Porter Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a porter. Feel free to use our porter job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a porter.
Who is a Porter?
Portering is a sub-career in hospitality or service delivery that involves the use of humans to move cargo, luggage, and other materials from one place to another. The historical background of portering dates back to the advent of an era of slavery in pre and medieval times. Though technology has eased the burden of transporting and moving materials nowadays, portering is still practiced and prevalent especially in areas or places without access roads for machinery such as mountains, jungles, and forests. To port simply means to move or carry objects from one point to another. Portering is adopted and utilized for special transport activities and is vehemently practiced in casinos, hotels, and hospitals. Most portering personnel possess a driver’s license for easy movement. An individual that transports or moves luggage and other belongings from one place to another is called a porter.
When a guest arrives at a hotel or organization, the porter welcomes them and moves their luggage to the receptionist or lobby area. Next, the porter transports the same to the guest or client’s assigned room or place of abode. They perform several extensive services in a company or firm; they shuttle or move luggage in a train or coach, transport goods and other materials for hikers on mountain terrain, and/or load equipment and luggage on cruise ships. Besides working or transporting equipment and luggage in hospitality, porters undergo special training in mountain climbing. They may carry heavy materials on their back or heads for mountain climbers and people on exhibition. A porter performs other duties such as bell hoping in a hotel, recapping in a rail station, and sky capping in an airport. Some porters are logistics specialists; they act as guides for people on mountain hikes.
Furthermore, a porter that works in a school or hospital performs janitorial and custodial tasks. These experts may be responsible for activities like cleaning hallways, maintaining supplies inventory, vacuuming carpets, and conducting minor repairs. Porters use their multitasking abilities to perform several duties at once; they report severe cases of repair or maintenance to supervisors and managers where necessary. A porter removes trash, supports the front or lobby office, and restocks the restroom.
A porter that is employed by cruise ships or motels helps customers and guests to check into their allocated accommodation effortlessly. They liaise with other members of the team to ensure that guests and clients receive outstanding customer service. Specific duties vary but a porter is expected to greet guests on arrival, open and close doors, and place luggage on carts. Importantly, a porter loads and stores luggage in the loading bay in airports or ships. In some cases, they perform valet and parking duties directing guests and clients to the parking lodge. Sometimes, a porter may be required to perform concierge duties depending on the employer and terms of the contract.
Porter Job Description
Portering is an important career in hospitality and service delivery; a porter assists visitors move their belongings and ensures they have a memorable stay and experience throughout. They answer questions and respond to inquiries about the enterprise and environs. A porter works with other staff to coordinate and guarantee visitors’ and clients’ safety during their stay as well. Some employers mandate porters to wear official work uniforms while others do not. They must ensure that they adhere to industry best practices while working. Below is a summary of the major responsibilities of a porter;
- Clean and tidy public areas, amenities, and lobby areas always.
- Ensure that visitors and clients are welcomed and greeted politely;
- Assist customers and guests with luggage and other belongings,
- Assist clients and passengers on cruise ships and airports to load luggage and belongings.
- Perform repairs and maintenance, change bulbs, and fasten bolts.
- Draft and inform top management on the required supplies for maintenance.
- Provide custodial services and guidance to clients and visitors.
- Enlighten and orientate guests and clients on the terrain or environment.
- Label luggage appropriately on a cruise ship or airport.
- Remove clutter and other debris from the entrance of the building.
- Assist guests and clients to get to the reception or lobby area in a hotel.
- Mobilize and arrange transportation or taxi on request and run other errands.
- Record and keep an inventory of cleaning materials, equipment, and supplies.
- Adhere to health and safety rules while working.
- Provide excellent customer service to guests and clients.
Qualifications
The ability of human beings to adapt and be flexible enhances their importance in moving and conveying gears and other materials from one point to another. In the pre-medieval times, a porter was used to relieve burdens sometimes against their will. During these times, slavery was rampant and labor was cheap. These days, the role of a porter has metamorphosed to include several other duties. An individual must meet some basic requirements and qualifications to be considered for the position of a porter. These include but are not restricted to;
- Porter training requirements: An aspiring porter must possess verifiable training in the industry or related industries to be qualified for employment in the sector. Although some employers or companies offer on-the-job training for newly hired porters, most prefer experienced porters with technical expertise in the work environment. A porter’s training covers thematic areas like provision of excellent services to clients and guests, usage and maintenance of technical facilities and equipment, and familiarity with cleaning procedures and safety standards accordingly. Individuals who have worked previously as customer service agents or representatives are believed to have been trained in human relations and hence, are at an advantage. Training should also encompass the maintenance of personnel relationships and physical fitness.
- Porter education requirements: A degree is not compulsory for the position of a porter; however, an organization, firm, or employer may favor candidates that present an undergraduate degree. Regardless, high or secondary school education is the minimum educational requirement for the role of a porter. Individuals or applicants that want to stand out can go further and obtain an HND or GED, and undertake a mechanical course respectively.
- Experience: An experience porter is the dream employee for most hiring managers. Since it is a technical field, most employers prefer experienced applicants to inexperienced ones. Experience should include adequate knowledge of the service area and/or port. Most times, companies prefer a minimum of one year of experience. An individual can gain valuable experience by working in or occupying entry-level or related positions in hotels, cruise ships, and events centers. An apprenticeship in portering can suffice as well.
- Porter certification requirement: The difference between a highly sought candidate and a normal applicant is in additional qualifications. While a normal candidate possesses the basics, an exceptional candidate has additional qualifications that make them better applicants. True, a certification is not compulsory for a porter’s role; however, certification increases and boosts their chances of getting hired, earning more, and career growth. The following certifications can suffice;
- Hotel concierge certification: This is an industry-related certificate that is accepted by most employers. It can be obtained from the International and National Lodging and Hotel Educational Institute.
- Green leaning certificate: This certification examines the applicants’ expertise and knowledge of ecologically-friendly cleaning methods. It is sponsored by the International Association for Janitorial/ Cleaning services.
- Customer service certificate: Finally, an individual can apply for the customer service certification from IJCSA to learn, know, and become conversant with quality customer service techniques and strategies.
Essential Skills
Professionalism, friendliness, dedication, and approachability are some of the important qualities of porters. To ensure that a guest or customer enjoys a happy and comfortable stay in a hospitality organization, a porter must work diligently and assiduously. They must be open-minded and accessible to guests or customers; they must answer questions politely and update clients where necessary. They liaise with other staff, custodians, managers, and the maintenance team to ensure clients enjoy their stay and maintain decorum. These and more require the following skills;
- Excellent customer service: A porter must be a people person to succeed in the role. Remember, porters meet guests and clients one-on-one; they load and unload belongings and luggage and escort clients or guests to their rooms. Also, a porter might be needed to address emerging issues relating to maintenance. Hence, he or she must develop and harness excellent customer service skills to ensure that guests enjoy their stay.
- Stamina and physical strength: A porter’s job often involves heavy lifting; they may be required to walk distances, carry heavy luggage, stand for long periods, or lift materials from place to place. Therefore, a porter needs physical strength and stamina to effectively move luggage and other materials around during a shift. Also, it enables them to perform maintenance tasks efficiently.
- Organization: An organized porter is an efficient porter. Part of the job description of a porter is to make sure the workstation is tidy and clean always among others. Regardless of how often guests pass through the work area, he or she must ensure that it remains organized and presentable. Organizational skills enable the porter to plan and complete all assigned tasks within the given timeframe.
- Mechanical skills: Sometimes, these experts perform repairs and maintenance of trolleys and other essential tools and equipment. This requires outstanding mechanical skills and abilities. Since they mostly work independently, porters need this skill to resolve issues as they come. When an issue is too big to handle, they use their mechanical ability to make adequate referrals to advanced technicians and maintenance personnel.
- Flexibility: To thrive in portering, individuals must simply be flexible. A porter might need to tend to more than one guest or customer at a time; flexibility enables them to adjust and adapt to the demands of guests and the role in general. Also, it helps them to transit and juggles different tasks like carrying out maintenance, performing custodial duties, and moving luggage.
- Additional porter skills include but are not restricted to excellent communication skills, outstanding problem–solving skills, and proficiency and knowledge of security procedures and regulations.
How to Become a Porter
As an employee, a porter provides several services ranging from maintenance and customer service to logistics. An individual needs skills, qualifications, and other prerequisites to start and succeed in portering. Research has presented several ways or methods of starting a career in portering. However, this article has streamlined the process of becoming a porter to the following steps;
- Obtain a high or secondary school certificate: An individual must present some form of education to be considered for the role of a porter. Most times, a high school diploma or certificate is enough to get porter roles. A GED or equivalent is accepted by some employers.
- Get a bachelor’s degree: Though optional, some aspiring porters proceed to earn a bachelor’s degree in hospitality. An undergraduate degree makes you a better and more competitive candidate and provides advanced learning and knowledge on hospitality and customer service.
- Develop work experience: Experience is required for employment as a porter. For instance, an individual can undertake an apprenticeship in customer service to gain industry-related work experience. Also, work experience in organizations that enhances mechanical skills is recommended.
- Obtain industry–based certification: A certification in hospitality provides advanced knowledge and additional perks such as career progression and increased earning power. Several organizations offer certification courses and tests for porters globally. Examples of certifications include the hotel concierge certificate, green learning certificate, and customer service certification.
- Apply for jobs: Determine or choose the hospitality sector or industry you prefer to work with and apply.
Where to Work as a Porter
A porter works different schedules in several organizations; they perform their duties and responsibilities in harsh or normal weather. Both full-time and part-time work is available for a porter. The major employers of porters are found in the hospitality or service sectors. Examples of specific employers or organizations that hire porters are airports, resorts, shopping malls, cruise ships, and hotels. Other employers include casinos and hospitals.
Porter Salary Scale
Like other employees or workers in hospitality, a porter enjoys a salary and additional pay in form of bonuses and other incentives. The average hourly salary of a porter has been estimated to be $12.48. In relation, these experts earn an average additional pay of $25 per day as tips or additional pay.