Hotel Reception Job

Oleander

Is there anyone on Boards that does this job, I'm thinking of doing a Hotel Reception Skills course with OPERA and wondering if I might like the job. Also, is it easy enough to get a job with these skills without experience?

OMM 0000

My wife used to do this job. From what she has told me, it is not difficult. The requirements are being presentable, patient, able to use windows (e.g. understand the basics of excel, word, printing, etc.), etc.

Having a second language and being good looking are probably the biggest advantages for the role.

Mollyd90

There are loads of hotel receptionist jobs advertised in my general area, seems to be a shortage of receptionists at the minute. Im sure if you show that you are willing to learn, have good customer service skills and can multi task you should have no problem getting a job. Having done your course will help also. Its a tough enough job in hotel I work in.

dragonfly!

Hi there
From my experience in this industry and years in this job I would say it is tricky to get into if you havent worked on reception / in a hotel before but once you have a small bit of experience you'll have no issues moving from one hotel to another and in general there are lots of opportunites for moving up the rungs in this industry.
What I would say is apply to a hotel that is growing / has internal promotions - go for a chain if you can.
The working hours on reception are awful. Standard shifts are 7am - 3.30pm and 3pm - 11pm / 11.30pm
In my last hotel job it was completely normal to do a late shift and then an early the next morning at least twice a week. Which is an 8 hour break from the job in which you have to get yourself home , chill, get to sleep, get up, shower, have breakfast, do your hair and make up if you are female this will be a requirement.... and get back into the hotel.
Ultimately I loved the actual job and tasks involved but the hours killed me.
The hotel I was in also only ever has one person on reception at one time so for your breaks / needing to go to the bathroom you had to ask a manager to cover you which didnt always happen.
However the larger hotels would have more staff on the desk so Im sure that wouldnt be an issue in most places.
Its also a requirement to stand for the full shift so bear that in mind.
If you have any questions send me a PM and I would be happy to help.

OMM 0000

Doing a quick search it looks like Noel Recruitment Group and Eden Recruitment recruit hotel receptionists. Why not give them a call?

randomrb

dragonfly! wrote: »

Hi there

Its also a requirement to stand for the full shift so bear that in mind.
.

Stand? i've never gone into a hotel and seen a receptionist standing, where did you work?

mickdw

I can't say I've ever seen one sitting to be honest across many hotel brands.

Bredabe

I can't underestimate the impact of your working hours on your life,
unless you are very fortunate and get a job in a hotel that has standardised reception hours, you could be there until 11 pm and back again at 6.30/7am a few times a week.

Confining things like health, financial appoints to your day off. Confining your hol's unless very lucky to outside of peak months which clash with school timetables.

dragonfly!

Bredabe wrote: »

I can't underestimate the impact of your working hours on your life,
unless you are very fortunate and get a job in a hotel that has standardised reception hours, you could be there until 11 pm and back again at 6.30/7am a few times a week.

Confining things like health, financial appoints to your day off. Confining your hol's unless very lucky to outside of peak months which clash with school timetables.

The only good thing is if you arent in until 3 pm you can go for appointments and the like in the morning.
I forgot to mention the holidays - yes we werent allowed take leave in June July or August.
If the hotel you work in opens over Christmas as well you will have to work these days. Christmas day you get extra for but Christmas Eve, St Stephens day etc you dont get anything else for. These are usually black out days for leave as well as Easter, midterms etc etc...

dragonfly!

randomrb wrote: »

Stand? i've never gone into a hotel and seen a receptionist standing, where did you work?

In 2 different hotels in North Wexford.
Some hotels have a little bit of flexibilty where there are chairs at reception but you have to stand when guests approach the desk. Which is a fair compromise in my view but some have an outright ban. Especially during inspection season

Bredabe

dragonfly! wrote: »

The only good thing is if you arent in until 3 pm you can go for appointments and the like in the morning.
I forgot to mention the holidays - yes we werent allowed take leave in June July or August.
If the hotel you work in opens over Christmas as well you will have to work these days. Christmas day you get extra for but Christmas Eve, St Stephens day etc you dont get anything else for. These are usually black out days for leave as well as Easter, midterms etc etc...

I always found that I was so tired that I didn't have the energy for appointments before work, that sounds like one of the best jobs in the sector, just make sure you have all those benifits in writing.

Oleander

randomrb wrote: »

Stand? i've never gone into a hotel and seen a receptionist standing, where did you work?

The receptionists stand in The River Lee Hotel, Cork city and there's usually a lot of them. They have the most comfortable seating in Fota Island Resort, they have their own corner in there which is a bit poncy! But I like the hotel.

Oleander

Thanks for all the information, particularly Dragonfly, you've obviously been in that industry a while. I think I've made my mind up and this is what I wanted, I wanted some feedback on the job and industry!! I was working in hospitality (restaurant) for four years as a chef and before that I've worked at a lot of office jobs, including some reception. I've worked in hotels before, in events and on reception but that was years ago and what attracts me to hotels is the buzz and there's a lot of employees across the hotel and departments, the variety of work, meeting new people and Receptionists always look so smart. I actually left cheffing as it's not what I want to do, also my hours were fine (day time) and I could get daytime if I wanted, but the money was crap, the bosses weren't much better but most of all, I wanted my weekends off (had Sunday off). I wasn't expecting that anyway going into hotel work as their busy times are weekends, I'm just looking for something interesting but have my weekends off. Some office work can be boring. I think I'll just maybe look for reception work elsewhere.