A hotel receptionist's job is to make guests feel welcome, to check them in and out efficiently, and to deal professionally with enquiries, face to face and by phone, fax or email. When guests call a hotel to make a booking, the hotel receptionist is the first person they speak to and may also be the first person guests meet when they arrive. Their tasks are likely to include: allocating rooms to guests taking and passing on messages putting together bills, taking payment, and handling foreign exchange.helping guests with requests, eg asking housekeeping for extra bedding or storing valuables in the hotel safe. In a large hotel, receptionists use a computer to handle reservations, and may also use a telephone switchboard. They may employ sales skills to encourage guests to upgrade to a better room or eat in the restaurant, for example. In larger hotels, there might be a small team of receptionists, each with specific duties. In a small hotel, they might do non-reception tasks too - like serving drinks. Reception desks in larger hotels often stay open all night, but in smaller hotels night-time duties might be taken over by the porter. Working hours can include days, nights, weekends and public holidays. Receptionists might work shifts. There are opportunities for working part time or only in the holiday seasons.
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