What Are the Perks of Valet Jobs?

Valet jobs offer flexible shifts, a chance to earn tips, active work instead of a desk, and steady practice at customer service. They also put you behind the wheel of a wide range of cars and around new people every shift.

Are valet shifts flexible?

Much valet work happens in the evenings and on weekends, when events, dinners and hotel arrivals peak. That makes it a practical fit for students, people building a second income, and anyone who wants work that does not start at 8 a.m. Event work comes in individual shifts, while hotels, hospitals and office buildings need regular schedules, so there is usually a mix of steady and occasional hours. The trade-off is that event nights can run late, and the busiest dates fall on holidays and weekends.

Can you earn tips as a valet?

Many valet roles include tips on top of hourly pay, and guests often tip when a car comes back quickly and the attendant is friendly. How tips work varies by assignment: at some events the host covers gratuity, and at some locations tips are pooled. Ask how it works for the role you are considering, so you know what to expect.

What skills will you build?

Valet work teaches skills that carry into almost any job:

• Customer service. You greet people at the start and end of their visit, give directions and solve small problems on the spot.
• Staying calm under pressure. The end of an event, when dozens of guests want their cars at once, rewards people who stay organized and polite.
• Teamwork and communication. Valets coordinate by radio, share the run to the lot and keep the key system accurate together.
• Careful driving. You learn to adjust quickly to unfamiliar cars, tight spaces and, in Colorado, snow and ice.

Is it a good job for people who like cars?

It is one of the few jobs where you drive a different car every few minutes: daily drivers, trucks, electric cars, sports cars and the occasional classic with a manual gearbox. That variety is a draw for car enthusiasts. It is also a responsibility. Every car belongs to someone who trusted you with the keys, so the job is about driving carefully and slowly, not about the car.

Is valet work active?

Yes. Attendants spend the shift on their feet, walking or jogging between the stand and the parking area, and working outdoors in heat, rain and cold. For people who do not want to sit at a desk all day, that is a perk. For others it is the hardest part of the job, so think honestly about whether it suits you. You can read a fuller picture of the day in What does a valet job entail?

Is there room to move up?

Valet companies need people who can lead a shift, run a site and train new attendants. VIP's application lists roles beyond attendant, including shift manager and assistant manager. Reliability, a clean key log and good guest feedback are what get noticed.

Where could you work?

VIP works events, hotels, hospitals and office buildings across the Denver area, and also serves Colorado Springs, Northern Colorado, Vail, Aspen, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge. That range means a variety of settings, from a downtown hotel entrance to a winter event in a mountain town. See the Denver valet company page for the kinds of work we do.

What does VIP require to apply?

VIP's requirements are simple and firm. Every applicant must:

• Be 21 or older.
• Have a clean driving record.
• Know how to drive a manual transmission.

VIP staffs every assignment with its own employees, not subcontractors. If the perks above sound right, apply on the careers page.

Frequently asked questions