Stage 2: Qualifications
The second phase is finding all your qualifications such as GCSE's, A Leve's, HND's and Degree's and finding all the relevant certificates and results. Next you could find any first aid certificates and you could also find any work experience reports. References from any previous jobs or teachers could also be looked into. You could also then start thinking about what you have to offer and what else you could get that you have achieved that will help. Any entertainment experience or customer service skills would be very useful.
Stage 3: Apply
The first stage of applying for a position is to get an application form. These are usually available on the tour operators website. You must write neatly and these forms usually require being written in block capitals. Next you must either prepare or update your C.V. C.V's are basically full of all your own personal information and it gives you a chance to sell yourself to the company at a very early stage. You must then accurately follow the instructions on the form of what to do next which is usually sending the form/letter to the company. A stamped address envelope is usually required and you must fold the form neatly to keep the apperance.
Stage 4: Interview
If your application is successful you will be asked to attend an interview. These interviews are very formal and you must attend dressed very smartly. A suit is the best way to impress. It is important to take your supporting documents such as results certificates, first aid certificates and any references or reports. Personal hygiene msut be taken into consideration. You should really be clean shaven and have had a bath/shower. You could take the initiative and try to anticipate potential questions that the interviwer may ask and consider how you will appproach them. You could also have some questions of your own as this always impresses the interviewer.
Stage 5: Training
If your interview(s) is successful then before you start work you will be required to be trained. Training usually consists of customer service based training as you will be obviously working with customers for the majority of the time. Tour operators also usually place a heavy emphasis on seelling skills training as this is another main part of the job and offers commision for staff. Communication skills are taught for example when conducting welcome meetings and dealing day to day with customer queries. Organisation skills are taught as there is loads and loads of paperwork involved with repping. New reps must learn the tour operators unique booking conditions and must also learn health and safety possibly first aid.
Stage 6: Career Progression
As being a rep is not a lifelong job, the career's available after being a rep needs careful consideration. There are lots of different repping positions available and the experince will almost gurantee you a job in a different department. Travel agencies are also a good option as you have all the experience and knowledge necessary. Other positions in the UK include marketing managers product managers, reservations staff, admin clerks, sales staff, customer services, training manager, accounts staff, contracting managers, personnel staff, computer systems staff and flights staff. Positions overseas include resort managers, couriers, sirport reps, area managers, contracting staff, team leaders and admin staff.
My suitability as a rep
In my opinion I think I would make an excellent holiday representative, particularly in the 18-30 department.
First of all I have no ties at home such as children and only have my family that I wouldn't be that bothered about being away from for long periods of time so my mind would definately be on the job the majority of the time and I would'nt be getting homesick in any way what-so-ever. I am very sociable at home and enjoy my nights out which usually occur 3 or 4 nights a week. I also work in a bar in a town centre and very much enjoy all the aspects of working behind a bar and meeting new kinds of people every time I work. This is bound to help me with the drinking culture that exists in the 18-30 job. I am also very confident and do not shy easily.
I enjoy learning about new cultures and how other people live their lives. I have a basic understanding of two languages, French and Spanish so this will help me comminicate with other staff in these two countries. I am able to use my initiative there problem solving comes naturally to me and I am calm in a crisis therefore should something happen when I would be working I could comfort people and think of the best solution possible calmly. I am a good communicator and get my point across very well so this will help me when talking in front of large groups at welcome meetings and during transfers.
I have a great understanding of how important paperwork is having worked in a travel agents for work experience and I would cope very well with this. I believe I have great selling skills and obviously these would be used during welcome meeting when selling excursions. I love working with kids and find them fascinating and would definately cope if ever asked to pursue this department. I am not nervous of agressive people and would deal with any customer problems to the best of my ability whether they are angry or not.
I also have good time management so will very rarely be late and I am reliable. If I say I am goin to do something I will do it. I am also very organised.
Some of the things that would work against me should I apply for a job would be the fact that I don't drive so I would have to rely on public transport in resorts to get me from A to B. I also don't look skiing therefore I would not like to explore this avenue of repping.
So taking all these thoughts into consideration I believe I would make an excellent holiday representative. I have lots more positive skills then negative that are important to the job and I am definately thinking about a career in as a holiday representative.
