How to Be Hotel Porter - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 14, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Hotel porters are the first impression of a hotel to the guests, as they are responsible for welcoming and assisting them throughout their stay. As such, their role is essential for providing guests with a positive experience, which can have a direct effect on the hotel's overall success. It is important for porters to be knowledgeable about the hotel's amenities and services, as well as the surrounding area, in order to provide guests with all the information they might need.

Furthermore, porters should possess strong customer service skills, enabling them to address any concerns or problems that may arise quickly and efficiently. Finally, their ability to handle luggage and transport guests to and from their rooms with efficiency and courtesy is also essential for creating a lasting impression. Therefore, it is clear that the roles and responsibilities of hotel porters have an important impact on the success of a hotel.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. Hotel porters need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent degree in order to qualify for the job.
Obtain a Certification in Hospitality. Employers may prefer hotel porters with a certification in hospitality. This certification may be obtained through a professional organization, such as the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.
Gain Experience. It is beneficial to gain some experience working in hotels before applying for a hotel porter job. This experience can be obtained through volunteer work, internships, or part-time jobs.
Apply for the Job. Once you have the necessary education and experience, you can begin applying for hotel porter jobs.
Complete On-the-Job Training. Most employers provide on-the-job training for their hotel porters. This training will teach you how to perform all of the duties of the job.
Maintain Professionalism. As a hotel porter, it is important to maintain professionalism and provide excellent customer service. You should also be knowledgeable about the hotel and its services.

The success of a hotel porter relies heavily on their abilities to be skilled and capable. To become a successful porter, having a strong work ethic and customer service skills is crucial. A strong work ethic includes punctuality, being reliable, and working efficiently.

Customer service skills include excellent communication skills, being patient and courteous to all guests, and being able to stay calm in difficult situations. Furthermore, a successful hotel porter should possess knowledge about the hotel and its services, and be able to troubleshoot basic problems. By having these qualities, a hotel porter can be successful in their job and provide excellent service to their guests.

You may want to check Hotel Reservation Agent, Hotel Security Guard, and Hotel Security Officer for alternative.

Job Description

Greet guests in a professional and friendly manner.
Carry luggage and other items for guests.
Respond to guests requests for information, directions and other services.
Clean and maintain lobby, public areas and guest rooms.
Deliver messages, newspapers and other items to guest rooms.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of hotel facilities and services as well as local attractions.
Stock and store supplies in appropriate areas.
Set up meeting rooms with chairs, tables and other equipment as requested.
Valet park cars for guests.
Monitor safety and security in the hotel.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Exceptional customer service skills, including the ability to handle difficult customer situations.
Ability to work effectively with other staff members, such as housekeepers and front desk personnel.
Ability to prioritize tasks and remain organized in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of hotel amenities, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of local area attractions and transportation options.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Ability to lift heavy luggage and packages.
Ability to work long hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Proficiency in operating computerized software systems used in the hospitality industry.
Ability to complete tasks quickly and accurately with minimal direction and supervision.

Hotel porters play an important role in ensuring that guests have a pleasant stay. Their most important skill is the ability to provide excellent customer service. They need to be friendly, courteous, and helpful to all guests, providing them with the information they need and responding to their questions and requests promptly.

This skill is essential for creating a good impression and helping to ensure that guests have an enjoyable experience. Furthermore, hotel porters need to be organized and able to multitask effectively in order to efficiently manage their duties. This includes maintaining the cleanliness of public areas, helping guests with their luggage, and keeping track of room keys.

By having excellent customer service skills and being organized and efficient, hotel porters ensure that guests have a pleasant stay at the hotel.

Hotel Housekeeper, Hotel Valet, and Hotel General Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in a hotel?
What do you believe is the most important role of a hotel porter?
How would you handle a difficult guest situation?
What would you do if you had to carry a heavy load of luggage for an extended period of time?
How do you handle multiple tasks and responsibilities?
How would you go about ensuring all guests have a positive and enjoyable experience?
What do you think sets apart a great hotel porter from a good one?
Describe how you handle customer complaints in a professional manner.
How do you stay organized and ensure all tasks are completed in a timely manner?
Describe how you would go about providing excellent customer service.

Common Tools in Industry

Cleaning Supplies. Cleaning supplies such as mops, brooms, dusters, and vacuum cleaners are essential to a hotel porter's job. (eg: Vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt from carpets and upholstery).
Luggage Carts. Luggage carts are used to transport luggage and other items within the hotel. (eg: A four-wheeled trolley cart to help transport heavier items).
Computer. Hotel porters use computers to check guests in and out, print bills, and provide information about hotel services. (eg: Point of Sale software to process payments).
Communication Equipment. Communication equipment such as phones, radios, and two-way radios are used to communicate with other staff members and guests. (eg: Walkie-talkies for staff to communicate throughout the hotel).
Key Cards. Key cards provide guests with access to their rooms, and are used by hotel porters to open and close doors. (eg: Magnetic stripe key cards with encoded information).
Log Books. Log books are used to record important information such as guest arrivals/departures, room cleaning status, and maintenance requests. (eg: A log book with a detailed list of daily tasks).

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Hotel and Restaurant Engineering (IAHRE)
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA)
National Association of Hotel and Restaurant Professionals (NAHRP)
National Hotel & Motel Association (NH&MA)
International Association of Conference and Event Services (IACES)
American Society of Professional Porters (ASPP)
International Concierge and Luggage Porters Association (ICLPA)
British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)
Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA)
International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA)

We also have Hotel Custodian, Hotel Bellhop, and Hotel Receptionist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Bellhop. A hotel employee who helps guests with their luggage and other items upon arrival and departure.
Concierge. A hotel employee who assists guests with their accommodations, activities, and any other needs they may have during their stay.
Housekeeping. The staff of a hotel responsible for cleaning guest rooms, public areas, and other spaces.
Valet. A hotel employee who parks and retrieves guest vehicles from the parking lot.
Front Desk. The reception area of a hotel, where guests check in, check out, and receive information about the hotel and its services.
Room Service. A hotel amenity that allows guests to order food and beverages to be delivered directly to their room.
Doorman/Doorperson. A hotel employee who greets guests upon arrival and departure and provides assistance with luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the role of a Hotel Porter? A1: A Hotel Porter is responsible for providing excellent customer service to guests of a hotel by carrying luggage, running errands, assisting with check-in and check-out processes, and providing general information about the hotel and its services. Q2: What qualifications do I need to become a Hotel Porter? A2: To become a Hotel Porter, you will need to have excellent communication and customer service skills, an understanding of hospitality operations, and basic knowledge of hotel services. Some employers may also require a high school diploma or GED. Q3: How much does a Hotel Porter typically make? A3: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a Hotel Porter was $22,000 in 2019. Q4: What other tasks does a Hotel Porter typically perform? A4: Hotel Porters may also be responsible for cleaning and restocking guest rooms and public areas, answering questions from guests, helping to maintain safety and security in the hotel, and performing other duties as requested by management. Q5: What hours does a Hotel Porter work? A5: The hours of a Hotel Porter vary depending on the employer, but they typically work during normal business hours. Some hotels may require Porters to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Web Resources

Trumbull & Porter Hotel - Procurement & Strategic Sourcing procurement.wayne.edu
Top 25 Hotels Near Corden Porter EDU Center in Jeffersonville, www.hotels4teams.com
Room Options - porter.ucsc.edu porter.ucsc.edu