Why becoming a hotel concierge may be the right career move

Considering a job in hospitality? The role of hotel concierge can be right for you. Here are some reasons why becoming a concierge can be a great career move.

Most hotels, from the most affordable to high-end luxury, have a front desk concierge. A hotel concierge assists with, recommends, and plans or reserves various services as requested. It is the goal of a hotel concierge to make guests feel as if they are the most important person in the hotel.

A concierge is valued for their accumulated knowledge, special relationships with vendors and retailers, their creativity and their attention to detail. Basic hotel front desk concierges will check you in, confirm your room status, and give you a personal directory of their favourite local eateries. They may also schedule in-house spa services or call extra housekeeping to your room.

High-end luxury hotels may have a concierge specially booked to run errands of any sort. Some concierges are even known to pick up anniversary gifts for hotel patrons, or to provide special vendor relationship advantages with exclusive eateries or retailers. One of the more outlandish requests recorded? A concierge at luxury hotels was to book a helicopter to attend a Nascar race.

Reason 1: You make a client’s day a little brighter. By being the go-to source of information and services, you make life easier for every hotel guest.

Reason 2: You will build relationships rapidly. This doesn’t just include hotel-goers. If you’re the right fit for a concierge, it will be your job to make, grow, and maintain special relationships with vendors and service providers.

Reason 3: This also means that you will help more than one business achieve its goals. Through your vetting process as a hotel concierge, your referrals will help the businesses with whom you've built relationships.

Reason 4: Every day is different. From banal tasks to elaborate requests, you will constantly challenge your creative problem solving skills.

Reason 5: The better you are, the more money you’ll make. Concierges don’t typically make a high hourly wage or yearly salary — most of their income comes from the tips of pleased hotel patrons. Therefore, the ceiling of what a concierge can make depends mostly on skill and hard work.

A hotel concierge can do nearly anything for a hotel patron. Aspiring to become a concierge requires that you have a flare for giving others an unforgettable experience. If you’re the patron of a luxury hotel, you’ll find the resourcefulness of a hotel concierge can be invaluable to your stay. Even if you're staying at a basic service hotel, don’t skip asking the concierge for their insight and assistance. A hotel concierge will surprise you with their uncanny knowledge of the local area and history.