New Manchester hotel to fill 50 jobs with X-Factor-style auditions

The companies behind an upcoming dual-branded hotel in Manchester are recruiting up to 50 staff through X-Factor-style auditions.

Bosses at the Staybridge Suites and Crowne Plaza hotel on Oxford Road confirmed plans for a four-day audition process to identify candidates with “the most personality, creativity and passion”.

Jobseekers will be observed as they work through several creative group tasks, including customer service scenarios, creative Lego construction and a ‘Beat the Clock’ challenge.

The hotel will also recruit its full team of chefs through a Ready Steady Cook-style audition day. Participants will be judged by newly appointed executive head chef Nathaniel Farrel, who is due to head up the hotel’s 120-cover restaurant The Laureate.

Andrew Fletcher, general manager of the 19-storey hotel, which opens this spring, said: “Having hospitality experience is not essential. What we are looking for is true individuals who display heaps of personality, real enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make all our guests feel as welcome as possible.

“At the same time, we will be looking out for behavioural patterns in each candidate that mirrors the values of the Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites brands, and the parent company InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).”

He continued: “We need to seek out those star individuals who we believe will be able to deliver the best customer service. As such having no previous hotel industry experience is less of a priority than having the right personality to help create a welcoming environment where guests can feel truly at home.”

The auditions will be held at Ziferblat in MediaCityUK on various dates this month.

Andrew Fletcher added: “This style of recruitment may seem a little bit unusual but I have always believed in having a fun and engaged workforce who will bring energy, enthusiasm and personality to their role.

“Our employees are fundamental to our ability to deliver outstanding service, and the audition days will be the perfect platform to ensure we uncover Manchester’s next hospitality stars.”

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