Working as a room attendant necessitates both specialized and general abilities. A person must, for example, have a firm grasp on how to clean a room, which includes making a bed neatly and crisply. A room attendant should have physical strength, good communication skills, a friendly and honest personality, and excellent time management skills, in addition to specific cleaning knowledge.
In many cases, an employer will expect a room attendant to provide clean living and public areas to guests and visitors. As a result, the ability to pay attention to details is one of the most important skills for this job. Fingerprints on television screens, mirrors, and windows, for example, may need to be cleaned. Shower curtains may need to be washed and replaced when cleaning bathrooms. She may also need to keep an eye on a room for less routine tasks like changing air filters, steam cleaning carpets, changing blankets, or attending to a guest’s special needs.
The ability to be physically active for long periods of time is another important skill for a room attendant. An attendant, for example, may be required to lift furniture, push a heavy stock cart, reach high shelving, bend under desks, and pull bulky vacuums down long corridors. She must also have the stamina to complete these tasks multiple times per day, and usually several times per week.
A room attendant should also have excellent customer service skills, such as friendliness, honesty, and the ability to communicate. She may be expected, for example, to greet guests in a friendly manner in the hallways, elevators, and even their rooms. Due to the fact that many people leave their belongings in their rooms, a room attendant may need to be bonded — or insured — in the event that something goes missing during a guest’s stay. She may also be expected to provide basic information to guests, such as information about the room, the property, the neighborhood, and nearattractions.
A room attendant’s ability to manage their time is typically important as well. An attendant, for example, may be required to clean a certain number of rooms a certain time. If one of the rooms is particularly filthy, she may need to inform a supervisor so that additional assistance can be provided to ensure that the room is ready on time.