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CAREER COUNSELOR
Concierge
Question: I have lived in Los Angeles for 15 years and my friends tell me that I am a great resource because I always know what's going on. I really like helping people and directing newcomers or visitors to Los Angeles to new restaurants and events, or helping them find what they need. Is there a job where I can use my knowledge of L.A. and help people?
— Joanie
Response: You could consider working at a hotel, luxury condominium building, or large office building as a concierge.
Job Description
The word "concierge" is derived from the Latin word conservus, or fellow slave, and means "keeper of the keys" or "keeper of the candles." In France, where the modern word has its roots, and in most of Europe, the job is male-dominated. However, in the United States, 53% of the members of Les Clefs d'Or, an association of concierges, are women, and 47% are men.
Concierges provide a wide variety of services to clients. They may secure tickets to theater, sports or other events, help find a baby sitter or doctor, provide information on local shopping, and make dinner reservations, among other services.
Concierges in some settings act as personal assistants and run errands for their clients, such as making pick-ups and deliveries to and from the cleaners, picking up food from local restaurants, and arranging for taxi services or other transportation.
A hotel concierge may act as a tutor on local etiquette or customs, deal with emergency needs, and basically act as a "jack-of-all-trades." A typical task may be something as simple as giving directions to the airport or as complex as chartering a private jet.
Qualifications
Having a level of sophistication and maturity are important qualities for this job.Concierges must have a good memory and be able to solve problems. They must be knowledgeable and develop and maintain contacts in all of the service industries relevant to the needs of hotel guests or clients.
In hotel settings they must be aware of cultural differences and fluency in other languages is often required. The typical hotel concierge has a minimum of one year of prior hotel experience and is usually promoted from within a hotel. Although experience in tourism and hospitality, hotel front office work, or classes in hotel management may enhance your employability as a concierge, your people skills, and general patience and resourcefulness will help you succeed.
Associations
Professional associations for concierges provide resources for developing contacts and learning more about the profession.
Les Clefs d'Or USA Ltd.
Les Clefs d'Or literally means "keys of gold" in French, and the crossed gold keys are the international symbol of the organization. The keys displayed on a concierge's uniform lapels assure travelers they are dealing with a seasoned professional. Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels is the global umbrella organization, and boasts a 39-country membership roster and almost 3,000 members worldwide. Les Clefs d'Or USA represents more than 250 four- and five-star properties across the United States.
To qualify for membership, applicants must be at least 21 years of age, of good moral character, and employed as a full-time hotel concierge. Applicants must have at least five years experience within the hotel industry (in any capacity), and at least three years experience as a full-time, lobby-level concierge in a hotel. To apply, you need to send a request for an application via e-mail to Info@lcdusa.org, along with a $100 non-refundable application fee. Membership begins with a provisional first year.
The Los Angeles Concierge Association (LACA)
LACA was formed in 1979 and members are hotel concierges in Los Angeles County. The association's purpose is to foster the development and education of members as well as uphold the integrity of the concierge profession, promote high professional standards and to encourage "service through friendship." LACA is affiliated with Les Clefs d'Or, USA Ltd. Benefits of membership include networking with other local concierges and corporate sponsors, making contacts throughout the city to better serve hotel guests, learning about other areas of the city, education and guest speaker lectures, and mentoring.
Job Resources
The following are online career sites for jobs in hospitality services:
IHire Inc.
This is a nationwide online career center for jobs in hospitality services including concierges.
You can register and post your resume. If there is a job match, an e-mail notification will be sent to you and if you are interested you can submit your resume electronically to the potential employer.
Hospitality Careers
This is another online career site for jobs in hospitality services including concierges. You can search for jobs categorized by location and job type and submit your resume online for recruiters to view.
Employment Outlook
While there is keen competition for job openings, concierges can be found in most every three-, four- and five-star hotel. Many high-rise buildings, real estate offices, upscale department stores, apartment complexes, airlines, and even hospitals employ concierges.
Salary
Entry-level earnings of corporate concierges in the Los Angeles area range from approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
According to Les Clefs d'Or, salaries vary widely from hotel to hotel and from region to region, and range from $20,000 to $50,000 annually. The median base annual salary of hotel concierges in the Los Angeles County is approximately $30,000, not including gratuities.
According to the December 2005 issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, concierges earn from $50,000 to well into six figures, including tips.
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
— Joanie
Response: You could consider working at a hotel, luxury condominium building, or large office building as a concierge.
Job Description
The word "concierge" is derived from the Latin word conservus, or fellow slave, and means "keeper of the keys" or "keeper of the candles." In France, where the modern word has its roots, and in most of Europe, the job is male-dominated. However, in the United States, 53% of the members of Les Clefs d'Or, an association of concierges, are women, and 47% are men.
Concierges provide a wide variety of services to clients. They may secure tickets to theater, sports or other events, help find a baby sitter or doctor, provide information on local shopping, and make dinner reservations, among other services.
Concierges in some settings act as personal assistants and run errands for their clients, such as making pick-ups and deliveries to and from the cleaners, picking up food from local restaurants, and arranging for taxi services or other transportation.
A hotel concierge may act as a tutor on local etiquette or customs, deal with emergency needs, and basically act as a "jack-of-all-trades." A typical task may be something as simple as giving directions to the airport or as complex as chartering a private jet.
Qualifications
Having a level of sophistication and maturity are important qualities for this job.Concierges must have a good memory and be able to solve problems. They must be knowledgeable and develop and maintain contacts in all of the service industries relevant to the needs of hotel guests or clients.
In hotel settings they must be aware of cultural differences and fluency in other languages is often required. The typical hotel concierge has a minimum of one year of prior hotel experience and is usually promoted from within a hotel. Although experience in tourism and hospitality, hotel front office work, or classes in hotel management may enhance your employability as a concierge, your people skills, and general patience and resourcefulness will help you succeed.
Associations
Professional associations for concierges provide resources for developing contacts and learning more about the profession.
Les Clefs d'Or USA Ltd.
68 Laurie Avenue
Boston, MA 02132
Phone: (617) 469-KEYS
lcdusa.org
E-mail: Info@lcdusa.org
Les Clefs d'Or literally means "keys of gold" in French, and the crossed gold keys are the international symbol of the organization. The keys displayed on a concierge's uniform lapels assure travelers they are dealing with a seasoned professional. Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels is the global umbrella organization, and boasts a 39-country membership roster and almost 3,000 members worldwide. Les Clefs d'Or USA represents more than 250 four- and five-star properties across the United States.
To qualify for membership, applicants must be at least 21 years of age, of good moral character, and employed as a full-time hotel concierge. Applicants must have at least five years experience within the hotel industry (in any capacity), and at least three years experience as a full-time, lobby-level concierge in a hotel. To apply, you need to send a request for an application via e-mail to Info@lcdusa.org, along with a $100 non-refundable application fee. Membership begins with a provisional first year.
The Los Angeles Concierge Association (LACA)
269 South Beverly Drive, #701
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: (310) 712-2688
thelaca.com
LACA was formed in 1979 and members are hotel concierges in Los Angeles County. The association's purpose is to foster the development and education of members as well as uphold the integrity of the concierge profession, promote high professional standards and to encourage "service through friendship." LACA is affiliated with Les Clefs d'Or, USA Ltd. Benefits of membership include networking with other local concierges and corporate sponsors, making contacts throughout the city to better serve hotel guests, learning about other areas of the city, education and guest speaker lectures, and mentoring.
Job Resources
The following are online career sites for jobs in hospitality services:
IHire Inc.
329 South - 290 West
Angola, IN 46703
Phone: (866) 238-0161
www.ihirehospitalityservices.com
E-mail: info@iHireHospitalityServices.com
This is a nationwide online career center for jobs in hospitality services including concierges.
You can register and post your resume. If there is a job match, an e-mail notification will be sent to you and if you are interested you can submit your resume electronically to the potential employer.
Hospitality Careers
www.hcareers.com
This is another online career site for jobs in hospitality services including concierges. You can search for jobs categorized by location and job type and submit your resume online for recruiters to view.
Employment Outlook
While there is keen competition for job openings, concierges can be found in most every three-, four- and five-star hotel. Many high-rise buildings, real estate offices, upscale department stores, apartment complexes, airlines, and even hospitals employ concierges.
Salary
Entry-level earnings of corporate concierges in the Los Angeles area range from approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
According to Les Clefs d'Or, salaries vary widely from hotel to hotel and from region to region, and range from $20,000 to $50,000 annually. The median base annual salary of hotel concierges in the Los Angeles County is approximately $30,000, not including gratuities.
According to the December 2005 issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, concierges earn from $50,000 to well into six figures, including tips.
— • —
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
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