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Is This an Accurate Description of a Hostel Job?

General Hostel Operations

Josh started this discussion 12 years 10 months ago

I saw this post online today:
http://euroslacker.com/2011/07/28/a-basic-guide-to-getting-a-job-in-a-ho...

"Hostel jobs are a slacker’s dream. You spend all your time with backpackers who are on their holiday and want to do cool things, so it can feel like you are always on holiday...If you can get a job in a hostel that involves no cleaning then you have done very well. Cleaning up puke in the bathroom with a raging hangover is not ideal."

Do you think that it's an accurate description of a hostel job? :)

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Rucksack Brian

12 years

The part about cleaning up puke with a raging hangover not being ideal is pretty accurate. I never like doing that. :)

A lot of people say, "I would love to work in a hostel!" when they really mean, "I would love to live in a hostel and not have to pay for it." I think a lot of those guys read the same job description.

He hit the nail on the head with the downside though:

The biggest con in working at a hostel, for me, is that while the people coming through the hostel may be wonderful they will inevitably leave in a few days and it becomes a case of continually making friends but keeping very few. Generally, however, the rest of the staff will become like your family which eases the constant flow of farewells.

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Josh Hostels

12 years

I thought it was funny that he called it a slacker's dream. I never thought of working at a hostel as a "slacker" job -- though I agree with those other points about the puke and departures... :)

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Rucksack Brian

12 years

I've seen plenty of slackers working in hostels. He may not be too far off. If the management were a bit lax, it could be pretty easy for an entire team to take advantage of the opportunity to do nothing.

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Ria

12 years

well, i guess the one's taking advantage of a slacker's dream don't have good staff ratings!....the cleaning up the puke part is 'spot on' (pun intended) but slackers dont make it with us....our staff WORK and work hard and show pride in what they do...so Nope, don't agree with this at all...but it is funny and i'd like to get a job at that hostel wherever it is...

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Scotch Argus

12 years

It's certainly overstated to call it a slackers dream, although there are times at reception when assistants will just sit there using facebook if there are no inquiries. If you have a staffed reception and you want someone to be on the desk at certain hours it's difficult to fill every minute with tasks. Although I would say you don't want slackers or total party animals working, it is helpful to have sociable people. Some of the assistants we have had are pretty much the opposite. They just want to talk to their FB friends back home, and not socialise with the guests at all. I think that it doesn't hurt if they want to socialise with the guests, as it gives a good impression to them.

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irish_guy

12 years

I'm going to start managing a small guesthouse/hostel in China.

The great thing with Chinese staff is, they don't really drink and they work hard... especially girls... and, if I pay them a bit over the norm, which is very low, and treat them well, then I'm sure things will run well.

The Chinese way seems to be to get as much work out of your staff for as little money as possible... I think it's best to treat your staff well and get the best out of them.

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