Working As A Hotel Receptionist In Korea
Foreigners can get employed in Korea in hospitality and tourism industry. One of the jobs that qualify under the above category is: Hotel Receptionist. If you enjoy meeting and helping people, then this could be a great job for you.
Job Responsibilities
Hotel receptionists make guests feel welcome, manage room bookings or reservations and deal with requests that guests make during their stay. You are responsible for greeting and reserving rooms for travelers.
When travelers come to the hotel, you have to check their reservations and respond to any of their inquiries. You are also expected to provide various services including instructing and guiding the customers.
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- dealing with bookings
- completing procedures when guests arrive and leave
- choosing rooms and handing out keys
- preparing bills and taking payments
- dealing with special requests from guests
- answering questions
- dealing with complaints or problems
You’ll usually work as part of a team and you may be responsible for one area like managing telephone reservations or guest checkouts etc.
Qualifications
To work as a hotel receptionist in Korea, you need:
A Master’s degree or
A Bachelor’s degree and one year of work experience
Along with these academic requirements you also need:
- administration and customer service skills
- IT skills to work with computerized booking and payment systems
- excellent written and spoken communication skills
- a friendly and professional manner
- patience and tact
- the ability to stay calm under pressure and look after several things at once
Many places also prefer good Korean language abilities.
Applicable Job Types
You can apply for Front Desk Receptionist or Clerk job.
Potential Employers
You can work at Tourist Hotels, Water Sightseeing hotel, Korean Traditional Hotel and Family Hotels. The hotel must be established in accordance with Article 2 of the Presidential Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act. Additionally, the hotel must have hosted at least 40% foreign guests in the previous year.
Where To Find These Job Openings
Most hospitality jobs are posted on the Internet. You can easily find them on Craigslist. You can also visit the website of the hotels and apply online.
You can also find these job openings in local newspapers or job websites. You can always try calling the hotel directly to inquire about potential job openings.
Furthermore, there are various reputed recruiting agencies that can help you find a suitable position.
Required Documents And Visa
You can apply for a Hotel Receptionist (3922) visa under E-7 visa. Along with a valid passport, application form and visa fee, You will also need:
A recommendation letter from The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Tourism Industry Division)
If you meet all the requirements a single-entry visa for up to 2 years will be issued.
Salary And Working Hours
Hours are likely to involve early mornings and/or late nights depending on where and which shifts you work. You may also have to work on weekends at times.
The amount of money you earn depends on your qualifications, skills, experience and the hotel you work for. Part time salary varies between 7,000 KRW to 10,000 KRW. Monthly salary can range anywhere between 1.8 million KRW to 2 million KRW or more. It all depends on where you work. Popular hotels tend to pay more and have a better CTC to offer.
If you understand what it’s like to juggle life, business, and pleasure and enjoy meeting new people, then give it a try!