Working in a Hotel: Pros and Cons To Consider

• Management style. …
• Seasonal scheduling differences. …
• Customer complaints. …
• Weekend and holiday shifts. …
• Fast-paced environment. …
• Routine tasks.

First and foremost, you need to ascertain how much you enjoy interacting with people in order to decide if working in the hospitality industry is right for you. The field requires a lot of interpersonal interaction and is fast-paced. As a result, some jobs may be dead ends, but there is plenty of room for advancement in this field. The corporate ladder can be climbed in many different ways, from entry-level management positions to higher-level regional and district managers. A lot of people even develop the confidence to launch their own chains. Despite the fact that it might be a risky business decision, it has the potential for significant rewards.

Some people might be worried about the amount of stress that comes with working in hotels. Given how much time guests spend there, dealing with hostile, depressed, or otherwise unpleasant visitors can be stressful. Additionally, hotel employees might encounter dire circumstances. The pros and cons of a hotel job should be carefully considered as the pressure may be unavoidable.

If you love to make wonderful experiences for customers, you might want to think about working in the hospitality sector. Online review sites are frequently the difference between a successful business and a failed one in the fierce competition for customers. Because of this, small business owners who are adept at managing their reputations can succeed in the hospitality sector. Many of these companies truly care about giving their customers wonderful experiences, and they are prepared to work extremely long hours and hard to gain their customers’ trust.

The chance to work in a variety of settings and travel the world is another benefit of being in the hospitality industry. Hotel management can be very dynamic and fast-paced, allowing employees to work wherever they want, in contrast to the stable nature of the banking and IT industries. Last but not least, there are opportunities in the hospitality sector to advance and assume more responsibility.

Pro and Cons for working at a Hotel…

8 advantages of a hotel career

Here are eight advantages of working in a hotel:

1. Employee discounts

You might be entitled to discounted services at that hotel or others in the hotel chain if you work there. When you travel, you and your family might be eligible for a discounted rate for rooms or suites. Additionally, hotel managers might provide discounts for staff members to use the gyms, swimming pools, or other amenities, or free meals in the hotel restaurant during specific hours.

2. Possibility of advancement

You can gain important abilities and experience in entry-level and associate positions in hotels, which you can use to advance in the organizational structure of hotels. There are management positions in many hotel teams, which can give you leadership opportunities and higher pay. For instance, hotel housekeeping managers frequently begin in entry-level housekeeping positions and move up by demonstrating initiative and honing their skills.

3. Transferrable skills

In a hotel, you can gain a variety of skills that you can use to land a job at another hotel or hospitality establishment. Additionally, you can apply the expertise you gain from working in the hotel industry to a variety of related fields, giving you a competitive edge during the hiring process. For instance, gaining interpersonal, communication, and prioritization skills while working in guest services can help you stand out as a candidate for administrative positions in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, and others.

4. Tips and bonuses

Throughout their stay, satisfied guests frequently leave tips for hotel staff. These tips can supplement an employee’s salary and encourage them to keep providing high-quality service. Depending on how much the hotel has made during that time, the management of the hotel may also give bonuses to the staff on a quarterly or annual basis. Additional vacation days, employee parties, or other gifts could also be considered bonuses.

5. Diverse interpersonal interactions

Depending on the hotel’s location and your duties, working in the hospitality industry may give you the chance to interact with people from all over the world. You can interact with a variety of guests in roles in administration or guest services, ensuring that they enjoy their stay in the hotel. You can improve your language abilities and gain knowledge of various cultures and nations by interacting with visitors and coworkers from a variety of backgrounds.

6. Job security

Skilled hospitality workers are typically in high demand because hotels provide a vital service to people all over the world. Since there are numerous hotels in many cities, there are always employment opportunities for hotel professionals. Some hotel professionals acquire skills for a variety of related positions, such as guest services coordinator and receptionist, to further increase their job security. They can then perform a variety of tasks and, if necessary, step in for other team members.

7. Variety of positions

Depending on their size and location, hotels may provide a variety of positions. The ability to match a position to your interests and abilities is one perk of working in the hotel industry. A large hotel, for instance, might have staff members who work in housekeeping, maintenance, the kitchen and restaurant, guest services, and a variety of other positions that are essential to the success of the hotel. You may be able to explore different responsibilities while working in a hotel to find your ideal career path.

8. Opportunity for relocation

If you work for a large hotel chain, after demonstrating your value to the establishment, the company may permit you to transfer to a hotel in a different area. This way, you can move to a new state or country with the knowledge that a job in a well-known company is waiting for you there. Depending on your position, the company may cover your moving costs.

What are the pros and cons of working in a hotel?

Hotels typically offer consistent work, the chance to advance within the company through hard work, as well as additional perks like discounts or bonuses. Depending on their position or length of service, some hotels offer different benefits to employees, while other benefits are available to all hotel staff. However, working in a hotel can be difficult, especially during busy times, and you might find it challenging to complete the same tasks every day and adhere to the schedule of the hospitality sector, which frequently includes nights and weekends.

It’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a career in hospitality when deciding whether to pursue one.

6 challenges of a hotel career

Here are six potential challenges of working in a hotel:

1. Management style

In many hotels, departments are run by managers who closely watch their staff and report to directors or higher-level managers. Managers can ensure that everyone meets the hotel’s standards for quality work by closely collaborating with their team. It might take you a while to adjust to a hotel’s rules and standards if you’re used to having less manager oversight. Additionally, you might find it difficult to adhere to formal procedures when making complaints or suggestions.

2. Seasonal scheduling differences

You might discover that your work hours change throughout the year if you work in a place with busy and slow tourist seasons. For instance, a hotel connected to a ski lodge might experience significantly more traffic in the winter than it does in the summer. To make up for the slower time, you might put in more hours during the busy season, which might require some adjusting if you’re used to working the same number of hours each month.

3. Customer complaints

When responding to customer complaints or concerns as part of their job duties as customer service representatives for their guests, hotel staff may occasionally need to use their interpersonal skills and patience. As managers frequently take responsibility for resolving guest issues, the duties a hotel employee performs to address guest complaints may vary depending on their department and level of seniority. They may be responsible for recording grievances, confirming visitor accounts of incidents, and offering solutions to make sure the visitor is content for the remainder of their stay.

4. Weekend and holiday shifts

Many hotels are open on weekends and during holidays to accommodate guests who travel during these times. If you work in a hotel, you might be able to continue working when other places of business are closed. Holidays can be a great time to put in more hours and earn more money, but if you’re used to regular business hours, it might be difficult to adjust to a new schedule.

5. Fast-paced environment

There may be a lot of activity in a hotel’s lobby, hallways, kitchen, and other areas during busy times. You may need to adjust your focus depending on your position to meet the needs of guests and other employees, which calls for flexibility. For instance, a guest services representative may answer a call from a client or respond to a customer at any time, regardless of what they were doing when the phone rang. To get your work done in a hotel might be difficult if you prefer a quiet professional setting.

6. Routine tasks

In some hotel positions, the same tasks must be completed repeatedly. For instance, to maintain the hotels standard of cleanliness, housekeeping staff typically follows the same cleaning procedures for every room after guests check out. These roles might be challenging for you if you enjoy taking on new challenges every day.

FAQ

Is working at a hotel a good job?

• The Work Pattern (Long Hours and Weekend Work) …
• Bureaucratic Hierarchy. …
• The difference in star ratings between 5 star hotels and 1/2 or 3 star hotels
• Unruly Expectations and Complaints of the Customers. …
• The Seasonality of the Hotel Industry.

What benefits come with working in a hotel?

Working at a hotel can be a good career choice. There is room for growth and opportunity in the industry. With experience, entry-level jobs can lead to managerial positions. Hotels can be found everywhere in the nation and the world, so your abilities will be highly transferable.

Is working in a hotel stressful?

• Discounted or free meals. Some hotels and hotel chains offer free or discounted meals.
• Reduced travel prices. A hotel position may also come with travel discounts.
• Reduced room rates. …
• Location flexibility. …
• Greater networking opportunities. …
• Tips and bonuses. …
• More customer interactions. …
• Employee events.