Part-time employment in the hotel industry
In some cases, being a desk clerk at a hotel can be a part-time position. These jobs require that someone be very attentive to customers and good at handling people, and they must also be organized and have good written and verbal communication skills. In most cases, they'll also need good computer and data entry skills, since much of the hotel industry has gone high-tech and is now computer-based.
Other temporary jobs to be had in the hotel industry are those of cleaning services. Because patrons at hotels do not clean up, continual cleaning service is a must; in most cases, rooms will have to be cleaned at least cosmetically every day, with deep cleaning and bed changes occurring every couple of days.
Cleaning service jobs are quite low paying, with desk clerk jobs paying somewhat better at $18,000 a year on average if considered full-time. In many cases, hotel jobs are very good summer jobs for college students and other types of students to have, since they occur during the year when most people are on vacation and will be using these types of services. Cleaning services often are paid at just minimum wage, although tipping by customers is certainly appreciated and can help fill in the gaps in regard to pay for these particular low-paying jobs.
Other hotel jobs that may be considered part-time or temporary are food service workers that work either with the hotel or in an attached restaurant. Again, these jobs pay sometimes less than minimum wage, but because tips are included as part of the earnings for the most part, they can sometimes pay quite well as long as the worker in question does a good job. Being a waiter, or kitchen worker are among the temporary jobs to be had in the food service industry as it relates to hotels.
Especially in resort areas, temporary hotel jobs may include those who work with groundskeepers or landscapers to keep the grounds outside the hotel in good shape. Again, temporary workers usually work under the supervision of full-time employees and are often employed during peak seasons and then laid off during the off-season months.
In areas where gambling is common and legal, workers who perform gaming services such as tending slot machines or who are dealers for card games and table games are also part of the temporary workforce for hotels. These types of jobs generally require a higher level of responsibility and therefore may be somewhat higher paying than service jobs such as maid-service or janitorial work. Baggage porters and bellhops are usually employed by higher-level hotels and luxury hotels; again, although these positions are typically low paying, landing a temporary position in one of these luxury hotels almost ensures a better pay rate simply because tipping is much more accepted and prevalent in these hotel sectors.
Finally, a fast-growing sector of service workers within the hotel industry is that of the recreation or fitness worker. These people organize and conduct recreational activities for guests who want them, mostly at high-level hotels. In some cases, luxury hotels may have fully equipped workout facilities, complete with personal trainers there to help supervise and improve guests' workout routines.
Administrative positions
These are usually behind the scenes and do occur full time, so they don't fall into the category of ''temporary'' work. Nonetheless, they are part of the hotel industry, too. They include such positions as switchboard operators, full-time hotel desk clerks, and bookkeeping and accounting clerks.
Job outlook
In general, the recreational nature of hotels ensures great growth especially in the vacation months that occur in the summer and during the holidays. As stated previously, these types of employment are especially beneficial to students, who may be off school in the summer and therefore put in full-time employment to make some extra money to pay for school or other activities.
However, at present, the hotel industry and other recreationally based industries may be suffering because of the economy. As people cut back on extras to save money, so, too, does the hotel industry and all related services therein suffer. However, as the economy picks up, so, too, will these mostly service-related jobs.
Making a career out of a hotel industry job
It can be quite difficult to make a career out of a hotel industry job unless one is in management or administration. However, working one's way up from a part-time worker to the level of supervisor is certainly possible for those who wish to assume this type of career full-time.
Compensation
Across all markets, hotel workers in the service industries especially made about $18,000 a year on average as of 2006.
