What does a Receptionist do?
Published 4 min read
A receptionist is the first point of contact for a company or organization. They are responsible for greeting visitors and answering phone calls. They may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, handling customer inquiries, and providing information about the company or organization.
Receptionist job duties include:
- Greeting visitors and directing them to the appropriate office or individual
- Answering and routing phone calls
- Handling incoming and outgoing mail
- Maintaining office filing and storage systems
- Ordering and stocking office supplies as needed
- Assisting with event planning and coordination
- Scheduling appointments and maintaining calendars
- Providing administrative support to office staff as needed
- Performing light bookkeeping or accounting tasks
Receptionist Job Requirements
Most receptionist jobs only require a high school diploma, although some may prefer or require postsecondary education, such as an associate degree. Many community colleges offer programs in office administration or business that would be beneficial for someone interested in becoming a receptionist. Although not required, certification from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) may help demonstrate competence and lead to career advancement. Previous experience working in an office environment is also helpful.
Receptionist Skills
- Communication
- Organization
- Multi-tasking
- Customer service
- Scheduling
- Answering phones
- Filing
- Data entry
- Faxing
- Scanning
- Emailing
Related: Top Receptionist Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Receptionist
The job of a receptionist is to be the first point of contact for visitors to an organization. They are responsible for greeting visitors, answering phones, and directing traffic. A receptionist must be able to multitask and have excellent customer service skills. If you are interested in becoming a receptionist, here are a few tips to help you get started.
1. Get a degree or certificate in office administration or a related field. Although it is not required, having a degree or certificate will give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs.
2. Develop your customer service skills. As a receptionist, you will be the face of the organization, so it is important that you have excellent customer service skills. Practice dealing with difficult customers in a professional and courteous manner.
3. Learn how to multitask. A receptionist must be able to answer phones and greet visitors while also handling other tasks, such as filing or data entry. Practice juggling multiple tasks at once so that you can do it seamlessly when working.
4. Stay organized and calm under pressure. With so many things going on at once, it is important that you stay organized and calm under pressure. Keep a neat desk and develop a system for keeping track of tasks so that you can stay on top of everything.
5. Apply for jobs! Start by searching online job boards or contacting local businesses directly to inquire about open positions. Be sure to highlight your customer service skills and experience in your cover letter and resume when applying for jobs.
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