Career Opportunities in Hospitality? (Orlando, Astor: hotels, job market, transfer to)

[suorkaterina]

Hey folks. I'm planning a move from Maine in the fall next year. I am a Hilton employee (front desk) and am hoping there is more opportunity(more hotels = more opportunity, right?) to make more money and work up to a management position in the Orlando area. I am trained to work at several different Hilton hotels including Double Tree, Hampton and Embassy Suites. My assumption is that these are booming job markets with tourism so high in the area. But I've been getting the feeling from my research that pay for front desk jobs is not that high. I'm good at what I do and have over 10 years of experience, so I'm hoping that helps. Does anyone have any information on this job market for me? What can I expect to be paid?

Thanks for your help.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by suorkaterina

Hey folks. I'm planning a move from Maine in the fall next year. I am a Hilton employee (front desk) and am hoping there is more opportunity(more hotels = more opportunity, right?) to make more money and work up to a management position in the Orlando area. I am trained to work at several different Hilton hotels including Double Tree, Hampton and Embassy Suites. My assumption is that these are booming job markets with tourism so high in the area. But I've been getting the feeling from my research that pay for front desk jobs is not that high. I'm good at what I do and have over 10 years of experience, so I'm hoping that helps. Does anyone have any information on this job market for me? What can I expect to be paid? Thanks for your help.

Pay for pretty much every occupation isn't that high here. To make the easiest transition you might want to attempt to transfer to another Front Desk position. Within the Hilton brand the highest pay will be with the actual Hilton name and would most recommend the 4-star Hilton Bonnet Creek near Disney. The Hilton Orlando next to the Convention Center, and then the Hilton at Lake Buena Vista would round out my top picks for top pay as a Desk Clerk (around $12 an hour). Hilton also owns the Waldorf-Astoria luxury brand and has one here in the Bonnet Creek area, which I would also highly encourage you to check out. With your experience you should be able to apply for a Front Desk Supervisor position at any property, which would of course pay more and not require the extensive interviewing process. From my hotel and restaurant experience I know in the lodging industry in particular that those looking to advance do so more readily in the larger, more high profile properties so hopefully something is available at one of those properties. Good luck!

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by suorkaterina

Hey folks. I'm planning a move from Maine in the fall next year. I am a Hilton employee (front desk) and am hoping there is more opportunity(more hotels = more opportunity, right?) to make more money and work up to a management position in the Orlando area. I am trained to work at several different Hilton hotels including Double Tree, Hampton and Embassy Suites. My assumption is that these are booming job markets with tourism so high in the area. But I've been getting the feeling from my research that pay for front desk jobs is not that high. I'm good at what I do and have over 10 years of experience, so I'm hoping that helps. Does anyone have any information on this job market for me? What can I expect to be paid?

Thanks for your help.

Booming job markets, yes indeed. Pay for our area is what others consider low. (Although it is how you manage your money)

Experience helps and will get you further.

[OrlFlaUsa]

There is an abundance of hotels here so you'll be able to move up as positions become available.

[brinkofsunshine]

My friend works at front desk for one of the Universal Loews hotels and makes (I believe) $10/hr (starting off, with no prior hotel experience.. only theme park/retail exp.). There already seems to be opportunities for him to move up. There's certainly a plethora of hotels here. From what I've learned while working in hospitality is that if you work hard and really want to move up and can prove your worth; you'll advance.

[suorkaterina]

Thanks everyone, that really helps. This is actually very good news. Maine pay rates in general are pretty low as well. The pay rate you are telling me is pretty on par. I've been checking out rents down there and the rents are similar and you get much more for your money. So cost of living seems about the same.