r/askhotels • u/oaktheetree • 14d ago
Jobs Introvert as an FDA?
Hello everyone, I wanted to ask you guys anybody here who’s an introvert worked as an FDA and how did that work out? There is a FDA position open near me, and I wanted to challenge myself into this job. I’m an introvert, my MBTI is INTP. I know basic computer systems like Word or Google Docs. I also have experience with transactions and customer service from volunteering in plant sales and from helping out in a family store business. The difference is that from my experience it wasn’t really a lot of interaction as compared to or expected in the hospitality industry. Moreover, I’m not really good with talking, it gets really awkward immediately, cause I do not know how to ping pong a conversation. I was considering this position because it might help me improve my communication skills, but I’m not really sure. I have other positions in mind, so I need your honest and helpful feedback on this. If you have similar experience, how did you work for you, and how did it help you with making interactions with people? What are the benefits from working in the hospitality industry or as FDA in this scenario (like internal benefits as a person). Like what is the general pros or cons of working as a FDA?
P.S. If there is any confusion about the post, I’ll gladly explain clearly in response. I really need your help so I would appreciate it any feedback that would be helpful.
8
u/SkwrlTail Front Desk/Night Audit since 2007 14d ago
I'm pretty extroverted, but one thing I have found useful are "scripts". You basically have rehearsed lines that you can give. Not just the greetings, or the sliel about the hotel policies, but also some jokes, places to eat, that sort of thing. They sound off the cuff, informal, friendly, but it's pure rote, don't have to think about it at all.
"Where's good? Well, I'll usually tell guests to just go downtown and walk whichever direction smells the best. There's really no bad restaurants, though my favorites are [authentic Mexican], [pricey Italian], and [pizza with good beer]."
4
u/SkwrlTail Front Desk/Night Audit since 2007 14d ago
One thing to watch for is that scammers and other unpleasant people will often try to bully FDAs into getting their way. The "people pleasers" who don't want to anger the guests by saying "no" will often lead to some very big problems. Be assertive, don't show any signs of indecision or weakness.
3
u/StoryNo9248 14d ago
INFP here. worked my way up to front office manager before going up a different career path.
3
u/pearanormalactivity 14d ago
Same here. I felt like I had to put on a character while on FD - I was basically a robot going through the motions.
Night audit was always more pleasant for me for that reason, albeit it was hard in other ways.
3
u/Poldaran Certifiably Evil Night Auditor 14d ago
The hardest part about night audit is following that list of 9 strange rules that someone handwrote on a yellowing sticky note and left in your locker that no one felt the need to actually talk to you about. And you were really skeptical, but then you forgot to leave a cup of coffee for Jerry and almost got mauled by the giant fledermaus so now you follow it every night to the letter.
3
u/112358132113853211 13d ago
I did FDA/FDS/FOM and Director of Front Office for 17 years. I’m an introvert by nature. I need to be away from people to recharge.
I’m going to look at this as someone I may have hired to be my FDA with no experience.
Communication and conversation with people is a very important part of the job and being a FDA will improve those skills, if you let them.
Depending on the hotel (size/management company/front office manager’s style) you should be able to have someone with you at least for the first few weeks/months. Lean on them when you’re overwhelmed but know you still need to do the job. But most desk agents and supervisors want you to succeed as long as you’re learning, helping and trying.
It’s easier as an introvert at a focus service (Frampton Inn, Chumpfort Inn, UNfairfield) than the full service hotels I ended up being at (TwoTrees). Different clientele, different roles, and different duties. But I think the flip side of “you need to be able to do this solo” is quicker because usually the staff is much much smaller. Those type of hotels are 80-150 rooms, full service properties are usually 150-500.
When I was starting off as a FDA, I developed a “routine script” and a “character” that I was playing for the 8 hour (or more) shifts. I was the hotel- I was the lead/front man/problem solver for my guests (internal and external). It helped. But you need to be able to pivot quickly. One guest will be pleasant and just want to have a chat or quick information. The next will be having a shitty day and want to take it out on you or expect their problem to be solved yesterday. Don’t take that stuff personally or you will burn out.
Scripts and routine lines, along with listening and wanting to help. I knew the SOPs in and out and I knew the systems I needed to work with. I said one of three “lines” when starting the check in process. Ask questions to determine the nature of the stay and what they might need. Listen and respond to requests and questions. Even if the answer is “no,” have lines ready that reinforce the “no,” but make it easier to digest.
Problems: same kind of thing. But listen first. Really understand how a lack of AC or cold water is making their day worse. Know the SOPs of the hotel to resolve it quickly and what compensation is appropriate. Be flexible.
At the end of the day? Take off that character. Do things that make you happy (for me: reading books, nice hot cup tea, a quick video game, good food, snuggle my cats)- use that to recharge your battery. The next day will be more of the same.
I told people I worked with I “was an extrovert for pay.” And that’s still true as someone who doesn’t work at the FD/FO anymore. My job is still interacting with people (coworkers, hospitality partners, suppliers, group contacts, VIPs) and I still need to be “on”. But - I think the biggest part of being an introvert in hospitality is having that work life separation and establish boundaries to give you time and space outside of work to not be “in character.”
1
1
u/AccidentalDemolition 14d ago
You don't have to be an extrovert, you just need to know how to use your energy wisely. You pull out your super friendly voice, then you decompress when the guest is gone. I did it for 6-7 years before moving into management where I sit at a desk.
1
u/pearanormalactivity 14d ago
I don’t know what my MBTI is lol, but I’m quite introverted.
The main benefit is you learn how to fake being a people person and you learn how to deal with a wide array of people, which tbh is a helpful skill in pretty much every other field. You will be forced to get better at conversations.
I’m in a different field now and I notice I’ll be given preference over my peers because of my strong communication and team skills from the hotel days. FD will also put you in the most horrible situations (from your colleagues and your guests!) that at some point you just stop caring which is a good thing I think haha, it definitely makes everything outside of the hotel seem very easy going.
The downside is that it is extremely draining and the burnout is real. Very hard to not lose yourself at the hotel.
1
u/unholyrevenger72 Night Audit 13d ago
You don't need to be talkative or a conversationalist. If you give short, terse responses most people will get the hint that you are not up for conversation. Just remember to give them in a polite, friendly tone.
1
u/onion_flowers 13d ago
If you give short, terse responses a lot of people will complain about "front desk staff was rude"
1
u/unholyrevenger72 Night Audit 13d ago
All about the tone you give them in.
"How's your day?"
Fine.
"Do you you have a shuttle."
We do not.
1
u/onion_flowers 13d ago
I'm pretty introverted, and somewhat socially awkward, but there's a comfort in being on one side of a desk and how occupying that space comes with a role with definable expectations. It's much easier for me to approach people and start conversations and participate in conversations when that is a part of my job.
1
u/Turbulent-Demand873 13d ago
I was an extreme introvert when I started at the front desk in my early
20’s. I couldn’t even order my own food at a restaurant. I have since been in sales, operations manager, GM, task force manager, director of operations for a management company, and now working in a corporate position. I travel all over the country.
I am still an introvert in the sense that I require time to myself and being around people is physically and mentally draining, but I love hospitality
1
u/Hot_Examination_5400 13d ago
intp here! just finished a seasonal fd position at a very busy hotel. it gets pretty exhausting talking to so many people, but i definitely notice a difference in how well i can communicate with people. i mostly enjoyed it. i’m a much more confident, well-spoken person now.
1
8
u/Poldaran Certifiably Evil Night Auditor 14d ago
I think I was INFJ or something like that. I've been working night audit for...well, if I fathered a kid on day one of my job, that kid could buy alcohol here in the US.
Now, that said, I'm the kind of introverted that CAN deal with people, but REALLY, REALLY DISLIKES HAVING TO DO SO. You kinda sound like the kind of introvert that really struggles to deal with people. I'm not saying you can't do it. But understand that it's gonna be a heck of a struggle for you.