Too late? Hotel receptionists help.

[pawprintseverywhere]

So I am 42. I was a self-employed shop owner for many years before going into care work at a residential home for elderly and people with dementia. I take my safeguarding and care duties extremely seriously. The thing is I feel I have no more to give. The only thing keeping me going to work right now is the location (2 min from home) and the fact I know my role like the back of my hand...but I am tired. Mentally, physically tired. I have already checked out mentally and I don't like this. I have applied for a hotel receptionist job as I feel I have great customer service skills, I am empathic, understanding, and eager to help. The thing is, this setting will be a complete blank canvas for Me. I'm not sure what to expect from the role. Any hotel receptionists or receptionists of any kind here talk me through a day in the life? And how hard it was to get into routine? Xx

I used to work reception in a hotel and loved it! Try and find a more upmarket hotel though, if it’s a Premier Inn you do end up with some grotty customers.

Days were usually organising the check outs when I got in, making sure the bills were up to date and things like drinks and room service were correct. Sending up breakfast, or ensuring the front of house staff had set up the breakfast room. Then check outs, making sure the room attendants were cleaning to schedule.

Main part of the day was taking bookings, answering queries, any paperwork the GM needed, if you work somewhere with an events team or event space setting up initial meetings, or welcoming guests to have their meetings.

Then check ins, making sure dinner reservations were sorted etc. Booking taxis to and from the hotel if needed. Just organising really. Then home!

If you’re kind, efficient and organised it’ll be something you really enjoy.

Once you’ve learnt how the hotel works, and how the processes work you’ll pick it up quickly. It’s not mentally difficult, it’s just staying organised and on top of what the most important thing is at that time.

I worked in a posh one a long time ago. I liked it. As PP says it was mainly taking bookings, checking people in and out, making up bills etc. Before the days of booking.com etc so people booked direct.

There was a restaurant too, so took bookings for that, had to type up the daily menu etc.

The hardest thing was the shift pattern; they liked them worked back to back so the same person would check people out in the morning as had checked them in the day before. So I worked 3pm - 10.45pm one day and 7.30am til 3pm the next. I found it ver hard to switch off after that late shift, knowing I had to be back on the job in a few hours.

Receptionist jobs can be a variety of hours/shifts so check that you are available and can get to work for those hours.

You will be using hotel reservation systems on a computer to check people in and out. There will be a phone switchboard and you will need training in both for a week or so. You will get faster over time.

Some provide a uniform or you purchase their uniform and will have a shoe policy.

Reception can be a lovely, social job but it has busy, stressful times as well like when the hotel is over booked or when customers who live to complain stay and demand discounts.
It will be nowhere near as mentally taxing as being a carer and you don't take any work home.
Best of luck!

Thank you guys. This has really made me feel more positive about a potential change. It is a bigger private hotel so should have a nice class of clientèle. It is just something I can see me doing.