PMS (Property Management System)
A Property Management System (PMS) is the central software that hotels use to manage their daily operations. Think of it as the hotel's command center - it helps staff handle reservations, check guests in and out, manage room assignments, coordinate housekeeping, and process payments. Hotels rely on PMS because it keeps all important guest and hotel information in one place, making it easier to provide good service. Some well-known PMS systems include Opera, Cloudbeds, and Protel. These systems help hotel staff work more efficiently by automating many routine tasks that were once done manually with paper records.
Examples in Resumes
Managed daily operations using PMS software to handle 200+ room bookings
Trained staff of 15 people on Property Management System operations
Implemented new Hotel PMS resulting in 30% faster check-in times
Typical job title: "Hotel Operations Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Hotel Operations Managers
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where the PMS system goes down during peak check-in time?
Expected Answer: A senior manager should discuss backup procedures, manual check-in processes, communication protocols with IT support, and strategies to maintain guest satisfaction during system outages.
Q: How have you used PMS data to improve hotel operations and revenue?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they've used system reports to analyze occupancy trends, adjust pricing, improve staff scheduling, and make strategic decisions about hotel operations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What features of a PMS do you use most often and why?
Expected Answer: Should be able to discuss key features like reservation management, room allocation, billing, and reporting, with practical examples of how they use these in daily operations.
Q: How do you ensure staff is properly trained on the PMS?
Expected Answer: Should describe training methods, common challenges new users face, and how they maintain ongoing system knowledge among staff.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic functions can you perform in a PMS?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic tasks like checking guests in/out, making reservations, and running basic reports.
Q: How do you handle a basic guest billing correction in the PMS?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of accessing guest folios, making basic charge adjustments, and processing payments.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic guest check-in and check-out
- Simple reservation management
- Running basic reports
- Guest billing and payment processing
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced reservation management
- Staff training and supervision
- Troubleshooting common system issues
- Revenue management basics
Senior (5+ years)
- System implementation and upgrades
- Integration with other hotel systems
- Strategic use of PMS data
- Department-wide training programs
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with any hotel PMS
- Unable to describe basic check-in/check-out procedures
- Lack of customer service experience
- No understanding of hotel operations workflow
Related Terms
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