How to Get Experience as a Front Desk Agent

The front desk clerk must always put on a cheerful demeanor.

Front desk agents typically work in the hospitality field in areas such as hotels and transportation. These agents represent the front line of a business's customer service, ensuring guests and customers are pleased with their experiences. A front desk agent is also usually the last person a customer interacts with, especially at a hotel. Therefore, it is important that a front desk agent have some experience with customer service to know how to handle all types of customers and provide the best service possible.

Instructions

1. Enroll in classes. Some technical and community colleges offer degrees or certificates in hospitality, which can help you learn the skills you need to be a successful customer service agent.

2. Work as a customer service representative while you finish your classes, or simply to gain some experience dealing with customers. Front desk agents must deal with all types of customers, from the irate to the pleasant. The more practice you have working with them, the easier it becomes. Sometimes, it is easier to learn how to deal with them over the phone before handling situations face-to-face.

3. Seek an internship through your school if they're available. You may not get paid or you may get a smaller salary, but the experience you gain can help you find a job as a front desk agent. Look for internships with hotels, airlines, travel agencies or other businesses that require a front desk agent. Many internships will have you working in the middle of the night or evenings, which can reduce the interaction you have with customers. This will allow you to gain experience with other basic elements of a front desk job, such as data entry, phone call etiquette and reservation system operations.

4. Apply for front desk agent jobs in less-populated areas with odd hours, such as evenings and overnights. There is less competition for those jobs. Some hotels may require previous experience, so look for those that don't have that requirement to gain experience for those that do.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot find a customer service job, look for jobs that involve cash-handling, interpersonal skills and clerical skills. All of these skills are important elements of a front desk agent job.

References

• Education-Portal; How to Become a Front Desk Clerk: Career Roadmap
• MyMajors: Front Desk Agent Career Information
• United States Bureau of Labor Statistics; Hotel, Motel and Resort Desk Clerks; December 2009