Career change as a hotel business clerk

Career change paths

• Hotel consultant

  Also: Consultant for hotel development

  Start right away

  As a consultant, you support owners, investors and operators with openings, renovations, changes of operator and feasibility studies.

  What you bring:

  You know the key figures, processes and staff planning of a hotel, and you quickly see where a hotel wastes potential.

  How to get there:

  Specialized hotel consultancies usually hire experienced hotel directors directly, and you deepen your knowledge of financial key figures and hotel real estate on the job. If you go self-employed, it is best to start with assignments from your previous network.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €6,768gross per monthMedian salary

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• Travel consultant

  Also: Tourist information employee

  With on-the-job training

  In a travel agency, at a tour operator or in the tourist information office you advise on trips and offers and book services.

  What you bring:

  You know booking systems, reservations and guests from many countries, and you like giving tips about the city and region.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in booking systems and offers, usually lasting a few weeks. Foreign languages and experience from the hotel industry are valued. For travel agencies, a qualification as tourism clerk (Tourismuskaufmann) is usual, which is a three-year vocational training (Ausbildung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,291gross per monthMedian salary

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• Event assistant

  Also: Conference and banquet coordinator

  With on-the-job training

  In event planning you organize conferences, celebrations and events from the first inquiry to billing.

  What you bring:

  You coordinate guest wishes, rooms, departments and schedules and keep track of everything even when groups arrive.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the banquet or event department of a hotel, often starting as an assistant. If you want a qualification, you can do retraining (Umschulung) as event management clerk (Veranstaltungskaufmann), which usually takes two years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Lots of contact with people

  €3,438gross per monthMedian salary

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• Reception employee in a company

  Also: Reception staff in healthcare

  With on-the-job training

  At the reception of a company, clinic or gym you do similar work, often with more regular working hours.

  What you bring:

  You welcome guests in a friendly way, answer phones, manage appointments and stay in control even when it is busy.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on site, usually lasting a few weeks. Experience from the hotel reception and foreign languages are welcome. Reception jobs in companies are also filled through service providers.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,518gross per monthMedian salary

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• Office manager

  Also: Executive assistant to the managing director

  With on-the-job training

  As an assistant you organize appointments, trips, meetings and correspondence for the management or a team.

  What you bring:

  You handle many requests at the same time, write emails in several languages and stay discreet and reliable with guests.

  How to get there:

  With hotel training and foreign languages, you can start with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), for example as a team assistant. Without a commercial qualification, retraining (Umschulung) as office management clerk (Kaufmann für Büromanagement) helps. It usually takes two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,810gross per monthMedian salary

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• Rental customer service employee

  Also: Rental agent at serviced apartments

  With on-the-job training

  In rental you look after prospective tenants and tenants, hold viewings and process contracts, for example at housing companies or apartment providers.

  What you bring:

  You know reservation systems, occupancy planning, check-in and dealing with complaints.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a housing company, property management firm or serviced apartment provider, usually lasting a few weeks. If you work in a property management firm directly on managing rental apartments or condominiums, you must complete legally required further training: 20 hours in three years. You can earn a qualification through vocational training (Ausbildung) as real estate clerk (Immobilienkaufmann), which takes three years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,940gross per monthMedian salary

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• Hotel accounting employee

  Also: Income auditor

  With on-the-job training

  In hotel accounting you check revenues, post invoices and prepare figures for monthly closings.

  What you bring:

  You do daily closings, settle cash and card payments, and know invoices and payment methods from everyday hotel life.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the accounting department of a hotel or hotel group, often via the night shift with the night audit. A financial accounting course, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months, makes the switch easier.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• Hotel revenue manager

  Also: Revenue analyst

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In revenue management you set prices and quotas, watch the market and manage occupancy.

  What you bring:

  From reservations you know booking channels, rates, cancellations, and how demand varies by weekday and around trade fairs.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there through the reservations department and internal on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), supplemented by seminars or certificate courses in revenue management. Good Excel skills and a feel for numbers are required. Hotel chains partly prefer applicants with a hotel business administration qualification (Hotelbetriebswirt) or a university degree.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office
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• Destination manager

  Also: Head of sales for a hotel group

  With on-the-job training

  As a destination manager, you market a region or city; as head of sales, you steer the sales and marketing of several hotels.

  What you bring:

  You know guests, booking channels, pricing and the marketing of a hotel from daily practice.

  How to get there:

  Tourism organizations and hotel groups fill such positions through job ads, and experience in revenue management and online sales counts for a lot there. A course in tourism marketing helps but is usually not required.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,740gross per monthMedian salary

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• Residence manager at a senior residence

  Also: House manager in service-based senior housing (Service-Wohnen)

  With on-the-job training

  In a senior residence or in service housing, you lead operations and the team and make sure the residents feel comfortable.

  What you bring:

  You run a house with reception, catering, housekeeping and technical services, and you know how to keep guests satisfied over a long time.

  How to get there:

  Operators of senior residences also hire managers from the hotel industry and train them on the job in care organization and care home law. If you head a facility that provides nursing care, the requirements of state law apply; under the Care Home Staff Ordinance (Heimpersonalverordnung), these are a recognized qualification, for example in health or social care or in a commercial occupation, plus two years of full-time work in a care home or a comparable facility.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsLots of contact with people

  €6,268gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of facility management

  Also: Head of services and catering in a company

  With on-the-job training

  In the facility management of a company, hospital or university, you are responsible for buildings, canteen, reception and services, usually with more regular working hours than in a hotel.

  What you bring:

  You have steered the technology, cleaning, purchasing and service providers of a large property.

  How to get there:

  Companies and service providers train hotel managers on the job in operator duties, maintenance planning and software. Courses in facility management lasting a few weeks help. A basic technical understanding is expected, and for special topics you have experts in your team.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light
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• Lecturer in hotel management

  Also: Course director for hotel and catering occupations

  With on-the-job training

  As a lecturer, you teach future hotel specialists, hotel business administrators and managers at hotel schools, academies or training providers.

  What you bring:

  You know all departments of a hotel and can explain leadership, calculation and guest service with real cases.

  How to get there:

  Private hotel schools, chambers and training providers use practitioners as lecturers, often on a freelance basis at first. Trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung) or further training in teaching is welcome. At state technical schools, you need a teaching qualification, depending on the state.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €5,140gross per monthMedian salary

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• Recruitment consultant for hospitality

  Also: Recruiter

  With on-the-job training

  At a recruitment consultancy or the HR department of a hotel group, you search for specialists and managers and support selection procedures.

  What you bring:

  You have hired many employees and know which people really fit in service, kitchen and management.

  How to get there:

  Recruitment consultancies that focus on the industry train hotel managers in search methods, databases and client work, usually over a few weeks. Part of the pay often depends on placement success.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightIn an office

  €4,167gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of customer service

  Also: Head of a service center

  With on-the-job training

  As head of customer service at insurers, energy suppliers or online retailers, you steer teams, processes and service quality, usually with fixed office hours.

  What you bring:

  You have led teams that keep guests satisfied every day, and you can handle complaints with confidence.

  How to get there:

  Companies train managers from the hotel industry in their products, systems and key figures, usually over a few weeks. Your experience with duty rosters, shift operations and service standards is a good way in.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €7,515gross per monthMedian salary

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• Payroll accountant

  Also: Payroll clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In payroll accounting, this accuracy and discretion are the core of the work.

  What you bring:

  You handle confidential data carefully, work to deadlines and use office software confidently.

  How to get there:

  Take a payroll course at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or a training provider. It usually takes a few months. You also get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the payroll software.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the HR department, you also deal with employment contracts, vacation, sick notes and applications.

  What you bring:

  You manage files, prepare letters from templates and handle data confidentially.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the HR department, often supplemented by an HR administration course lasting a few months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,513gross per monthMedian salary

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• Doctor's secretary

  Also: Medical secretary, Ward secretary

  With on-the-job training

  In the secretariat of a clinic or practice, you also deal with medical terms, doctors' letters and billing.

  What you bring:

  You write letters, organize appointments and files, and stay friendly on the phone.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the clinic or practice. A course on medical terminology and billing, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months, makes entry easier.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,270gross per monthMedian salary

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• Citizens' office clerk

  Also: Vehicle registration office clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the citizens' office or the registration office you process applications for ID cards, registrations or vehicles.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with forms, data and regulations, and you explain processes to customers in a friendly and clear way.

  How to get there:

  Some municipalities hire office staff for the citizens' office or the registration office and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Often, however, administrative training is expected, or administrative course I (Verwaltungslehrgang I) is required after hiring. What exactly applies is stated in the job ad.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,822gross per monthMedian salary

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• Purchasing clerk

  Also: Purchasing planner

  With on-the-job training

  In purchasing you also compare prices, negotiate terms and keep an eye on delivery dates.

  What you bring:

  You collect quotes, write orders, check invoices and keep in contact with suppliers.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in purchasing, often starting as a clerk. Later, you can take part-time further training in purchasing and logistics at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Staffing coordinator

  Also: Temporary staffing consultant

  With on-the-job training

  In staffing coordination you plan employee assignments at client companies, conduct job interviews and stay in contact with both sides.

  What you bring:

  You make many phone calls, organize appointments and keep data clean.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a temporary staffing or personnel services provider, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,046gross per monthMedian salary

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• Law firm secretary

  Also: Paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte)

  With on-the-job training

  In law firms and notary offices, you also handle written submissions, deadline monitoring, client contact and law firm software.

  What you bring:

  You write letters confidently, keep files and appointments, and work precisely with deadlines.

  How to get there:

  Law firms also hire office staff as secretaries and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). You pick up knowledge of the respective field of law in everyday work. You can earn a recognized qualification through retraining (Umschulung) as paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte), which usually takes about two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,421gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clerk at a health insurance fund

  Also: Customer adviser in social insurance

  With on-the-job training

  At health insurance funds, pension insurance or accident insurance providers you check applications for benefits, process contributions and advise insured people.

  What you bring:

  You process applications, maintain data, keep deadlines and patiently explain to customers what is missing.

  How to get there:

  Some health insurance funds and insurance providers hire office staff with commercial training and train them in-house, often with courses over several months. Others, however, expect vocational training (Ausbildung) as social insurance specialist (Sozialversicherungsfachangestellte) or offer it themselves. The job ad states what applies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,964gross per monthMedian salary

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• Flight attendant

  With training or an exam

  On board, you also handle safety tasks, cabin service and first aid.

  What you bring:

  You look after guests from all over the world in a friendly and confident way, also at night, on weekends and in stressful situations.

  How to get there:

  You do basic training at an airline, usually lasting a few weeks, with an exam for the cabin crew attestation (Flugbegleiterbescheinigung). You also need an aviation medical examination and good English.*Regulated by law (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Annex V (Part-CC)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,307gross per monthMedian salary

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• Financial accountant

  Also: Balance sheet accountant

  With further trainingPromotion

  You already bring care with figures and deadlines from your office work.

  What you bring:

  With a commercial foundation and experience in accounting, you can prepare monthly and annual closings and take over tax topics.

  How to get there:

  First gain experience in accounting, then take the further training course for certified balance sheet accountant (Bilanzbuchhalter) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes about two years alongside a job and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted to the exam with completed three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung). Without it you need at least five years of work experience, mainly in finance and accounting.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT support specialist

  Also: IT specialist for system integration

  With retraining

  In IT support you help colleagues with software, devices and access.

  What you bring:

  You work with office software every day, know the typical problems users have, and explain patiently.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as IT specialist for system integration (Fachinformatiker für Systemintegration), which usually takes two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,400gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.