Cologne, Germany  - Being a holiday rep host may seem like a walk in the park, but in actual fact it has little to do with relaxation and involves hard work despite staying in a hotel and getting plenty of sun, sea and exercise.

The job of is to keep guests amused and making sure they are having fun.

In return, "You get to work in a beautiful place and have contact with happy people," says Jeannette Georges who has eight years experience as a holiday rep is currently working on Mallorca.

Now is the time to start applying for a job as a holiday rep and big European tour operators like TUI, Thomas Cook and Rewe Pauschal Tours are recruiting for the coming season.

Here are some of the most important questions anyone considering becoming a holiday rep may ask:

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED? Holiday reps must be at least 18 years old and like dealing with people. "If you're shy, you'll find the job difficult," says Alexander Lukas from Cologne-based Rewe Tours.

You might also need some specialised knowledge. "We need people with educational skills for anyone who has to deal with children." If you have experience looking after a kids' group like a sporting club, you'll have a good chance of getting the job.

Sporting holiday reps, however, do not have to have a training qualification; "Our advice to anyone thinking of leading sporting activities is that they should be good enough in every sport that they don't slow the game down," says Lukas.

Some tour operators expect their holiday reps to have experience in teaching and as a general rule a holiday rep must be able to speak English.

HOW DO I APPLY? You can apply to the tour operators directly online or through an agency.

TUI is already organising job information days while others are conducting casting sessions where applicants can present themselves for consideration.

"We expect our applicants to be able to entertain the examiners for three minutes," says Olaf Schuermann from TUI. Jobseekers can sing a song or show off their aerobic skills. "We want to see what kind of impression they make."

Applicants are then generally divided into small groups that perform a set task such as shaping balloons into animals. In contrast Rewe Tours' application process is more focused on direct interviews.

RUF Jugendreisen organises tours aimed at the under-21s. RUF invites applicants to a preparatory meeting where they receive instruction tailored to the area where the applicant will be working.

There's a high chance you will be given a job but there's no guarantee, according to RUF's Ronald Zinke.

Other tour operators also offer their applicants preparatory meetings but not until an employment contract has been signed.

HOW LONG DOES A CONTRACT LAST? Depending on where you will be working, the season begins in early March or April and is usually over by late September or October.

You may also be called upon to work stand-by during the high season. An assignment lasts at least four weeks, though eight weeks are better.

WHERE WILL I BE WORKING? Holiday reps usually work in hotels and clubs around the Mediterranean in Spain, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Tunisia or Egypt.

A holiday rep should be prepared to work almost anywhere but you can express a preference. "We ask all our reps where they would like to work but we can't guarantee they'll be sent there," says Thomas Cook's Maria Knill.

HOW MUCH DO REPS EARN? Wages depend how long you intend working and how much experience you bring to the job. Starting wages for holiday reps at TUI and Rewe begin at 700 euros (906 dollars) a month. At Thomas Cook it's about 930 euros.

Accommodation, food and transport are included as well as social and health insurance. However, not every tour operator offers the same conditions so it's important to inform yourself.

Accommodation is usually in a single or twin hotel bedroom or somewhere near to where you'll be working. The working week is six days with two days paid holiday a month.

WHAT DOES THE AVERAGE WORKING DAY LOOK LIKE? The day usually begins between 9 and 10 am. Mornings and afternoons consist of organising activities with a break in between, while in the evenings reps usually take part in a show.

But a rep must also be available during their breaks. "If a guest has a question, you just can't send them away," says Georges.

INFO BOX: Holiday reps are banned from drinking on the job and having affairs.

Reps are allowed to drink alcohol in the evening though. "However, that must remain within limits," says Olaf Schuermann.

Illegal drugs are also off limits as well as affairs with guests. If you're caught going to your room with a guest, you'll get into trouble and possibly lose your job. (dpa)