Job Responsibilities
Greeting guest, answering phones, taking reservations, guest
check in/check out, fulfilling guest requests, working closely
with other departments to guarantee guest satisfaction, busy
check out time is 7am to noon, then noon to 3pm is arrangements
for guest check ins, ie, making sure rooms are cleaned, special
requests are fulfilled, groups arriving are taken care of,etc.
busy check in times are 3pm to 5pm and 8pm to 10pm then end of
shift reports are to be done.
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Job Requirements
No special schooling is needed, although hospitality education is
helpful and customer service experience is valuable since most
companies realy appreciate the ability to successfully interact
with and manage guests/customers on a professional level. Each
hotel has a training program, and much of it is observation and
hands on learning.
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Uppers
Getting to meet a lot of different people and not only working hard to meet
their needs,but also trying to anticipate their needs so that they are not only
satisfied but they are, as the say in the hotel business, "WOWED". The WOW
factor
is very important, especially for repeat business and V.I.P. travelers.
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Downers
The hectic nature of the industry, you cna't control how many
people need to check in/ check out, request information, or who
are calling at the same time. You really have ot stay calm and
professional, as well as be kind and courteou, since most people
are unaware of how much you have to do, all they see is what they
need and you have to treat every guest like they are the most
important, and that can be hard when you are being pulling in
twelve different directions.
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Lifestyle
Be realistic about what you want and what your employer will
expect from you. If you ar not realy a people person then
hospitality is not for you. Sometimes it can get rough handling a
lot of people and their complaints,especially when it'snot your
fault. When you work at the front desk it is always your job to
take responsibility even if it is for someone elses actions. You
do get to meet a lot of interesting people and it is your job ot
make them feel at home in a strange place and make them feel
important. Also, observe the ones around you who seem to be able
to handle the pressure, likely they have been there a long otme
and see how they do it, and what tricks they use to make the job
go more smoothly.
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Compensation
I originally started at just above minimum wage and received
y;early as well as periodic raises based on preformace, after 5
years I had increased my hourly wage by nearly three dollars. I
did not pursue a management position as it did not fit my career
needs at the time, although I did advance to much more
responsibility and to an administrative/clerical position and
then increased my hourly to ten dollars an hour. They had a good
health program including dental and also 401k and profit sharing.
Paid vacation days and sick days as well.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Be realistic about what you want and what your employer will
expect from you. If you ar not realy a people person then
hospitality is not for you. Sometimes it can get rough handling a
lot of people and their complaints,especially when it'snot your
fault. When you work at the front desk it is always your job to
take responsibility even if it is for someone elses actions. You
do get to meet a lot of interesting people and it is your job ot
make them feel at home in a strange place and make them feel
important. Also, observe the ones around you who seem to be able
to handle the pressure, likely they have been there a long otme
and see how they do it, and what tricks they use to make the job
go more smoothly.
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