Receptionist Job Description Salary, Skills, Training, Duties & More

But, if you find a position offering the receptionist alternative titles median salary, you can make $30,050 a year. If you think being a receptionist sounds awesome, you’re probably wondering if you need a specific kind of education or training to land the job. The receptionist job description in the vacancy announcement is overflowing with…


But, if you find a position offering the receptionist alternative titles median salary, you can make $30,050 a year. If you think being a receptionist sounds awesome, you’re probably wondering if you need a specific kind of education or training to land the job. The receptionist job description in the vacancy announcement is overflowing with helpful hints.

Receptionist Job Description Template

Because a receptionist is typically the first person a visitor interacts with. Whether it’s their welcoming smile from behind the desk or the reassuring “How can I help you? ” when they pick up the phone, it’s the receptionist that commonly makes first-contact for a company. Depending on the industry a receptionist position can have opportunities for networking in order to advance to other positions within a specific field. Some people may use this type of job as a way to familiarize themselves with office work, or to learn of other functions or positions within a corporation. Some people use receptionist work as a way to earn money while pursuing further educational opportunities or other career interests such as in the performing arts or as writers.

  • It’s about setting the tone for a company, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and ensuring that the day runs smoothly for everyone.
  • In smaller businesses, such as a doctor’s or a lawyer’s office, a receptionist may also be the office manager who is charged with a diversity of middle management level business operations.
  • These virtual receptionists not only answer phones but also greet walk-in visitors by utilizing a motion detection camera to “see” visitors as they enter the building.
  • When it comes to first impressions, they are the one making it.
  • They often act as a liaison between clients, employees, and management, relaying messages and facilitating smooth communication within the organization.

It’s also important to remember, as you gain experience, your earning potential rises. The top 10 percent of receptionists bring in near $43,400 annually. Ultimately, while some of the duties of all of these roles overlap, the core functions are drastically different. But, aside from saying hello to every person who comes along, what does a receptionist do? Are they more than a warm smile and a friendly voice guiding you toward another employee? When you onboard an employee, you must have them sign I-9 and W-4 forms, report new hires to your state’s department of labor, ensure you’re set up to file payroll taxes and post any required notices in shared workplaces.

Related Jobs (Career Progression)

Those little blurbs are chocked full of insights into the organization’s priorities and culture. In most cases, all of that can keep a receptionist pretty busy. Plus, they may have additional administrative duties, depending on what their workplace requires. 1) He stood there, tears of gratitude welling up in his eyes. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others.

For Organizations

They greet visitors with a friendly demeanor, handle inquiries, and direct them to the appropriate destinations within the organization. In addition to in-person interactions, receptionists manage incoming calls, providing essential information and efficiently routing calls to the right departments or individuals. A receptionist is often the first person customers or clients will speak to when walking through your door or calling your number. The receptionist’s role often involves multitasking and prioritizing tasks as they manage both face-to-face interactions and administrative responsibilities. They may switch between answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, assisting visitors, and managing paperwork seamlessly. While the work can be fast-paced and demanding, receptionists are skilled at maintaining composure, being attentive to details, and offering exceptional customer service.

What are the legal steps to hire an employee like a receptionist?

In organizations where confidentiality is crucial, such as medical offices or legal firms, the receptionist may need to ensure that sensitive information is handled securely and discreetly. This adds an additional layer of responsibility to their role. When you face off against behavioral interview questions, the STAR Method and the Tailoring Method are your allies. With those, you can pivot an everyday answer into something really special. You’ll be tons more engaging, and that matters when you need to stand out.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the Role of a Receptionist is more than just answering phones and greeting visitors. It’s about setting the tone for a company, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and ensuring that the day runs smoothly for everyone. As the first point of contact, receptionists are the face of an organization. The physical setup of a reception area typically includes a front desk or counter where the receptionist sits.

A receptionist must be organized, resourceful, proficient in time management and open to new ideas. As you create your receptionist job description, be sure to include any of your business’s unique needs so that your job listing accurately reflects what your role will entail. Being a standout receptionist requires a particular set of skills. Every job is a bit different, so hiring managers might have different priorities when choosing candidates. But you can usually figure out what they’re looking for relatively easily.

The advancement of office automation has eliminated some receptionists’ jobs. For example, a telephone call could be answered by an automated attendant. Plus, receptionists interact with absolutely everyone.

  • Being a standout receptionist requires a particular set of skills.
  • But, in many ways, these jobs are incredibly different.
  • While the work can be fast-paced and demanding, receptionists are skilled at maintaining composure, being attentive to details, and offering exceptional customer service.
  • Imagine walking into a company, greeted by someone who exudes energy and professionalism—this is the magic of a great receptionist.
  • Some people use receptionist work as a way to earn money while pursuing further educational opportunities or other career interests such as in the performing arts or as writers.
  • Often stationed at the front desk or entrance area, a receptionist plays an important role in creating a positive and welcoming impression.

In many ways, a receptionist is the organization’s handshake. When it comes to first impressions, they are the one making it. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Take our free career test to find out if receptionist is one of your top career matches.

Receptionist Qualifications

Typically, you’ll find must-haves that outline the technical capabilities they company values. A seasoned small business and technology writer and educator with more than 20 years of experience, Shweta excels in demystifying complex tech tools and concepts for small businesses. Her work has been featured in NewsWeek, Huffington Post and more. Her postgraduate degree in computer management fuels her comprehensive analysis and exploration of tech topics.

What are the legal steps to hire an employee like a receptionist?

Here is a receptionist job description example that you can customize to your own requirements. Of course, your business may have its own set of qualifications based on your unique needs. For example, managing an industry-specific software system. When receptionists leave the job, they often enter other career fields such as sales and marketing, public relations or other media occupations.

Often stationed at the front desk or entrance area, a receptionist plays an important role in creating a positive and welcoming impression. Their primary responsibility is to greet guests, answer inquiries, and direct them to the appropriate individuals or departments within the organization. Usually, that’s because their main focus is on customer service, but they also provide ad-hoc administrative support. And, per usual, every company may require something different from these professionals. A receptionist can provide a great experience to those walking into your office or calling over the phone.

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