Whether on vacation or traveling for business, hotel guests depend on the ability of lodging managers to ensure they have a pleasant stay. Lodging managers have a lot to do, such as inspecting guest rooms and public areas, training staff, and taking care of bookkeeping. When a plumbing disaster occurs or bad weather causes cancellations, these managers keep lodging operations running. There are different types of lodging managers: general managers oversee the work of several department managers… revenue managers focus on managing finances, including room sales and reservations… while front office managers coordinate reservations and direct front desk staff. Convention service managers represent all hotel services from accommodations and catering, to providing screens and projectors for groups organizing conferences, meetings, and special events. Managers may be on call 24/7 and may have to work evenings, weekends, or holidays. They work at lodgings ranging from hotels with 1,000 guests… to exclusive resorts… to intimate bed and breakfasts, remote country inns, urban youth hostels, and casual camps. Some lodging managers live on site. Many applicants qualify with a high school diploma and several years’ hotel work experience, but most large hotels expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in hospitality or hotel management. Hotels with fewer services accept applicants with an associate’s degree or certificate in hotel management or operations.
What they do:
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.
On the job, you would:
Answer inquiries pertaining to hotel policies and services, and resolve occupants' complaints.
Participate in financial activities, such as the setting of room rates, the establishment of budgets, and the allocation of funds to departments.
Confer and cooperate with other managers to ensure coordination of hotel activities.
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
management
human resources (HR)
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
psychology
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Social
looking for ways to help people
understanding people's reactions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
communicate by writing
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
Math
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Persistence
Initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility
Attention to Detail
Self Control
You might use software like this on the job:
Electronic mail software
Email software
Microsoft Outlook
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Facilities management software
Anand Systems ASI FrontDesk
UniResMan
bachelor's degree or no high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.