Navigating Recruitment Challenges with Innovative Solutions

Alex Alston, Corporate Director of Human Resources at Presidian Hospitality

Alex Alston excels in guiding hotels to strategic success while minimizing risks. His expertise in recruitment, retention, and payroll fosters growth. Alex ensures a positive impact on communities, anticipating even greater achievements ahead.

In an interview with Hospitality Business Review, Alex speaks about a visually driven landscape in hospitality staffing, emphasizing the need for companies to enhance career pages and swiftly capture the attention of quality candidates.

Can you provide an overview of your journey in the hospitality industry and your current roles and responsibilities?

After college, I started working at Expedia.com as a market manager before pivoting to the IT side with a software company in the hospitality sector. The CEO entrusted me with establishing a training and development department, leading to my journey into HR. The HR director then invited me to assist in recruiting, sparking my passion for HR.

I joined Presidian as the HR manager for the Springs Resort and Spa in Colorado, later becoming HR director. I faced the task of swiftly transforming the team and culture during the challenges of COVID. Despite obstacles, we fully staffed the property post-COVID, achieving positive employee engagement through creative and innovative approaches, breaking from conventional norms.

In my current role as corporate director of HR at Presidian, I oversee policies, compliance, benefits, payroll, orientation, and all HR aspects. My primary responsibility is upholding our culture and ensuring alignment with Presidian's values amid any directional changes.

What are some of the significant pain points prevailing in the market?

We're gradually emerging from the COVID era, but there's a need to convince applicants about the viability of a career in hospitality. The applicant pool is limited, likely due to the appeal of remote work seen during the pandemic.

Hospitality's requirement for in-person interaction conflicts with this trend, creating a hurdle in recruiting. Additionally, addressing wages in line with employees' values is crucial for effective recruitment.

 "Post-COVID, our initiative in transforming company culture and staffing, with innovative recruitment strategies and technology, led to fully staffed properties and notable improvements in employee engagement."

Maintaining hospitality in political discussions is essential, as current changes predominantly favor blue-collar jobs. Despite the ongoing challenges, the focus remains on finding quality applicants.

Is there any noticeable progress or new trends in addressing the challenges of persuading individuals to work in hospitality, especially considering the prevailing preference for remote work?

The recruiting landscape has seen a significant transformation. Compared to a decade ago, the industry now emphasizes more creativity and innovation to attract top talent. Standard job boards are less favored, focusing on exploring diverse talent pools.

Technology has enhanced the recruiting field, facilitating a broader reach. Many are adopting tools and applicant tracking systems to secure top applicants and ensure a smooth onboarding experience, ultimately contributing to employee satisfaction.

Could you brief us about a project or initiative that you have been recently involved in?

In the hospitality sector, particularly in the competitive recruiting market, we're exploring innovative ways to identify top-quality candidates and ensure they're placed in roles where they can excel. To achieve this, we gather feedback from the field and the team.

We've incorporated assessments, such as the culture index, which gives us a personality assessment of applicants. This helps us better understand their potential for success and tailor their roles accordingly.

How do you foresee the future of the hospitality staffing industry in the next 12 to 18 months?

In the future, companies will likely focus more on visual elements, particularly in enhancing their careers page to showcase the company culture and attract more visually oriented applicants. Nowadays, individuals browsing for jobs make quick decisions based on a brief glance at the careers page. It's crucial to engage them within that two-second window.

I see the industry moving toward creating and posting videos of company culture, utilizing photos, and, overall, adopting a more visual approach to capture and attract quality candidates. The shifting trend is about addressing what's in it for them and adapting strategies to align with those preferences.

What advice would you give to your peers and upcoming professionals in this field?

The key advice I can give, something I live by every day, is to stay true to yourself. The field of HR is undergoing significant changes, and the pressure to adapt and meet new standards can lead to burnout.

By staying true to ourselves, recognizing our expertise in the industry, and maintaining a focus on the teams, we contribute to the industry’s strength as a whole and fortify our own companies.

 

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