Amy's journey in the hotel industry: from shy student to confident manager

The job application process can be challenging, especially when you're just starting your career. Amy, a young hotel professional with a promising future in hospitality, has experienced this firsthand. Despite her young age, she has already held several roles in the hotel industry, ranging from front office staff to supervisor. Over the past few years, she has changed jobs multiple times, but it was these experiences that shaped her and led her to where she is now in the hospitality sector. In this article, Amy van Leeuwen shares her career journey, the obstacles she encountered, and the lessons she learned along the way.

How my passion for hospitality began: a personal journey

My adventure in hospitality began quite unexpectedly. After graduating from secondary hotel school, I wasn’t entirely sure if this was the right industry for me. I was still quite shy and didn’t know exactly what I wanted. At the time, some even encouraged me to try something else, thinking hospitality wasn’t the right fit for me. However, I quickly dismissed that advice when I started working for a hospitality staffing agency. It was the diversity in hospitality—working at different locations, such as hotels and restaurants—that truly attracted me. That was the moment I realized: this is my world.

Ups and downs

I’ve held a wide range of roles, from front desk staff to duty manager. My first real experience was at Bastion Hotels, where I worked as an assistant hotel manager. While I enjoyed my time there, I quickly realized that I valued personal guest contact more, which was something I missed in that role.

From hotel manager to pizza delivery

My next step was at INK Hotel in Amsterdam. This is where I truly found my groove. The Amsterdam hospitality scene is known for its directness, and I discovered that I really enjoyed that. At INK, I learned a lot about hospitality and the importance of personal attention for guests. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to things, and my contract couldn’t be extended. Sitting still wasn’t an option for me, so I soon started working at a restaurant at Landal GreenParks. Even in the midst of the pandemic, I stayed active in hospitality, even temporarily delivering pizzas.

After that period, I returned to the hotel industry. A few months later, I had the opportunity to work at Apollo Hotels, once again at the front desk. While I found some stability in my work again, it still didn’t feel like home. A phone call from INK Hotels changed that. They asked if I wanted to come back, and it felt like the right step. I had worked there before and knew that the direct guest contact and the team suited me well.

However, over time, I realized I was ready for the next step in my career. I wanted to grow, and I eventually did as a front office supervisor at Innside. It was a big leap, moving from a hotel with 149 rooms to one with 328. Although I learned a lot, I realized that working in large hotels wasn’t for me—I missed the personal guest contact again.

From all-round experience to hotel management

Through a friend, I found my way to Cityden Aparthotels, a small hotel chain where hospitality and personal contact are central. Here, I’ve had the chance to experience various aspects of hotel management, from leading teams to working in the restaurant. This has given me the confidence that I will one day achieve my goal: becoming a hotel manager.

Key moments and influences

My leadership roles have been both challenging and rewarding. I encountered situations I had never dealt with before, such as revenue meetings. Although I had learned about these topics during my studies, real-life experience is always different. I learned by doing, asking questions, and most importantly, making mistakes. It was all about learning on the job, and that’s what ultimately boosted my confidence in my work.

A key figure during this time was my manager, Erik Nieuwenhuis. He gave me the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. His support and trust helped me grow, and now I feel much more confident as a leader.

The challenges of the job application process

When I moved to Katwijk and began searching for a new job, I specifically chose Hotelprofessionals as my job platform. What I really appreciate about Hotelprofessionals is that you get directly in touch with the right person, often someone from operations. This makes the application process much more personal and efficient, which is something I value highly.

When searching for a job, location was one of the most important factors for me.

I wanted to work closer to home to avoid long commutes. Additionally, I was looking for a place where I could have input and room for creativity. I found these qualities in Hotel Noordzee, where I’m now working happily.

My future vision and advice for others

Looking back, I would advise my younger self to always stay true to yourself when searching for a job. Find something that truly suits you, even if others have different opinions. When you do something you enjoy, you’ll naturally become good at it. Networking is also essential in hospitality; many of my opportunities arose from connections I built over the years.

Looking ahead, I see myself growing into a hotel manager or operational manager role at a small chain in the next five years. Ultimately, my dream is to open my own hotel, though I’ll need to save up a bit more for that!

The key to success in hospitality

My advice for others aspiring to a career in hospitality? Do what you love, and you’ll naturally become good at it. Make sure you enjoy your work, because that not only makes it easier to learn but also to succeed. Networking is important, but especially when it helps you connect with people who share your passion.

I’ve learned that learning on the job is just as valuable, if not more so, than formal education. Of course, education is important, but in the end, it’s about what you learn in practice. You get much further by asking questions, making mistakes, and learning from the experiences you gain in the field.

Are you interested in a challenging career at the Hotel Noordzee in Katwijk? Discover the career opportunities.