Many students majoring in Front Office Management when they first enter school often wonder: “How long does a receptionist need to work before becoming a manager? What level of excellence must a supervisor or manager possess?”
Students have the opportunity to learn from a teacher with extensive experience in the front office profession, Thầy Duy Hà - Front office manager of Nam Cuong Haiphong hotel (Tray hotel)
From receptionist to supervisory management
Necessary conditions: Knowledge, skills and professional experience are the “necessary conditions” required for you to become a supervisor. The job duties of a supervisor in any department must fully encompass:
Specialized knowledge: proficiency in the regulations, standards, and procedures for performing all the department’s tasks; experience in effectively handling arising situations.
Communication skills, observational skills, good teamwork skills – coordinating work smoothly during shifts; guiding and training new staff in job duties; “people management” skills – helping staff cooperate pleasantly, and resolving disputes or disagreements quietly (if any).
Good health, honesty, alertness, a strong sense of responsibility at work…
– Sufficient condition: “The ripe moment”
With the question “From staff, how long does it take to become a supervisor?”
The answer from myself and many ambitious colleagues is 2 years. To advance, you need to use your time as a staff member to actively learn, pay attention to how your supervisor works, and observe the subtleties in handling real-life problems and situations… from that accumulate experience for yourself. Of course there will be “super” receptionists who are promoted earlier or later than 2 years; this entirely depends on each person’s effort—don’t hesitate to learn while youth only comes once in a lifetime.
When you have met both the “necessary conditions” and the “ripe moment,” if the hotel needs a Supervisor position, you will be considered for promotion to Supervisor. In fact, many hotels recruiting Supervisors have given opportunities to experienced staff to challenge themselves in a new role. Therefore, the opportunities for you are plentiful.
Reception management, supervising reception is not just about being skilled
An administrator is the person who organizes and carries out management activities such as planning, organizing implementation, directing and supervising the allocation of human, financial resources, standard operational procedures, ... helping the organization achieve its goals while using human resources, finances, information, and facilities as efficiently as possible.
Therefore, if someone works in management at the reception department and is only skilled — meaning they correctly follow the department’s procedures and standards — that is not enough to become a good manager; they also need to possess other skills such as:
- The ability to inspire and nurture initiative
- Team training skills
- Trying unfamiliar (new) things
- Personal and team development
- Keeping promises
- Always stay updated on the latest market trends
- Always listen and acknowledge shortcomings appropriately
Students majoring in Reception Management during a practical class in Reception Operations
Thus, the toolkit to become a supervisor or a professional front office manager does not demand anything overly lofty. It is about learning and accumulating experience, honing professionalism and leadership, and inspiring others. These things do not come naturally, but it is not difficult for you to choose to invest in the future opportunity to become a Front Office Manager when you come to Trường Cao đẳng Du lịch Hải Phòng — an institution that provides specialized training in Front Office Management to international standards.
Duy Hà - Lecturer, Faculty of Hotel and Restaurant Management
