What can you say in an interview that makes you stand out from the crowd?  Can you demonstrate your knowledge using the right terms for your department and speak with authority about your intended position?

According to the Human Resource Director at a hotel in Golden, Colorado, it really depends on the type of job you’re applying for. She recently rejected an application for the food and beverage department in her hotel when the candidate was unable to name some of the dishware used in the kitchen. Make sure you know the “lingo” of the area you’re applying for and can speak about it in a way that showcases your knowledge.

APPLYING FOR A BANQUET/FOOD AND BEVERAGE POSITION?

Do you know what BEO is?  Do you know how to “set a room?”  Here are a few of the common phrases and terms that will set you apart:
 

 

 

Banquet Event Order (BEO)
Also called a Function Sheet or Event Order, a detailed document that provides to a venue instructions and a timeline for how the banquet, meeting, or event will be run

Masking Drape
Fabric used to cover storage or other areas that should not be displayed

 

 

 

 

Banquet Round
A round table used at a banquet that usually seats between 8-12 guests, depending on its diameter

Overset
Number of place settings above a guarantee
 

 

Chevron Seating
Room setup whereas chairs are placed in rows forming a V-formation facing the stage or podium, also called Herringbone and V-Shape

Skirting
Fabric affixed around tables, stages and risers, often hiding cords and storage
 

 

Theater Seating
Chairs set up in rows facing the speaker or stage, also called Auditorium Seating

 

 

Table d’Hote
French phrase indicating a full meal with a limited choice of dishes for a fixed price

Serpentine Setup
A series of tables set together making a curvy line, often used to make a more interesting display of food or literature		 

 

Table Tent
A folded card on a table used to indicate table number or provide other information for the guest
 

 

 

Classroom Seating
Room set up whereas tables are set in rows with chairs all facing the stage or podium; also called Schoolroom Seating

Throw Distance
Projection distance; useful to know       based on the layout and size of the room

APPLYING FOR A FRONT DESK POSITION?

You should be familiar with terms such as:
 

American Plan (AP) – A billing arrangement under which room charges include the guestroom and three meals, Also called as full board / full pension. 

 

Upselling – A sales technique whereby a guest is offered a more expensive room than what he or she reserved or originally requested, and then persuaded to rent the room based on the room’s features, benefits, and his or her needs.

 

 

Modified American Plan (MAP) – A billing arrangement under which the daily rate is including room and two meals, generally Breakfast and dinner.

OTA – Online Travel Agents

 

 

 

 

Continental Plan (CP) – One of the most common/preferred billing arrangement which includes room and continental breakfast.

Walking – Turning away a guest who has a reservation because of a lack of room availability.
 

 

Rack Rate – The published tariff for each room type / category  in a hotel

 

 

Due outs – Guests expected to check out on a given day who have not yet done so.

APPLYING FOR A SALES OR MARKETING POSITION?

A good general understanding of the hotel business and its revenues is a must when interviewing for an office position or sales/marketing.  Here are some common terms and phrases you should be familiar with:
 

 

 

 

ADR (or ARR) – Average Daily Rate, or Average Room Rate (calculated by dividing revenue generated from income from hotel rooms sold by the total number of rooms sold)

GOR – Gross Operating Revenue.
 

 

 

AGOP – Adjusted Gross Operating Profit (equal to the gross operating profit minus the hotel management base fee and any additional expenses)

House Count – The total occupancy of the hotel at any given moment.
 

 

Allocation – usually refers to an ‘allocation of rooms’ (e.g. a conference may have an allocation of rooms at an agreed rate)

PPPN – Per Person, Per Night.

 

 

CRO – Central Reservations Office – the central ‘hub’ that handles bookings of behalf of a hotel (or chain). 

 

RevPAR – Room Revenue, Per Available Room. The gross room revenue is divided by the amount of rooms to calculate the RevPAR, a common figure used to benchmark performance (based on rates and hotel occupancy levels)

GOP – Gross Operating Profit (Total revenue less expenses) 

 

Rooms Yield – Average revenue of all rooms, divided by the number of rooms in a hotel, divided by 365 nights.

Clearly, you can’t know every term for every position, but you should be familiar with the common phrases used in your desired area.  As you move around within the hotel and work in other areas, your knowledge will grow with experience and you’ll be building your resume for a future management position.