You walk into an interview. Or log into Zoom. Or step into a hotel lobby where the General Manager is waiting.
The first seven seconds matter.
Research from Princeton shows people form initial impressions in a fraction of a second. In hospitality and corporate settings, those impressions stick. In travel tech, where teams move fast and culture drives product, they matter even more.
As Zoe Connolly, Founder of Hospitality Spotlight, I will tell you this straight. Your resume gets you in the door. Your presence closes the deal.
Let’s talk about how to master that first impression.
Own the room before you speak
In hospitality, you already know this. The lobby sets the tone. Lighting, scent, music, posture of the front desk team. Interviews work the same way.
Before you answer a single question, you are communicating.
• Stand tall. Shoulders back.
• Make eye contact. Not a stare. Direct and steady.
• Offer a firm handshake if appropriate.
• If virtual, look into the camera. Not at yourself.
• Sit still. Fidgeting reads as nerves or lack of confidence.
In corporate and travel tech roles, presence signals leadership potential. In hotels, it signals guest readiness. If you look unsure, the hiring manager wonders how you will handle a VIP complaint at 10:00 pm.
Dress like you understand the brand
You are not dressing for yourself. You are dressing for the company you want to represent.
Interviewing for a luxury hotel group. Think polished and classic. Interviewing for a travel tech startup. Professional, but aligned with their culture. Clean. Intentional. Not casual.
When I place candidates in hospitality leadership roles, I tell them this. Your appearance should say, “I understand your clientele.”
A Director of Sales walking into a Forbes rated property in wrinkled slacks sends the wrong signal. A corporate finance candidate in an ill fitting suit does the same.
Attention to detail is currency in our industries. Show it.
Lead with clarity, not rambling
The first question is almost always the same.
“Tell me about yourself.”
This is not your life story. This is your positioning statement.
Structure it:
• Who you are professionally
• What you specialize in
• One or two measurable wins
• Why you are excited about this opportunity
Example for hospitality.
“I am a hotel operations leader with eight years of experience in full service and lifestyle properties. I increased guest satisfaction scores by 14 percent in my last role and reduced labor costs by restructuring scheduling. I am drawn to this property because of its focus on service culture and community engagement.”
Clear. Direct. Relevant.
Corporate and travel tech professionals should do the same. Metrics matter. Growth matters. Outcomes matter.
Energy is contagious
Hospitality is energy management. Corporate leadership is energy management. Travel tech sales is energy management.
If you walk in flat, you set a flat tone.
You do not need to perform. You do need to show engagement.
• Smile naturally
• Use the interviewer’s name
• Show genuine interest in the property, platform, or business model
• Ask thoughtful questions
In recruiting, I see candidates lose offers because they appeared disinterested. Not because they lacked skill. Because they lacked visible enthusiasm.
Hiring managers want team members who elevate the room.
Speak the language of results
In hospitality, results look like RevPAR growth, guest satisfaction scores, reduced turnover, banquet revenue, upsell percentages.
In travel tech, results look like customer acquisition cost, retention rates, product adoption, implementation timelines.
In corporate roles, results look like margin improvement, operational efficiency, team development, cost savings.
Do not say, “I was responsible for.”
Say, “I increased.”
Say, “I led.”
Say, “I reduced.”
Say, “I improved.”
Numbers anchor credibility.
One candidate I placed increased banquet revenue by 22 percent in one year by restructuring the sales funnel and retraining the team on upselling. That number did more than any personality trait listed on her resume.
Anticipate the hard questions
Every serious hiring manager will test you.
• Why did you leave your last role
• Tell me about a conflict with a colleague
• Describe a time you failed
Answer with ownership.
Do not blame former employers. Do not deflect.
Frame challenges as growth moments. Show what you learned. Show what changed in your leadership style.
In hospitality and corporate environments, accountability signals maturity. In travel tech, it signals adaptability.
Close like a professional
At the end of the interview, many candidates relax too soon.
Do not fade out.
When they ask if you have questions, ask smart ones.
• What does success look like in the first 90 days
• What challenges is the team currently facing
• How do you define a top performer here
Then close.
“I appreciate your time. Based on our conversation, I am confident I can contribute to your team and drive results in this role. I would welcome the opportunity to move forward.”
Direct. Confident. Respectful.
Final thought
In hospitality, every guest interaction shapes the brand. In corporate leadership, every executive interaction shapes culture. In travel tech, every client touchpoint shapes retention.
Your interview is no different.
Master your posture. Master your message. Master your metrics.
First impressions are fast. Offers are intentional.
If you want the offer, walk in like you already belong there.
