Concierge: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire a concierge?

The need for new staff can affect both your existing team and your bottom line.

A great concierge hire can:

• Greet your guests and accommodate them with entertainment and dining suggestions
• Assist with organizing special events and coordinate with vendors
• Prepare and serve refreshments for guests in the lobby

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance concierge

Concierges generally work full time or part time in hotels and at front desks of luxury apartments and senior living complexes, but there are also concierges who work as freelancers and provide personal services. If your establishment requires a concierge who greets residents and guests at the front desk and provides administrative services, hiring someone as a full-time or part-time employee is beneficial. 

If you’re looking for someone to provide personalized assistance on an on-call basis, a freelance concierge is a good choice. A freelance concierge can travel to your home or office and perform tasks ranging from answering phone calls and setting up appointments to mailing out packages and shopping. 

What are the types of concierges?

Concierges work in hotels, luxury apartment complexes, on cruise ships and as personal assistants. The following list provides information on the most common types of concierges. 

• Front desk concierge: A front desk concierge is the first person people see when entering an establishment such as a hotel or senior living community. They handle tasks that include assisting with package deliveries, ordering car service and providing information on local businesses and events. 
• Hospitality concierge: A hospitality concierge or hospitality agent performs duties similar to a front desk concierge but works solely in the hospitality industry. Hospitality concierges work on cruise ships and in hotels. Some of their duties include scheduling transportation, booking tickets for shows and entertainment and advising on local restaurants and events. 
• Personal concierge: A personal concierge works as an independent contractor providing personalized services. Specific tasks performed by a personal concierge can include booking travel, answering phones, scheduling appointments and running errands. 

Where to find concierges

To find the right concierge for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies. 

• Post flyers. If you own an establishment such as a hotel or senior complex, posting flyers on common area bulletin boards is a good way to attract the attention of both residents and visitors, who can pass the information on to potentially interested parties.
• Post on your social media page. If you have a social media account for your business or you’re in need of a personal concierge and have a personal social media account, consider making a help wanted post. 
• Place a help wanted sign in your business window. Help wanted signs have been used for decades as a way to attract potential employees. Place a sign in a window with high visibility to recruit people who pass by your establishment.
• Post your job online. Try posting your job on Indeed to find and attract quality concierge candidates. 

Skills to look for in a great Concierge

A great Concierge candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• Certifications pertaining to food preparation and safety
• Familiarity with booking and reservation systems
• Comprehensive understanding of multiple languages
• Pleasant tone while on the phone
• Knowledge of local attractions and features
• Flexibility with working nights, weekends, and holidays

Writing a concierge job description

A thoughtful, comprehensive job description can go a long way in finding the right concierge candidates. A concierge job description includes a summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your concierge job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting . These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on concierge jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Concierge
• Front desk
• Receptionist
• Front desk agent
• Hospitality
• Administrative assistant
• Travel
• Overnight
• Remote work from home
• Spa

Interviewing concierge candidates

Strong candidates for concierge positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Local attractions and restaurants as well as safety measures
• Maintaining and accommodating guest rooms
• Updating a regular client book to solicit return guests

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of concierge interview questions for examples (with sample answers).