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How this Langham MD keeps turnover down

“The benefits of peer hiring, having colleagues involved in line staff hiring are numerous. Applicants are not intimidated, they already have a friend when they start work, and the person on the hiring panel learns interviewing skills,” says Andrew Jessop, managing director of The Langham, Melbourne, Australia.

He started this hiring concept after joining the 387-room hotel in November 2018. Its employee roster of 480, which includes in-house laundry and a bakery, has the lowest turnover in town but, even so, every month about 10 additional hires are needed. The hotel’s latest hiring fair, Job Show, took place a couple of weeks ago. 

Andrew Jessop on his way to help out, 7 a.m. at The Langham Melbourne
Andrew Jessop on his way to help out, 7 a.m. at The Langham Melbourne

With help from a job search website, “we usually attract 200 people to the hotel,” Jessop said. “Each has a 15-minute conversation with three representatives of the hotel. These panels are composed of someone from HR, a manager from relevant vacancy department and a line staff member from that department.” He does not yet have figures for the most recent show, but after last month’s first round, 49 were invited back to the second round and eight were hired.

“I also feel that Job Show allows existing team members on these panels feel renewed passion for the industry,” explained Jessop, who himself remains intrinsically passionate about hospitality (his father, a dairy farmer, taught him always to shake hands, with those above and below him). “Job Show applicants find talking with those who are already at the hotel indicates what an exciting life this is. This is a busy hotel, averaging 90% occupancy year-round, thanks to events at the adjacent convention center, and a constant stream of major sports events, which include the Australian Open tennis tournament, Formula One and, pinnacle of the racing world, the Melbourne Cup,” Jessop said.

His own enthusiasm must, also, rub off on new hires. “After a spell in charge of development for Langham Hotels and Resorts it is so good to be back in operations. I am onsite by 7 a.m. every day, and I love working the fresh juice machine at the breakfast buffet or doing a spell as a bellman,” he laughed.

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