What a Hotel Manager Is?
Before we talk about the steps you need to take to become a hotel manager, let’s first explain what a hotel manager is. We all have stayed at least once in our lifetime at a hotel, right? We all have been served by that waiter during our breakfast, that SPA attendant at the pool, or by the front office team at the check-in and check-out time. But how many of us have encountered the hotel manager? Let me make it simple for you, none! None, because a hotel manager is too busy running the hotel.
Becoming a hotel manager might not be as easy as it seems but in the end will be worth it as is a great job for people who love working with others, enjoy helping guests, and like keeping things organized. Hotel managers make sure a hotel runs smoothly and guests are happy. Here, we will talk about the steps to becoming a hotel manager for all of those who want to become one.
What Does a Hotel Manager Do?
To become a hotel manager, it is important to know what a hotel manager does. A hotel manager is like the “boss” of the hotel. They make sure everything in the hotel works well. They check rooms, the front desk, and other hotel areas to see if everything is okay. They help staff, solve problems, and make sure guests feel welcome.
When you become a hotel manager, you may need to do these things:
- Check that the rooms are clean.
- Help guests when they have problems.
- Work with the kitchen and housekeeping teams.
- Manage hotel costs and budgets.
- Hire and train new staff.
- Plan events and special offers.
- Manage budgets/expenses, analyze and interpret financial information and monitor sales and profits.
- Develop and implement an intuitive and efficient marketing strategy to promote the hotel’s services.
- Deal with maintenance issues, shortages in staff or equipment, renovations etc.
- Collaborate with external parties such as suppliers, travel agencies, event/conference planners etc.
- And many more and more duties and responsibilities.
In a short way, when you become a hotel manager, you will make sure the hotel is a nice, comfortable, and safe place for guests.
The Path To Becoming a Hotel Manager
Start with Education
The first step to becoming a hotel manager is to get the right education. Many hotel managers start by going to school and studying hotel management, tourism, or business. A good education helps because it teaches important things about hotels, like how to manage staff, how to budget, and how to provide excellent service to guests.
There are courses that you can take to learn about hotel management. Some people choose to go to college and get a degree in hotel management, which takes about four years. Others may go to a vocational school, which focuses on job training and may take only one or two years.
Is a college degree necessary to become a hotel manager?
Hotels will have different requirements for their managers. While not an official requirement, getting a hospitality degree will help you progress quicker and enable you to aim for higher roles without having to work your way up from entry-level positions.
Gain Experience in the Hotel Industry
Experience is the most important part if you want to become a hotel manager. Working in different hotel jobs helps you understand how a hotel works. You can start in an entry-level job, like working at the front desk or in the food & beverages department. This will give you a chance to learn about the daily tasks in a hotel.
A lot of hotel managers start as front desk workers or in other small jobs. As they learn more about the hotel business, they move up into higher positions. If you show that you are hardworking, reliable, and good with guests, you might be promoted. Working in different hotel areas will give you the skills and knowledge needed to become a hotel manager.
Build Your Skills
To become a hotel manager, you will need many different skills. Some skills are learned from education, while others come from experience. Here are some important skills for hotel managers:
- Communication Skills: Hotel managers talk to guests and staff all the time. Good communication helps solve problems and keep everyone happy.
- Leadership Skills: As a hotel manager, you will lead the hotel staff. Good leaders help others do their jobs well and solve problems.
- Customer Service Skills: Making guests happy is the main goal. A hotel manager must make sure guests feel comfortable and enjoy their stay.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Problems will come up every day. Good hotel managers find ways to fix problems fast.
- Organization Skills: A hotel has many things going on at the same time. Being organized helps a manager keep everything running well.
- And much much more…
If you work on these skills, you are more likely to become a successful hotel manager.
Work Your Way Up
Most people do not become a hotel manager right away. Usually, they start in lower positions and move up. After working at the front desk, you might move to a supervisor role. Then, after some time, you may become an assistant manager.
Every step helps you get closer to becoming a hotel manager. By working your way up, you learn new skills, meet important people, and understand more about hotel management. When the hotel sees that you are ready, they may offer you the chance to become a hotel manager.
Network with Others
Networking means meeting and building relationships with people in the hotel industry. When you want to become a hotel manager, networking is very helpful. You can network by going to industry events, joining hotel management groups, or even attending conferences.
The more people you know in the hotel world, the more likely you are to find job opportunities. Sometimes, knowing the right people can help you find a job as a hotel manager more easily.
Get Special Trainings or Certifications (Optional)
Some hotel managers get special training or certifications to help them in their careers. These certifications show that you have learned extra skills in hotel management. While certifications are not always needed to become a hotel manager, they can help you stand out.
There are many types of certifications. Some focus on customer service, while others focus on managing hotel finances. If you want to go above and beyond, a certification can help you become a hotel manager faster.
Keep Learning
Even after you become a hotel manager, it is important to keep learning. The hotel industry changes all the time, and learning new skills can help you stay good at your job. Some hotel managers take classes, read books, or attend workshops to keep their knowledge fresh.
Learning helps you become a better hotel manager and keeps you up-to-date on new trends, technology, and guest preferences.
Be Patient and Stay Dedicated
Becoming a hotel manager takes time and effort. It is not an easy job to get, but it is very rewarding. If you stay patient, work hard, and keep learning, you will increase your chances of becoming a hotel manager.
Dedication, on the other hand, is important because achieving success in hotel management takes time and continuous effort. Building a strong team, fostering guest loyalty, and ensuring high service standards are goals that don’t happen overnight. Dedication pushes a manager to keep improving processes, training staff, and setting higher standards for the hotel. This consistent effort leads to better guest experiences and long-term growth for the business.
Apply for Hotel Manager Positions
When you feel ready, you can start applying for hotel manager jobs. Many hotels post job openings online. You can also ask around in hotels where you have worked or places where you know people.
To apply, you usually need a resume that shows your experience and skills. In the resume, highlight your experience in hotels, any education, and your customer service skills. When you apply to become a hotel manager, show that you understand the hotel’s goals and are ready to help make guests happy.
In The End…
To become a hotel manager, you need to understand what a hotel manager does, get an education, build experience, and develop important skills. Working in different roles at a hotel helps you learn what is needed to become a hotel manager. Remember to work your way up, keep learning, and build connections with others in the industry.
If you follow these steps, you can become a hotel manager one day. Just stay focused on your goal, build your skills, and keep working hard. With dedication, anyone can become a hotel manager and help create a wonderful place for guests to stay.
All the images in this article are from Pixabay (not copyrighted and free commercial use).
