What does a Valet do?

A Valet helps to ensure that the valet service offered by a hotel, restaurant or other business meets or exceeds customers’ expectations. Since they are often the first people to greet arriving guests, Valets help set the tone for a visit or stay and greatly contribute to customers’ first impressions. When they complete their Valet job duties effectively, Parking Attendants reduce the risk of liability due to damaged, stolen or vandalized vehicles. They also contribute to overall safety by eliminating the need for guests to park vehicles in cramped or difficult-to-access lots.

Valet skills and qualifications

Valet careers require a unique skill set. Some qualifications to look for when comparing candidates include:

• Ability to remain upright throughout an entire shift
• Strong customer service skills to interact professionally with guests
• Ability to operate motor vehicles with both manual and automatic transmissions
• Organizational skills to ensure that keys are easy to retrieve and vehicles are simple to locate
• Ability to move quickly to reduce the wait for guests
• Knowledge of the area to answer guests’ questions
• Communication skills to interact with other Valets and provide instructions to guests
• Ability to move heavy objects to aid in the loading and unloading of vehicles

Valet experience requirements

Valet careers are usually entry-level, so it’s common for candidates to have little or no experience. However, candidates typically need to have at least a few years of experience driving automobiles to reliably operate customers’ motor vehicles. If your establishment is very busy, you may wish to prioritize candidates who have worked as a Valet for at least a year or two. That way, you can feel confident that they can handle the fast pace of the job. Having a few years of experience can also be beneficial for Valets who will work as supervisors or trainers.

Valet education and training requirements

Typically, the minimum education required for success in Valet careers is a high school diploma or equivalent. Valets typically learn procedures and best practices on the job and don’t need any formal education as a result.

A valid Class C passenger vehicle driver’s license is necessary to work as a Valet. Requirements for licensing vary by state but may include a written exam and a driving skills test as well as vision and medical testing. Before extending a job offer to a candidate, conduct a background check to ensure that they have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving history.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the above Valet job duties and responsibilities aren’t an exact match for your open position, explore these related job titles:

• Front Desk Agent
• Hotel Front Desk Clerk
• Night Auditor
• Host

Valet job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Valet and a Bellhop?

At a hotel, the Valet is the person who first greets guests and helps them remove their luggage from their vehicles. Then, they drive the guests’ vehicles to the designated parking area. The Bellhop is the individual who places guests’ luggage on a cart and delivers it to their room.

What is the difference between a Valet and a Valet Cashier?

At some large hotels, conference centers and other businesses, customers pay for valet parking at a cashier stand located outside or in the lobby. The Valet Cashier is the individual who accepts payment and makes change for customers as needed. After the customer has paid, the Valet Cashier sends a Valet to go and retrieve their vehicle.

What is tip reporting for Valets?

The IRS requires Valets to report tips for income tax purposes. As an employer, you may be responsible for tracking the tips earned by your Valets and reporting it to the IRS along with their wages. Consult a tax professional for advice on tip reporting for Valets.

How can you make my Valet job posting stand out?

To call attention to your Valet job posting, place a bulleted list of the three to five biggest benefits of working for you. You can include things like flexible scheduling, employee benefits and additional perks. Also, be specific about the working hours, the working environment and the Valet job duties that the position involves.