Name: Nur Fadzliana
Position: Assistant Human Resources Manager
Hotel: The Westin Singapore
Dream destination: My dream travel destination would be Greenland, for its beautiful, untouched nature. On the water, you can see ice fjords, migrating whales, seals, dolphins, and walruses. On land, you can spot arctic foxes and polar bears, go ice fishing, and chase the Northern Lights! I love exploring destinations above the Arctic Circle, where it is so serene and breathtaking. I would love to do a polar plunge in the Arctic waters one day.
Drink or treat of choice: Iced Milo! I have it almost on a daily basis to start my day. Milo brings me back to my primary school days where we had the Milo Van parked outside the stadium during our school sports day events. All of us would queue up for a cup of that delicious chocolate malt beverage!
From Housekeeping, to Food & Beverage, to Reservations, to Front Office, to Learning & Development, to Human Resources, Fadzliana – fondly known as Faz – has truly done it all. Now an Assistant Human Resources Manager at The Westin Singapore, Faz is finding her niche in the world of hospitality, and bringing with her the wealth of experiences and learnings she has gained along the way.
“During my internship, I had the pleasure of exploring different disciplines – Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Reservations, and Front Office,” Fadz shares, “I loved that I was able to gain knowledge from these areas as it gave me a better insight into overall hotel operations. My training checklist was very useful in helping me get my basics right!”
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Fadz has more than mastered the basics now, in an exhilarating career journey that has taken her from Singapore to Australia and back, and through five different Marriott International brands. Discover how Fadz has found a community in Marriott, and the learnings she’s had along the way.
Tell us about your Marriott career journey — what position were you first hired for and how has your career changed while at Marriott?
My journey at Marriott International began in 2008 as a trainee with the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. Upon completing my internship, I joined the hotel as a Guest Relations Agent with At-Your-Service. After a year, I requested a transfer to the Concierge Team to expand my skills, and was later promoted to Guest Relations Officer. Two years later, I pivoted to a Training Officer role with the Human Resources Team.
In 2017, after my mother passed away, I decided it was time to explore the world. I continued my Marriott journey with The Westin Melbourne and The Sheraton Melbourne as part of my 1-year working holiday program. Upon returning to Singapore, I joined Courtyard Singapore Novena as a Human Resources & Training Executive.
I took a break during COVID, then returned as an Assistant Human Resources Manager with The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Singapore Cairnhill. I am now very happy to be part of The Westin Singapore as an Assistant Human Resources Manager, where I get to utilize both my operational and HR skills in my day-to-day duties.
How would you describe your experience as a Marriott associate?
My experience as a Marriott associate has been a very meaningful and rewarding one. I get to do what I love while fulfilling my passion for serving the community through Marriott Business Council Singapore’s Serve360 initiatives. Our “People First” culture allows me to seamlessly collaborate with associates across all levels, fostering camaraderie, empowering me, and providing fantastic growth opportunities.
We get to participate in virtual trainings conducted by our APEC L&D Team, allowing me to interact with associates from all across our region. I love that we share best practices, and I even had the pleasure of meeting one of my virtual training teammates in person during my visit to Kota Kinabalu. Over the years, I’ve made so many friends along the way, some of whom have practically become family! That’s the beauty of our Marriott culture.
Share a moment you felt like a part of a community at Marriott.
I always look forward to our Annual Road to Give Charity Run. Hotels in Singapore take turns organizing this large-scale event, and it’s heartwarming to see the support from all associates for such a great cause. Volunteers report as early as 5:00 am on event day, but we all do it with a smile. You’ll hear our roaring laughter during the morning set-up and briefings, and it is always such a pleasure to gather as one big Marriott family. The energy is amazing throughout the day, and it’s really heartening to witness the teamwork till we end the event. It’s like a huge family day for us!
Describe a moment you felt supported at Marriott.
There have been countless times I’ve felt supported at Marriott by my leaders and peers, both in and out of work. When my mother was dangerously ill, I received a call from the hospital mid-day, and Naresh, my then-Director of Human Resources, immediately sprung into action and took over the orientation program I was facilitating. A few days later, my mother passed on, but it was the genuine care and support from my #HRCrew that got me through one of the toughest moments of my life.
More recently, I was caring for my aunt who was terminally ill with cancer. During this time, my current HR leader, Cheryl, extended emotional support and flexibility with my work arrangements. When my aunt passed on, Cheryl and my team took my worries off work and it definitely helped to alleviate the stress. I remain grateful to my leaders past and present for always Putting People First.
Share a moment in your career where you felt like you made an impact in your property, or local community.
During my time at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Singapore Cairnhill, my then GM Egbert, and I spearheaded Serve360 initiatives for Marriott Business Councils Singapore. One impactful donation drive was for Club Rainbow, an organization that assists children suffering from major chronic and potentially life-threatening illnesses. In total, our Singapore hotels contributed 161 cans of milk powder (worth $7,370). During our visit to the facility, we learned more about the children’s conditions, and I felt really happy that we were able to support our community in such a meaningful way.
Proudest moment of your career so far?
When I received the Spirit To Serve Award all the way from our Headquarters in Washington, D.C.!
What mentorship opportunities have you had, and how have they helped you in your journey?
I was a mentee to my then-Learning & Development Manager when I first transferred to Human Resources. Isis was always there for me when I needed support. She helped me reflect on my strengths and opportunities and taught me to approach challenges with a fresh perspective. In her wise words – “Master your craft and work until you no longer have to introduce yourself. The quality of your output will speak for you,” and “Take pride in everything you touch. The little details make a huge difference”.
Isis has always held me to high standards, and taking pride in my work and what I do has had a ripple effect on those around me. She helped me understand that genuine care for others goes a long way. I’m grateful to be mentored by Isis until today!
What learning and development programs have you attended, and how have they helped you in your career?
I attended the Essential Skills for Supervisors and Managers (ESSM) program many years ago, and I felt that the modules were really effective in preparing me for a managerial role. We were taught how to give and receive feedback, tips in facilitating interviews, and many more. All of which I found very useful and use until today! The Training on Property Programs (TOPPs) was also invaluable during my time as a Training Officer, as it included a component where we were recorded during the delivery of a training session. Upon review, I learnt that I spoke really fast when I was nervous and speaking to an audience. Now, I consciously pace myself when speaking to be mindful of my audience, and I have gained confidence in public speaking through this training.
Any advice for incoming Marriott associates?
In my Marriott journey, I have had some key takeaways:
- Practice good communication to avoid doubt or misunderstandings, whether with guests or among fellow associates. This will prevent any negative outcomes.
- Keep a positive and open mind – every experience is a learning opportunity! Setbacks are bound to occur, and there are times we may have to repeat a task multiple times before we get it right. Take heart – a positive attitude will open doors to more opportunities!
For incoming associates, Marriott provides the resources you need to succeed in your role, so be a sponge and have a growth mindset! Learn from your peers and every experience. Find creative ways to say “Yes!” and have fun along the way. Do everything with love, and challenge yourself every day. Opportunities are aplenty, and with 9,000+ Marriott International hotels worldwide, the world is your oyster. Never forget to “Put People First,” and remember that “success is never final!”
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