Purser
A Purser is like a hotel manager at sea, working on cruise ships and other vessels. They handle administrative and customer service duties, including managing passenger accounts, handling money matters, and coordinating various guest services. Think of them as the person who keeps track of all the business and paperwork side of running a floating hotel. Other similar roles might be called Hotel Services Manager or Guest Services Manager. They're essentially the main administrative officer on a ship, dealing with everything from passenger documentation to financial records.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Purser on Celebrity Cruises managing guest services and financial operations
Led a team of 5 as Chief Purser handling passenger documentation and onboard accounting
Assistant Purser responsible for coordinating embarkation and debarkation procedures
Typical job title: "Pursers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Pursers
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Industry Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where multiple passengers are disputing charges during peak hours?
Expected Answer: Looking for answers that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, and ability to maintain calm while managing multiple priorities. Should mention delegation, systematic approach to resolution, and customer service excellence.
Q: Describe your experience with managing a purser's office during emergency situations.
Expected Answer: Should discuss crisis management experience, knowledge of safety procedures, coordination with other departments, and maintaining calm while handling passenger documentation and concerns.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure accuracy in financial transactions and passenger documentation?
Expected Answer: Should explain systems for double-checking work, maintaining organized records, and following proper procedures for handling money and important documents.
Q: What experience do you have with different cruise line computer systems?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate familiarity with common booking and passenger management systems, ability to learn new systems quickly, and experience with financial tracking software.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What do you understand about the role of a purser on a cruise ship?
Expected Answer: Should show basic understanding of administrative duties, customer service responsibilities, and the importance of accuracy in documentation and financial matters.
Q: How would you handle an upset passenger who has a billing complaint?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate good customer service skills, knowledge of basic problem-solving steps, and understanding of when to escalate issues to senior staff.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic customer service
- Cash handling
- Document processing
- Computer literacy
Mid (2-5 years)
- Passenger account management
- Team supervision
- Problem resolution
- Emergency procedures
Senior (5+ years)
- Office management
- Staff training
- Financial oversight
- Crisis management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No customer service experience
- Seasickness or motion sickness issues
- Unwillingness to work long contracts at sea
- Poor attention to detail in handling documents or money
Related Terms
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