Club Med is a French travel and tourism company that hires staff to work at their 70 resorts across the world. They hire entry level staff for various hospitality jobs with contracts that range from 3-8 months. Club Med provides employee accommodation, meals, and other benefits that make working and living at a resort in another country a possibility. Overall, past employees tend to have a good experience and great travel opportunities working for this company. This post will show you how to apply for a job with Club Med, what it’s like working for the company, and more.
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Club Med
About
Club Med is a French travel and tourism company that aims to “create unforgettable moments of happiness for [their] customers in the most beautiful places in the world“. They are considered a leader in premium all-inclusive holidays and operate 70 resorts across the globe.
Location(s)
Club Med operates 70 resorts located in 26 different countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and South America.
Jobs at Club Med
Jobs Opportunities
Club Med has 120 different job options. There are two categories of jobs at Club Med; G.O. (Gentle Organizer) or G.E. (Gentle Employees).
G.O. (Gentle Organizer)
G.O.s are the staff members who are guest facing. A huge part of their job is socializing with guests to create a positive environment. They are heavily involved with social events and the entertainment aspects of the resort. Jobs in this category would include; sports instructors (i.e. tennis, ski, sailing, etc..), childcare, entertainers/performers, spa therapists, bar tenders, front desk, event coordinators, etc…
G.E. (Gentle Employees)
G.E.s are the staff members that make things happen behind the scene and mainly have indirect contact with the guests. Their primary roles revolve around the day to day operations of the resort, such as; housekeeping, chef/baker, maintenance, sound tech, finance/bookkeeping, etc…
Job Placement
You can not apply to a specific location/resort with Club Med. You need to apply to a specific job and then you will be assigned a resort. Your assignment will depend on your experience, the staffing the resort needs, and the work visas applicable to you.
Requirements
To work at Club Med you need to be at least 18 years of age or older. If you wish to work abroad, you will need a valid passport.
Other experience needed will depend on the job. For many jobs, they prefer you to have some type of hospitality or prior work experience. There are certain jobs that will require you to have certain certifications (such as a ski instructor or work in childcare).
Pay
How much you get paid completely depends on your job, the resort you work at, and your experience.
Employee Benefits
Employee receive accommodation and meals at their assigned resort (for a fee). Staff are usually reimbursed for their travel to and from their work location and are covered under company insurance while working on resort property.
Other benefits vary depending on the resort you work at. Generally, staff have access to most resort facilities, like the fitness centers, pools, lounge areas, sports equipment, etc… Staff get discounts on stays at Club Med resorts, the spa and wellness facilities, dining, retail, and resort excursions.
Contract Commitment
Club Med offers summer, seasonal, and year-round work opportunities. Contracts range from 3-8 months, but they will sometimes offer shorter summer holiday contracts under 3 months.
Applying to Work at Club Med
When Club Med Hires
Club Med hires year-round on an as needed basis.
Applying to Club Med
When you apply to work at Club Med, you apply for a specific job. You can not apply to work at a specific resort.
You can search and apply directly to open jobs on the Club Med’s Jobs page.
The Interview Process
If your application is accepted you will be moved onto a phone interview. If you pass the phone interview, you will then have an in-person (or video-call) interview.
During the interview, they are looking for people who align with Club Med’s values. This means they are expecting prospective employees to show kindness, passion, and enthusiasm for the job.
Staff Placement
If offered a job, you will have a final interview to receive your assessment (aka: the resort you will be working at).
Most first year employees are placed in a resort located in their home country for their first work contract/season. It is possible to be sent to a different resort each season, but this completely depends on your job and staffing needs.
VISA Process
You will need a legal work permit before you arrive to work at your resort. Club Med will handle the visa process for you or walk you through the steps needed to obtain the proper visa.
Working at Club Med
Arriving at Your Resort
Once you receive your assignment, you will head to your resort! Club Med does reimburse employees for travel at the start and end of their contract. However, this is not always the case, as it depends on your resort and method of travel. You should check with your employer on the possibilities of getting reimbursed.
Housing
Accommodation is provided for employees at subsidized rate that is deducted from your paycheck. This rate is considered a “financial contribution for housing and meals” and the rate depends on your job/position and what resort you are working at.
Employe housing is on the resort property or located nearby. Rooms are double or triple occupancy, which means you have your own separate room but share a bathroom. All linens are provided and housekeeping cleans the staff rooms once per week. You will have access to a laundry facility nearby.
Meals & Food
Meals are also included and staff eat at the guest buffets. If you are in a G.O. position, you are expected to eat and socialize with the guests during meals. (G.O.s also receive free soft drinks from the bar.)
Resort Amenities
Employees have access to resort amenities, but those amenities and what exactly you will have access to will depend on your specific resort. Examples of amenities include; pool and fitness centers, ski rentals, lounge areas, tennis courts, and more.
Employee Experience Working at Club Med
Experience Can Vary by Resort
Your overall experience with Club Med will be greatly influenced by the specific resort/location you work at. Each resort brings a different daily flow, language barrier, accommodation/meal options, access to the community around you, and management. However there are similarities you will encounter across resorts like employee expectations and practices and policies of the company.
Working as a G.O.
A guest facing role with Club Med is much different than a behind the scenes one. As a G.O. you are consistently working with guests, which means always putting your best food forward and leading with a smile. You are expected to socialize with guest at meals and join in on entertainment at night (meaning you are dancing at the evening events till 12am and encouraging guests to dance with you).
Pros of Working as a G.O. (from past employees);
- It’s a great way to travel for free
- Free food & accommodation
- Free soft drinks from the bar (guests can buy you drinks)
- It’s a really fun job
- Access to resort amenities
- You get to meet and work with people from around the world
Cons of Working as a G.O. (from past employees);
- You are expected to work 9-5 then again from 7-12
- It’s exhausting physically and burn out is real
- It’s low pay for how much you do
- Strict employee rules
Working as a G.E.
Working behind the scenes as a G.E. means more physical labor and/or detail oriented work. You make sure things are getting done so that guests enjoy their vacation to the fullest. There are tons of G.E. roles and depending on your job your days could look like anything like running around the kitchen and plating meals or moving from room to room to ensure beds are made and bathrooms are clean.
Pros of Working as a G.E. (from past employees);
- Working with people from around the world
- Free food & accommodation
- A good way to travel
- Good way to get experience in hospitality roles
- Cross training possibilities
Cons of Working as a G.E. (from past employees);
- There is a lack of career progression opportunity
- Low pay for high expectations
- Frustrations with management and HR
- Employee rules feel stricter than for the G.O.s
Conclusion
If you want to work in another country, you can find a hospitality job at resorts around the world with Club Med. This job opportunity offers accommodations, meals, and a chance to save some money while you travel. Have you worked at Club Med? What was your job and how was your experience? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
