Marriott International is actively recruiting U.S. military veterans to work at its hotels, where it has an average of 3,000 openings in the U.S. at any one time.
New research conducted by the company confirms what many already knew: the values learned in military service are a perfect match for the hospitality industry overall, and for Marriott’s culture specifically. To appeal to former military as well as those who are in their last months of service, the company has ramped up its outreach to more than 500 military bases around the world, and launched a new web site just for vets: www.marriottvetcareers.com.
Although recruiting military veterans has been a part of Marriott’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy for many years, the company fine-tuned its strategy based on extensive research among hundreds of veterans who now work for the company. “We learned loyalty, respect, integrity, and honor are all words that veterans would use when they talk about their military family,” said Karl Fischer, Marriott International’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Americas. “These are very similar to the words that Marriott associates use to describe our company culture.”
The new website helps veteran job seekers identify the right opportunities through a Military Occupation Translator tool, developed with assistance from Military.com. The site even allows job seekers to apply via their mobile devices if desired.
Marriott is partnering with several veteran organizations to reach out to over 500 bases and US military installations around the world to reach active military personnel who are in their last months of service and actively looking for a civilian career. Additionally, the company has strengthened partnerships with Wounded Warriors, Easter Seals, VetFran and Military.com among others, and has been an active participant at Veteran Job Fairs.
With thousands of jobs available at more than 665 Marriott managed hotels in the United States, veterans have a broad range of opportunities based on their skills and expertise. The company is especially seeking positions in the areas of operations, culinary and administration.
“In the military you need the whole team to be successful. As Banquet Captain at the Marriott Orlando World Center, it’s the same way,” said Lawrence Delarco, former USMC Artilleryman. “To deliver excellent customer satisfaction you have to work in sync as a team. It’s not a result that can be achieved by one person no matter how hard he or she works.”
