Renewed vision for the iconic Amstel Hotel, by Director of HR: Brian Verrijp
Brian Verrijp is the dynamic Director of HR at the prestigious Amstel Hotel. Since he started on May 1st, Brian has been experiencing the unique atmosphere of working in a renowned hotel. With a background in hospitality , Brian has developed a deep appreciation for the magic and allure of the hotel world. His passion for HR began during his graduation internship in a dynamic hotel in London, which taught him valuable lessons about teamwork and resilience. We explore Brian's career, reveal the sources of his inspiration, and highlight the ambitions and strategic visions he has for the Amstel Hotel.
First steps in hospitality
My journey in hospitality began with a hotel school education at NHTV, now known as BUAS (Breda University of Applied Sciences). With an internship in London, I landed in the world of luxury hotels. My career included various operational roles before I transitioned to HR, again through an internship at the same hotel chain where I had previously worked in London.
Immediately after a six-month internship, I had the opportunity to fill an HR role. Despite my limited experience, I developed a strong interest in personnel management during this internship. Particularly motivating and developing colleagues and placing the right person in the right position fascinated me. These responsibilities had a direct impact on the guest experience, which further sparked my interest. With the freedom to operate independently, I took on HR responsibilities, including conducting conversations with employees, allowing me to effectively fulfil my role.
Leadership in times of crisis
My career as a manager began just before the pandemic, which was a very challenging time to step in. I was immediately thrown in at the deep end. There, I truly learned how to keep hope alive with a team in these exceptional situations. Standing strong together was essential. For my first job on a management team, this was quite an intense experience. That experience taught me a lot about teamwork and resilience in tough times.
In HR, there is rarely a fixed script, as much depends on the people in front of you and their personalities. You learn mainly through direct experience, by challenging yourself and 'jumping in at the deep end'. This hands-on approach has helped me grow quickly in my role and has been crucial for my development as an HR professional.
The importance of employee satisfaction for success
In hospitality, especially in hotels, guest satisfaction is essential for success and it starts with the staff. Without a dedicated and satisfied team, a hotel cannot function. Their engagement and motivation directly influence the guest experience and service quality.
As an employer, it is important to support the well-being and motivation of your staff. The success of your service depends not only on the skills of your staff but also on their well-being, satisfaction, and engagement. These elements are foundational for the hotel's reputation; a happy team leads to satisfied guests, which in turn contributes to the success of the hotel.
Important mentors on the road to success
One of my most influential mentors, Elly van de Wouw, was my former Director of HR, who gave me the opportunity to grow in HR after my internship. I strongly believe that in your career, there should always be someone who sees potential in you and gives you the space to take initiative, make mistakes, and learn from them. This person must also inspire you. I have been fortunate to meet such a person. That support and the ability to make mistakes were indispensable for my development.
Keys to success in hospitality: passion, motivation, and authenticity
To be successful in hospitality, you really need to want guests to enjoy their experience. Passion, motivation, and the desire to please are essential. This requires that you love your work and that your values align with those of the company so that you can be authentic at work. Here, you learn everything you need, but personal motivation is important. In a luxury hotel like the Amstel Hotel, a penchant for luxury and the ability to provide special service are important. You must be the same person at work as at home and feel comfortable in a luxurious environment. This enables you to provide excellent and memorable service that satisfies our guests.
If you aspire to a career in hospitality, it is important to be genuinely interested in the people around you and to be honest about your own skills. No one knows everything; it is essential to surround yourself with people who can support and inspire you. Recognize your own specialities and limitations. Honesty and authenticity are crucial.
The importance of careful recruitment in HR
In my first year of HR, I sometimes hired people too quickly under the pressure of department heads, a practice known as "panic hiring". This occurs when you urgently need someone and make a quick decision. I quickly learned that this is ineffective because it takes a lot of time to hire and train someone who eventually leaves. This has emphasized the importance of carefully considering who you hire, even under time pressure. From my HR experience, I now know that it is better to take the time to find the right person, which saves time and money in the long run.
New directions in hospitality
The world of hospitality work has changed significantly, especially in terms of employment conditions, which have now greatly improved, especially at large hotels and chains. There is more attention to working conditions and well-being. A good work-life balance is now more important, especially for new generations in the job market.
Work must be meaningful; employees want to contribute and make an impact. Employers must provide space for this 'sense of purpose', which not only enhances the connectedness and satisfaction of employees but also improves their performance.
Recruitment and Retention
A major current challenge in recruitment is that candidates rarely fit perfectly within pre-established job profiles. We have become more flexible: motivation and passion are more important than perfect skills because we are willing to train. As a result, we spend more time on training and onboarding new employees. Employees nowadays want to grow and advance more quickly, so we offer realistic guidance and clear communication.
Challenges of staff shortages
We focus on motivation, engagement, and well-being in both the current team and potential new employees. As a leading hotel in Amsterdam, we strive to positively influence the image of the hospitality industry, also in our recruitment. An ongoing project is making our employees and their success stories more visible, to enrich the experience of our hotel and lower the threshold for visitors. With our new recruitment initiatives, we show the faces of the Amstel Hotel. The idea is that this creates a certain accessibility. For example, come in and experience the Amstel Hotel for yourself, taste the atmosphere, and talk to our employees.
Striving for meaning: goals at the Amstel Hotel
Our future goals include continuously improving primary and secondary employment conditions and developing a meaningful workplace with a social impact. We are constantly looking for ways to contribute to the surrounding community. This makes our work special and meaningful. I strive for a work environment where people feel at home and can grow.
At 29, I am proud of my achievements, but even more proud of the difference I have (hopefully) been able to make for my colleagues over the years. In my role within HR, I focus not only on professional development but also on personal growth and the human aspects of work, which gives me great satisfaction.
Are you interested in a challenging career at one of the most iconic hotels in Amsterdam? Discover the career opportunities at Amstel Hotel Amsterdam.