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How to hire a guest services associate

Guest services associate hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring guest services associates in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a guest services associate is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per guest services associate on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 93,175 guest services associates in the US and 114,437 job openings.
  • Columbus, OH, has the highest demand for guest services associates, with 19 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of guest services associates.

How to hire a guest services associate, step by step

To hire a guest services associate, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a guest services associate:

Here's a step-by-step guest services associate hiring guide:

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

What does a guest services associate do?

A guest services associate specializes in providing front desk assistance to guests, usually in a hotel or similar establishment. Some of their primary responsibilities are to greet clients, assign them to their rooms, process the check-in and check-outs, manage reservations, handle calls and correspondence, and fulfill requests. Aside from being the clients' primary point of contact, the associate is also responsible for coordinating with various hotel personnel to ensure that guests are satisfied with the establishment's amenities and services, all while implementing the hotel's safety policies and regulations.

Learn more about the specifics of what a guest services associate does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The guest services associate hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a guest services associate to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a guest services associate that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of guest services associates.

    Type of Guest Services AssociateDescriptionHourly rate
    Guest Services AssociateCustomer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services.$10-17
    Service AgentA service agent is a professional whose primary function is to provide a friendly service to internal and external customers about the organization's products and services. An agent should be people-oriented, highly motivated with a positive and friendly attitude... Show more$10-18
    Customer Services CoordinatorA customer service coordinator ensures that the company will have a top-level customer service. Thus, they work to maintain the positive image, brand, and prestige of the company... Show more$12-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • PET
    • Product Knowledge
    • Guest Service
    • Reservations
    • Customer Service
    • Front Desk
    • Excellent Guest
    • Cash Handling
    • Check-Out Procedures
    • Math
    • Guest Inquiries
    • Direct Calls
    • Guest Reservations
    • Team Work
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage the PBX telephone system by answering calls about city attractions, dining, services, policies, and directions.
    • Manage crew by utilizing professional leadership skills.
    • Participate in execution of marketing events such as concerts, celebrity meet and greets, giveaways, parties and tournaments.
    • Process customer account payments utilizing IBM POS technology.
    • Distribute all merchandise for promotional purposes and giveaways.
    • Operate PBX telephone system and assist with inventory responsibilities.
    More guest services associate duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your guest services associate job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A guest services associate salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, guest services associates' average salary in alabama is 40% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level guest services associates earn 41% less than senior-level guest services associates.
    • Certifications. A guest services associate with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a guest services associate's salary.

    Average guest services associate salary

    $13.95hourly

    $29,021 yearly

    Entry-level guest services associate salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 16, 2026

    Average guest services associate salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$35,779$17
    2Washington$33,919$16
    3Oregon$32,858$16
    4Massachusetts$32,297$16
    5New York$31,023$15
    6Maine$29,059$14
    7Colorado$28,983$14
    8Ohio$28,392$14
    9Illinois$28,139$14
    10Arizona$27,188$13
    11New Jersey$27,156$13
    12Nebraska$27,054$13
    13Rhode Island$26,944$13
    14Michigan$26,411$13
    15Nevada$25,829$12
    16Georgia$24,230$12
    17South Carolina$24,211$12
    18Florida$24,032$12
    19Louisiana$22,884$11

    Average guest services associate salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Stanford University$39,199$18.857
    2Mars$37,428$17.991
    3Global Partners$33,591$16.1562
    4Medimedia$33,076$15.90
    5Highmark$32,788$15.7649
    6The Wild Center$32,776$15.76
    7The Coca-Cola Company$32,398$15.584
    8Hyatt Hotels$32,331$15.5429
    9The University of Kansas Health System$31,934$15.354
    10Beaumont Health$31,873$15.32
    11FedEx$31,635$15.2128
    12San Diego Humane Society$31,420$15.11
    13Garnet Health$31,353$15.073
    14Ricoh$31,324$15.06100
    15Emory Healthcare$31,225$15.0121
    16Earth Fare$30,888$14.856
    17City of Louisville$30,818$14.82
    18WinShape Teams$30,788$14.801
    19Berkshire Medical Center$30,741$14.78
    20Volunteers of America Colorado$30,601$14.714
  4. Writing a guest services associate job description

    A good guest services associate job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a guest services associate job description:

    Guest services associate job description example

    A Party Host is responsible for INTERACTING with the guests and ensuring that they are having a memorable experience. Party Hosts sing, dance, and play games with the guests and ensure that everyone has a great time at Scene75! MAKE GREAT TIPS!!!

    Responsibilities

    · Greeting all party guests and signs in children for various parties

    · Setting up and cleaning the party suites

    · Making announcements for parties

    · Making sure the party suites are prepared for the parties with the paper products, drinks, pizzas, balloons, and any other requests

    · Entertaining the party goers during their time in the party suite

    · Making sure parents know rules/regulations and sign waivers

    · Giving out wristbands ensuring participants understand rules

    · Assisting in daily cleaning of all areas

    · Having knowledge of the POS system

    A Party Hosts MAIN focus should be the guest of honor! Party hosts should be the crown jewels of our teammates. They must be comfortable with kids, they must be comfortable performing, and they must be FUN! Great party hosts love interacting with people and are not wallflowers. They are performers and peacocks and help elevate the fun of the party. Make great TIPS!!!

    Attraction Attendants/Guest Service Associates at Scene75 are friendly, upbeat individuals with a desire to help guests have fun! We are looking for someone who brings a fun energy to the environment, that is outgoing, loves meeting new people, and is not afraid to step outside of their comfort zone.

    Attraction Attendants operate all of our entertainment attractions and are responsible for the bulk of guest interaction. Below are some of the expectations of an Attraction Attendant/Guest Service Associate, but not limited to:

    • Operates attractions while following all safety expectations
    • Anticipates and solves any guest issues, with or without assistance
    • Communicates clearly with guests and team members
    • Engages guests often to ensure a positive and lasting experience
    • Keeps surrounding area neat, tidy, and clean.
    • Stays organized and aware of party schedules to execute successfully booked events
    • Answers any basic questions about the facility including pricing, directions, duration of game play etc.
    • Embodies the core values of Sharing Fun, Putting People First, Pursuing Excellence, and Creating Lasting Memories

    *This position reports to the Guest Service Manager

    Scene75 Entertainment offers excellent benefits that include:
    · 401(k) Retirement Plan
    · 401(k) Company Matching
    · Health Insurance
    · Health Savings Account
    · Dental Insurance
    · Vision insurance
    · Paid Time Off
    · Employee Discounts
    · Term Life and AD&D

    *Waiting period may apply. Only full-time employees eligible.

    Scene75 Entertainment Center, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

    Additional Requirements:

    · Position requires consistent activity, such as walking, bending and lifting

    · Must be 16 years or older

    · Must be able to work holidays and weekends

    · Employment may require background check

    Company DescriptionWhy work anywhere else? Scene75 Entertainment brands the largest indoor entertainment centers in the United States. Proudly named the #1 Family Entertainment Center in the World by IAAPA...Twice! Attractions include indoor go-karts, laser tag, black light miniature golf, virtual reality, bumper cars, 4-D theaters, inflatables, restaurants, full-service bars, and more. Through its core values of putting people first, sharing fun, creating lasting memories, and pursuing excellence, Scene75 was named the top family entertainment center in North America by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Scene75 presently features locations in Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Chicagoland.
  5. Post your job

    To find guest services associates for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any guest services associates they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level guest services associates with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your guest services associate job on Zippia to find and recruit guest services associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit guest services associates, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    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 guest services associate

    Once you have selected a candidate for the guest services associate 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new guest services associate first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a guest services associate?

Before you start to hire guest services associates, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire guest services associates pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $29,021 per year for a guest services associate, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for guest services associates in the US typically range between $10 and $17 an hour.

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