How to hire a front office agent

How to hire a front office agent, step by step

Here's a step-by-step front office agent hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a front office agent job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new front office agent
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the front office agent you need to hire. Certain front office agent roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect front office agent also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of front office agents.

   Type of Front Office Agent	Description	Hourly rate
   Front Office Agent	Information clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.	$13-20
   Desk Clerk	The desk clerk or general office clerk is an employee who works with little supervision from the manager. The duties and responsibilities of desk clerks vary depending on the industry they belong to... Show more	$11-17
   Guest Lecturer	A Guest Lecturer performs teaching, researching, and administrative duties for a university. Their primary duties include assessing students work, writing research proposals, and managing research budgets.	$20-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Reservations
   • Hotel Services
   • Excellent Guest
   • Cleanliness
   • Hotel Reservations
   • Guest Service
   • Cash Handling
   • Processing Forms
   • Guest Accounts
   • VIP
   • Guest Relations
   • Hotel Guests
   • Computer System
   • Guest Rooms

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Used EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
   • Accommodate special requests whenever possible including making same day reservations and future reservations when necessary.
   • Adhere to all cashiering procedures and act as PBX operator at designate times.
   • Enter in and record wake up call requests then deliver it to the PBX.
   • Detail group resumes insuring that all VIP's are blocked and special requests and amenities are in place.
   • Facilitate VIP treatment for frequent guests with information supply to department management.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your front office agent job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A front office agent can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, front office agents' average salary in oklahoma is 46% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level front office agents 33% less than senior-level front office agents.
   • Certifications. A front office agent with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a front office agent's salary.

   Average front office agent salary

   $16.72hourly

   $34,773 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level front office agent salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a front office agent job description

   A front office agent job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a front office agent job description:

   Front office agent job description example

   Ensure the guest experience is seamless during the arrival and departure process and throughout the stay. Acquaints each guest with room and features.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
   
   * Completes VIP registration process by inputting and retrieving information from a computer system, confirming pertinent information including number of guests and room rate. Makes appropriate selection of rooms based on guest needs. Codes electronic keys. Non-verbally confirm the room number and rate.
   * Ensures guest knows location of room, and arranges for associate to accompany guest to room. Provides welcome packet containing room keys, tokens of our appreciation, gifts, etc. to guest.
   * Work with Leader to ensure rooms and services are correctly accounted for within guest statement. Properly accounts for complimentary services provided by the resort, for the guest.
   * Assists guest with check out payments or charges. Accepts and records vouchers, credit, traveler's checks, and other forms of payment. Converts foreign currency at current posted rates.
   * Greets guests immediately with a friendly and sincere welcome. Uses a positive and clear speaking voice, listen to understand requests, responds with appropriate action and provides accurate information such on outlet hours, special VIP programs, events, etc.
   * Receives special requests from guests, and forwards requests to appropriate associates for decisions and actions. Establish food safety/sanitation standards in compliance with federal and state regulations.
   * Promptly answers the telephone and web inquiries. Inputs messages into the computer and tells other associates of special guest needs.
   * Retrieves messages and communicates the content to the guest. Retrieves mail, packages and facsimiles or other special items as requested.
   * Field guest complaints, conducting through research to develop the most effective solutions and negotiate results. Listens and extends assistance in order to resolve problems such as price conflicts, insufficient heating or air conditioning, etc.
   * Remains calm and alert especially during emergency situations and heavy resort activity. Plans and implements detailed steps by using experienced judgment and discretion.
   
   QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
   
   EDUCATION
   
   High school graduate or equivalent required. Four year college degree preferred.
   
   EXPERIENCE
   
   One to two years of prior guest service experience are preferred. Prior hospitality experience also preferred. Ability to speak multiple languages is desirable.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right front office agent for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your front office agent job on Zippia to find and recruit front office agent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit front office agents, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new front office agent

   Once you have selected a candidate for the front office agent position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new front office agent. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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