What do you do?
I’m an all-rounder at the Seasons Hotel in Newman, WA. This includes everything from folding sheets and towels, serving breakfast at 5am, mixing cocktails, cleaning rooms and helping manage the restaurant during the rush.
How did you land the job?
I got this job, and my previous job, with help from The Job Shop (based out of WA). They’re extremely helpful and fast.
What’s the pay like?
Brilliant! Not only do I make a much better wage in hospitality than I did back home, but I get paid more for late nights, weekends and a “location wage” for working above the Tropic of Capricorn.
What’s great about the job?
The people – I live with backpackers from all over, and at the end of a shift, having this family makes all the hard work worth while.
And not so great?
The hours – whenever we’re under-staffed, a shift can go from 8-12 hours a day, with barely time for a nap!
Any stories?
Most of mine involve random encounters with wildlife (i.e closing the restaurant one day because a giant python was sending customers into hysterics), or time-off with other co-workers during our “happy hour” in between shifts – having a Matilda Bay beer, listening to cockatoos and laughing about how dirty hotel guests can be.
Best advice for travellers?
A lot of the placement agencies really do care about finding you work – check in with a few, and stay in touch. And don’t be afraid if you don’t think you meet a job description: being a good waitress or housekeeper doesn’t require loads of experience.
January 20th, 2012
