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How to hire a reservation clerk

Reservation clerk hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring reservation clerks in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a reservation clerk is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new reservation clerk to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a reservation clerk, step by step

To hire a reservation clerk, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a reservation clerk:

Here's a step-by-step reservation clerk hiring guide:

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

    Before you post your reservation clerk job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a reservation clerk for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

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

    A reservation clerk's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, reservation clerks from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list presents reservation clerk salaries for various positions.

    Type of Reservation ClerkDescriptionHourly rate
    Reservation ClerkInformation clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.$9-16
    Ticket AgentTicket agents are responsible for making and confirming travel arrangements for passengers. They are employed by railroads, airlines, bus companies, and cruise lines... Show more$10-18
    Ramp AgentA ramp agent is a professional responsible for the loading and unloading of aircraft baggage, which includes mail and cargo, from the aircraft to the airport. He/She drives and operates ground equipment such as cargo carts and belt loaders while maintaining safe working conditions for himself and others... Show more$11-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Reservations
    • Customer Service
    • Reservation System
    • Front Desk
    • Sales Techniques
    • Data Entry
    • Phone Calls
    • Excellent Guest
    • Telephone Calls
    • Computer System
    • Customer Inquiries
    • Computer Software
    • Medicaid
    • Credit Card
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
    • Accommodate individual/group/ VIP's booking as per the arrival list and departure.
    • Schedule all meeting event space and conference room usages for VIP and groups.
    • Maintain computerized inventories of available passenger suites and provide information regarding reservations and available suites.
    • Establish reservations by obtaining and entering guest information in reservations system; obtaining proof of payment information.
    • Maintain cleanliness of the company warehouse, operate warehouse machinery and organize the warehouse to ensure proper product placement.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your reservation clerk job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A reservation clerk salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, reservation clerks' average salary in iowa is 42% less than in hawaii.
    • Seniority. Entry-level reservation clerks earn 43% less than senior-level reservation clerks.
    • Certifications. A reservation clerk 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 reservation clerk's salary.

    Average reservation clerk salary

    $13.05hourly

    $27,143 yearly

    Entry-level reservation clerk salary
    $20,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 3, 2026
  4. Writing a reservation clerk job description

    A reservation clerk 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 reservation clerk job description:

    Reservation clerk job description example

    1. A friendly and helpful demeanor.

    2 . Desire to learn and offer satisfactory customer service.

    3. Ability to satisfactorily communicate in English with guests, management, and co-workers to their understanding.

    4. Ability to provide legible communication.

    5. Ability to do basic arithmetic.

    Desirable

    1. High school level education, graduate, or equivalent.

    2. Hotel experience.

    3. Customer service experience.

    Skills Essential

    1. Ability to carry out standards, policies, and procedures.

    2. Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments.

    3. Ability to be a clear thinker in pressure situations and exercise good judgments.

    4. Ability to focus attention on details.

    5. Ability to maintain confidentiality of hotel guests and pertinent hotel information.

    6. Ability to ensure security of guest room access and hotel property.

    7. Ability to handle a multi- line phone system.

    8. Ability to endure abundant physical movements in carrying out job duties.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities

    Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

    - Maintains complete knowledge of hotel amenities and layout, local attractions, and airport transportation.

    - Be able to accurately give directions and information regarding the immediate and metro area.

    - Reads log books and memos daily.

    - Keeps up-to-date on in-house groups and functions.

    - Posts up demonstrating a readiness to help.

    - Follows security procedures with regard to room keys, masters, etc.

    - Each associate will be required to follow the rules as found in the Marriott/Concord Hospitality Associate Handbook.

    - Assists in pre-registration and blocking of reservations when necessary.

    - Have thorough knowledge of hotel credit and check cashing policies and procedures.

    - Handles guest check-in and check-outs in a courteous and professional manner.

    - Have knowledge of reservations and procedures take same day reservations. Know the cancellation procedures and walk procedures.

    - Promotes guest-related programs Marriott Rewards, Comment Cards, etc..

    - Maintains neatness and order in the work area.

    - Balances all cashiering transactions consistently.

    - Handles multiple tasks during peak times.

    - Uses slow periods efficiently, stocking supplies, and cleaning, etc.

    - Makes no errors in paperwork, check-in functions are accurate, and registration cards are complete.

    - Knows selling strategy at all times.

    - Adheres to all credit policies.

    - Demonstrates thorough knowledge of emergency procedures.

    - Possesses knowledge of all Front Office positions - Front Desk, Bellstand, AYS, Concierge, and Rooms Control.

    - Is open to a flexible schedule.

    - Is expected to carry out all reasonable requests by management that the associate is capable of performing.

    - Offers the hotel guests the best possible service through courteous and proper phone answering procedures.

    - Understands various payment options and procedures of Room Service.

    - Ensure that all customer complaints are recorded in the Guest Response Program in a timely and professional manner.

    - Ensure that all guests who experience a problem receive an appropriate response, any promised compensation is delivered, and an appropriate follow-up in a timely and professional manner.

    - Able to use sales dialogue in selling the Room Service menu, beverage, wines, etc.

    - Know culinary terminology.

    - Know the Gold Standard Brands.

    - Able to use the Room Service Use records.

    - Take Room Service Orders as outlined in the New Hire Guide.

    - Have full knowledge of the Room Service POS system and its functions.

    - Able to operate and explain TDD operation for guests always has equipment ready to receive TTY calls.

    - Prepare wake-up call sheets records the guests name and room number under the requested time repeats information to the guest to ensure proper handling of wake-up.

    - Sets wake-up clock or input as requests come in.

    - Notes charges on incoming calls not received by the call accounting system post in PMS.

    - Handles mail and messages per outlined procedures.

    - Attends all scheduled department meetings.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right reservation clerk 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 reservation clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit reservation clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting reservation clerks requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    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 reservation clerk

    Once you've found the reservation clerk candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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How much does it cost to hire a reservation clerk?

There are different types of costs for hiring reservation clerks. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new reservation clerk employee.

Reservation clerks earn a median yearly salary is $27,143 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find reservation clerks for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $9 and $16.

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