How to Become a Hotel Manager

Hotel managers are responsible for operations, including reservations, food services, housekeeping and conventions. In a small hotel, one manager usually makes all the important daily decisions, whereas in a large establishment, a general manager hires a number of managers to be in charge of individual departments.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Travel Books
• Career Counseling
• Online Career Search

1. Ask yourself if you have excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills. They are necessary for a successful hotel management career.
2. Obtain a college degree in hotel management or restaurant management. Remember that a food services department contributes greatly to the profits of a hotel; a successful restaurant manager can see his or her career advance quickly.
3. Take advantage of work-study programs offered by many colleges so that you will gain solid experience working in hotels.
4. Expect to go through a hotel's training program once you are hired after college. During the first couple of years you will be handling only relatively mundane duties, instead of providing your input on issues such as staffing, hotel decor or conventions.
5. Understand that you might be offered a position as a front office manager, a food and beverage manager, a convention services manager, or any of a number of administrative positions after your training period. If you are successful at different managerial positions, your career will benefit in the long run.
6. Be aware that a promotion might require you to relocate for a few years if you work for a hotel chain that has properties throughout the country.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to quickly become proficient with computers because of their widespread use in hotel reservations, billing and overall management operations.
• Consider working for hotels in warm tourist destinations or snowy mountains, depending on your preferred lifestyle.
• Be prepared for long hours, night and weekend work, and the occasional unhappy guest.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
• University of Phoenix, degree Programs to Fit Your Life.