Leyunesh “Lea” Zemene got to know the Cincinnati Works staff well in recent weeks. Upon completing the JumpStart workshop, she worked diligently to land a job, meeting regularly with coaches and support staff to fine-tune her resume and prepare herself for interviews.
Just as important as knowing the staff, she knew the job she wanted: front desk at the Hilton Netherland Plaza.
“When you think of it, you just think of quality,” Zemene said.
Though she had not previously worked in a hotel, she learned in JumpStart how to sell the customer-service skills she honed in restaurant and health-care jobs. She applied for front-desk positions at multiple hotels in the area, including the Hilton. She had opportunities to interview for various cashier and waitress jobs but kept her eyes on one prize.
A few weeks after applying for the job at the Hilton, she had not yet heard back, so she tried the direct approach: “I walked over there and let them know I want the job,” Zemene said.
She asked to speak to human resources and emphasized her skills and passion for the job. The HR representative was impressed enough to schedule a formal interview the next day. Zemene aced it and got the job. She proudly returned to our office yesterday to ring the bell in celebration.