job interview tips? (hotel night porter)

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 12:38

Applied for the position of night porter at a local hotel two days ago and just got a phone call asking me to come in this afternoon (4pm) for an interview. I've never worked nights before and never done anything like this kind of job before either. So if anyone has any tips it would be much appreciated!

I really want this job because it's damn good money, and plenty of opportunities for working extra hours in other departments of the hotel too.

Yeah I know it's a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Fenris · 14 Oct 2009 at 12:42

Wear a suit. Hotel managers hate scruffy people.

Oh and remmeber to ask THEM questions, it shows your interested in the job, also make sure you enqiure about the working in other departments thing.

randal · 14 Oct 2009 at 12:43

Sounds like an interesting job, I wish I could work nights sometimes. Would fit in with my nocturnal lifestyle much better than 9-5 Mon-Fri.

Can't offer you any specific advice other than shine your shoes twice, mirror the interviewer's body language and speak up. Good luck!

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 12:45

Fenris said:
Wear a suit.

I don't have one!

I was going to wear black shoes, black trousers and a casual short sleeved shirt. I actually stayed at this hotel last year and I noticed the night porter was wearing black shoes, black tousers and a black long sleeved shirt. So hopefully a suit isn't too much of an issue.

Fenris · 14 Oct 2009 at 12:47

seek said:
I don't have one! I was going to wear black shoes, black trousers and a casual short sleeved shirt. I actually stayed at this hotel last year and I noticed the night porter was wearing black shoes, black tousers and a black long sleeved shirt. So hopefully a suit isn't too much of an issue.

Thats fine, just make sure you look smart.

Maybe ask if you will ever be required to wear a suit, don't mention that you don't own one though.

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 12:58

How about when they innevitably ask me if I have any experience? How can I answer that in a way that isn't simply "Um.. No."? I'd like to tell them no, but add something positive, like "No, but I have X". (where X is the something positive.)

The problem is I really haven't done anything like this so I'm not sure what to say. :confused:

Guerrilla · 14 Oct 2009 at 13:03

seek said:
The problem is I really haven't done anything like this so I'm not sure what to say.

You could always say that although you have no experience you have always been interested in this line of work? Or interested in the "behind the scenes" workings?

But i imagine being smart and polite and having a firm handshake and you should be fine

Skidder · 14 Oct 2009 at 13:48

For this kind of job, being polite, presentable, articulate etc. are much more important than having done it before. There is not a huge amount to learn so your atitude is the most critical.

Make it clear that you are interested in the hotel business, you want to be customer facing and that you have thought through the role and some of the likely challenges etc. Just be straightforward about your experience but make it clear you would be pleased to get that experience. Good luck

Guest2 · 14 Oct 2009 at 13:57

Huddys interview guide. Go buy a suit! I thought everyone had one. Not even got something you have have been to a wedding/funeral/christening to?

HAz · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:08

no suit! tut tut!
Also handy for when a relative pops their clogs

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:15

I got the job!

Dark_Angel · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:18

Congrats!

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:23

The manager even told me that it would be ok to watch TV, surf the net or even have a snooze on my shift! lol

Best. Job. Ever.

Guerrilla · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:25

Sounds awesome, congrats!

Guest2 · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:26

Whats the hours and rate of pay?

Whatever they are cant be bad, sleeping and tv/net whilst getting paid. Fantastic!

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:26

And cheers for the advice. Much appreciated. :cool:

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:27

Guest2 said:
Whats the hours and rate of pay?

Whatever they are cant be bad, sleeping and tv/net whilst getting paid. Fantastic!

Starts at £7 per hour.

Hours: 11pm-7am but I'm also going to be working in other areas for the extra cash, so I'll be doing a bit in the kitchen/bar etc too).

neodude · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:32

When I was a night porter I used to get my mates up for a free **** up in the bar

Van Hellseek · 14 Oct 2009 at 17:33

neodude said:
When I was a night porter I used to get my mates up for a free **** up in the bar

Is that why you are no longer a night porter?

oddjob62 · 14 Oct 2009 at 18:16

Worked during the Uni holidays as a night porter in one of the halls. Easiest job in the world. Free food, free rent, and had full unfirewalled JANET access

(this was quite a few years back as well so 512 ADSL was top of the range, and there was very little in the way of P2P filesharing). Needless to say i had many "bargaining" chips when term started again.

And as with neodude... being mates with the bar manager helped a lot