Hotel Job Applications: Learn How to Apply for Hotel Jobs

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Do you strive for customer satisfaction and like meeting people from all over the world on a daily basis? If so, then working at a hotel is the job for you!

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Hotel Jobs: Nearly 15 million persons hold employment within the leisure and hospitality industry and almost 100,000 job hopefuls find success applying for openings in the field of work annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Positions of possible hire include desk clerk and housekeeping roles, with hourly wages reaching an average of $14.00 an hour. Managers at each location may enjoy salary pay around $45,000. Depending on location, food preparation, lifeguarding, bartending, bell hopping, and other special service positions may exist, as well.

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Preferential Qualities: Often, entry-level positions set an age limit of 16 years old and do not require any formal education, while some locations may mandate high school diplomas. However, management positions may require bachelor’s degrees in related fields, such as hospitality or business. Companies may also mandate different amounts of previous experience. Housekeeping jobs often prove the most accessible, with more than 900,000 employees in the field nationwide. Also fairly reachable, desk clerk positions include more than 200,000 personnel. Only about 50,000 positions work across the U.S. in managerial capacities within the lodging industry.

On the Job: Duties for workers in all hotel roles vary but should collectively accomplish create desirable and comfortable living accommodations for guests during hotel stays. Hotel companies often require employees to work evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts, so flexible availability may prove necessary, as well.

To Apply: Candidates may find success applying for positions by navigating company websites or visiting hotels in person to inquire about job openings. Job placement usually requires at least one interview with hiring managers in order to secure an offer. Most positions require guest interactions, so pleasant attitudes and interpersonal capabilities often prove favorable during application and interviewing processes. Professional dress when meeting personnel may also prove beneficial toward employment consideration.

Hotel Job Descriptions

Hotel Manager Job Description

Job Duties – Like any managerial worker, a hotel manager organizes and motivates workers while supervising the operations of the hotel or a department within the hotel. A manager is responsible for carrying out administrative tasks, like reviewing applications from job candidates, hiring new employees, firing workers who aren’t right for the company, and training new hires. Managers must also diffuse tense situations and provide service to customers.

A manager will either confer with department managers, like the housekeeping manager or laundry manager, or will directly oversee areas of hotel operations like housekeeping, maintenance, and customer service. Regardless, hotel managers are responsible for the cleanliness, appearance, maintenance, customer relations, and all other aspects of the hotel. If employed for a large chain of hotels, a competent manager may oversee multiple hotel locations requiring travel on a regular basis.

Job Qualifications and Compensation – Hotel management titles vary but include general hotel manager, housekeeping manager, laundry manager, front desk manager, and many more supervisory positions. While the jobs of the hotel management staff are certainly not entry-level positions, requirements vary by title and employer and are often not as daunting as you may imagine. In general, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. In rare cases, you may be required to obtain a college degree. An undergraduate degree in hospitality management or a related field will be advantageous in the hiring process for a hotel management position. Strong leadership abilities and communication skills are a must for any manager. Hotel managers will also need organizational skills and the ability to efficiently solve problems as they arise.

Hotel management positions will almost always be full-time and salaried jobs. The average salary of a hotel manager is between $45,000 and $60,000 a year; however, managers at international resorts and other large, first-class hotels are usually compensated with better pay. On top of base pay, a manager often receives regular bonuses and other job benefits. Hotel managers are typically eligible for a benefits package, including healthcare coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, and hotel room rate discounts. Other perks may be offered, but will vary by employer.

Hotel Front Desk Agent Job Description

Job Duties – Sometimes known as a customer service representative, guest services associate, reservations clerk, or receptionist, a front desk agent is the hospitality industry equivalent of a restaurant host. The main responsibility of a front desk agent is to meet the needs of all guests staying with the hotel. Job duties include answering phones, booking reservations, responding to emails and electronic reservations, greeting guests upon entry to the hotel, checking in new guests, checking out guests, answering questions, and providing any necessary services to ensure a customer’s satisfaction. While job functions may be varied and numerous, the atmosphere will also vary by hotel brand and location. The job of a front desk agent is often more slowly paced than other areas in the service industry. Depending on the shift, there may be a lot of downtime in between phone calls or guest interactions.

Job Qualifications and Compensation – For most positions at hotels, you must be at least 18 years old to apply. Beyond the age requirement, most front desk jobs are entry-level in nature. Some hotels may insist that applicants have a high school diploma, but education and training beyond that is normally optional. In most cases, no prior work experience is required for a front desk job; however, previous experience in customer service or working as a receptionist will set you apart from the competition and lead to a higher salary. Desirable attributes for a front desk agent include friendliness, a professional demeanor, and the desire to help others.

While some front desk agents may start at minimum wage and others may make a lot more, the average starting pay for these hotel associates is between $8 and $12 per hour, depending on experience, hotel brand, and location. At most hotels, full-time reception positions come with a benefits package in addition to base pay. This package may include employment perks like healthcare coverage, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and discounts on hotel rooms.

watch Holiday Inn Front Desk Clerk video:

Hotel Bell Person Job Description

Job Duties – It may surprise you to learn that most hotels still employ bell hops to run guests’ luggage up to rooms. Working as a bell person, you’ll be responsible for carefully towing heavier items up to rooms on a cart and ensuring customers’ dry-cleaned clothing stays crisp. In exceptionally rare cases, you may also be required to carry items up and down stairs if the elevators happen to be out of service.

Naturally, porters also interact with hotel clientele and the general public for the duration of shifts, so it helps to be polite and friendly. In some instances, a bell boy may be asked to help guests change rooms, deliver messages, or even request a taxi service for patrons. Additional duties may include greeting guests, tagging luggage, answering questions about the hotel or resort, acting as a valet, or communicating with other staff members via a two-way radio.

Job Qualifications and Compensation – Like many other general labor jobs, the position requires good physical health and the ability to lift a reasonable amount of weight. Many hotels want bell persons to be at least 18 years old and have a high school degree or equivalent. Beyond these basic qualifications, the job of a porter is entry-level. All hotels will ask you to remain professional throughout your shift and will probably ask that you wear a uniform.

Average pay for a bell person ranges from minimum wage to $12 an hour, depending on job experience and the prestige of the establishment. Regardless, the salary of any position will be augmented with tips from hotel patrons. Permanent, full-time workers may be eligible for benefits packages and receive employment perks, like healthcare coverage and hotel discounts.

Hotel Concierge Job Description

Job Duties – Traditionally, a hotel concierge lives on-site and assists guests with a variety of tasks. Modern day concierges often work 40 or more hour weeks and generally live off the premises. Hotel concierges may perform such jobs as making restaurant reservations, recommending local haunts, set up travel reservations or transportation, arrange for visits to spas or salons, or even procure tickets to special events. A concierge is often expected to meet any demands, no matter the difficulty, of important hotel guests, such as politicians, celebrities, and the well-to-do; however, the services of a hotel concierge may also be utilized by less prominent guests. The primary duty of a concierge is to provide a good first impression for guests.

Job Qualifications and Compensation – Concierge jobs typically require little in the way of education, though a high school diploma or equivalent is preferred at most hotels. Many concierges start as porters or receptionists within a hotel before moving to the concierge position. A concierge must have confidence, be well-spoken, and retain an astounding knowledge of local businesses, clubs, and contacts. The international concierge association, The Golden Keys, represents concierges and offers further certification to workers hoping to move to larger and more challenging hospitality endeavors. Golden Keys members are easily identified by gold key-shaped lapel pins.

A concierge may start out earning a fairly low salary, near $20,000 per year, in smaller hotels, but larger chains may offer $30,000 to $35,000 per year. Concierges typically earn access to a variety of job benefits, as well. Benefits may include healthcare, 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off, and several other perks. Work benefits may add as much as 30 percent to the value of a concierge salary. Experienced hotel concierges can expect to earn yearly pay between $35,000 and $55,000, depending on location and company.

Hotel Housekeeper Job Description

Job Duties – The duties for a hotel housekeeper are similar to those for any worker in the housekeeping or professional cleaning industry. Housekeepers, or room attendants, are responsible for cleaning and maintaining hotel facilities. The job entails duties like cleaning hotel rooms, but also tidying up hallways, lobbies, and other public areas of the hotel. Daily tasks may include vacuuming, changing sheets and towels, emptying wastebaskets, dusting, scrubbing floors, and any number of other cleaning activities. Housekeepers will also survey rooms after checkout and take note of any damages or missing items.

Job Qualifications and Compensation – To be considered for a job at most hotels, you have to be at least 18 years of age. Many hotels also expect applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Other than these minimal requirements, the job of a housekeeper is entry-level. Normally, no prior work experience or training is necessary to gain employment as a room attendant; however, cleaning experience and familiarity with cleaning tools is definitely an advantage. Candidates should be in decent physical condition, being able to lift or carry small to moderate amounts of weight and stand for long periods of time. Finally, a detail-oriented personality and the ability to carry out instructions are two desirable traits.

While pay will vary based on employer and experience, the average hotel housekeeper starts out making around $8 an hour. Wages may start low, but there is room for advancement for housekeepers with strong leadership and communication skills. Housekeeping managers and related supervisors can earn a generous salary and should expect to earn between $35,000 and $55,000 per year. Qualified, full-time housekeepers receive benefits packages offering employment perks, like healthcare coverage, paid time off, and discounts.

watch Marriott Housekeeper video:

Hotel Laundry Attendant Job Description

Job Duties – Given how much business hotels get, it’s easy to imagine just how much laundry needs to be done. Linens are washed and replaced every day, and it’s rarely the housekeeping’s job to wash them. Towels, wash cloths, blankets, and sheets need to be cleaned, folded, and distributed throughout the day. Laundry attendants are responsible for keeping all of these linens in pristine condition. Extended-stay hotels and more upscale establishments may also offer laundry and dry cleaning services to their guests. Job duties can include cleaning napkins and table cloths as well as dry cleaning and ironing.

Job Qualifications and Compensation – One of the greatest aspects of hotel jobs is that many employers only require job seekers to be 18 or older to apply. The work has no specific educational qualifications, but many hotels expect applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Often times, experience in the hospitality industry may be substituted for educational requirements. Laundry attendants may have to push heavy carts for long hours, so the ability to lift 50 lbs. and stand on your feet for a while are definite advantages in the hiring process.

Average starting pay for laundry attendant positions is typically about the same as for housekeepers. Starting salary is usually minimum wage, but may include regular raises and benefits options. Full-time workers are usually eligible to receive the same employment perks as other hotel employees. Benefits packages may include healthcare coverage, paid time off, and hotel discounts. Dedicated laundry attendants may advance to the position of laundry manager or another hotel supervisor position.