What does a Porter do?
Published 3 min read
A porter is a person who carries luggage and other heavy items for travelers.
Porter job duties include:
- Greet customers and provide them with assistance as needed
- Load and unload merchandise from trucks
- Stock shelves and displays with merchandise
- Price merchandise and keep price tags up to date
- Organize stockrooms and keep them clean and tidy
- Help customers find the merchandise they are looking for
- Handle returns and exchanges of merchandise
- Bag or package purchases as needed
- Maintain a safe and clean work environment
- Follow all company policies and procedures
Porter Job Requirements
There are no specific job requirements for a porter, but most employers prefer candidates who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may also require porters to complete a short training program before they can begin working. Porters typically have at least one year of experience working in a similar role.
Porter Skills
- Punctual
- Hardworking
- Honest
- Reliable
- Friendly
- Helpful
- Good communication skills
- Good customer service skills
- Able to work well under pressure
- Able to work well independently
- Able to lift heavy objects
Related: Top Porter Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Porter
Porters are an important part of the hospitality industry. They provide a vital service to guests by helping them with their luggage and providing other services as needed. If you would like to become a porter, there are a few things you need to know.
First, it is important to be physically fit. Porters must be able to lift heavy bags and walk long distances. They also need to be able to stand for long periods of time.
Second, porters need to have excellent customer service skills. They must be able to communicate well with guests and provide them with the assistance they need.
Third, porters must be able to work well under pressure. They often have to deal with last-minute requests or changes in plans.
Fourth, porters need to be detail-oriented. They need to make sure that all the luggage is accounted for and that it arrives at the correct destination.
If you have these qualities, then you may make an excellent porter. To get started in this career, you will likely need to find a job at a hotel or other type of lodging facility. Once you have some experience, you may then want to pursue certification through a professional organization such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
Related: Porter Resume Example