“Keeping information organized and getting things done” could be the motto of information clerks everywhere. And they do work everywhere— courts of law, hospitals, license offices, airports… just about every business out there… employs information clerks. Information clerks process many kinds of information both online and in print. They receive requests, orders, and applications, explain procedures, enter and retrieve data, and file documents. Some—such as front desk clerks— interact with the public frequently, and also handle fees and payments. These clerks often administer private information, so integrity is an essential quality in this field. They are also skilled at using different office equipment and have an excellent understanding of data storage tools and procedures. Although information clerks are employed in many industries, most work in government agencies, hotels, and healthcare facilities. While most work normal full time office hours, part-time schedules are common for file clerks and hotel clerks, who also often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. For those clerks who deal with dissatisfied customers, positions can be stressful at times. Clerks who work at airline ticket —or shipping—counters handle heavy luggage or packages, sometimes up to 100 pounds. Information clerks typically need a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job. In some positions, employers may prefer candidates with college experience or an associate’s degree.
Related Careers: Concierges, Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents, Correspondence Clerks, Motion Picture Projectionist, Hotel and Resort Desk Clerks, Tour Guides and Escorts & Travel Guides
Sources: Minnesota CAREERwise & CareerOneStop
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Calculate costs of goods or services.
- Provide information to coworkers.
- Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
- Sort mail.
- Verify accuracy of financial or transactional data.
- Maintain financial or account records.
- Execute sales or other financial transactions.
- Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
- Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.
- Make travel, accommodations, or entertainment arrangements for others.
Typical Working Conditions
- Frequent contact with others.
- Working with a group or team.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Standing.
- Responsibility for outcomes and results.
Tools & Technology used by Guest Services Specialists
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
Most Important Skills for Guest Services Specialists
- Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Managing People—Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Managing Time—Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Guest Services Specialists
- Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Public Safety and Security—Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Economics and Accounting—Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
- Sales and Marketing—Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- Enterprising—Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
| Wages Per Hour For Guest Services Specialist (MN) | ||
Low$13.97 |
Median$14.94 |
High$17.47 |
Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.
Demand
This career is seeing high growth compared to other careers. There will be a 13.3% growth for Guest Services Specialists to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
This career requires at least a high school degree, and most professionals have either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. This career does not require a license but there are certifications are helpful for growth.
View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Culinary Arts
- Economics
- Foods and Nutrition
- Health and Wellness
- Marketing
- Public Speaking
- Sociology
- Team Sports
- World Geography
- World Language
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
Take a 360 degree look around a resort lobby to better understand where Guest Services Specialist may work. (Grand View Lodge).
Videos
Guest Services Manager (Works TV)
Housekeeping Guest Experience Manager (Disney Park Jobs)