How do I become … a royal footman

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/feb/24/how-do-i-become-a-royal-footman

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Three years ago, George Oates visited the British Monarchy website, saw a job ad for a royal footman and successfully applied online. He was just 22.

“I was very nervous. I think it’s natural to have a preconception about the kind of person you should be to work for the royal household,” he says. “But what they’re looking for is someone who is a team player, who shows initiative and has a willingness to learn. If you’ve got good manners and you can smile and converse, the rest is skill, and that can be taught.”

Converse? Even with royalty? “At Buckingham Palace, there is an element of formality – that’s a part of our history – but you can’t let that be intimidating,” says Oates. “If it’s a guest’s first time in the palace, they might be nervous. You have to have the ability to converse, to make them feel relaxed and very welcomed.”

It’s important, he says, to “want to please people and inspire them with your kindness” no matter who they are: “Yes, we do see the royal family, but that’s not too relevant to the job. It’s about delivering an excellent service.”

Oates began his career in hospitality at the age of 16, as a waiter at Betty’s, the famous tea room in Harrogate. “It was just a part-time weekend job. I had no idea at the time how much I was actually going to enjoy it. But it was a great company to work for – very much focused on the training of staff.”

He studied graphic design at university (he describes the need to pay attention to the smallest details of a design as very similar to working in hospitality), but kept his part-time job. It was this job that made him interested in pursuing a career in hospitality when he graduated. “I particularly wanted a butler or a big-team role. I came across the job ‘royal footman’, and it felt like the job description matched exactly what I was looking for. I was absolutely ecstatic when I got it.”

What was the interview process like? “I can’t go into a lot of detail but after a telephone interview, there’s a day when you’re assessed on a variety of tasks.” Experience in hospitality is useful. “But it’s more about your attitude than anything else – if you’re the right person for the job, very good training will be provided.”

He had to pass a security check before he could start, and then he shadowed a senior member of his team on a day-to-day basis until he learned exactly what he needed to do. “You’re never placed in a position where you’re going to make a huge mistake.”

He is not allowed to discuss his salary, but can reveal a huge perk of the job: he gets to live within the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

For Oates, the benefits of the role don’t stop there. He goes on training and career development courses – while you don’t need any specific formal qualifications to get the job, he says, all footman are given the opportunity to get a VRQ level 3 diploma for butlers after they start. “You’re encouraged to pursue your goals and achieve a good career.”

His day-to-day duties vary widely, according to the event the royal family is hosting, and Oates is expected to work wherever the Queen holds court, whether that’s in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral Castle, Sandringham House or the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

His tasks can range from managing the catering for a meeting and doing tea trays to acting as a valet for the “gentleman guests” in order to make sure they always look presentable (it’s more about pressing their clothes and looking after their wardrobes than actually dressing them, nowadays, he says). He also carries out “royal carriage duties”: “When an ambassador arrives at the palace, we’ll go out on the carriage, collect the guests and present them to the palace.”

Naturally, when fulfilling all his duties, “discretion is a huge part of the job”.

When he’s not busy doing all of that, Oates also cares for the china, glass and silverware in the royal collection that is in regular, everyday use.

He finds the wide variety of his duties refreshing and enjoys living and working with his colleagues – but on the downside the hours can be long. “The hospitality industry is always going to be hard work. But if you love your job and have a passion for it, it’s not an issue.”

The highlight of his career was taking part in the Gold Service Scholarship, an annual competition for young people employed in the hospitality industry. He was helped and supported by other members of staff and even given time off work to compete, making it all the way to the final, last year. Where did he fall down? “Cocktail-making,” he admits. “I didn’t have very much flair.” Then again, he points out, he works at Buckingham Palace, not a cocktail bar.

He was, he says, among the best at napkin folding and spotting table faults: “That’s something we do on a day-to-day basis. Once you lay the table, you have to make sure that it is precise. We have state visits, receptions, lunches and dinners, and when we host a banquet, every piece of glass and china is meticulously measured onto the table.”

He advises anyone who wants to become a royal footman or work in a similar role elsewhere in the hospitality industry to make the most of any opportunity. “Don’t think of say, a weekend job as just a weekend job. Make sure you apply yourself,” he says. “I think ambition is important in hospitality – and we’re a modern-day organisation. Anyone with the right attitude and experience can work here. And I highly recommend it.”