25 complete CWA’s job search and hospitality training

Twenty-five members of the CNMI Women’s Association participated in a two-day job search and hospitality certification course, under the leadership of Debra Inos, director for the CNMI Women’s Association.

Members of the CNMI Women’s Association after the interviewing sessions. (Contributed Photo)

Members learned about the keys to a successful job search and that it takes considerable effort to launch a truly successful job search.

“You all have a job right now and that job is to get a job,” said Jim Arenovski of Island Training Solutions, the instructor for the two-day event. “You are going to have to work hard to develop the skills to secure employment. Just like any skill, you will need to practice interviewing and the more you practice the better you will be and more likely to get job offers.”

The course covered the importance of interviewing skills and the need to practice these skills until you are great at answering key interview questions comfortable and concisely, including a two-hour session on live interview techniques and the do’s and don’ts of interviewing. Participants were provided tips and feedback on interviewing by Maureen Sebangiol of Island Training Solutions and Jill Arenovski of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

The course include lectures on communications and effective listening, goal setting and time management as well as customer service. These skills will help them be better prepared for answering questions in their interviews and when they enter the hospitality industry. Each member will get individual feedback on improving their résumés and the group will get two 1.5-hour follow up sessions to keep them on track.

One important section included communicating and getting the support from the family about the entering the job market. When looking for a job and when you eventually secure employment, discussions on how to plan transportation, caring for children and their activities, chores, and meals all have to be had to ensure long-term success.

The training had two professional women working in the industry as guest speakers.

Members were provided lunch and a tour of Kanoa Resort and discussion by General Manager Wendi Herring about her journey through the ranks in the hospitality business.

Vicky Benavente, executive assistant for the Pacific Island Club, opened the second day of training, getting the group prepared to learn more about the opportunities and careers in the hotel and resort business.

Both speakers emphasized the importance of a positive attitude and the willingness to start at the bottom and work their way up.

The two-day session included lunch at Restaurant 360 and was capped by the teaching of the American Hotel and Lodging Institutes Guest Service Gold program. The program teaches the softer skills needed to be a great hospitality employee, including initiative, anticipating customer needs, delighting the customer, follow through, empathy and going beyond the job description.

Each participant will get a certificate from Island Training Solution for the Job Search Skills class and those passing the GOLD certification exam will receive their certificate from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.

“This class helped me understand that looking for a job is more than just filling out applications and submitting résumés, said one participant. “I never really thought of going into the hotel business before, but this training opened my eyes and I now want to work in a hotel.”

For more information about the CNMI Women’s Association and it efforts to improve employability of the NMI residents, contact Debra Inos at 233-8978.

For more information about training for your organization contact Jim Arenovski at 287-7037. (PR)