Hi! My name is Isis Reijnen, 19 years old and living in Veldhoven, a village near Eindhoven. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, eating good food and walking/running. I have been working full-time at WestCord Hotel Eindhoven as a F&B Supervisor for almost a year now.

During my graduation project for my Management study, I was looking for a nice, versatile internship. Coincidentally, another student had also worked at WestCord Hotel Eindhoven the previous year and told me that it was highly recommended. I ended up doing my graduation internship at the hotel and I enjoyed it so much during this time that I wanted to stay!

During my internship, I already noticed how comfortable I was at WestCord. When I subsequently got the chance to return as supervisor, it felt like an enormous appreciation. Since then I have continued to develop myself by taking on new tasks, such as managing colleagues, organizing behind the scenes and serving as Duty Manager.

'‘It feels good to grow into a role that really suits me.’'

When I come in to work, the first thing I look at is the reservations during the day for the bar/restaurant area. We often have groups in the house with special arrangements. I always make sure I know exactly what is going to happen and what I need to do for this. I also check the schedule for that day and see if I need to make any adjustments in case of illness etc. I also check the occupancy of the hotel. During the day I work in the operation and make sure I manage my colleagues. Of course we also have pleasant conversations about daily matters 😊.

I run both breakfast, lunch and dinner which makes every day look different for me. On the floor I'm busy with fixed tasks that need to be done throughout the day, for example mise en place for the bar. I also do some behind-the-scenes work keeping track of stock, placing/checking orders and some administrative tasks. After my shift I write another short report in case I was Duty manager, this means that during your shift you are the point of contact for the colleagues who are working and are responsible when calamities occur.

What do I like most about my position?

The thing I like most about my job is the guest contact. Every guest is in the hotel for a different reason and has his or her own story. Therefore, I like to have a chat with our guests. I also like that I am given responsibility and the freedom to think along. I get the space to show myself, which ensures that I continue to grow. We also have a very nice team where we can build on each other. The atmosphere is good, and that really makes a difference.

What is most important to you in a job?

For me, a good working atmosphere is the number one thing. You spend a lot of time with your colleagues, so it's important that this cooperation is good. I also value variety and challenges. Sitting still is not for me - I enjoy picking up new things all the time.

What do you want to develop further in next time?

I have more than five years of experience in the hospitality industry and I am still learning every day. In the coming time I would like to develop further in areas behind the scenes, such as a bit of payroll and budgeting. Because I have been working in the hospitality industry for so long, I have had many different experiences, which is why I would like to delve a little more into the sides of the business that I do not yet know.

What is your highlight so far in your job at WestCord Hotels?

I would say my highlight so far has been getting the appreciation of returning as an employee instead of an intern. It really felt like confirmation that my work was appreciated. I also see some successful events as highlights, for example the 9th day Guus Meewis concerts. During these days, the hotel was extremely busy every day and we still managed to send everyone home with a satisfied feeling.

How would your colleagues describe you or what three compliments do your colleagues give you?

My colleagues would describe me as a cheerful, structured and helpful person. I am on the floor every day with a smile and colleagues can come to me with anything, I always try to help them the best I can. They also call me solution-oriented and say I know how to switch between different departments well. Sometimes I am called a “spider in the web” - someone who always keeps an overview. Even though I am still young and definitely have a lot to learn, I always stand my ground.