Hotel Front Desk Clerks (NOC 6435)

What They Do 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.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Accommodation and food services 100% The unionization rate (13%) is below the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Other Occupations in Travel, Accommodation, Amusement and Recreation (NOC 667) Tour and Recreational Guides and Casino Occupations (NOC 644) Travel Counsellors (NOC 6431)

Something to Think About

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need Completion of secondary 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, in all provinces and the Yukon from the Tourism Education Council. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Commercial and Promotional Arts (C030) Business Administration (C121) Institutional Management (C131) Computer Science (C720) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Dealing with the public Customer service Computer use Scheduling		Useful High School Subjects English (Communication) Business Geography A second language
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated LIMITED because: Employement grew at an average rate. Hourly wages ($10.22) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average. The unemployment rate (6%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Limited   2009   Limited

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be LIMITED because: The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You're likely to be more successful if you have "people" skills and can deliver good customer service.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $9.53 $11.74 25-54 $11.02 $19.76 55+ $9.54 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $10.22 $18.07		Hourly wages ($10.22) are below the national average ($18.07). These earnings are below average for occupations in the sale and service sector and are below average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (6%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is close to the average for intermediate occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 10% 10% 1992 9% 11% 1993 11% 11% 1994 11% 10% 1995 9% 10% 1996 10% 10% 1997 8% 9% 1998 5% 8% 1999 6% 8% 2000 7% 7% 2001 6% 7% 2002 9% 8% 2003 7% 8% 2004 6% 7%

% of Part-time work is above average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 78% 81% Part-time 22% 19%		There were 22,200 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 33% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers (22%) is above the 2004 average (19%) and has risen since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Below average
The percentage of self-employed workers (0%) is below the 2004 average (15%)		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 0% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 26% 10% 25-54 57% 72% 55+ 6% 12%		The relatively high percentage of younger workers suggests more entry-level positions and jobs that may serve as stepping stones in a career. Despite an expected older-than-average worker (37), the retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average because they also tend to retire at a later age (58).
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Above average
The percentage of women (69%) is above the 2004 average of 48% and has stayed about the same since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 69% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31