How to Become a Personal Concierge: Job Interview Tips
There are few careers more exciting that of a personal concierge. When you become a concierge, you have the opportunity to meet and interact with many different people, to handle a variety of different tasks and errands, to learn what motivates and what is important to your clients, and to put your researching and problem-solving skills to the test as you work with clients to create beautiful outcomes.
In essence, as a personal concierge, you are in the business of helping your clients find more time in their life for the things they love. The way we see it, when you work for Monogram Concierge, you are more than a personal assistant or an errand runner; you are an invaluable, integral part of each client’s day-to-day life, a benefit to the entire home and family, and a trusted confidant and consultant.
Because of this, the job of personal concierge is not easy or simple, and it requires the right type of person. If you plan to interview to become a part of our team of personal concierges, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as you go through the job interview process.
What it Takes to Ace the Job Interview and Be a Monogram Concierge
Dress for Success
As with any job interview, first impressions mean a lot. Many studies demonstrate that other people assume a lot about your capabilities based solely upon how you dress, and we’re looking for team members who inspire trust and confidence in our clients. Don’t just look like you’re put together; be put together. While you don’t have to have the nicest, most expensive wardrobe, it pays to pay attention to detail. Do your clothes fit? Are they clean? Do your accessories match? Additionally, do you look contemporary? Or is your look a bit dated? Keep in mind that many of your clients will be modern-minded and will expect their personal concierge to be up-to-date with all aspects of life. There’s no better way to make a good first impression than to appear modern and polished from the very beginning.
Be Prepared
In your career as a personal concierge, a lot of research can, and should, be done prior to ever setting foot in front of the client. Similarly, in your interview, you should come prepared. What tools, tips, or other information is available on the Monogram blog or website that you can read beforehand? Make sure you have done your research on our company and what the job entails. While you’re at it, make sure your resume is not only up-to-date, but also indicative of the strengths that you intend to bring to your career as a personal concierge. If you have experience in project management, hospitality, lifestyle management, or other service-oriented professions, be sure to mention that experience. If you have organized large events in the past, that is another skill that may come in handy for future clients. Finally, be on time. In a career path where the primary focus is managing time for clients, nothing reflects worse on you than tardiness.
Ask Questions
While you’re preparing, don’t forget to make a list of questions you have prior to the job interview so that you can get clarification in person. Arriving at the interview already armed with questions allows you to be more efficient—not only with your own time, but also that of your potential employer.
Show your Drive
Part of the job of a personal concierge is to take charge, to see and prepare for predictable problems before they become full-blown concerns. The interview process is a great time to demonstrate your ambition and determination, giving us a preview of exactly what we’d be getting if they hired you. If you have questions after the interview, don’t wait; call and ask. If it’s been a while and you’re wondering how things are going with the hiring decision, call and find out. Always be polite and considerate but, otherwise, take charge. Being proactive telegraphs to us that you are not only interested in the position but also qualified to have it.
Make it Personal
In any given job interview process, there are typically multiple people going after the same position. The same is true for our personal concierge service. While we may be looking to hire multiple people, that doesn’t change the fact that you are typically going to be one person out of many that our hiring executive has seen, or will see. Because this is the case, making every touch personal will not only show your attention to detail—you’ll need that skill for your future clients as a personal concierge—but also help you stand out from the crowd. For example, following-up after the interview with a handwritten Thank You Note used to be commonplace but is now a dying practice. Doing so will certainly get the attention of those who are making the hiring decision.
We are always looking for talented, motivated self-starters to join the Monogram Concierge team. If you love working with people and have a positive, upbeat approach to life, Contact Us to learn more about any open positions we may have available, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. In the meantime, take a look at our Concierge Checklist to find out more about what types of services you may be called upon to manage for your clients.