Photo: J o (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Job description
Requests can be as simple as giving directions or as involved as booking a full day of sightseeing, arranging childcare, or sending flowers on someone's behalf. Much of the job is fielding these asks on the spot, in person, while also handling practical business services like shipping a package or sending a fax for a guest. It's a fast-paced, team-based role where a calm, can-do attitude matters, since concierges regularly deal with demanding or frustrated guests who expect an immediate solution.
Pros
- Low barrier to entry through vocational training or an associate's degree
- Highly social, service-oriented role with variety in daily guest requests
- Steady demand with 6,800 jobs nationwide
Cons
- Pay tops out modestly at $57.6k even at the high end
- Regularly deals with frustrated or upset guests as part of the job
- Slower than average projected growth (2.3%)
A typical day
The lobby desk is command central from 7am: a guest needs an 8pm table at a restaurant that stopped taking reservations weeks ago — this is where the concierge's relationship with the maître d' earns its keep. The requests never repeat: theater tickets for tonight, a pharmacy that delivers, a car to the airport at 4, a birthday cake in the room by turndown, childcare for tomorrow's conference session. Between requests there's quiet maintenance of the network — a thank-you note to a tour operator, updating the restaurant list for the season. The craft is anticipation: the guest who mentions an anniversary at check-in finds champagne upstairs without ever asking.
Tasks at the job
- Provide directions to guests.
- Make travel arrangements for sightseeing or other tours.
- Provide business services for guests, such as sending or receiving faxes or shipping packages.
- Arrange childcare services for guests.
- Pick up and deliver items or run errands for guests.
- Order flowers for guests.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting, and you work in close physical proximity to coworkers or the public for much of the shift.
The pace is often fast, with real time pressure to meet deadlines, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. The work is highly structured, following set procedures. You'll regularly deal with frustrated or upset people as part of the job, and almost all of the work is done as part of a team.
Education necessary or common
Vocational training, apprenticeship, or associate's degree
Licenses & certifications
- Les Clefs d'Or membership (the profession's gold standard, after experience)
- Hospitality certificates from community colleges (optional)
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- A world language — French, Spanish, or Mandarin multiply your value
- Geography — you are the local expert professionally
- English — polished written and spoken communication
- Psychology — reading what guests want before they say it
- Business/Hospitality electives if your school offers them
Clubs, activities & competitions
- FCCLA or hospitality career-tech programs
- Part-time host, front desk, or restaurant work
- School ambassador/tour guide for visitors
- Event planning for school functions
First steps you can take now
- Become the expert on your own town: build a list of the 20 best local spots and why
- Get a customer-facing job and practice anticipating needs
- Ask a hotel concierge how they handle an impossible request
- Learn 20 hospitality phrases in a second language
