the hotel receptionist

of people, this could be a great job for you.

Hotel receptionists make guests feel welcome, manage room bookings (also known as reservations) and deal with requests that guests make during their stay.

A hotel receptionist also needs to be friendly and professional at all times, be able to look after several things at once and always stay calm, sometimes under pressure

have a good standard of general education and possibly some

GCSEs (A-C) in subjects such as English, maths and IT. Some employers may also want you to have experience of using a telephone switchboard or a computerised reservations system.
Although previous experience in customer service or office work would also help you, you can also prepare for this work by taking a relevant college course.

for this job. IT skills will also be useful to

work with computerised booking and payment systems. Many employers will want you to have a good standard of general education, including GCSEs (A-C) in maths and English.

You could prepare for this work by taking a relevant full-time or part-time college course, to gain some of the knowledge and skills needed in this job. Courses include:

Level 1 Certificate in General Hospitality
Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry
Level 1 Award in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
Level 2 Award in the Principles of Customer Service in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism.

to have:
excellent written and spoken communication skills
strong customer service skills
a

friendly and professional telephone manner
the ability to adapt to different guests
patience and tact
the ability to stay calm under pressure and look after several things at once
good problem solving skills
the ability to use computerised technology
a methodical approach to your work
accuracy and attention to detail
It may also be useful if you speak a foreign language.

duties would include:
dealing with bookings by phone, e-mail, letter, fax

or face-to-face
completing procedures when guests arrive and leave
choosing rooms and handing out keys
preparing bills and taking payments
taking and passing on messages to guests
dealing with special requests from guests (like booking theatre tickets or storing valuable items)
answering questions about what the hotel offers and the surrounding area
dealing with complaints or problems.

by experienced staff. Some employers also run their own training

schemes and you may be encouraged to work towards qualifications, such as:
Level 2 (NVQ) Diploma in Front of House Reception
Level 2 Certificate In Hospitality and Catering Principles (Front of House Reception)
Level 3 Award in Principles of Supervising Customer Service Performance in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism
Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Reception and Front Office Services.

description.
While job duties will vary from hotel to hotel,

there are certain responsibilities that all hotel receptionists are required to manage. These include handling reservations and cancellations, managing payments, answering questions, taking messages, managing the front desk and answering the phone.

a variety of shifts.
Working as a hotel receptionist will

require you to work days, nights, weekends and sometimes overnight. Be prepared to keep a flexible schedule.

education. A minimum of a high school diploma will be

required, and some college courses will also help you become a hotel receptionist.
Take English and communications classes that will provide you with the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Take math and finance classes so you are prepared to handle payments and money.
Look for opportunities to take hospitality courses. Many community colleges and online schools offer classes in travel, tourism and hotel management.

office and front desk functions.
Work as a receptionist or an

office assistant in a professional setting. This will help you learn skills required of a hotel receptionist.
Answer phones, greet customers, organize paper and computer files, and get experience managing multiple administrative functions.

service skills. Working as a clerk in a retail setting,

or in a call center will give you the customer service experience that you need to become a hotel receptionist.
Provide answers to questions, resolve complaints, and maintain a cheerful, positive and professional attitude when dealing with customers.

computer software and technology. Many hotels will have specific databases

and online reservation systems that they use. You will need to learn computer programs quickly.
Learn how to use Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Access and Outlook

hotel receptionist resume that reflects your education and experience. Make

sure you have an objective line, which references your goal of becoming a hotel receptionist.

opportunities.
Check online job search websites such as CareerBuilder, Monster and

Indeed. You can perform a search using specific keywords such as "hotel receptionist" and choosing the city or state you want to work in.
Drop off your resume at local hotels where you would like to work. Ask to speak to the manager and introduce yourself. This will give you a chance to demonstrate your professional, positive attitude and personality.