Surviving Overseas – Spin-off: Working the Motel life

Though 'Surviving Overseas' series has ended, I wanted to include my experience of working part-time during my university time in New Zealand, hence this post is a bonus piece – like sprinkles on top of a cupcake or an ice cream, just to wrap up the series for good. 

Disclaimer: I am aware that not everyone will share the same experience as I do. All of us will have different routes to get a job, and some of us may have to take many, many tries before you finally snag that job you've been eyeing for.

A month into my first semester in second year, I got a call from my friend about a vacancy at the place she worked at. Before this call, we had met over lunch and we chat about a lot of things when the topic of working part-time came up in our conversation. In first year, I wasn't so keen finding a part-time job mainly because I wasn't sure if I can commit to a job. New country, new study environment, new study schedules – I just didn't had the confidence I can juggle working AND studying while passing all my papers to move onto the next year. Yes, financially my family wasn't in a good place, so my allowance came from my parents taking out funds from their retirement savings just to make sure I can study overseas. Which means that failing is not an option, because once you fail a class, you need to pay for the entire course just to redo the exam that you failed. 

Yeah, don't fail your classes, people. They are expensive.

Before getting the fateful call, I had starting applying for jobs. I should note that I started looking only at the beginning of the year, when most students are in or have came back to town and so can fill in the part-time work force, so I didn't have much luck getting a job. Then came the call, and of course I said yes! It was pretty last minute, there was a lot of frenzy of me updating my CV and getting them printed out for the interview the next day. 

Eek!! So nervous! 

Thankfully the interview went well; it was a casual chat, with my friend introducing me to her boss and stayed with me throughout the interview. I will say that I did not feel that intimidating, tense interview that I thought would take place. I couldn't definitely pinpoint why the setting of the interview was more casual: is it because it's for a part-time job (don't think so based on past experience), or because it's a small family-owned business (maybe?), or because it's the type of business that didn't require a formal setting? 

Either way, I got the job, so yay!! (More content–)

I work as a housekeeper or cleaner at a motel, which from the name I clearly clean rooms for a living. I should also clarify that I did not made a typo. A motel is different from a hotel, and a distinct feature is whether you can cook in your room. I don't just mean boiling water for your cup noodle, I mean cooking as in with groceries you bought on a stovetop with a pot or pan, and then serving on a plate. Most motels have various degrees of cooking equipment, going from the basic microwave and toaster (aside from a kettle) to a fully equipped motel room armed with a stovetop and an oven (plus the microwave, toaster, and kettle). 

Because it's a motel, work starts from an hour before the motel's check-out time (usually 10AM) and ends around check-in time (usually 2PM). With not a lot of time, it is really dependent on the speed and efficiency of housekeepers to make sure the rooms are well-kept for guests. However, no matter how fast and efficient a housekeeper may be, sometimes the rooms can just be too overwhelming to be cleaned within the allotted time. 

Whether you're a guest staying in a motel or a hotel, it would be extremely helpful for guests to cooperate with housekeepers in ensuring everyone can have a good day. After all, a messy room will mean that the housekeeper(s) will take a longer time to clean and sanitise, meaning the next guests will have to wait longer to check-in their rooms. Just general kindness, you know? 

Pro-tips to enjoy a great stay in a motel: 

1. Leaving a note

Motels usually change your sheets if you stay more than two nights, meaning by the third night you'll be sleeping on freshly changed sheets. If you require a daily change of sheets, leave a note so we'll change them! Don't want people touching the bed? Make your own bed and also leave a note; in a motel we generally won't touch your bed unless the sheets need to be changed If you want extra sachets of decaffeinated coffee, leave a note! Otherwise we'll just refill to the normal amount and no extras. If you're concerned that your note might get lost and unread, you can also inform the receptionist of your requests. 

2. Minimise the mess (especially motels)

Motels will tend to have more mess than hotels because guests have the space and equipment to cook. However, most guests don't clean up or wash the dishes – which is fine, since us housekeepers will wash and make sure everything is clean by the time you return to your room. Used dishes and utensils should always stay out in the open and/or in the sink; imagine the shock (and disgust!) when we open the cabinet and there's a stack of bolognese-stained plates greeting us. As for rubbish, both motels and hotels will have at least two rubbish bins so no reason for trash to be scattered all over the room. Guests with young children often have two types: one where they left the place with minor mess, and the other type really messy with questionable... things found in the rooms. 

3. Ask us (or front desk) if you need help!

Be it directions to the nearest attraction or if there's a good Thai food restaurant nearby, we're always happy to help! Of course you would get better help on directions from reception on local attractions, but overall if you ever need any assistance, don't hesitate to seek help! This is especially true in using the washing machine and/or dryers, with different models used in different motels. Some motels are coin-operated, some are included as part of your stay, and others can be paid for use at the reception. Most motels will be able to help exchange your dollar bills to coins for the machines! 

These are the 3 tips for having great stay at a motel and giving the housekeepers a peace of mind when they clean your room(s). There have been misconceptions that housekeepers are paid to clean, but no one wants to clean a room with food all over the carpet and suspicious dark stains on the bathroom wall. Be kind to housekeepers; in fact, be kind to all because life is already crazy enough without having the addition of extra challenges in work that make one question humanity. 

If this is the first time you're reading this post, do check out the other 3 posts in the 'Surviving Overseas series' tag! Aside from writing life-related content, I also write reviews on game apps so check them out in the 'Game Rieview' tag!

See you all in the next post!

~ RieRie