Front Desk Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How much does a Front Desk person with no experience would make in a dental office? I am looking for a job as part time Front desk Admin Assistant.I have completed a two month certification in Dental Office Admin Assistant and I was told that our starting rate should not be less than $14/hr but in reality it is way tooooo low than that? Please advice on how should I negotiate and how much should my starting rate be?

Answer: No thats not true, they can start you off less and then increase it as you prove your worth.

Question: How many hotels have you been to where the front desk receptionist was sitting either in a chair on a stool? I work in a hotel and am wondering if it's common for front desk receptionists to be seated. The owner of the hotel I work at doesn't approve, but after 8 hours of standing my legs and feet hurt a a lot! Also, do you find it less professional if the receptionist is sitting?

Answer: Honestly every hotel I have been to, the front desk worker has a stool or chair. They of course stand up when they are assisting someone, but when it is not busy they sit down.

Question: How would I go about getting a job as a Front Desk Agent in a Hotel? I am very interested in working at a hotel, particularily with guest services. I would like to know what expierence I need. I currently only have 3 years of cashier/customer service at a Pharmacy/Convenience Store, and I am worried that most hotels will want expierence as a Front Desk Agent. How do I get into this business and what kind of information would I put on my resume? Should I follow up after I hand in the resume? Thanks!

Answer: YOU'RE IN !!! Hey, re-work your resume to emphasize (don't lie) your cashier & customer satisfaction experience. On your cover letter, emphasize why you are good at customer satisfaction and how this will be good for their hotel. YES, always follow up. Try to find the HR person at the hotel and then follow up. Good Luck

Question: How do you get hotel front desk experience if no one will hire you without it? I think i would be great working at a front desk at a hotel, but everyone ive applied to says I need exp to the job. Ive tried big chains, small chains, hotel, motels, but its always the same answer. Its really frusterating. Please help!

Answer: Lie. It's really the only way to get into a job that you want. Think about if you get caught lying... they might not give you the job.

Question: What kind of treats for patients are good to put at the front desk in a doctor's office? I know you guys are thinking "If it's a doctor's office, don't offer candy because it's bad for them." However, I think hey, if it makes them happy, they will feel better. What kind of candy or treats (not necessarily edible) should I put at the front desk of this office? Mints? Something more exciting? Should they be wrapped individually, or can people just grab and eat it. Thanks!

Answer: lollipops, jolly ranchers, lifesavers

Question: What do you expect from the front desk agent at a hotel? When you're checking into a hotel, do you like the front desk agent to be talkative and bubbly or do you just want them to give you your keys and let you be on your way? Does it matter? What about when you check out? Do you like for them to ask you how your stay was and ask about where you're headed?

Answer: That depends... I may be in a hurry to get to bed, or get to my room to pee or to call home or whatever. Or I may be happy of a little face to face human contact. I may enjoy the sound of your voice, or your accent, or staring at your tits. Or not. I may be cheating on my wife, or fleeing from the law, or be a very famous ,and for any of those reasons want to avoid notice. I may have a sore throat and want to avoid talking. I may be so sleepy it's a burden to make conversation. I may be desperate to get away from your cologne. I may be wondering what time you get off, and if you'd like to help me get off! I may really want to know where you got your earrings. You may remind me of someone I know, and if so that may be reason for me to prolong or foreshorten our interaction. One thing you can be pretty sure of: If you match me, I'll be happier than if you don't. If I make lots of eye contact, take my time, and say more than is necessary, do the same. If I'm strictly business, match that. But I'd say that one "hello," "welcome," "please," and "thank you" per transaction would rarely be out of place.

Question: Is it fun working front desk at a veterinary clinic? I got a job offer to work the front desk at a vet clinic, but I've never done it before. Is it something that I will enjoy? Because I love animals with a passion.

Answer: You will get to meet lots of animals and their people, but you will also have to be strong and calm enough to get in animals in emergency situations. When I took my two dogs to the vet for boarding, there was a little girl crying. Her dog had been hit by a car. There are dogs with seizures, bleeding, and every sort of thing. Mainly you see lots of animals for routine care, but don't forget the hard stuff. If you can handle pressure well, do the job. You can't get rude or sarcastic with people who have been thoughtless and allow harm to befall their pet, either.

Question: What should be the Salary of a Front Desk Supervisor in Hotel ? I want to know how much the Salary should be for a Front Desk Supervisor ? Is it Executive position ? Is the Supervisor paid Bonus too ? Presnetly working for few months and would like to change as I am doing too good but my work is not recognized and appreciated. How much experience is required to apply for a better place. ? Plssss help

Answer: It helps some to research your position on-line. That will give you some extra ammo too when you are discussing your position and a possible pay raise with your supervisor. I have litsed a good source for this for you to peruse so you can get some questions answered as well as check what your salary is around the nation. Good luck.

Question: How much do front desk agents make at a hotel? I was thinking about getting a job as a Front Desk Agent at a hotel, and was wondering how much money do they earn?

Answer: $12 50 $14 an hour

Question: What responsibilities does a gym receptionist/front desk person have? I applied to work at the front desk at a gym, but i'm not exactly sure what role i'd be playing? what exactly would some of my responsibilities be? i've also heard that a big part of the job relates to selling but i'm not sure exactly how that is. any answers, advice or tips would be much appreciated! =)

Answer: At my gym the people who work the desk don't get to sell until they have been there for a while. Usually the front desk people just act really nice to you and scan your card, sometimes they let you borrow a basketball and a towel. It's basically like being a host/hostess at a restaurant, good job for a cute little girl who is friendly.

Question: How much does a Guest Services Front Desk position with Royal Caribbean get paid? I am interviewing with Royal Caribbean for a Guest Services position at the Front Desk, and was wondering if there is anyone who could give me some advice as to how much the starting pay is, and other duties involved with this position. thanks!

Answer: Wow good luck with that. Because unless you are an officer the pay is going to be low. I am not sure the rate but I know that most other positions rage from 2.50 to 5.50 an hour. The only cruise line that pays US scale is NCLA and they are downsizing so that doesn't help. PS are you sure you can handle that job. The work itself is one thing, but there are other things to think about that goes with the job. You work every single day for 10 months. You also share a room with 1 or 2 more people that you don't know. Your room is going to be about 150 square foot, if that. All these factors can lead to more stress then you expect.

Question: How much do they pay front desk clerks? How much do the front desk clerks get paid at the Post Office?

Answer: Well, considering that job goes to the clerks high on the seniority list, (usualy with 10 - 15 years experience) they are probably making about $23-$26 and hour. No clerk makes less that $18.50, that's just starting out. Not even seasonal workers or janitors make just $11 and hour. If you're interested go to www.usps.com, Don't pay ANYONE for testing materials or to "sign you up fot the test" it's a scam oh yeah, it has NOTHING to do with where you live, the contract is national Good luck

Question: What is it like working as front desk at a luxury spa? I just accepted a job with a luxury spa working front desk full time and I'm wondering if anyone has worked in a position such as this, what was it like? What kind of benefits do you get (i.e. beauty services)? Is it semi-enjoyable? Thanks much!

Answer: Fun!!!! :)

Question: Girl at dental office front desk said invisalign is very painful? I am talking to my Dental office about braces and the front desk girl said she got them and had to quite using them because they were so painful. She said wire braces don't hurt as much and only the truly dedicated will stick it through with invisalign. Is this true? I really only want invisalign because no one can see them and I could still talk and eat normally. Did she just have a bad Ortho do it or something?

Answer: she is very right about only the dedicated can stick to the invisalign. As a matter of a fact she was probably one of the undedicated people who probably took it out much ofyen then it should have...which makes it hurt, because your teeth (in most case) are shifting position under braces and if you keep removing to to do things or because they are slightly uncomfortable, putting it back in will be painful. With wire braces, you dont have a choice and will garner better results for this reason. Dont be embarassed, whether they are clear or silver, you will still FEEL like you have braces, but a lot of peole get them. Just keep your gums and teeth very clean, because you will get stains if you dont....i see some situations like it....good luck

Question: What is a good type of candy to serve at a front desk of a pool? I just started a new job as a front desk attendant at a swimming pool and I'm looking for some ways to spruce up the area. I thought it might be nice to have a bowl with some sort of candy or mints. My only concerns are that candy with wrappers might create a mess and some candy might not be appropriate for young children. What are some types of candy that would be okay to serve and wouldn't make a mess? If not candy, what are some other ideas of small, inexpensive treats that I could provide?

Answer: Lifesavers

Question: Motel front desk manager wants your help? I want to teach my staff the skills needed to make all the incoming guests feel welcome to the motel. What do you reccomend I teach them. What do you want from a front desk person when you check into a major Hotel? What things do you notice first when checking in about the motel or the staff member who is helping you?

Answer: I do quite a lot of travelling, and I'm a bit picky about decent service. One thing you may want to mention to them (and this is what I used to tell my staff when I worked in the service industry), is that research has shown that an unhappy client will on average tell 10 people about their bad experience - while on the other hand if they have a good experience they will only tell 4. If I have great service I will literally become an un-paid salesperson for the place. I tell EVERYONE I know if I've had a good time somewhere! Obviously the 1st thing I notice is whether anyone cares I'm there. If you have 5 staff members walking around and noone greeting me you're off to a bad start. I'm also a big believer in personal presence being a little more important than someone on the phone. If I have to wait standing in front of someone on the phone for more than a few minutes, I'm going to get cranky. It kind of gives off an attitude like "you're here so now we don't have to try with you", and implies that they'll do anything to con you into staying here, but nothing to make your stay top notch. Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying you have to get off the phone - but a simple "can you hold on one moment" to the person on the phone, then greet me and tell me you'll be there shortly - or find out what I want. My issue may take 3 seconds to fix. The person you're talking to could spend a half hour on the phone! After that I'm easy. A smile is essential. You need to act like you care (even if you don't). And you need to be helpful. If you don't know the answer to a question or problem I ask you - don't waffle and make up rubbish answers. Tell me you don't know - and then go find me someone who can answer it (and you'll learn something new in the process). The only other suggestion I have is that people have terribly short memories. If you have been lovely to them, and then you turn away from them before they leave, or don't smile and say "have a nice stay" or something like that, that's the part of the encounter they remember. Everything that came before that is forgotten - and they're got what they regard as bad customer service. It's like a football team that plays a fabulous game the whole time, then loses the game in the last 2 minutes - it will be forever remembered for that last 2 minutes, and not what came before. So that's the wisdom of my travelling experiences... hope it helps! And good luck with the staff! :) PAM