Here's how you can advance from front desk agent to hotel manager.

Congratulations if you have made it to the Front Desk of a hotel. It is arguably one of the most challenging positions in a hotel. You are an ambassador of the hotel and set the tone for the experience of the guest. You have financial responsibility. You are the first person contacted when there is a problem. You have contact with every department. With that being said, you are already in a position to learn the fundamentals of a hotel operation. To grow to Hotel Manager, you need to find good mentorship in your organizations, ask your managers how you can support them more to learn their positions, and cross-train in as many departments as possible. Leadership skills are a necessity and won't be learned over night. Be patient.

While it won’t be easy, progression should look like this, first work towards a supervisory position. As a supervisor, you will be in charge of team members reporting to you. After another year or more in a supervisory role, you will be ready to advance into a hotel management. The experience you have gained will help you to handle different situations and challenges. From there, your first management job could be AFOM, FOM, or maybe a management role in Housekeeping. Leadership becomes a critical component of your daily duties. Keeping your team motivated and accountable will help you succeed. While everyone grows differently, after 3-4 yrs. into your path you may be ready to move into upper management positions.

Demonstrating leadership potential is crucial for advancing your career. Volunteer for leadership roles in team projects or committees within the hotel, and proactively propose new ideas or improvements that could benefit the organization. It’s essential to understand and demonstrate effective communication skills, as they enable you to lead and inspire others successfully. Additionally, measuring your successes and the impact of your initiatives will provide concrete evidence of your leadership abilities. These experiences and accomplishments will showcase your skills, making you a compelling candidate when you’re ready to apply for a managerial position.

I always advocate for further education. It can only support your growth in your career. However, I argue hospitality is an industry where experience has a slight edge over education. What we do is not rocket science, it is more of a science on how to treat people and requires emotional intelligence. I believe that if you commit to the industry and take an organic growth path by working in all areas of a hotel; that might be all the education you need. Again, further education would not hurt your growth, quite oppositely, it could help. But I am not certain it is a necessity for growth in our industry.

Many people are in this industry simply because the love people. I am one of them. This is also why I love networking. Hotels are a gateway for meeting people from all over the world. Whether it's your guests, the other associates you work with, community services, sales events, you never know who you're going to meet and how they might affect your career growth. Jokingly, I have always said "It's not what you know, but who you know!". I really think there is some truth in that. So, I implore everyone to network, build relationships, and never burn bridges. Networking is critical to your advancement.

Networking is a crucial element for advancing your career. By participating in industry events, joining professional associations, and engaging with colleagues and professionals on social media, you can significantly expand your network. Establishing connections with individuals across different roles in the hospitality industry offers you access to valuable mentorship, references, and insider insights about job opportunities and career advancement. Additionally, serving on key boards of directors can further enhance your visibility and influence, opening doors to leadership roles and enriching your professional journey.