What is it like working in timeshare?
With more than 5,000 resorts in 120 different countries, timeshare these days is a very big business and employs upwards of 500,000 people globally. This means there is a lot of money to be made in the industry if you are good at what you do, and working in timeshare can be a challenging yet rewarding line of work.
Working in Timeshare
You have to be able to sell in order to make the money you have been dreaming of, and this takes a lot of focus and dedication. Obviously, a natural ability to sell is important, but other skills can be just as helpful, such as charm and a friendly, outgoing personality.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like working in the industry, read on to find out what some of the most common positions entail:
OPC (Off Property Contact)
Whether you are stationed at the airport, a fine dining establishment, the boardwalk or a shopping mall, as an OPC, you are responsible for rustling up clientele to send to the resort. You have to sell the idea of going to a sales presentation as the most appealing thing they will ever experience. Thankfully, you are typically equipped with lots of freebies and discounted offers that make it hard for them to say no. Hours are generally pretty short and the schedule can be flexible, so this is a great part-time gig or an ideal job for a working parent who doesn’t have the time to dedicate to an 8 hour day sitting in an office.
In-house
Although it is possible that they may have talked to an OPC at the airport, working in-house means that you receive people as they are checking into the resort, giving you a great chance to book them for a “property tour”. This means that you are usually someone’s first contact with the idea of going to a timeshare presentation, which is a major asset. They have not been bombarded by OPCs on every street corner in town yet, and you will have a better chance of gaining their trust and convincing them that the things you are offering, such as discounts at restaurants or on spa treatments, are well worth the small amount of time they have to sacrifice in order to get the deals.
Salesroom
Rather than having to go out and find clients for yourself, they are delivered right to you if you work in a timeshare salesroom. This a high-pressure job that is not for the faint of heart, but it can also be incredibly lucrative if you are good at it. The more sales you have, the more opportunities you will be given to make another one, so it is motivating to stay on your A-game at all times. It is up to you to paint a vivid picture of how your clients can reap the rewards of vacation ownership and enjoy getaways in paradise for years to come. Once they have fallen for the property, you start talking numbers until they are happy with the price you are giving them. An added bonus about this job is that most salesrooms close around 2pm, so you have the rest of the day to do whatever you want!
With more than 5,000 resorts in 120 different countries, timeshare these days is a very big business and employs upwards of 500,000 people globally. This means there is a lot of money to be made in the industry if you are good at what you do, and working in timeshare can be a challenging yet rewarding line of work.