As a front desk agent, you’re an expert multitasker and a high-profile face for your organization. You connect guests with amenities and services, give directions, maintain financial records, and field questions and complaints—all while checking guests in and out. Since you use many different skills on the job, there are multiple directions your career can go when you move up from your front desk role. It just depends on which aspects of your job you’d like to focus on in your next position.
1. Assistant front office manager
If you want to continue working in the front office while shouldering more responsibility, the assistant front office manager position is for you. You’ll still take reservations, coordinate services, and handle registration. But in addition, you’ll help train and supervise front desk agents and manage their schedules. You’ll monitor the performance of front desk staff and play an active part in resolving guests’ disputes. You’ll also gain valuable management experience that will prepare you for future management jobs. This role serves as a bridge between the front office agent and front office manager positions.
2. Concierge
If you always know the perfect restaurant to recommend and you go above and beyond to provide the things guests want, you’ll enjoy the concierge role. The concierge makes recommendations, handles reservations for guests, and purchases tickets to shows and other attractions. The concierge also arranges for services like dry cleaning and personal styling and helps guests get transportation. A concierge needs excellent communication and guest service skills and should be passionate about providing a stellar guest experience both in the hotel and through venues in the local community.
3. Accounting representative
You already have some accounting experience from your work at the front desk, particularly if you’ve worked a night audit shift. If you’d like to delve further into the mathematical side of hotel operations, you’ll be a good fit for an accounting representative position. You’ll reconcile financial records and perform more detailed audits on hotel revenues and accounts with vendors. This job puts you on track to work toward an accounting manager position.
4. Event coordinator
The event coordinator role requires many of the same organizational skills you’ve developed at the front desk, only in this role you’ll make arrangements for events and banquets instead of for individual guests’ stays. You’ll be dealing with large groups, so careful attention to scheduling and planning is important. You’ll communicate catering needs and help set up and prepare spaces for events. If you do well as an event coordinator, you’ll be able to move up to an event planning manager role.