Hospitality Careers

By: Josh Stone

There are many different career paths in the hospitality industry. Everything from receptionists, maitre d' and bellhops.

A receptionist is an office/administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office of an organization or business. The title "receptionist" is attributed to the person who is specifically employed by an organization to greet any visitors, patients, or clients.

The occupation has been the traditional domain of women, but more men today are becoming involved in receptionist duties, possibly under different names of employment, such as front desk coordinator, or information clerk. During the late-1990's, some companies have begun to refer to their receptionist with the upgraded title of "Director of First Impressions."

A receptionist is usually expected to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, but a receptionist may also possess a vocational certificate/diploma in business and office administration. Although a postsecondary degree is not normally required for this position, some receptionists may hold four year university degrees in a variety of majors. A few receptionists may even hold advanced degrees.

The business duties of a receptionist may include: answering visitor inquiries about a company and its products or services, directing visitors to their destinations, sorting mail, answering incoming calls on multi-line telephones or a switchboard, setting appointments, filing, records keeping, keyboarding/data entry and performing a variety of other office tasks, such as faxing. Some receptionist may also perform bookkeeping or cashiering duties. Some, but not all, offices may expect the receptionist to serve coffee or tea to guests, and to keep the lobby area tidy.

A receptionist may also assume some security guard access control functions for an organization by verifying employee identification, issuing visitor passes, and by observing and reporting any unusual or suspicious persons or activities.

A receptionist is often the first business contact a person will meet at any organization. It is an expectation of most organizations that the receptionist maintain a calm, courteous and professional demeanor at all times regardless of the visitor's behavior. Some personal qualities that a receptionist is expected to have in order to do the job successfully include: attentiveness, a well groomed appearance, initiative, loyalty, maturity, respect for confidentiality and discretion, a positive attitude and dependability. At times, the job may be stressful due to interaction with many different people with different types of personalities, and being expected to perform multiple tasks quickly.

Depending upon the industry, a receptionist position can be considered be a low-ranking, dead end or servile position, or it could be perceived as having a certain veneer of glamour with opportunities for networking in order to advance to other positions within a specific field. Some people may use this type of job as a way to familiarize oneself with office work, or to learn of other functions or positions within a corporation. Some people use receptionist work as a way to earn money while pursuing further educational opportunities or other career interests such as in the performing arts or as writers.

While many persons working as receptionists continue in that position throughout their careers, some receptionists may advance to other administrative jobs such as customer service representative, dispatcher, interviewers, secretary, production assistant, and executive assistant. In smaller businesses, such as doctor's or lawyer's office, a receptionist may also be the office manager who is charged with a diversity of middle management level business operations. When receptionists leave the job, they often enter other career fields such as sales and marketing, public relations or other media occupations.

The advancement of office automation has eliminated some receptionists' jobs. For example, a telephone call could be answered by a computer. However, a receptionist who possesses strong office/technical skills and who is also adept in courtesy, tact and diplomacy is still considered an asset to a company's business image, and is still very much in demand in the business world.

The maitre d' (short for maitre d'hotel, literally "master of the hall") in a suitably staffed restaurant is the person in charge of assigning customers to tables in the establishment, and dividing the dining area into areas of responsibility for the various servers on duty. He or she may also be the person who receives and records advance reservations for dining, as well as deal with any customer complaints and making sure all servers are completing their tasks in an efficient manner. In some localities or traditions the post is also known as the headwaiter or captain.

In the United States, these functions may be vested in a manager, supervisor, or cashier. A working maitre d' here is usually associated with a destination restaurant, or one connected with a four-star or better hotel. Though the distinction between a maitre d'hotel and host is, in practice, one of nomenclature, less elite establishments employ a "host".

A bellhop (also bellboy or bellman) is a hotel employee who helps patrons with their luggage while checking in or out. The job's name is derived from the fact that the hotel's front desk would ring a bell to summon an available employee, who would "hop" (jump) to attention at the desk in order to receive instructions.

Historically, this employee traditionally was a boy or adolescent male who may have been otherwise unskilled but able to carry luggage; hence the term bellboy. Often (s)he wears a uniform, like certain other page boys or doormen. In many countries such as the United States, it customary to tip such an employee for his or her service.

This position can also be held by a woman today, with the progression of equality in the workplace. The term "bellperson" is much less gender specific. The duties that are included in this job are opening the door, pulling luggage, calling cabs, giving directions, basic concierge work, and responding to any need of the guest.

Some larger apartment buildings or groups of buildings retain the use of a concierge, without the traditional disposition whereas the concierge saw all comings and goings. The concierge may, for instance, keep the mail of absented dwellers; be entrusted with the keys of apartments in cases of emergencies in the absence of the inhabitant; and other services.

In hotels and certain other facilities, a concierge assists guests with various tasks like finding taxicabs, restaurants, and interesting places to visit. In upscale establishments, a concierge is often expected to "achieve the impossible", dealing with any request a guest may have, no matter how apocryphal or strange, relying on an extensive list of personal contacts with various local merchants and service providers.

Article Source: http://www.bigfreearticles.com

There are many different career paths in the hospitality industry. Everything from receptionists, maitre d' and bellhops.

About the Author:
Freelance writer for over eleven years. Hospitality Uniform Aprons Dickies Scrubs

Tags: hospitality career, bellhop, bellboy, bellman, receptionist, hospitality industry, restaurant, hotel

Please Rate this Article

Comments

Share This Article - Quick and Easy Using This Button:

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Uncategorized Articles Via RSS!

Read More Articles From - Home | Uncategorized

Men, Women, and Sex: Why Pubic Hair Removal Can Improve Your Sex Life By: Phoenix Delray - No longer is pubic hair removal reserved for women and girls; men are now shaving pubic hair to improve their sex lives and their looks. Erections look larger pubic hair removal for men can increase the look of their erections, and that alone is one of the main reasons that men start pubic hair removal rituals. There are actually many reasons that involve sex and looks that a man would want to start a pubic shaving regimen. Heres why.
Tags: celebrator, jack rabbit vibrator, pubic shaving, pubic hair removal, vibrators
Men and Sex: Male Pubic Shaving By: Phoenix Delray - Many men wonder if sex can be improved by pubic shaving, and many want to know if girls will be attracted to a man with a shaved pubic area or not. Many claim that a pubic shaving for a man is a benefit to his sex life, because women first of all usually dont care much to have a face full of fuzz when they are giving oral sex. There are good ways for a man to perform pubic shaving and not so good ways, so here are some of the best tips for a man to get started on pubic shaving.
Tags: celebrator, jack rabbit vibrator, pubic shaving, pubic hair removal, vibrators
Training Alone Versus Using A Training Partner By: Dane Fletcher - A lot of people are usually perplexed on whether it is better to train alone with weights in the gym or to have somebody as a partner in the gym. The answer to this is quite simple; it is good to train alone but training with a partner will produce better results especially if you are just starting out. It is true that no man is an island and it is especially so when you are in the gym. For you to get better results you need to be working with a person who is highly motivated and focused when it comes to training.
Tags: training, weightlifting, workout, exercise, partners, buddies, technique
The Costs Associated with Affiliate Marketing By: Stacey Reid - A person that invests in their dream business is confident that they can make money. There has to be money set aside for your affiliate marketing business. There are costs associated with your business that you will have to incur. The old phrase it takes money to make money is true with any business and including your affiliate marketing business. If you are going to generate extra income you will need to invest money. The attraction to affiliate marketing is how cheap the startup costs can be. An affiliate marketing business is perhaps the cheapest home business you can start off with. There are other costs involved beyond the setup costs.
Tags: affiliate marketing, affiliate marketer
Every Family Needs Multiple Income Streams By: Stacey Reid - There was time long ago that a family could survive and did survive off of one income. The father worked while the mom stayed at home. Today inflation and economic factors especially with the recession the country is in now, surviving from two incomes is difficult. Looking at this trend we can imagine what the future holds for families. It is already obvious that two incomes is not enough for the average family. With this fact known it is best for families to prepare for the worst of times. These are difficult times for the average working family.
Tags: extra income, residual income
Start Small When Starting with Affiliate Marketing By: Stacey Reid - When you are starting out new as an affiliate marketer you should be concerned about making a little money at first. Think about making maybe $25 dollars a day. Most newbies make the mistake of thinking to large. They want to make what the advertisers are hyping in those ads saying you can be a millionaire within 24 hours. That is far fetched and do not believe the hype. There is a great learning curve in the beginning. You have to understand the business and understand how to do certain things to generate money if you are looking for a long term business.
Tags: affiliate marketing, affiliate marketers
How to Stay Focused as an Affiliate Marketer? By: Stacey Reid - Affiliate Marketing is growing at a phenomenal rate in the United States and around the world. The income made in this industry has excelled past the billions of dollars annually. The key to surviving and seeing your share of the profits in this industry is a rock solid plan that you have to stick to. There are so many people who become interested in this business but do not have a fail proof plan of sticking with it. Having a plan that you commit to will guarantee you some success in this industry. If you do not have a plan you will definitely fail. It is hard work to understand the industry as it evolves everyday.
Tags: affiliate marketing, business, affiliate marketer
Cross Border Shipping Requirements By: scott gallagher - When you are making a shipment from Canada into the United States, there are certain documents and forms that need to accompany your shipment. Sometimes, your Toronto delivery company that you use may be able to help you in acquiring these forms, or in directing you to where to obtain them. The Toronto courier company that you use will ensure that you have all of the proper documentation filled out before they attempt to carry your goods into the United States. This is not only for your protection, but also theirs, as a discrepancy in the required paperwork can cause a hold up at the border.
Tags: toronto delivery, toronto courier
Is Master Cleanse a Scam? By: Misa Smith - The answer to the title question is a resounding NO! The detoxification program called Master Cleanse is used for several different reasons and it is an effective treatment for them all. You can find out more about starting the program for yourself at the link in the author box below. First of all, as stated above, Master Cleanse is an excellent detoxification program. Our bodies contain tons of contaminants built up over years of just living and breathing.
Tags: master cleanse, detox, detoxification, toxins, pollution
7 Money Saving Plumbing Tips By: Chad Wiley - Paying a plumber can be an extreme waste of money in some cases, because there are many things that you can do yourself that will save you hundreds of dollars in plumbing fees. 1. Look for and fix any and all leaky faucets and toilets. Fixing a toilet, faucet or lawn system reduces water consumption. One leaking toilet will waste enough water in one year to fill a swimming pool. 2. Always have replacement parts on hand. To conserve water and save money have replacement parts on hand. Plan do get these parts each year so you will not be surprised when one is needed and you did not budget for it.
Tags: plumbing, fix house, plumbing issues