The Ultimate Guide to Working in Hostels
Guest Contribution:
Written by Ewa Gabara
Content Writer, Copywriter and Blogger.
Owner and Blogger at “Don’t Mess With The Receptionist”
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Traveling the world for one year, visiting 80 countries, staying in one country for a few months...
How do people do these things?
I mean, even with a million dollars in your pocket, you still need to pay for transport, accommodation, and food. And without working, money quickly vanishes.
There are many ways to stay afloat during extended travels without starving to death and while still enjoying the small life pleasures each foreign country has to offer.
You don't need to be a Digital Nomad or work remotely to afford a few months of travel.
What you need is a desire to see what's beyond your comfort zone and an open mind.
You might have considered programs that involve working as an Aupair, or Studying Abroad. Let me tell you about another option: working in hostels.
In this post, I will share with you different ways you can find and work in hostels. I'm bringing to the table insider knowledge after working in hostels for around ten years.
What are your Options in Hostels?
Well, of course, you can stay as a guest, but you didn't come here to read about that, right?
Here are the main working options in hostels:
Work exchange - you exchange your skills and time for a bed and sometimes food (depends on each hostel)
Internship - if you're a student and need to do an internship, you can get an agreement between your university/school and a hostel. Still, you work "for free;" however you get accommodation and food provided.
Paid job - yes, it's possible to become a full-time employee, however you need to have legal work permits.
4 Reasons to Work in Hostels
Doing a work exchange means not paying for a place to sleep.
I think we can both agree you might have a limited budget for your travel.
While paying for hostels is a cheaper alternative to hotels (well, usually - not if we talk about visiting big cities), paying for two months for a bed can seriously sharpen your – already strained – budget.
Unless you're a millionaire (then what are you doing here? If I were you, I would already be in Mexico hanging out with a mojito).
Build travel friendships.
When you travel solo, it can be lonely (even when that’s what you’re looking for). Hostels become your safe space and a place to make new friendships.
You discover one place - better.
Sometimes one week is not enough to explore a city, country, or culture. Working in hostels permits you to stay longer and travel slower.
A chance to engage with local culture.
Most hostels have local staff working in them. So can you imagine a better way to uncover different layers of, let's say, Moroccan culture, than by spending all your time amongst Moroccan people?
What is it like to work in a hostel?
Mostly it's fun if you don't take life too seriously. You might find yourself running a few jobs at once: reception, bartending, cleaning rooms and common areas, coordinating events, fixing haircuts or being a digital marketer.
It all depends on what kind of agreement you make with the hostel. But be prepared to try everything above, even if the hostel hired you to do one thing.
That's hostel life: expect everything.
Actually, you can read some real stories from reception shifts on my blog. On how I almost f***** the entire hostel with one click (yep, it was a real deal), or about the Wi-Fi Armageddon we had one time.
Where to look for hostel work?
The "easiest" way to find hostel work when traveling, is to look for a work exchange. Sometimes you will get paid money as well, but you should never expect or demand it.
Anyway, it's never "work for free" if a hostel in exchange gives you a place to sleep and food.
After all, they could earn money from the bed that you occupy, and they will be paying for the water, electricity and food you use.
A few places to look for Hostel Jobs:
Facebook groups for hostel staff and managers. Search for specific groups with terms like hostel jobs, hostel workers, hostel receptionists.
Sending emails to hostels directly
The last one is my favorite way because you can filter the hostels you really would love to stay in (I'm a hostel geek, so I have a budget list of hostels). Don't send the same email to all 100 hostels.
Yes, you can have a template but be creative about it: why would you like to work there? What seems different about this place? And hey, use videos to introduce yourself (but quickly) – this is always an attention grabber.
8 things to remember before you start
When you plan your travel, you might have an idea where you will be going: look there for a work exchange.
I once based my travel entirely on the hostel where I would find work first. Well, ok, I had three leading destinations in mind: Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), Madeira (Portugal), and Cantabria in Spain.
It's funny because I have found a hostel work exchange in 2 out of them using a connection of Workaway and cold emailing. So the choice wasn't easy, but finally, I took off for two months to Surf Rider Hostel in Fuerteventura.
Don't accept working full-time.
Work exchange is work exchange - you shouldn't replace a full-time employee in the workplace.You're there as a support to the regular team. Working 20-30 hours is ok, as long as you have days off.
When you're in the hostel, and your gut feeling tells you something is not right - run.
Ok, maybe I'm overdramatic here, but there's no sense in suffering. You're traveling the world and you need to enjoy it without adding additional suffering to it. Never stay in the place that makes you uncomfortable: security first.
Make friends with the hostel staff; they can help you.
Most probably you will be sharing a room with guests or other “workawayers”
Stay a minimum of 2-3 months.
From the hostel staff perspective, I can assure you no one likes to train a newbie for two weeks, only for that person to leave. Hostels widely require a minimum of 2-3 months of commitment – and you won't regret it. You can trust me on that.
Be proactive and give your best.
You can learn so many things from working in hostels, which you can place later on your curriculum, CV, or Resume.
Read a guide to hostel etiquette, which will help you in being a great hostel roomie.
Let's Wrap It Up
It's always best to talk with people who have experience in working in hostels. They are the best source of information on how, what, and where.
Let me tell you: you're in the right place! As a Travel Coach, Geneva can help you plan your backpacking or working abroad trip, beginning from your mindset to your budget.
Warning: working or staying in hostels can convert into an addiction, resulting in friends from all over the world and too many fun stories to share.
Try it at your own risk.
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Author Bio:
Ewa Gabara is a long-time hostel receptionist converted into a content writer and copywriter. She channeled all her hostel stories and experiences into the blog “Don’t Mess With The Receptionist.” There she gives a creative spin on blogging about hostels and hospitality marketing.
Check out her website and connect with her on LinkedIn or Instagram.
