Is It Hard For A Guy To Get A Job In the Hotel Industry?

Truegho

Is it hard for a guy to get a job in the hotel industry? I ask this because I am having no luck selling my admin and customer service skills to ordinary offices, and so am thinking about branching out to trying the big hotel chains.

So what do you all think? Would I need to go on a Hotel Receptionist training course to get my foot in, or would I be better off trying for concierge work? They don't employ many administrators in hotels, do they?

Restaurant or bar work is out, but any other kind of hotel work would be much welcome.

littleredhen

can i ask why restaurant and bar work is out?

brokeinwales

Seriously, hotel reception work is one of the easiest admin jobs it's possible to get (I got my first three-star hotel reception job with no experience or relevant qualifications whatsoever). If you have smart appearance and come across well in the interview you have a good chance of a hotel giving you a job. The five stars may be a little more discerning and ask for some experience, so consider starting at three or four star level. Hotels often like to try for a balance of male / female staff because of the occasional sensitive nature of some work - they get far more applications from women, so as a guy, with a good command of English, you're actually at an advantage.

Be warned though - the pay is pretty awful considering the unsociable hours, the fairly high level of responsibility and the flak you often have to take from guests. One of the reasons it's so easy to get into is because it has a huge turnover rate - it's rare for a new receptionist to last a year. However it does suit some poeple, and I know several people that have risen to hotel management from starting as a receptionist.

DKLS

Usually there are a number of admin staff in the back office of hotels, accounts dept, bookings, admin, secretary to the GM etc

As for front of house roles, it does help to have previous experience and have the right "look".

Truegho

Beacuse, for the simple reason, I have no bar or restaurant experience, and that area of hotel work is not particularly appealing to me.

littleredhen wrote: »

can i ask why restaurant and bar work is out?

Owain_Moneysaver

If you want to get on in the hotel trade you really need to get experience of as many aspects as you can, as if you're the duty manager you may have to pull a pint, mend a fuse, carve a chicken or hire a steel band.

dramaqueen1973

Hiya

I work for a large hotel chanin and everyone is expected to be able to pull a pint at least!!!! So you would be expected to help in Bar & Rest. Also "Behavious" is more important than experience, if you willing to go that extra mile and be completely guest focussed and want to progress then go for it but be prepared you will not just stick to admin and reception, you cover every department!

Hope that helps!

netlou

The most important thing to demonstrate if you're applying for virtually any hospitality job is that you can keep customer happy regardless of how rude they are, you can think on your feet and not get flustered when the weird or crazy happens, you're not a 'I clock off at 5pm regardless' person, you can roll up your sleeves and get stuck in wherever you're needed and that you can keep smiling through all of this!

wontfallforit

Truegho wrote: »

Beacuse, for the simple reason, I have no bar or restaurant experience, and that area of hotel work is not particularly appealing to me.

Whilst experience helps, I wouldn't let your lack of it get in the way of a potential job.

Loads of people get into bar + restaurant work without experience...it's what school leavers do, the world over.

Whilst it sure ain't glam, can you really afford to be so selective? I don't mean any offence by that, but you do post an awful lot about your bad experiences with jobseeking. If you haven't done it already, how can you be so sure that you wouldn't like it?

If I needed a job, I'd accept bar work in a heartbeat. It's relatively easy to get into, which is rare these days. It's hard work, but you're probably more than familiar with the general consensus that it's better to get a new job whilst you're in a job.

dobbie82

Hi,

I am a Hotel Receptionist :-)

When I took on my first receptionist job, I did have waitressing and bar experience, but had no admin experience, but it was not required.

I started in a 2 star, small town hotel, basic duties were:

Greeting guests
Answering the telephone
Taking reservations
Writing confirmation letters

No special skills required... just common sense and a friendly yet professional manner


I then took a job at a 4 star Best Western hotel as had a little experience behind me, and they trained me up on their computer reservation systems, doing the tills, banking etc, mostly admin work

I Then went to a 2 start country house hotel where the receptionist was expected to do everything from serve breakfast, to carry luggage and help in housekeeping, but it did teach me about the different departments within a hotel.

I then came full circle and returned to the hotel where I started out but at a higher level (responsibility wise) and much higher pay and along the way I have learned so much about restaurant service, Bar, cellar management, Administration, credit control, marketing etc etc

If you are a keen worker and willing to learn, you can go far.

I am 27 now and if I was able to work full time I would be going for assistant manager positions, and aim to be General Manager by time I am 30 but it is possible to get to management level younger than that.

Go For It!