Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) Provide One-on-One Coaching on Job Search and Interviewing Skills to Women in Need

More than fifty women from transitional housing programs in Cleveland, Ohio joined members of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART, www.chart.org) at their 78th Semi-Annual Hospitality Training Conference for a sit down dinner and one-on-one coaching on job search and interviewing skills. The event was held Sunday evening, July 26 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.

'Many more fortunate would take an event like this for granted,' said Jane Amata, employment and education coordinator for Transitional Housing, Inc. of Cleveland. 'CHART made the women feel respected and welcome. The education on job interviews was so valuable, and of equal value was to sit down in a formal setting where the women felt comfortable asking questions about business and social etiquette. Most of the women here have never been in a social setting like this, and their newfound skills will set them apart in their job search and in their day-to-day skills.'

CHART has incorporated community service projects into its semi-annual conferences since 2002. At a CHART conference, attendees experience the spirit of developing people, which includes an attitude of caring and making a difference in people's lives.

'CHART was built on the foundation of our guiding principles of learning, sharing, growing and caring,' said Kate Shehan, SPHR, CHART president and vice president of human resources for Morton's The Steakhouse. 'We visit our host cities with a goal of impacting people in a positive way that leaves the city stronger through community service.'

'This community service event was unique in that it utilized the professional skills of our members,' continued Shehan. 'We are the ones responsible for interviewing and training mangers how to hire in our organizations. Dining together with our guests created an atmosphere of hospitality and mutual respect. That made all difference in how our members' expertise in interviewing skills, personal image and interpersonal communication were shared and received. The interaction between CHART members and our guests was truly inspiring.'

'I feel much more prepared to look for a job,' said participant Jessica DeFranco of Cleveland. 'My coach and I role played many of the questions I have been asked in interviews. I now know how to answer in a more appropriate and professional way.'

For more information, please call 312.405.2634, email lmarovec@ameritech.net or visit www.chart.org.

CHART, a non-profit professional association founded in 1970, is the leading resource for the development and advancement of hospitality training professional and their organizations. With more than 600 members from more than 400 multi-unit restaurant and hotel companies, CHART represents a workforce of almost five million. CHART includes all facets of hospitality training, learning and performance professionals; from entry level to senior executive. CHART's mission is to develop hospitality training professionals to advance industry training practices and improve operational results by providing access to education, tools and resources.

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