Reception host

 Reception host
reception agent, reception agent, information agent, host
The job of host covers a multitude of activities, which vary depending on the type of position and the place of work. In addition to the classic reception and public information services, other missions, close to secretarial or entertainment, are now being added. The function has become professional with the hiring of more qualified people, with a good general culture and mastery of at least one foreign language.

Professional life
Short-lived career
With more than 88,000 professionals and regular hiring, hospitality is a growing sector of activity. But careers are short-lived and, from a certain age, you have to quickly think about retraining... brand image obliges!
Promotion possible
A good level of general knowledge, mastery of IT tools and the use of English, on the one hand, seriousness and diligence on the other, promote career development in the sector. A host can thus become a chef host (a highly sought-after professional to supervise reception teams) or an on-call host (to replace missing staff at short notice). He can also move towards the accounting, sales or communication departments of service companies.
An asset in the CV
Even if carried out on an occasional basis, hospitality is an enriching experience and a good springboard for joining a company or reorienting yourself towards the tourism, hospitality or commerce sectors.
Beginner's salary
Nearly 1500 euros gross per month.
Working conditions
Various exercise locations
Versatile, the host can be recruited for his demonstration skills at a specialized trade show, or as an interpreter in a tourist structure. In the administration (town hall, ministry, local authority, etc.), he is a resource person, capable of helping visitors with their various procedures.
Revaluation of the profession
If the function remains marked by great precariousness, new working conditions appear. Access to certain benefits and career development are thus possible. Companies that make the quality of their image a priority require more qualified staff and offer full-time, better-paid positions to people with more qualifications or experience.
Precariousness still dominant
Even with an attractive salary policy (long contracts, fixed-term, part-time, etc.) to allow everyone to find the formula that suits them, working conditions still remain precarious and difficult. They are marked by periods of inactivity and uncertainty between each contract, irregular schedules and, for “flying” hosts, by frequent travel.
SKILLS
Impeccable presentation
Hosting is one of the jobs where physical appearance counts for a lot. Excellent presentation, smile, diplomacy, interpersonal skills, ease of speaking and understanding, stress management... all essential elements for practicing this profession.
Qualified and bilingual
If some professionals are truly self-taught, without qualifications, employers are more likely to recruit people with a level of training at least equal to a baccalaureate + 2... as well as a good general knowledge to consider advancement. The practice of at least one foreign language, including English, represents an additional advantage for companies working with foreign clients.
Nature of the work
The face of an employer
First contact in the hall of a convention center, a tourist office... the welcoming host is the representative image of a place, a site, a city... From his face, smiling or not, depends on the representation we then have of it.
Welcome, inform, guide
The receptionist is responsible for welcoming, providing information and guiding visitors. He can also accompany them, if necessary, to their meeting place or make them wait while ensuring their comfort. He controls access to a place, verifies the identity of visitors, issues badges, manages invitations. To answer phone calls or questions from customers, this professional keeps up to date with the latest news from his company.
From the secretariat... and more
Increasingly, the role of the host extends to secretarial activities, thus enhancing the image of the profession: mail classification, word processing, electronic mail, updating files, taking notes. messages, timetable management, courier management, room reservations, organization of meetings and conferences...
Training to enter the profession
There is little specific preparation for the job of host. Training in the tourism, office automation, commerce and hospitality sectors is well available.