Jurys Inn has emphasised personality rather than experience in filling 80 new jobs at its new hotel in Gateshead, according to Julie Norris, cluster HR manager for the chain’s Gateshead and Newcastle operations.

Norris told Recruiter the NewcastleGateshead Quays hotel has been recruiting staff for all roles, including a management team for the new location which opens on 25 August.

The first stage of the recruitment process was the hosting of an open day which attracted 400 people. The firm then employed a training company which provided a pre-opening back-to-employment course which resulted in six hires out of the 20 people that took the course.

Norris said the hotel chain had completed 90% of its recruitment through advertising vacancies through jobsites and JobCentrePlus, while the chain had also received support from local colleges and universities.

Just one management position and a number of chef roles were still to be filled as Recruiter went to press..

“The majority of our positions have been recruited for from the local community,” Norris said. She added that some roles had been filled through internal promotions.

“The most standard thing I look for is a warm and friendly personality because they are going to be in contact with our customers and our guests, So it is important they have the right attitude,” she said. “We are looking for people with a can-do attitude willing to go that extra mile for our guests. I would certainly take personality over experience.”