview and walk it back in to leave with the receptionist.

3. Use a handwritten note as an addition to an email thank you instead of a replacement.

Another way to stay top-of-mind with hiring managers is to send them an email thank you within 24 hours of interviewing and then, if a decision is not expected to be made for another few days, follow it up with a handwritten thank you note in the mail.

4. Be specific about what stood out to you and how it made you feel.

A simple format is to thank someone for their time, name a positive aspect of the experience that you observed, and share how that influenced your feelings. For example, “Dear Kory, Thank you so much for taking time to meet with me today and share more details about the activities assistant position. I loved meeting the rest of the guest services team and was so impressed by their friendliness and professionalism as I watched them interact with guests. That made me feel even more excited about this position and the opportunity to join your team. Looking forward to hearing from you soon! - Arthur Rodriguez”

(To see more sample messages, check out our post on The Best Ways to Follow Up After an Interview.)

5. Continue the practice of sending handwritten thank you notes throughout your career.

Interviews aren’t the only time that sending a handwritten note can leave a lasting impression. Whenever someone invests time and energy in helping you grow your career – whether it’s by writing you a letter of recommendation, offering coaching and guidance, or connecting you with new opportunities – taking time to share your appreciation in a tangible way can touch their heart and strengthen your relationship.

4 Things to Include in an Impressive Elevator Pitch

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:00:00 +0000

If you’ve ever sat across from an interviewer and felt the awkwardness of wondering how to respond to the request to “tell me about yourself,” you need an elevator pitch.

The original “elevator pitch” comes from the studio days of Hollywood, when a screenwriter would supposedly catch an unsuspecting executive on an elevator ride and try to sell them on an idea during the 30 seconds they were a captive audience. Today, elevator pitches are useful in a variety of business settings, especially promoting yourself as an ideal job candidate.

The best pitches provide a brief explanation of four things: who you are, what makes you tick, an accomplishment you’re proud of, and the goal you would like to achieve. Seem like a lot to pack into 30 seconds? The good news is that since you won’t actually be delivering it on an elevator, your pitch can be slightly longer: up to a minute or two. Here’s how to break it down.

1. State who you are and who you help.

I’m a fitness trainer who helps elderly people achieve their health goals in a way that’s safe and supportive.
I’m a housekeeper who helps families enjoy their vacations in clean, beautiful settings.
I’m a diversity and inclusion consultant who helps Fortune 500 companies create more welcoming cultures, where everyone is happier and more productive.

2. Share what motivates you. Why do you do what you do?

I love seeing the joy on my client’s faces when they accomplish a goal.
I enjoy being part of a team that is always looking for ways to surprise and delight guests.
I faced a lot of discrimination in the earlier part of my career when I was the only female black computer programmer at XYZ company. That’s made me committed to teaching leaders at other organizations how to recognize and eliminate bias from their interpersonal interactions and business processes.

3. Summarize one of your proudest accomplishments – just one.

For example, I recently helped an 80-year-old woman who previously suffered from diabetes train for and run her first marathon. It was incredible to see her feelings about herself change as we worked together and to celebrate this huge accomplishment with her and her family.
For example, one time when cleaning a vacation suite, I noticed the family had recently completed a puzzle. The next day when I returned to clean, I brought a new one for them to put together and left it with a note on the table.
One of my proudest accomplishments was working with XYZ Company to evaluate their entire hiring process for opportunities to remove bias and diversify their candidate slates. As a result, 47 percent more minority candidates were considered for leadership roles and 32 percent more were hired.

4. Explain your goal.

I’d like to help the residents of your retirement community experience the same joy and sense of well-being by using what I’ve learned in the past 10 years to lead a fun, safe, and engaging fitness program at XYZ Estates.
These are the kind of special touches I would like to bring to your team as a housekeeping manager.
I’m eager to help QRX Company achieve the same kind of results by serving as your Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

5. When appropriate, include a call-to-action.

This would primarily be outside of an interview setting. For example, if you’re sending an invitation to connect with someone on LinkedIn, or if you meet someone at a networking event.

Do you have time next week that we could meet to discuss this possibility?
Do you have any open positions that I could apply for?
Could you share more about your diversity and inclusion goals?

Once you’ve written your pitch, time yourself to see how long it takes to say out loud without rushing. If you’re far over two minutes, try trimming it down a bit, then practice, practice, practice in front of the mirror, friends, family, or colleagues until delivering your pitch feels comfortable and conversational. You don’t need to have your pitch memorized word-for-word, but the more familiar you are with the core content, the more naturally it will flow out. The most important thing is to speak clearly and confidently so that your passion and expertise shine through. If you follow these steps, you’ll be ready deliver your pitch in nearly any setting, from an elevator to a job interview.

How to Get Past a Screening Interview

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 16:00:00 +0000

A screening interview is often the first hurdle in an interview process. It can be administered in a variety of ways, including a phone call with live or pre-recorded questions, a video interview, or a text message conversation. Recruiters use these screening techniques to evaluate your qualifications and determine whether to invite you to complete a more formal interview, especially in cases where they have to quickly sort through a large number of candidates.

Most screen interviews cover the same basic topics: a review of your background, role-specific questions designed to determine if you’re a viable candidate for the position, and sometimes details about your salary requirements and availability to work.

Typically, more than 50 percent of candidates are screened out, which means it’s just as important for you to make a positive impression during this stage of the application process as if you were meeting with the CEO of the company for a one-on-one interview. Here’s how.

1. Pick a quiet setting where you can focus.

Whether you’re completing your screening interview over the phone or through a recorded video session, it’s important to minimize background noises that could make it difficult for the recruiter to hear or focus on your responses. You don’t want to be the person who’s remembered for having the toilet flush in the background.

2. Dress professionally, even if you’re at home.

Even though there are plenty of memes going around the Internet about the pants-optional Covid days we’re living in, pants are always a good idea for video interviews. Dress pants or other professional attire are even better because they show that you take the process seriously.

3. Smile, even if you’re talking on the phone.

Ever notice how you can hear someone smile? It literally changes the tone of their voice. When you’re feeling nervous or thinking hard about a question you were just asked, it can be easy to forget to smile, yet this one little step can change your response from sounding cold and uninterested in the position to warm and enthusiastic.

If you’re not completely confident in your phone/video voice, try recording some practice sessions and listening/watching them until you feel more comfortable. Or, ask someone you trust and respect to provide feedback on your practice recordings.

4. Know your stuff.

Be prepared to answer questions such as:

Tell me about yourself. (Click here for details on how to answer this one.)
What do you know about us?
What kind of company culture do you thrive in?
·What range of compensation are you looking for?
Note: Give a straightforward response and then leave it alone. When a candidate returns repeatedly to the topic of salary or benefits during a screening interview, it can be a signal that they’re primarily focused on the money and the perks, not the job and company.
Can you commute or relocate if necessary?
If selected for the role, when would you be able to start working?
Why are you leaving your current job?
Note: Avoid negative comments about your former employers. Badmouthing is interpreted as a sign of poor professionalism and low tact and diplomacy. Instead focus on what you’re looking for in a new role. For example, instead of saying, “My current job doesn’t give me any growth opportunities,” say, “I’m looking for more opportunities to advance and develop my skills.”
Describe your current responsibilities.
What’s been your biggest achievement so far?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you cope with stress?
What motivates you in a job?
How do you hold yourself accountable for delivering results?
Give an example of successful teamwork. What was your role? What was the result?
Note: If asked for an example of anything, tell one specific story that illustrates a challenge and how you helped successfully solve the problem.

5. Keep your answers short and to-the-point.

Some video screening processes limit the amount of time you have to answer each question to two minutes or less. Even if there are no external factors though, it’s still best to keep your answers short and to-the-point. If you are invited for a second interview, you’ll have more opportunities to unpack the full breadth and depth of your experience. In a screening interview, you just have to provide enough detail to pique the recruiter’s curiosity. Even in a brief interview, you can emphasize your genuine interest in a position as well as your enthusiasm for an organization and the value you could bring to the position.

5 Ways this Wyndham Destinations Sales Team Stayed Connected & Inspired During the COVID Shutdown

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:00:00 +0000

When the first Covid-related shutdowns began in March 2019, site leaders throughout Wyndham Destinations were faced with new challenges of how to support, engage, and guide their teams through unfamiliar circumstances. Jonathan Topolosky, Project Director of Sales & Marketing at Clearwater Beach, is one of many who rose to the challenge, creatively adapting to help his team members thrive and grow even as business temporarily slowed. His energy, commitment, and enthusiasm in caring for his coworkers are a true demonstration of what it means to Adventure Together through all of the unexpected twists and turns life brings.

1. How did you communicate with your team members during crisis?

I made the decision right away to be fully transparent and set realistic expectations for both the best and worst case scenarios. My intent was to instill a sense of acceptance in the situation without causing panic. I felt it was important that my team hear a message that was both honest and authentic. I kept telling myself that if I remained calm and confident about us getting through this together, the team would feel the same way. I made it clear that there was much uncertainty ahead, but that as soon as information was shared with me, I would share it with them.

2. I heard that you also created a team Facebook group with the rule that nothing negative was allowed to be shared. Tell me about that.

We created the group as soon as the shutdown began because we knew some associates might lose access to their company email during furlough. It started as a way for us to share positive messages, pictures and videos with each other, but it evolved as quarantine continued to include a mix of company updates, free online classes, and helpful information on topics like how to file for unemployment. We also celebrated birthdays and welcomed five new team members’ babies into the world. These moments gave us something to celebrate together, and overall, the group really helped our Operations and Sales & Marketing teams grow closer while we were physically apart. Even though Clearwater Beach reopened in May 2020, the group is still very active. Our team members seem to respond better to Facebook posts than company emails, so the plan is for it to remain a solid form of communication within our team culture.

3. How did you keep your team members inspired and engaged while many of them were furloughed?

During the shutdown, I was worried about team members starting to lose hope, so I implemented a voluntary “#ALLINTOGETHER” Zoom call with a special guest speaker each week. Members of the call never knew who the guest speaker would be until they signed on, but our lineup included people and topics such as:

Desmond Clark, retired NFL super star
Mindset and Preparation During the “Off” Season
Awareness & Discussion of Systematic Racism in America
Jason Gamel, CEO of ARDA
Industry Updates & What to Expect When We Return
Ben Gay, author of the famous sales book, The Closers
Salesmanship and How to Overcome Obstacles in Any Sales Environment
Dr. Jen Welter, the first female coach of the NFL
Women in Leadership & Overcoming Obstacles
Wyndham Destinations’ Executive Leaders
Company Updates, Return-to-Work Protocols, and Cross-Regional Knowledge Sharing

My goal was to keep to keep everyone feeling connected and inspired. I’d ask the speaker questions about what they were going through at the moment and what advice they had to share with us. Then our team members had the opportunity to ask their own questions. Each week, our attendance grew until it eventually included associates not just in Clearwater Beach, but from all around the company.

4. Were there any other ways that you encouraged growth during a time when everything felt stagnant?

I lead a discussion with my leadership team each week by sharing various online video trainings on topics like authentic communication or leading through a crisis. Everyone has something to learn in these areas, so it helped keep our meetings fresh and educational. In addition, I enrolled and completed the Executive Leadership Certificate Program at eCornell and the Negotiation Mastery Certificate Program at Harvard Business School. Taking back knowledge from these programs and sharing them with my team in real-time was invaluable to our growth and success.

During the shutdown I was asked to head up a virtual sales team by Pat Burk, Senior Vice President of Sales, so it was also an opportunity for our face-to-face sales reps to learn new skills in telesales – fast! Fortunately, we were given all the guidance and support we could ask for from Dana Peterson, our Senior Vice President of Telesales, along with his entire telesales leadership team and all of the behind-the-scenes heroes in IT and Operations.

Looking back on the experience Steve Pinta, Director of Sales, who was instrumental in our success, says, “We learned a lot from this experience and it kept us all sharp. We got so good at it, we ended keeping the team intact after our sales office reopened and still have it successfully running to this day.”

5. What do you think is the most important lesson that you’ve learned from this experience?

By far the most important lesson I learned was to reach out to people who know more than I do when I’m thrust into situations where I don’t have all the answers. I partnered with more leaders across the company in three months of quarantine than I have in my entire career, and it paid off. This experience has allowed me to expand my network and forge even deeper relationships with coworkers across the company. I grew tremendously during this time as a leader and am thankful for that opportunity. The greatest challenges will either make you or break you; it’s all about how you approach it. As author Ryan Holiday would say, “The obstacle is the way.”

Join Our Sales Team

Wyndham Destinations Introduces Vacation Ready Champions

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Across Wyndam Destinations’, associates are living and supporting our Vacation Ready promise. We’ve recently introduced Vacation Ready Champions, key team members within our resorts and sales sites who will help inspire our culture of Customer Obsession by role modeling our Hospitality with Heart service commitment ─ keeping us all current and following our safety and health protocols and our Return to Work procedures.

Ensuring we all stay healthy and safe while providing peace of mind to our owners and guests to help get them back on vacation are our key objectives. This video is a great example of how our Avon Vacation Ready Champions are staying Vacation Ready with socially distanced, masked stand-up meetings.

How Our Maintenance Team Members are Living Our Vacation Ready Promise

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 18:48:17 +0000

Our Vacation Ready promise is in full force as Wyndham’s Vacation Ready Champions showcase how they are keeping our resorts and each other, safe and ready. See how our maintenance team in National Harbour is handling customer requests to make sure guests feel comfortable with the sanitization and hygiene practices we’ve implemented.

Have you been looking for an environment where you can interact with dynamic colleagues and creatively find solutions? Have a heart for service? This video showcases not only the Vacation Ready practices, but also the dedication and commitment our resort operations team has each and every day. We’d love to have you join us!

View Maintenance Jobs

Wyndham Destinations Named to Forbes List of World's Best Employers

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 21:49:21 +0000

Wyndham Destinations (NYSE:WYND), the world’s largest vacation ownership and exchange company, is proud to announce it has been named as a Best Employer on the fourth-annual Forbes Magazine list of World’s Best Employers. The list, compiled with data from over 150,000 associates in nearly 60 countries, asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their employers’ response to COVID-19, as well as score their employer in multiple other areas such as social responsibility, gender equality, and talent development.

Wyndham Destinations, the only timeshare company and one of only five resort and hotel companies to make the list, has also been featured this year by Forbes as a Best Employer for Diversity, a Best Employer for New Grads, a Best Employer in Canada, and a Best Employer in five states.

Wyndham Destinations Chief Human Resources Officer Kimberly Marshall stated, “It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Best Employers, particularly this year, which has been unprecedented in many ways. We have rallied to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that ensures the safety and well-being of both our associates and our guests. We continue to strengthen our culture of inclusion through a deeper commitment to listening and understanding among our diverse global workforce. We are taking meaningful action to enrich the communities where we live and work, we adopt substantive measures to combat inequality and support the underserved through our philanthropy. And we are confident a bright future awaits our associates, as well as our business, as we continue in our efforts to put the world on the vacations they dream of, now more than ever.”

Join Our Award-Winning Team

Vacation Ready Champions 'Wipe it Down' Tik Tok Style

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:43:12 +0000

Who knew safety could be such fun? Our Vacation Ready Champions continue to be creative in showcasing how resorts are ready for our guests to vacation safely. See how our housekeeping team at Stablewood Springs is ‘wiping it down’ Tik Tok style while highlighting important Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitization and hygiene practices.

Do you want to go where opportunity is always on? Have you been looking for an environment where you can interact with dynamic colleagues and creatively find solutions? Have a heart for service? This video showcases not only the Vacation Ready practices, but also the dedication and commitment our resort operations team has each and every day. We’d love to have you join us!

Wyndham Destinations Recognized for its Efforts to Support Veteran-Owned Suppliers and as a Best Employer for Veterans

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:55:25 +0000

Wyndham Destinations (NYSE:WYND), the world’s largest vacation ownership and exchange company, is honored to be recognized once again by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) as a Best Corporation for Veteran’s Business Enterprises for 2020, for their efforts towards inclusion of Veteran-Owned and/or Service Disabled suppliers.

The companies recognized as the 2020 Best Corporations for Veteran’s Business Enterprises successfully display a commitment to working with veterans with policies and outreach programs that engage the nation’s certified Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises as suppliers. NaVOBA also explores procurement infrastructure, allocation of assets, the existence of development programs and any supplemental actions the company may have taken to improve its relationship with Veteran’s Business Enterprises® and/or Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises®.

Wyndham Destinations was also recognized by Forbes magazine as a Best Employer for Veterans in 2020. For companies in the annual ranking, emphasis was placed on recruiting of Veterans and service members, company culture, policies, and reservist accommodations.

“Our business is hospitality, and we believe diversity enriches and strengthens our organization. We particularly recognize that our veteran associates and working with veteran companies makes good business sense,” said Jose Nido, vice president of global supplier diversity for Wyndham Destinations. “We are proud to support our nation’s Veterans and are grateful for our relationships with our Veteran-owned suppliers. With Veteran’s Day on the horizon, we extend our thanks and gratitude to all those who have and continue to serve our country, and we are humbled by this distinction.”

These distinctions come on the heels of Forbes Magazine’s recognition of Wyndham Destinations as a 2020 Best Employer for Diversity and a World’s Best Employer.

Ada Ma on What it’s Like Being a Young Leader at Wyndham Destinations

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 15:41:56 +0000

One of the benefits of working at Wyndham Destinations is that we’re driven by potential. We see opportunities for growth everywhere, whether it’s putting families on vacation in a new location or preparing team members to take on leadership roles. In this interview, Ada Ma, assistant general manager at WorldMark in Scottsdale, Arizona, shares the highs and lows of her career journey at Wyndham Destinations and how she’s grown as a leader since she started working here right out of college.

Jim Kidd: Hi, Ada! I’m so thankful I have the opportunity to interview you today, and I’d like to kick things off by hearing about your background.

Ada Ma: I basically grew up in the hospitality business. My family are Chinese immigrants with no education. They spoke very little English when they arrived, but they opened a restaurant and eventually opened several restaurants across Las Vegas. I started working in these restaurants at a very young age in both the front and back of the house, so studying hospitality seemed like a natural thing. That’s how it all started for me.

JK: How did you come to work at WorldMark?

AM: I was nearing the end of my senior year at the University of Las Vegas and was eager to find a leadership role post-graduation. I gave my resume to a Wyndham Destinations recruiter at one of the last career events my school hosted, and a week later received a phone call inviting me to tour the Grand Desert resort and interview. That was my first panel interview. It was a little nerve racking, but I was delighted to accept an offer with the leadership development program.

JK: Tell me more about that program.

AM: The leadership development program helped me get a well-rounded overview of resort operations. It allowed me to work directly alongside the housekeeping, guest services and maintenance departments to get a strong understanding of how they are intertwined and how that impacts our overall guest experience.

During the program I was also invited to participate in “Department Manager University” training, where I sat in a classroom with company leaders and role-played a variety of difficult employee scenarios. That program definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but in a good way. It challenged me and prepared me to take on and diffuse workplace conflicts in the future.

The combination of hands-on training in the field coupled and working with more experienced leaders on role playing difficult conversations gave me a solid foundation to start off my career as an operations manager.

JK: What other roles did you hold in the company before becoming the assistant general manager at WorldMark in Scottsdale?

AM: After my training there were no immediate full-time openings, so I task-forced in in the Wisconsin Dells. It was the best summer ever, as I lived at the resort and enjoyed that cool weather! I learned a lot from working alongside the general manager and then a full-time role opened up for me as operation manager at WorldMark Hunt - Stablewood Springs Resort in Texas.

I was there for a while, and then had the opportunity to open a new property in Austin, Texas, which was fun. The next year I relocated to Arizona, where I’m now the assistant general manager.

JK: What were some of the personal or professional challenges that you faced on your career journey?

AM: Looking back, it was an exciting time for me as 22-year-old college grad ready to put my degree to work, but being a young leader was definitely a challenge. One of the most difficult situations I faced was being promoted into a newly acquired resort that needed to be brought up to Wyndham Destinations standards. It was in a rural area where everybody knew everybody, so the staff was very close-knit. They were all older than me and had all worked in resorts much longer than me, and they were used to a very loose structure. Coming in as a new, very young leader who needed to implement new policies and procedures was a challenge.

I was lucky though to have an awesome mentor for a first boss. It was Jim Nichols, who is currently running the Marble Falls resort in Texas. He literally walked beside me for my first three years as a leader. He taught me how to coach and council people, how to hold them accountable and train them, and eventually how to mentor them. He also taught me to practice servant leadership. If he hadn’t taken a vested interest in coaching me, I may not be sitting here in this position today.

JK: Based on your experiences, what advice or recommendations would you give to other young leaders?

AM: I would say if your boss is not a natural mentor, you must find one and be networking all the time. I volunteered for events where I could meet people from different organizations and teams. You never know who you’re going to meet that can help propel your career to the next level.

JK: How has Wyndham Destinations given you opportunities to innovate, shine or be daring in trying something new?

AM: I think there is a lot of freedom in running your property. In fact we call it “freedom within the framework.” There are standard operating procedures that remain the same of course, but I have the autonomy to express my creativity and lead in a way that is best for the site and its associates. Even little things like how we decorate for the holidays!

JK: What would you say to those who want to get into the hospitality business, but are nervous because of what COVID has done to the industry?

AM: We as a company have gone above and beyond through our partnership with Ecolab in creating Vacation Ready protocols. We are cleaner and safer than ever. You do not even have to get out of your car to check in with our curbside check-in program. It is just as safe for associates who work here. We have strict protocols that we follow. In terms of a career choice, we are very resilient and our owners will travel. We are seeing big upticks in occupancies.

JK: This last question is just for fun. We all work hard putting the world on vacation but what is one of your favorite vacation destinations?

AM: There are so many, but if I have to pick just one, it would be Bali. I had the opportunity to travel there several years ago and it was amazing to immerse myself in another culture. The hospitality was top notch! Between the people, customs, and coffee plantations, it was really just indescribable.

JK: Ada, this has been fun! Thank you for your time and all you do to make Wyndham Destinations a memorable place to visit and work.

Join Our Team

Why I Was Embarrassed to Admit I Worked in Timeshare

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000

When I first started selling vacations, I wasn’t completely open with my friends and family about my new career path due to the stigma of timeshares. In fact, I was a bit embarrassed. If someone asked me what I did for a living, I would give a convoluted answer involving something about selling condos and real estate.

Now, eight years later, when someone asks me what I do for a living, my answer is simple and honest: I change peoples’ lives for the better by selling timeshare with Wyndham Destinations.

I remember when I first started to see that I was actually making a positive impact on people’s lives. It was near the end of my first year with Wyndham Destinations when clients who bought from me came back from their trips with photos and stories to share about their experiences. Several thanked me for giving them the extra nudge they needed to say “yes” to more vacations and more time spent having fun together.

One of my favorite stories is of a young couple whom I set up for a vacation in San Antonio, Texas. It was their first time staying at a Wyndham property and they got engaged there. Since then, they’ve become a family for four and have used Wyndham to travel the country. They already have so many amazing memories from their vacations together and still have more to discover thanks to their investment in timeshare.

That’s the key thing that makes selling a vacation different from selling other big items, like a car. Customers can’t drive it off the lot and feel an immediate sense of gratification from taking home a tangible item. But I know from personal experience that the joy of spending quality time with the people they love is much deeper, and that the memories of those special moments lasts forever. I’m proud to help create those opportunities by turning vacation dreams into realities.

Explore Sales Careers at Wyndham Destinations