What it’s like to be a Hospitality Agent at Sonder
Sonder is building the future of hospitality, and it prides itself on creating beautiful spaces that combine all the convenience and amenities of a hotel with the laid back comfort of an apartment. Sound amazing? Yeah, it kind of is. At Sonder, we’re creating a completely new category of accommodations. But what’s it really like to work for them?
I’ve been with Sonder for just two months, but in that time I’ve learned a ton about what it means to work in a rapidly-growing startup. I work as a Hospitality Agent (HA), which is the closest thing Sonder has to an entry-level position. Before I started, I questioned whether or not I was making a good decision by starting over in a totally new field at 29. After several weeks on the job, I haven’t spent a moment second-guessing it.
Why Sonder Appealed to Me
I’m a little bit of a nomad; I’ve lived in nine states and three countries and I spent the majority of my 20s traveling as much as I possibly could. And when I felt the urge to settle down, I was hesitant. I didn’t want settling down to mean settling for less.
What I love about Sonder is that it’s a company that supports something I’m passionate about: travel. But it’s also a company that keeps my life interesting even when I stay put. Working as a Hospitality Agent means that no two days are exactly alike. My work varies from day to day, getting rid of any chance of monotony and boredom at work. For someone used to travel and constant variety, this suits me perfectly.
What does an HA do?
As is the case with so many roles in startups, my job is hard to put into a single box. Hospitality Agents do a little of this, a little of that, and a whole lot of running around. But there are a few primary tasks that happen almost every day:
1. Warehouse time
Warehouse duties, or “essential tasks” are catch-all terms describing the day-to-day tasks that keep Sonder running. This mostly involves prepping linens and amenities for our housekeeping partners, and restocking inventory in the warehouse. This is almost always the first priority of the day.
2. Helping guests
Hospitality Agents act as the face of Sonder to the guests. If you stay in a Sonder and suddenly find yourself needing more coffee or extra towels, or you want a sound machine to create the feeling of home, an HA would quickly come to the rescue with your requested items. In San Diego, that HA might just be me. From forgotten items to extra amenities, if you want it, a Hospitality Agent can probably make it happen. A good portion of our days are spent hustling between Sonders across the city responding to guest requests.
3. Maintenance and quality checks
Sonder prides itself on seamless stays for every guest, so quality assurance is a big deal. HAs are responsible for carrying out quality checks on each of our apartments to make sure everything lives up to Sonder’s standards. That means ensuring that everything is stocked, appliances and fixtures are working, and the entire space is spotless (every surface has to pass a “white cloth test” to check that it’s truly spic and span). This is also a time to address any maintenance issues that might arise before a new guest checks in.
What about perks?
Hospitality Agents are the foundation that keeps the Sonder ship afloat. It’s a lot of work, but there are lot of benefits, too.
A flexible schedule means I’m able to fit things into my day I normally wouldn’t be able to do in a traditional 9–5. Another welcomed deviation from the stuffy corporate world is the laid-back environment and casual dress code. Plus a dog-friendly office means that my work day really doubles as a pet therapy session.
Company outings like paddleboarding and laser tag have made fast work of turning coworkers into friends. And the room for growth, personal development, and day-to-day satisfaction are pretty unmatched. Not to mention, we’ve got office snacks. What more could you want, really? (OK, OK, we’ve got health insurance, discounts, and paid time off, too).
I took a risk starting my career over at 29. But I think it’s turning out to be one of my best decisions yet. Sonder is a company that clearly values its employees and does its best to take care of them. If you ask me, it’s a pretty amazing place to work.
