As a Chief Concierge, it is my responsibility to oversee the guest services for the hotel. Typically, a Concierge helps hotel guests get restaurant reservations, show tickets, and arrange sightseeing tours.

EDUCATION | I have a BA in Film from San Francisco State University

HOW TO GET STARTED | I've always said that if you are a genuinely nice person and you know the city, that's half the job right there. The best way to find a Concierge position is through word-of-mouth. However, it doesn't hurt to work in a hotel in any capacity to get your foot in the door.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Friendly, resourceful, reliable, patient.

how I got started | I worked my way through college at different hotels. Although I have worked in the film industry, I found it was feast or famine. I discovered a certain aptitude for hotel work and decided to make it my career. In this job I often have to arrange special private packages of tours and dining for elite guests. As a concierge you have to be able to think quickly if a crisis happens, if a guest loses his passport or has a medical emergency. It is also important to always be diplomatic and keep your cool in the face of adversity. A good Concierge doesn't have to know everything; he just has to know how to find everything out. As Chief Concierge, I manage the Concierge Desk and staffs of three, set the schedule, implement new policies from the corporate office, and update the materials so it is current for our guests. I help guests figure out what they want to do while visiting San Francisco, and then figure out how to do it. At my Concierge desk, our motto is, "Anything you want to know, anywhere you want to go."

why this job?| Aside from the aforementioned aptitude, I find it rewarding to help visitors have the best experience they can while visiting San Francisco. I like to suggest out-of-the-way-places which are special, and then share in their enjoyment of the discovery.

why I love this job!| A positive work environment. The perks. Having a job where I can be creative and have a variety of responsibilities.

my typical day| There is no real pattern to the day. One day I could be making Wine Country tour reservations and the next moment help someone find a restaurant which they had visited many years before, but forgot the name and location. I might have to purchase flowers for newlyweds, and the next moment describe theater options for guests who has been here before.

what they are | Someone asking you a question you don't know and can't find the answer to.

all about growth | I wouldn't exactly say there's high demand since it is a real niche position. However, having Concierge on a resume is a great primer for other careers because there are so many different tasks a Concierge accomplishes each day, that it teaches you to be able to adapt to a variety of different workplaces.

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