Situation & Targets
Where things stand and where we are going| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | London — no relocation. All roles must be London-based. |
| Right to work | Youth Mobility Visa — confirm expiry date before each application |
| Quals status | ENIC confirmed 2026-05-25 — Cert III + IV (AIPT) comparability accepted. Register with REPs to unlock hotel wellness roles. |
| Fitness reg | Now eligible to register with REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals UK). Do this immediately. |
| Hotel tier target | 4-star and below. 5-star luxury brands removed from active search — build experience first, move up later. |
| Start date | Immediate |
| Moved to London | December 2025 — building career and client base here |
Target tier: 4-star and below. Jumeirah, Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, and Dorchester Collection removed — build hotel experience first at 3-4 star, move to 5-star later.
| Priority | Role type | Why it fits Vincent | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Primary | Guest Ambassador / Lobby Host / Guest Experience Agent | citizenM-style ambassador role is the sweet spot — guest-facing, energy-led, not tied to PMS desk work. Warm presence, communication, service instinct. Directly analogous to private client management. | citizenM, Moxy, Aloft, Hoxton, Ace Hotel, Locke, Zedwell |
| 2 — Strong | Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer | ENIC confirmed 2026-05-25. Cert III + IV now recognised. Register with REPs immediately to unlock hotel wellness and commercial gym roles. Strong match — self-employed PT background, premium client experience. | Hilton, DoubleTree, Marriott health clubs, PureGym, Third Space, Nuffield |
| 3 — Strong | Porter / Luggage Porter / Doorman | Entry route at 4-star brands. Physical, service-focused, no PMS requirement. Gets foot in the door at named hotel properties. Bridge to front office progression. | Imperial London Hotels, Hilton 4-star, DoubleTree, Crowne Plaza |
| 4 — Open | Piano Teacher (private / studio) | Grade 8 piano is a rare and credible qualification. Private teaching is immediately viable — no employer required. Suits the self-employed model already in place. Can run alongside hotel work or independently. | Private clients, music schools, prep schools, online via Zoom |
| 5 — Fallback | F&B / Room Service / Banqueting & Events | Events background from Melbourne. Transferable but not the target track unless other options are slow. | Imperial, Hilton, Marriott F&B teams |
Complete skills inventory. Use the "How to use" column to decide what to surface per role type.
| Skill / Strength | Level / Evidence | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Personal training and coaching | Cert III + IV (AIPT) — ENIC confirmed. 3 years self-employed private practice. | Lead for all fitness and wellness roles. Frame for hotel roles as: client care, relationship management, accountability. |
| Programme design and progress tracking | Private client practice — strength, functional fitness, lifestyle transformation. | Relevant to hotel fitness instructor and PT roles. Shows methodical, results-focused approach. |
| Piano — Grade 8 | ABRSM Grade 8 (or equivalent). Highest standard level before diploma. | Opens private teaching, prep school, music school roles immediately. Mention in cover letters for lifestyle and arts-adjacent hotels. Distinctive personal detail in any interview. |
| BCom — Economics and Finance | University of Melbourne, 2018. | Frame as: "I understand how a business works, not just how to serve guests." Stronger for supervisory, front office, or revenue-adjacent roles. |
| Masters in Analytics | RMIT University, 2022. | De-emphasise for entry roles (can intimidate). Use for roles with data, reporting, or operations component. Strong signal of intellectual ability. |
| Customer service and guest experience | Consistent across all roles — PT clients, Buff Events, Rainbow Social, Melbourne Spikers. | Lead for all hotel and hospitality roles. Specific: "I have been the first point of contact for guests and clients across multiple settings." |
| Event management and coordination | Queer Sports Social, Midsumma Carnival, Pride March (Melbourne Spikers). Buff Events guest welcome and event prep. | Use for F&B, C&E, and lobby-facing roles. Shows operational capability under live conditions. |
| Community leadership | Board Member — Rainbow Social Melbourne (voluntary). Committee Member — Melbourne Spikers. | Signals initiative, reliability, and values. Relevant to hotels with strong community or DEI positioning. |
| Business development (self-employment) | Built and retained a private client base without institutional support in two cities. | Frame as: "I know how to build trust with new people and retain it." Relevant to any client-facing or sales-adjacent role. |
| International background | Singapore origin, Melbourne education and career, London from Dec 2025. | Comfort with diverse guests and teams. Relevant for international hotel chains. Mention naturally — do not over-play. |
| Languages | English (fluent). Some Mandarin exposure (Singapore background — confirm level). | Flag Mandarin if conversational or better — high value in London hotels with Asian guest demographics. |
| Gap | Impact | How to address |
|---|---|---|
| No hotel front office experience | Blocks many mid-tier and luxury receptionist roles | Apply to 3-4 star hotels that train on PMS. Frame all guest-facing experience as directly relevant. Get one hotel role first — then move up. |
| No UK fitness registration (REPS/REPs) | Blocks most hotel wellness roles that require it | Wait for ENIC result. Register with REPs once comparable quals confirmed. Meanwhile apply to commercial gyms where ENIC not required. |
| Youth Mobility Visa | Some employers will not sponsor or extend | Confirm visa expiry. Mention right to work proactively if asked. Focus on employers comfortable with YMV (most London hotels are). |
| Self-employment gap 2023-present | Some employers read it as "no employer wanted them" | Reframe clearly: "self-employed personal trainer — grew a private client base in Melbourne, relocated to London and continuing." Not a gap — a business. |
Application Pipeline
Active, pending, and shortlisted roles| Role | Employer | Applied | Status | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luggage Porter | Akatoki Hotel London (Seibu Prince Hotels) | 2026-05-28 | Active — awaiting interview | Referred by Nacho Fernandez. 5-star, 82 rooms, Forbes standards. CV + screening Q submitted. Prep in Interview Prep tab. |
| Fitness Instructor (The Peak Gym) | Jumeirah Carlton Tower | 2026-03-21 | Applied | Follow up if no response by 2026-04-04 |
| Fitness Instructor / PT | Premium Fitness Club, Palmers Green | 2026-03-21 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Personal Trainer | Roar Fitness, London Bridge | 2026-03-18 | Applied | Questionnaire submitted 2026-03-27 |
| Front Office (multiple) | Hyatt Regency The Churchill | 2026-03-18 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Fitness Coach (Part-Time 16hrs) | Hilton London Syon Park | 2026-03-19 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Concierge | The Peninsula London | 2026-03-07 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Baggage Attendant | The Peninsula London | 2026-03-07 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Evening Luggage Porter | Bankside Hotel | 2026-03-07 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Doorman | Sale e Pepe Mare (The Langham) | 2026-03-11 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Door Person | St Clement | 2026-03-11 | Applied | Awaiting response |
| Hotel Day Ambassador | citizenM London | 2026-03-23 | No offer — 2nd interview | Closed. Feedback: other candidates had more hospitality exposure. |
Top 5 — apply first
| Priority | Role | Hotel | Location | Why | Apply via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Receptionist (full training provided) | Westpoint Hotel (3-star) | Paddington, W2 | Best entry point — trains on PMS, no hotel experience required, afternoon shifts | jobtoday.com |
| 2 | Night Porter / All Rounder | Beds and Bars | Southwark, SE1 | Entry-friendly, no hotel background needed, gets foot in the door | indeed.co.uk |
| 3 | Night Receptionist L2 + Room Service / Bell Room | Imperial London Hotels (4-star) | Bloomsbury | Structured progression, strong brand, applies across all Imperial properties | leisurejobs.com |
| 4 | Guest Arrival Expert (Porter) | Marriott Courtyard / Moxy | South London, SE1 | Strong brand on CV, entry-level, porter role with brand recognition | careers.marriott.com |
| 5 | Doorman | Millennium Hotel (4-star) | Chelsea, SW10 | Confirmed salary £26,000-£26,500. Recent posting. Suits physical presence and service focus. | indeed.co.uk |
Lifestyle and design hotel brands — guest ambassador style roles
These brands hire for energy, warmth, and personality over formal hotel experience. The citizenM model. Priority targets.
| Role type | Brand | Tier | Why it fits | Apply via |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guest Ambassador / Host | citizenM (other properties) | 4-star lifestyle | Already reached 2nd interview — apply to other citizenM London properties | citizenm.com/careers |
| Guest Experience / Lobby | Moxy Hotels (Marriott) | 3-4 star lifestyle | Energetic, informal, personality-first brand. Multiple London properties. | careers.marriott.com |
| Guest Experience Expert | Aloft London Excel, E16 | 4-star lifestyle | Marriott lifestyle brand, less formal than full-service Marriott properties | careers.marriott.com |
| Host / Front Desk | The Hoxton | 4-star lifestyle | Independent lifestyle brand. Strong community ethos. 3 London properties. | thehoxton.com/jobs |
| Host / Guest Experience | Locke Hotels | 4-star aparthotel | Modern brand, community-led. Multiple London properties. Suits energetic personality. | lockeliving.com/careers |
| Hotel Team Member | Zedwell (Criterion/Piccadilly) | 3-4 star wellbeing | Wellbeing-focused brand — strong fit with fitness and wellness background | zedwellhotels.com |
| Front Desk / Operations | Hilton 4-star (DoubleTree, Hampton) | 4-star | Structured training, named brand on CV, multiple London properties | jobs.hilton.com |
Piano teaching — immediate parallel track
| Channel | Action | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Private clients (self-employed) | Post on local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and Mumsnet local. Grade 8 is a strong credential — lead with it. Set a rate: £40-60/hr is standard for Grade 8 qualified tutors in London. | Low — 1 hour to post |
| Tutoring platforms | Register on Superprof, Tutorful, and MyTutor. All accept independent tutors. No interview — just a profile and availability. | Low — 2-3 hours to set up profiles |
| Prep and private schools | Email peripatetic (visiting) music teacher enquiries to schools near where Vincent lives. Grade 8 + teaching interest is enough to get conversations started. | Medium — research local schools, write one template email |
| Music schools | London Music School, Trinity Music School, local conservatoires. Check their websites for associate teacher vacancies. | Medium |
| Step | Body | Submitted | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Comparability | UK ENIC (Ecctis) | 2026-03-23 | Confirmed 2026-05-25 | Cert III + IV (AIPT) comparability accepted. Now eligible to register with REPs. |
| REPs Registration | Register of Exercise Professionals UK | To do | Action required | Register now ENIC is confirmed. Unlocks hotel wellness roles and commercial gym applications that require UK fitness registration. |
ENIC confirmed 2026-05-25. Register with REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals UK) immediately — this is now unblocked. Confirmation of Level 2/3 equivalency opens hotel wellness roles, commercial gym roles, and any listing requiring UK registration.
Positioning — CV & Story
How to present Vincent's background for maximum impactThis works because it explains the career path honestly, does not apologise for the self-employment, and positions the analytics and commerce background as a strength rather than a mismatch.
Adapt by role
| Role type | What to emphasise | What to de-emphasise |
|---|---|---|
| Receptionist / Front Office | Client-facing communication, managing relationships, attention to detail, reliability | PT or fitness specifics — keep it guest-service focused |
| Fitness Instructor / PT | Qualifications, client results, programme design, professionalism in premium environments | BCom/Analytics unless it comes up naturally |
| Porter / Doorman | Physical capability, guest welcome experience, team player, punctuality, warmth | Over-qualifying — do not lead with Masters degree. It can worry employers who think you will leave quickly. |
| F&B / Events | Event management background (Rainbow Social, Melbourne Spikers), Buff Events guest experience | Analytics background |
- One page for porter/doorman/entry roles. Two pages acceptable for senior or specialist roles.
- The self-employment entry must read like a real business, not a gap: "Personal Fitness Trainer (Self-employed) — managed a portfolio of private clients in Melbourne and London. Programme design, client retention, and business development."
- The community roles (Rainbow Social, Melbourne Spikers) should appear under Voluntary / Leadership — they show reliability and initiative outside paid work.
- Lead with a two-line personal statement tailored to the role type. Do not use a generic one.
- Do not list all ten applications on one CV. Keep a base CV and tailor the personal statement and skills bullets per role type.
- Include LinkedIn URL (linkedin.com/in/vincteh/).
Four CVs to maintain
| CV version | For | Lead emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Front Office / Receptionist | All hotel front desk roles | Guest service, communication, reliability, accuracy |
| Fitness / Wellness | Hotel health clubs, commercial gyms | Quals, client management, coaching, programme design |
| Porter / Doorman | Entry luxury roles | Service attitude, physical capability, warmth, team player |
| F&B / Events | Restaurant and banqueting roles | Event experience, guest welcome, energy, hospitality values |
Three paragraphs. No more. Under 250 words.
- Why this role, why this property. One specific thing about the hotel — its reputation, its values, its guest experience. Show you looked.
- What you bring. Two or three concrete things from your background that are relevant. Not a list — a sentence or two that connects your experience to their need.
- Close. Short. "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further." No waffle.
- Headline: "Personal Trainer | Guest Services Professional | London" — not just "Personal Trainer"
- About section: 3-4 sentences using the core narrative above
- Open to Work turned on — set to "Hospitality, Guest Services, Fitness" roles in London
- Certifications section: Cert III + IV (AIPT) listed with dates
- Volunteer section: Rainbow Social Melbourne, Melbourne Spikers — both listed
- Skills endorsed: Customer Service, Event Management, Personal Training, Microsoft Office, Data Analysis
- Profile photo: professional, clear background
Where to Apply
Job boards, hotel portals, and direct channelsTarget tier: 4-star and below. Jumeirah, Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, Dorchester Collection, Rosewood, Corinthia, and Four Seasons removed — 5-star brands require prior hotel experience. Return to these once first hotel role is secured.
| Group / Brand | Portal | Tier | Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| citizenM | citizenm.com/careers | 4-star lifestyle | High | Already 2nd interview here. Apply to all other London properties. Perfect role fit. |
| Marriott (Moxy, Aloft, Courtyard) | careers.marriott.com | 3-4 star | High | Lifestyle sub-brands are lower pressure than full-service Marriott. Multiple London properties. |
| The Hoxton | thehoxton.com/jobs | 4-star lifestyle | High | 3 London properties. Community-led, personality-first hiring. Strong match. |
| Locke Hotels | lockeliving.com/careers | 4-star aparthotel | High | Modern brand. Multiple London properties. Guest-facing, community-focused. |
| Hilton (DoubleTree, Hampton, Garden Inn) | jobs.hilton.com | 3-4 star | High | 8+ London openings. Strong brand name on CV. Check weekly. |
| Imperial London Hotels | leisurejobs.com | 4-star | High | Multiple Bloomsbury properties. Structured progression. Receptionist L2 + porter roles both open. |
| Zedwell Hotels | zedwellhotels.com | 3-4 star wellbeing | High | Wellbeing brand — strong fit with fitness background. Piccadilly Circus location. |
| Accor (Novotel, Ibis Styles, Mercure) | careers.accor.com | 3-4 star | Medium | Large employer. Multiple brands and London properties. Good for volume applications. |
| IHG (Voco, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn) | careers.ihg.com | 3-4 star | Medium | Multiple London properties across brand tiers. |
| Hyatt (non-Churchill properties) | careers.hyatt.com | 3-4 star | Medium | Applied to Churchill (5-star). Check Hyatt Place and Hyatt House properties instead. |
| Site | Search terms | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer.com | "hotel receptionist London" / "fitness instructor hotel London" / "luggage porter London" | Luxury hotel ops roles. Best single source for named hotel brand roles. |
| Leisurejobs.com | "personal trainer London hotel" / "fitness instructor London" | Specialist for fitness and leisure roles. |
| Indeed UK | "front office London hotel" / "hotel porter London" / "hotel doorman London" | Volume. 276+ hotel openings. Good for filtering by salary and distance. |
| Glassdoor UK | "hotel receptionist London" | 207+ listings. Also useful for reading hotel culture before interviews. |
| Job Today | Hotel receptionist / front desk London | 3-star and entry-level roles with training. Best for Westpoint and similar. |
| Hosco | Hospitality-focused. Browse all London listings. | International hospitality platform — good for chain hotel roles. |
ENIC confirmed 2026-05-25. Register with REPs immediately — hotel wellness roles and commercial gym roles requiring UK registration are now accessible.
| Target | Approach | REPs required? |
|---|---|---|
| REPs Registration | Register at CIMSPA / REPs using ENIC confirmation letter. Do this first before applying to roles that require it. | N/A — this is the action |
| Hotel wellness (4-star) | DoubleTree, Hilton Garden Inn, Crowne Plaza, Marriott Courtyard health clubs. Now fully eligible to apply. | Yes — now met |
| Hospitality Staffing Agency | hospitality-staffing.agency — fitness instructor hotel London listing confirmed | CPT cert — now met |
| Third Space (premium) | thirdspace.london/careers — premium gym, suits PT background. High-end clientele. | Level 3 — now met |
| Equinox London | US premium brand. equinox.com/careers — international quals accepted. Premium pay. | Equivalent Level 3 — now met |
| PureGym London | puregym.com/careers — high volume, good for getting PT client base established in London | Level 2+ — now met |
| Nuffield Health | nuffieldhealth.com/careers — integrated health and fitness, stable employer | Level 2/3 — now met |
Grade 8 piano is a strong and credible qualification. Private teaching is viable immediately with no employer required. This can run alongside hotel work or independently while the job search continues.
Suggested rate: £40-65/hr in London for Grade 8 qualified tutors
| Channel | Action | Time to get first enquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorful | Create a profile at tutorful.co.uk — UK's largest tutoring platform. Grade 8 is a strong credential, list it prominently. | Days to weeks |
| Superprof | Register at superprof.co.uk — international platform, high London traffic. Set availability and rate. | Days to weeks |
| MyTutor | mytutor.co.uk — strong for GCSE and A-Level music theory alongside piano. Application required. | 1-2 weeks |
| Local Facebook groups | Post in local community groups and Nextdoor near where Vincent lives. "Piano lessons available — Grade 8 qualified, all ages and levels." Simple, free, immediate. | Days |
| Prep and private schools | Email peripatetic (visiting) music teacher enquiries to independent schools nearby. One template email, sent to 10-15 schools. Grade 8 + experience is enough to open conversations. | 1-4 weeks |
| Music schools | London Music School, Trinity Laban, local conservatoire associate programmes. Check websites for visiting teacher vacancies. | Variable |
Weekly Actions
Minimum viable job search — what to do each week| Day | Task | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Check all hotel portals for new postings. Note any new roles in the log. | 30 min |
| Tuesday | Write and send 2-3 applications from the shortlist. Tailor cover letter per role. | 60-90 min |
| Wednesday | Follow up on applications older than 2 weeks. One brief, professional email per role. | 20 min |
| Thursday | Check Caterer.com, Indeed, Leisurejobs for new roles. Add any to the shortlist. | 30 min |
| Friday | Update the application log. Note status changes. Reflect on any feedback received. | 15 min |
Most hotel HR teams receive dozens of applications. A brief follow-up after 10-14 days is professional, not pushy.
Follow-up email template
Dear [Name / Hiring Team],
I applied for the [role title] position at [hotel name] on [date] and wanted to follow up briefly to confirm my application was received and to reiterate my interest in the role.
I remain very keen and would welcome the chance to discuss my application further at your convenience.
Kind regards,
Vincent Teh
Keep it short. One follow-up only per application unless they respond. Do not follow up on roles applied via job boards where no direct contact details are available.
Quals — action first
- Register with REPs / CIMSPA using ENIC confirmation letter — unlocks hotel wellness and gym roles
Interview priority — Akatoki
- Read Akatoki prep section in Interview Prep tab — know the brand, the Japanese philosophy, Forbes standards
- Prepare 3 STAR stories: one PT (client relationship), one Buff Events (arrivals/cloakroom), one Rainbow Social (ambassador/guest connection)
- Check TripAdvisor and Glassdoor for Akatoki — understand what guests and staff say
- Confirm outfit: smart professional, clean shoes, well-groomed — Forbes-standard presentation starts at the interview
- Prepare your question to ask them (see Akatoki prep section)
Keep applications moving
- Apply: citizenM — all other London properties (already 2nd interview, strong fit)
- Apply: The Hoxton — check all 3 London properties for host/guest experience roles
- Apply: Locke Hotels — guest experience / host roles
- Apply: Westpoint Hotel — Receptionist with training (Paddington)
- Apply: Imperial London Hotels — Night Receptionist L2 (Bloomsbury)
Piano teaching — set up this week
- Create profile on Tutorful — Grade 8 piano tutor, all ages
- Create profile on Superprof
- Post in local Facebook / Nextdoor groups: piano lessons available
- Update Open to Work — add Guest Ambassador, Lobby Host, Fitness Instructor, Piano Teacher
- Add Grade 8 piano to Skills and Certifications sections
Piano Teaching
Grade 8 — immediate parallel income streamGrade 8 is the highest graded level before diploma. In London, a Grade 8 qualified piano teacher can charge £40-65/hr for private lessons. Demand is consistent — parents with school-age children, adult learners, GCSE and A-Level students.
This requires no employer, no visa sponsor, and no registration. It fits the self-employed model already in place from PT work. Set-up time is a few hours. It can run alongside any hotel role or independently while the search continues.
- Create tutor profile on Tutorful — UK's largest platform. List Grade 8 prominently. Set rate, availability, and travel radius.
- Create profile on Superprof — high London traffic, international learners
- Apply to MyTutor — good for GCSE Music theory alongside piano
- Post in local Facebook community groups and Nextdoor: "Piano lessons available — Grade 8 ABRSM qualified, all ages and levels welcome."
- Add "Piano Teacher" to LinkedIn headline and Open to Work. Add Grade 8 to Certifications.
Peripatetic (visiting) piano teaching at independent and prep schools pays £25-45/hr and offers regular, reliable sessions. Schools near Vincent's home area are the first targets.
Template email for schools
Dear [Name / Director of Music],
I am writing to enquire about peripatetic piano teaching opportunities at [school name]. I am a Grade 8 pianist based in London, available from [date]. I have experience working one-to-one with clients across a range of goals and ages, and I am keen to bring that to a school setting.
I would be happy to send a full CV or arrange a brief call at your convenience.
Kind regards,
Vincent Teh
Music schools and institutions to approach
| Institution | Approach |
|---|---|
| London Music School | Check website for associate teacher roles |
| Trinity Laban Conservatoire | Enquire about community programme teaching |
| Local prep and independent schools | Email Director of Music — one template, send to 10-15 schools |
| Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) | Music service for London schools — check for vacancies |
My background is in one-to-one coaching and I am used to adapting to how each person learns. Lessons are relaxed and practical. I focus on building real enjoyment of the instrument alongside whatever grade or goal you are working towards.
Available for in-person lessons [location] and online via Zoom.
Keep it short and warm. Parents choose tutors based on personality as much as qualification. The Grade 8 credential does the credibility work — the bio just needs to feel approachable.
Interview Prep
Key messages, likely questions, and how to answer them| Message | Supporting evidence |
|---|---|
| I am a natural people person. | Rainbow Social ambassador — the role was specifically about making new people feel welcomed and connected. Airbnb hosting in London — greeting guests, orienting them to the space, making them feel at home. Buff Events front-of-house — first point of contact for 200+ attendees. |
| I have genuine guest-facing experience. | Airbnb hosting is directly analogous to hotel work — guests arrive not knowing the space, rely on you to orientate them, and leave reviews based entirely on how looked after they felt. Rainbow Social and Buff Events involved welcoming, check-in, and guest management in live environments. |
| I am here for the long term. | Moved to London permanently December 2025. Building a life and a career here. Not passing through. |
"That is a fair question. Since moving to London I have been hosting guests through Airbnb — and that experience is closer to hotel work than most people realise. Guests arrive not knowing the space, they rely on you entirely for their first impression, and the reviews they leave are based on how looked after they felt. Before that, I spent years on the welcome and guest experience side of large community events in Melbourne — check-in, orientating new people, making sure nobody feels lost. I am coming in ready to learn the hotel-specific systems. What I do not need to be taught is how to make a person feel looked after from the moment they arrive."
"I am originally from Singapore, studied in Melbourne, and moved to London at the end of 2025. Since being here I have been hosting guests through Airbnb — welcoming people, showing them around, making sure they feel at home — and that experience made me realise how much I enjoy the guest-facing side of things. Before that I spent a few years in community event work in Melbourne, running the welcoming and guest experience side of large social events. I am a natural people person and hospitality feels like the right industry to build a career in."
"Hotels are one of the few industries where the product is entirely about how you make someone feel. I find that genuinely exciting. I want to work in an environment where service quality is the standard and the team around me shares that commitment."
If it is a luxury property specifically: "I have spent three years working with clients who expect the best and I understand what that standard means in practice. I want to work somewhere that holds itself to the same level."
Use the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Pick one specific story — not a general claim. Best options:
- Airbnb: A guest arrived late, tired, or with a problem — how you handled it, what you did, and how they left feeling. Reviews are the result.
- Rainbow Social: Someone arrived at an event not knowing anyone — how you spotted that, went over, made introductions, and made them part of the room. The result: they came back.
- Buff Events: A guest had a booking issue at check-in during a busy arrival period — how you stayed calm, resolved it quickly, and kept the queue moving without making them feel like a problem.
End with the result: what the guest/person said, whether they came back, whether they left a positive review.
"In London, building a hospitality career. I want to develop depth in front office operations and progress into a supervisory role over the next two to three years. I am committed to this industry and this city."
Do not mention wanting to return to Australia or go back to full-time PT — even if true, it is not what the interviewer needs to hear.
Know the property
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Brand | Akatoki Hotel London — part of Seibu Prince Hotels, a Japanese luxury group. "Akatoki" means dawn in Japanese — the promise of tranquility and the start of something new. This philosophy should come through in service: calm, attentive, unhurried. |
| Property | 82 rooms. 5-star. Central London. New and expanding brand — 250 hotels planned across 10 brands internationally. |
| Standards | Forbes Travel Guide. Inspectors score ~900 criteria. Porters are scored on: greeting timing, name usage, luggage handling care and speed, room orientation, departure handling, genuine warmth. |
| Why you applied | Nacho Fernandez mentioned it — he spoke warmly about the people there. Looked into the brand after and was drawn to the Japanese philosophy behind it — the Akatoki idea and the calm, welcoming feeling that carries through into how the hotel presents itself. |
| Benefits to acknowledge | Staff experience stay for new starters, birthday leave, progressive holiday allowance, Perkbox, uniform + cleaning, meal on duty. Shows you researched and are interested in the culture. |
Role-specific questions they will likely ask
"A friend of mine, Nacho Fernandez, told me about it. He mentioned the people there are really lovely and that stuck with me. I looked into it after and really liked what Akatoki is about. The Japanese background, the whole idea of the dawn and that calm, welcoming feeling — it comes through in how the hotel presents itself and that's something I want to be part of."
"Yes — Forbes assess across hundreds of criteria and the key thing they look for beyond the technical is whether the service feels genuine. You can train someone to open a door in 4 seconds, but you cannot train someone to make a person feel like they matter. That is the part I am already comfortable with."
"Very much so. I am a personal trainer — physical fitness is not just a requirement for me, it is something I actively maintain as part of my lifestyle. I understand the demands of a full shift on your feet and I have no concerns about that side of it."
"Completely. I am available immediately and fully flexible across the week. I understand hospitality does not stop on weekends and I have no issue with that."
Question to ask them
"I would acknowledge it straight away without making excuses — guests do not need reasons, they need to feel heard. Then I would tell them exactly what I am doing to resolve it and give them a realistic timeframe. In my PT work I have handled situations where a client was frustrated — a session running late, a venue issue — and the response that works every time is to be calm, direct, and take action rather than talk about it."
"First, stay calm in front of the guest — they need to see someone in control. Check the bell room thoroughly including any overflow areas. If it is not there, escalate to my supervisor immediately and loop in the front desk. Keep the guest informed throughout — I would not disappear and leave them waiting. And in future, that is exactly why tagging and logging every piece of luggage properly matters from the moment it comes in."
"It starts before they say a word. Move towards them, not wait for them to come to you. Make eye contact and smile before you open your mouth. Take the bag before they have to ask. Use their name if you have it. I have been doing exactly this as an Airbnb host — guests arrive not knowing the space, sometimes tired or anxious from a journey, and your job in those first 30 seconds is to make them feel like everything is taken care of. That same instinct is what I brought to event welcome roles — reading the room, spotting who needs orienting, making people feel expected."
"Communicating clearly and not waiting to be asked. If I can see a colleague is busy with a guest and another guest needs help, I step in. If I am handing off a situation to someone else I give them everything they need to carry it — the guest's name, what the issue is, what I have already done. In my event work, that kind of handoff communication was essential — you could not leave someone in the dark mid-event."
Day before
- Read the hotel's "About" and "Our Story" pages — note the brand values and any specific language they use about hospitality
- Check Glassdoor for staff reviews — what do current staff say about management and culture?
- Read 10 recent TripAdvisor reviews — what do guests praise most? This tells you what the hotel values.
- Know the star rating and any awards (Forbes Travel Guide stars, AA Rosettes)
- Know the parent group (e.g. Seibu Prince Hotels for Akatoki) and their expansion plans if mentioned publicly
- Plan the route — know exactly how to get there, how long it takes, and a backup route
- Confirm what you are wearing — clean, pressed, professional. Suit or smart trousers and shirt minimum. Shoes polished.
- Re-read the job description — know the three key duties they listed and have an answer for each
- Prepare two or three specific stories from your experience using STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- Prepare one strong question to ask them at the end
Morning of
- Leave early — arrive 10 minutes before, not 1 minute before
- Eat beforehand — low blood sugar affects recall and confidence
- Do not check social media or stressful messages in the hour before — protect headspace
- Read the Three Messages section above on the way there — anchor your core narrative
| Area | What to do |
|---|---|
| Pace | Slow down. Nerves make people speak faster. Take a breath before answering. One second of pause looks considered, not uncertain. |
| Eye contact | Maintain natural eye contact — not staring, not looking away constantly. If there are two interviewers, address your answer to the one who asked but glance to the other so both feel included. |
| Body language | Sit up straight, feet on the floor, hands relaxed on the table or in your lap. Do not cross arms. Do not fidget with a pen or phone. |
| Silence from them | If they pause or nod without responding after you answer, do not fill it with more talking. You have answered. Let it sit. Silence from them is thinking, not disapproval. |
| Flat face / neutral expression | Some interviewers show no warmth — it is their style, not a signal about your performance. Keep going as though the energy is good. Do not mirror their flatness. |
| If you forget mid-answer | "Let me think about that for a moment" is completely acceptable. Pause, collect your thought, continue. It reads as considered, not blank. |
| When you don't know something | Be honest: "I haven't worked in a hotel before so I'd be learning that on the job — but here's what I'd draw on..." Turn it into a bridge, not an apology. |
| Energy | This is a guest-facing role. They are assessing how you come across, not just what you say. Warm, engaged, present — not performing, but not flat either. Be the version of you that welcomes a friend. |
Same day
Write down what was asked and how you answered — while it is fresh. This feeds the next interview. Note anything that felt weak so it can be prepared better next time.
Follow-up email — send within 24 hours
Dear [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I enjoyed learning more about Akatoki and the team, and I left feeling even more enthusiastic about the role.
I am very keen to be considered further and happy to provide anything additional you need.
Kind regards,
Vincent Teh
Keep it short. One paragraph. The goal is to be remembered positively — not to add new information. Send it to the person who interviewed you if you have their direct email, otherwise to the HR contact from the application.
If you do not hear back
Wait 5-7 business days after the interview before following up. One follow-up only. After that, move on — not because it is over, but because the energy is better spent on the next opportunity.
- Read the hotel's "About" page — note its positioning (luxury, lifestyle, heritage, etc.)
- Check Glassdoor for staff reviews — understand the culture before you walk in
- Read recent TripAdvisor reviews — what do guests praise and complain about? This tells you what matters to management.
- Know the star rating and any awards (AA Rosettes, Forbes Travel Guide stars)
- Know who owns or operates the property (brand vs. independent)
- Prepare one specific question about the role or team — shows genuine interest
Mindset Notes
Patterns to watch for and how to work with them| Pattern | How it shows up in job search | Counter-move |
|---|---|---|
| Rejection Sensitivity (RSD) | Reads no response or a generic decline as personal rejection. May pull back from applying after one disappointment. | Treat no response as noise, not signal. Most applications go unanswered regardless of quality. Keep the weekly volume up and do not attach meaning to silence. |
| ADHD | Harder to sustain effort on repetitive tasks (job boards, form-filling). May go quiet between bursts of activity. | Use the weekly routine above to structure effort into short defined blocks. Batch similar tasks (all portal checks on Monday, all applications on Tuesday). Do not try to do everything in one sitting. |
| Inferiority comparison | Sees other candidates as more qualified or more "hotel" and discounts his own strengths. | Before any application or interview, re-read the Strengths section. Verify against facts. Most hotel front office applicants do not have a BCom or a Masters — that is real, not imagined. |
| Negative recall bias | After a rejection like citizenM, the search can feel like a failure even with 10 active applications still open. | Reframe: citizenM reached second interview with no hotel experience. That is a strong result. Keep a short list of what has gone well. |
These are patterns specific to the interview room — different from the job search patterns above. Know them in advance so they do not catch you off guard.
| Pattern | How it shows up in the room | Counter-move |
|---|---|---|
| RSD — neutral interviewer face | Interviewer does not smile or nod. Vincent reads this as "they do not like me" and starts shrinking — shorter answers, less energy, breaks eye contact. | Before walking in, decide: a flat interviewer face means nothing. It is their style. Keep giving the same energy regardless. The decision is made on the whole interview, not their expression in the moment. |
| RSD — silence after an answer | Interviewer pauses before the next question. Vincent interprets silence as disapproval and starts adding qualifiers or backtracking on what he just said. | Say your answer. Stop. Let the silence be theirs to fill. The answer you gave was the answer — you do not need to append it. |
| ADHD — long or multi-part questions | Interviewer asks a complex question. Vincent loses track of part two while answering part one, or over-answers part one to avoid admitting he missed something. | It is fine to say: "Could you repeat the second part of that?" or "Let me answer the first part first." Asking for clarification reads as attentive, not confused. |
| Inferiority — comparing to other candidates | In a waiting area or group setting, Vincent sees someone who looks "more hotel" and writes himself off before the interview begins. | You do not know their story. You know yours. The person you see is not the competition — the interview is. Get in the room and do the interview. |
| Negative recall bias — going blank on positives | Asked "tell me about a time you..." and the mind goes empty. Nothing comes up. Panic sets in. | Prepare 3 specific STAR stories before any interview — one from PT work, one from events, one from Rainbow Social or Buff Events. These are your anchors. When blank, go to the nearest anchor and bridge to the question. |
| Thought | Reframe |
|---|---|
| "I wasn't good enough for citizenM." | You reached the second interview against candidates with hotel backgrounds. The outcome was not a reflection of your quality — it was one employer's call on fit at that moment. |
| "I have no hotel experience so no one will hire me." | The entire shortlist in the Pipeline tab contains roles that explicitly state training provided or no hotel experience required. The market for entry front-of-house in London is large. |
| "Other people in interviews seem more confident than me." | Confidence in an interview is often just familiarity with the format. It does not mean better performance. Focus on what you are saying, not how others appear. |
| "I haven't had a response — they must not want me." | Hotel HR teams process hundreds of applications. Non-response is the default, not a judgment. The only reliable signal is a direct rejection or a response of any kind. |
- Moved to a new city and started a job search from scratch in under 6 months.
- 15+ applications submitted across luxury hotels, fitness clubs, and hospitality brands.
- Reached second interview at citizenM — a modern lifestyle hotel with high application volume — with no prior hotel experience on the CV.
- ENIC confirmed 2026-05-25 — Cert III + IV (AIPT) comparability accepted. Proactive step most applicants do not take.
- Active opportunity at Akatoki Hotel London (5-star, Forbes standards) — referred by a contact, application submitted with tailored CV and screening answers.
- Multiple CV versions tailored per role type. Master CV rewritten to read as guest-facing FOH experience throughout.
- Mapped the London hotel job market systematically: portals, job boards, shortlist, tracking log.
This is not a search that is failing. It is a search that has not landed yet. The difference matters.