EMPLOYEE Q&A
We think that Fairmont Banff Springs is the best place to work in Canada! But don't just take our word for it, hear it from our colleagues themselves from a series of Colleague Q&A and Testimonials we've conducted to find out why Fairmont Banff Springs is such an amazing place to work!
Q: Where are you from?
A: Peterborough, Ontario
Q: How long have you worked for Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: Started in March of 2016.
Q: What is your favourite part about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: The ability to create incredible emotional connections with guests and colleagues inside a castle in the Rocky Mountains.
Q: If your best friend was on the fence about working here, what would you tell them?
A: I promise you won’t regret it.
Q: What employee event do you look forward to every year?
A: The children’s Christmas Party where my son gets to meet Santa Claus and have fun playing games and doing activities.
Jesse Dyer, Director of Learning & Development
Q: Where are you from?
A: Cape Town - South Africa
Q: How did you learn about working in hotels?
A: While attending University - Royal Roads, Victoria BC. I wanted to do my internship here.
Q: What is your favourite part about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: Culture and passion of people I am surrounded by and constant opportunities to learn new skills.
Q: What is your favourite department to work in?
A: Hmm...this is a hard one. Love every department I have worked in!
Q: What is the best perk working for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts?
A: Destinations program with 50% off Food & Beverage.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work in the area?
A: I love to explore the area and find new adventures to try.
Teriska Walters, Night Relief Manager
Q: Where are you from?
A: Red Deer, Alberta
Q: How long have you worked for Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: Employed by Fairmont for 5 years now.
Q: What is your favourite part about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: I love working as a Steward in Stock as I can work at my speed and do what is needed to help the Stock team. The daily challenge is to be fast and efficient.
Q: If your best friend was on the fence about working here, what would you tell them?
A: I tell everyone that there is lots of work at the Hotel but you have to be ready to show up and do the work! And great benefits and staff discounts!
Q: What employee event do you look forward to every year?
A: I truly enjoy the Christmas and Staff party each summer.
Q: Why do you like working in Stewarding?
A: I like working in Stewarding as I like the challenge.
Glynis Seifried, Stewarding Attendant
Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from India. Went on to study and work in UK and eventually moved to Canada in 2013.
Q: How long have you worked for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts?
A: I joined Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in May 2013 and since then working for the company. Moved to Fairmont Banff Springs in March 2019.
Q: What are all the different positions you have worked in for Fairmont?
A: The list is rather long :) I joined Chateau Lake Louise as Front desk agent and gradually moved up to hold positions such as Rooms coordinator and Assistant Front Office Manager. Then I joined Housekeeping as Operations Manager before taking on the role of Assistant Director of Housekeeping. I moved to Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel at similar capacity of Assistant Director of Housekeeping in March 2019.
Q: What Fairmont hotel is on your bucket list to stay at?
A: I certainly want to stay at The Plaza and at The Savoy. Iconic properties.
Q: Why do you love working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: It is like a big family. Love the mountains and love the multicultural work environment.
Subhankar Debnath, Assistant Director of Housekeeping
Q: Where are you from?
A: I moved to Banff from Montreal, Quebec where I lived for the last 7 years, but I was born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario.
Q: How long have you worked for Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: I’ve worked here for 3 months (but it feels like more already!).
Q: What is your favourite activity to do in Banff?
A: I’m a big skier, and Banff is a skier’s dream destination - last winter, I was able to be on skis over 80 days! In the summer, I enjoy doing anything outside like camping, biking, or hiking.
Q: If your best friend was on the fence about working here, what would you tell them?
A: I’d tell them to go for it! In Banff, any job will feel like a vacation, with so much to do and experience. And at the Fairmont, don’t be surprised if you end up staying for years and building a career here!
Q: What are three benefits you’ve discovered about working at Fairmont Banff Springs that you weren’t aware of when you started?
A: First of all, The Bean! Never having to pack a lunch is a lifesaver in the morning. Another big one for me is our discount when dining at Fairmont F&B outlets because it includes our guests, so I can bring my family and friends for a special meal out and we can all enjoy the perk. And lastly, the discounted gym membership is a huge benefit for me, so that I can stay active all year round regardless of the weather and without even setting foot outside.
Jane Olney, Employee Experience Manager
Q; Where are you from?
A: Krems, Austria (45 minutes west of Vienna)
Q: How long have you worked for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts?
A: 6.5 years (Toronto, Lake Louise, Banff)
Q: What is your favourite part about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: The people who work here; our guests who stay here; the history of this iconic building; seeing the excitement of our guests when they walk through our hotel; a great work life balance.
Q: What is your favourite activity to do in the area?
A: Skiing and Mountain biking, depending on the season
Q: What are three benefits you’ve discovered about working at Fairmont Banff Springs that you weren’t aware of when you started?
A: 1) A great pension plan that you can sign up for. The company is matching dollar by dollar.
2) Opportunities of growth with the company
3) Learning opportunities for top talent (ECornell courses that sometimes get paid for you)
Q: What Fairmont property is your dream to work at?
A: Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui or Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
Daniel Juzinger, Rundle Bar General Manager
Q: Where are you from?
A: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Q: How long have you worked for Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: 17 years on and off
Q: What are all the positions you have worked as?
A: I started off in housekeeping for four years then moved my way to the lobby concierge desk. When Fairmont Gold opened I worked up there for a short time before working at the bell desk for ten years. I also helped out at VIP concierge for a few Christmas's as well. I have recently came back to the Lobby concierge desk this summer for a full time position.
Q: What employee event do you look forward to every year?
A: The Staff family picnic
Q: If your best friend was on the fence about working here, what would you tell them?
A: It's the best place to work and feels like home/family!
Q: Why do you love working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: The people. From the hundreds of colleagues I have met throughout the years that have made my time in Banff unforgettable to the thousands of guest I have met along the way that make everyday an adventure!
Lianne Touchette, Concierge Agent
Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from Taiwan.
Q: When did you start working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: I started working here March, 2019.
Q: What is your favourite activity to do in Banff?
A: My favourite activity in Banff is definitely hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
Q: What is your favourite part about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: Favourite part about working here is to meet people from all over the world.
Q: Any tips for other international candidates wanting to work at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: Be open minded and always do your best!
Q: What is the best perk about working for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts?
A: Staff discount for staying AccorHotels and benefits.
Q; What do you like about working in the housekeeping department?
A: I like how the housekeeping department works as a team, we help each other especially when the hotel gets busy.
Mona Wu, Housekeeping Room Attendant
Q: Where are you from?
A: I trace my origins from Persia, Born & raised in India and now a proud Canadian.
Q: How long have you worked at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: It's now been a wonderful 5 years and 8 months.
Q: How did you learn about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: It was a self initiative, I was new to Canada, I knew Fairmont as a Canadian brand, so decided to log on to the website and check out the hotel properties, the very first image of the iconic Castle in the Rockies drew my attention. I applied for an available position, 2 days later I received a call from our then Pastry Shop, which followed with a quick interview. I landed up a job in the dream property. It was all so quick and unexpected!
Q: What Accor property is on your bucket list to stay at?
A: I love heritage style hotels, Raffles Singapore is my top bucket list hotel.
Q: What is your favourite part about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: In my current role as a Pastry Sous Chef, I treat each day as a new day, new challenges, people and ideas. It's wonderful that even after being here for 6 days everyday feels different. Our culinary team consists of Heartist's from around the globe, different cultures and languages, so I see it as a very unique opportunity to work alongside them.
Q: What is the best perk about working for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts??
A: I enjoy travelling, a typical year would see me making a minimum of 3 trips long and short trips. Fairmont Hotels allows me to stay and dine in and experience some of the best hotels and destinations around the world, apart form the great F&B discounts. For me those are the best 2 perks of my employment with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Pirzad Amalsadiwalla, Pastry Sous Chef
Q: Where are you from?
A: I'm from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. My parents immigrated from Serbia and Hungary to Canada, and I'm the first generation here in Canada.
Q: When did you start working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
Last summer, SWEP May 2018 - October 2018, graduated from Conestoga College in April 2019, and returned full-time in May 2019
A: How did you learn about working at Fairmont Banff Springs?
Through my program Tourism and Hospitality Management at Conestoga College. A friend of mine pointed it out in class, and I immediately fell in love with how beautiful the hotel and Rockies were. I decided to just go for it and apply, and here I am!
Q: What is your favourite activity to do in Banff?
A: Hiking, Biking, and Photography. Also spending quality time with good friends.
Q: Any tips for SWEP students wanting to work at Fairmont Banff Springs?
A: Do everything you can, and I mean EVERYTHING. As a SWEP student, you're only here for a limited period of time so make the most of it and keep yourself busy! Get involved in the opportunities Talent & Culture have put in place for you! Do some cross-training and gain even more valuable experience throughout the hotel, you might end up finding the exact job you've been looking for! I managed to work in 6 different departments throughout my SWEP program here, and I can tell you it was definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had! Also, there's no better way to get to know everyone than to work alongside them! Participate in events and activities that are happening around Banff and the hotel, you'd be surprised by how fun they can be! Enjoy yourself and try to take advantage of this opportunity as much as you can, you never know where it will lead you!
Zoran Stefanovic, Food Porter at Castello's Ristorante
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