Hotel Front Desk Clerks
(NOC 6525)
in All Sales and ServiceHotel front desk clerks make room reservations, provide information and services to guests and receive payment for services. They are employed by hotels, motels and resorts.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Sales and Service
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Hotel Front Desk Clerks most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being seasonal in nature, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year are fairly common.
The median employment income for 38% of Hotel Front Desk Clerks who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $26,113. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$12.82
Median$15.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,812
Minimum$15,605
Median$30,804
MaximumCompared to: All Sales and Service
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$12.55
Median$21.17
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,949
Minimum$16,629
Median$45,086
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Hotel front desk clerks make room reservations, provide information and services to guests and receive payment for services. They are employed by hotels, motels and resorts.
Job duties
Hotel front desk clerks perform some or all of the following duties:
- Maintain an inventory of vacancies, reservations and room assignments.
- Register arriving guests and assign rooms.
- Answer enquiries regarding hotel services and registration by letter, by telephone and in person, provide information about services available in the community and respond to guests' complaints.
- Compile and check daily record sheets, guest accounts, receipts and vouchers using computerized or manual systems.
- Present statements of charges to departing guests and receive payment.
Sample job titles
- guest service representative
- hotel clerk
- hotel concierge
- hotel front desk clerk
- hotel night auditor
- hotel receptionist
- night auditor - hotel
- reception clerk - hotel
- reservations clerk - hotel
Skills
For this type of work, you should be poised, organized, tactful, and patient. Interpersonal skills and the ability to deal comfortably with strangers are important. You should be resourceful and able to handle the unexpected. Good communication skills are also necessary. Knowledge of both official languages and an additional language may be required.
Job requirements
- Completion of high school or equivalent is usually required.
- Completion of a two-year apprenticeship program, or a college program in front desk operations or hotel management may be required.
- Guest service trade certification is available, but voluntary, through the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council.
Other considerations
Many of these jobs are heavily influenced by tourism activity in Nova Scotia; therefore, employment levels tend to vary throughout the year and peak in the summer months. Also, general economic conditions will have an impact on the level of business and pleasure travel undertaken by Nova Scotians. Therefore, employment levels will vary from year to year in many of these jobs. Progression to senior positions such as accommodations manager is possible with additional training and experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Sales and Service
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Cape Breton
Southern
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Accommodation and Food Services
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
45-54
15-24
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Sales and Service
25-34
35-44
55-64
Top levels of education
High school
N/ACollege certificate or diploma
N/ABachelor's degree
N/ALess than high school
N/ATrades certificate
N/ACompared to: All Sales and Service
High school
$12,982 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$19,514 median annual incomeLess than high school
$9,486 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$20,807 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$18,797 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
Hospitality administration/management - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to serve as general managers and directors of hospitality operations on a system-wide basis, including both travel arrangements and promotion and the provision of traveller facilities. These programs include courses in principles of operations in the travel and tourism, hotel and lodging facilities, food services, and recreation facilities industries; hospitality marketing strategies; hospitality planning; management and coordination of franchise and unit operations; business management; accounting and financial management; hospitality transportation and logistics; and hospitality industry policies and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Hotel, motel, and restaurant management
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any instructional program that prepares individuals to manage operations and facilities that provide food and/or lodging services to the traveling public. These programs include courses in hospitality industry principles; supplies purchasing, storage, and control; hotel and restaurant facilities design and planning; hospitality industry law; personnel management and labour relations; financial management; facilities management; marketing and sale promotion strategies; convention and event management; front desk operations; and applications to specific types of hotel, motel, and/or restaurant operations.
Institutions providing this program
21 Woodlawn Road
Dartmouth, NS B2W 2R7
(902) 491-4900
Tourism and travel services management
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to manage travel-related enterprises and related convention and/or tour services. These programs include courses in travel agency management, tour arranging and planning, convention and event planning, travel industry operations and procedures, tourism marketing and promotion strategies, travel counselling, travel industry law, international and domestic operations, and travel and tourism policy.
Institutions providing this program
21 Woodlawn Road
Dartmouth, NS B2W 2R7
(902) 491-4900
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.