To qualify as a valet or parking attendant you need to be at least 18 years old and this will be subject to the regulations in the state or country you intend to work. Although most valet occupations don’t require schooling, you may need a high school diploma or an equivalent to work as a valet attendant.
An individual who drives, parks, and retrieves guest vehicles to provide a smooth and friendly experience upon their arrival and departure is known as a valet attendant. Each guest receives first-rate care from the valet parking attendant, who promptly and safely takes their cars to the parking lot.
Valets ensure that parked vehicles are locked and that keys are either returned to the owner or stored safely. To be a valet, you must be older than 18 and have a clean driving record. You must possess great customer service abilities and be able to drive a variety of automobiles with both manual and automatic transmissions.
While most places offer on-the-job training, upscale venues may prefer employees with prior experience. You might need to pass a driving test, complete a background check, and pass a drug test before you start the job. A valet is regarded as an entry-level job. Because they have access to the private and sensitive information of customers, accountability and personal integrity are crucial for valets.
Required Training and Skills for Valets
A valet can work toward obtaining a professional certification if they wish to increase their income and become highly sought-after in the field. Additionally, most valet shops have an unwritten policy that only the most skilled employees are permitted to handle supercars when they arrive.
Responsibilities of a Valet Attendant
- Welcome new customers to the establishment and provide them with prompt services.
- Open doors for visitors, and help them with bags or other heavy goods.
- When necessary, direct traffic in the parking area and help visitors enter and exit the lot.
- Respond to inquiries from visitors about nearby attractions, hotel features, and other services that are offered.
- Gather and properly label any keys that belong to visitors to secure their return.
- Place visitors’ cars in the parking lot’s designated spaces, adhering to all traffic regulations.
- Use automobiles responsibly and safely.
- Sort and file documents related to the vehicles of visitors and daily business.
Qualifications for Valet Attendant
- It is essential to have a clean driving record
- There must be active personal auto insurance.
- Professional communication skills, knowledge of customer needs, and warmth
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time during work
- The ability to multitask and attend to multiple customers at once are also requirements.
- To quickly remember where automobiles are and where their keys are, organizational abilities are required.
Is Being a Valet Attendant Worth It?
Come to think of it, the fact that anyone that can drive very well and is well-mannered can become a valet without any other skills means that it is open to a vast majority of people. Customers are willing to pay for your services, and if you’re lucky, you might even get tips that are higher than the salary you would make as a valet.
In the United States, valet drivers make an average salary of $30,637 per year or $14.73 per hour. On the lower end of the spectrum, valet drivers make about $22,000 annually, while the top 10 percent make $41,000.
In Conclusion,
It is important to note that as a valet attendant, you can easily work for high-end clientele so you should be prepared even if you are just 18 years old. Typically, these needs come up in the early morning or late at night. Because of this, valet jobs are a wonderful fit for people who want to earn extra money after a regular workday.
When high-end client tips are taken into account, working as a valet may pay you more than a regular 9 to 5. Be cautious, though, as these positions can require working late hours. For individuals who are willing to work hard, this can conflict with a day job and does offer a stable income.