Zara or hotel reception?

[theautumnleavess]

I'm in a position where I have been offered two jobs.
One is a hotel receptionist
The other is Zara
Both full time
Same pay etc

I'm so torn

What would you do ?

Hotel reception. More potential for progression (if that’s something you want one day).

Zara. I worked on hotel reception and as a Reception Manager for years. Late nights, followed by early mornings, Sunday evenings, Christmas Day, 7am on New Years' Day, lots of grief & hassle and not much thanks!

At least at Zara the hours will be comparatively better and you might get a discount!

Zara. No late nights or early mornings.

I'd go for hotel reception. I worked for 2 weeks in retail and absolutely hated it. I preferred reception as more an office type job, but that would depend on your preferences

Zara probably, since I imagine hotel reception requires you to do your share of nights, Christmases etc

@TokyoSushi oh I wouldn't like that
What was the Christmas Day shift like ?

Hotel reception. I did it while at uni and enjoyed it. Also did retail and hated it. Zara will be open Christmas Eve, Boxing Day too.

@theautumnleavess Quiet, but sometimes a bit fraught. People have paid a lot and have very high expectations, so there's a problem in the restaurant, complain at reception, there's a problem in your room, complain at reception, there's a problem in the car park, complain at reception...

I only ever worked in 5* hotels (I know ) but you might be talking about a completely different type of hotel, which will have other issues!

Honestly, Zara is your answer here!

This

Zara has to have a better shift pattern for a work/life balance surely?

So much more info needed.

Benefits? Eg sick pay, discounts, mat pay, pension etc
Working pattern and opening hours - which works better for you?
Annual Leave?
Where are they - is one better or cheaper for parking/transport?
Uniform/clothing allowance?

@chillichick81 independent hotel,they have 41 rooms but have restaurant /bar/tea rooms and host weddings /events etc

Zara is between 9am -9pm
Hotel is between 7-11pm

Zara is a hour away
Hotel is about 20 mins away
I really don't want to work Christmas Day tho and that's putting me and I bet I would be expected to work as I have no kids

Zara - less chance of unsociable hours and staff discount.

The hotel would be better career options , you'd get a discount with both jobs. There would be a Xmas and NY rota and you shouldn't be expected to work extrax just because you don't have children.

There’s another thread somewhere about the choice between call centre & hotel reception work - the verdict was firmly on the side of hotel reception there! Might be interesting to read for the extra perspective if you can find it.

I wouldn't want a two hour commute to work at Zara.

Hotel x1000. I worked at Zara and found it horrendous. High staff turnover and unfriendly management. They also only gave fortnight warning of shifts, though that might have changed.

Hotel reception. More varied experience if you want career progression. But what is the difference (if any) in salary, holiday entitlement etc. Zara's main positive would be discount clothes allowance I expect!

I've never worked in a hotel, but I've worked in retail (clothes) and I hated it.
It was mind numbingly boring, it's the only job I've left after a few months as I hated it so much. Also there is not much room for progression if that is important to you.

The hotel job sounds more interesting and could potential open up other opportunities.

Both will include a lot of weekend work and late nights

I wouldn't travel an hour for a job in retail. Hotel all the way here.

Having had a friend work at Zara, I’m on team hotel reception.

Upper management in Zara is, toxic at best

I was going to say Zara before you mentioned the travel time.

No way would I travel an hour to work in a retail job which I would assume you are not going to be paid much more than minimum wage. That travel time (petrol cost, ?parking cost) is going to eat into your wages significantly!

Ditto - or tritto if that's a word.

Have anyone you been in zara lately ? The place looks a state most of the time, i wouldn't be bothered by their discount either - their clothes are crap and fast fashion. Hotel would be my one - dealing with hotel guest far better than customers in retail. Plus you will get discount food and opportunities to expand career