When it comes to becoming a successful short term rental host, customer service and communication skills are essential. These skills are needed to create a positive experience for guests and to ensure repeat bookings. From managing listings to responding to inquiries and customer service, having the ability to put yourself in the customers shoes and anticipate their needs is an invaluable skill that I was able to learn during really my time working at the Gap.
I was lucky enough to work at the Gap at Ala Moana Mall in Waikiki, HI. We had all of these custom t-shirts and customers would buy them 5 and 10 at a time. The t-shirts all said Hawaii on them and they made for really great souvenirs.
As it turned out, being able to fold t-shirts was just as important as restocking them on the floor. I had to learn how to fold the shirts quickly and consistently, in a way that would make them look beautiful and inviting to customers.
After several sessions, I developed the skills necessary to excel in the role. I quickly adapted to the core principles of customer service, such as how to effectively problem solve in difficult situations and how to remain professional while also making customers feel welcome.
Through my customer service experience at the Gap, I learned the importance of building a positive relationship with each customer. I learned to think ahead and anticipate the needs of the customer by providing solutions before they even asked. The Gap provided a customer friendly environment which enabled me to quickly acquire the skills necessary to make my short term rental hosting experience successful as well.
Thanks to the training I received at the Gap, I have been able to apply the knowledge and apply it to my role as a short term rental host. I use the same customer service techniques that I learned at the Gap such as remaining professional in difficult situations
Fast forward to present-day and my role as a short-term rental host. I’m constantly folding and fixing and returning things to perfect, but what has really helped me stay on top of things is the same skill I first learned while folding t-shirts at Gap – how to work with efficiency, stay alert and be ready to act quickly in case of any unexpected problems.