Receptionist Job

Do you want a receptionist job? This could be a great and rewarding job. Why? One dictionary describes a receptionist, as "an employee who greets visitors, customers, or patients, answers the telephone, and makes appointments" – The Microsoft Encarta Encyclopaedia. Meeting people is thus central to this job. The sky could be your limit if you excel well in this job.

Commonly used synonyms for receptionists include: Director of First Impression, Desk Clerk, Information Clerk, Receiver, Welcomer, Greeter, Telephonist, Switchboard Operator, and Administrator. But what does it take to be a receptionist, and what job opportunities exists?

Receptionist Job Requirements

Most receptionists are traditionally ladies. This is no more so. Men have served and continue to serve as fine receptionist too.

The requirements for a receptionist job include:

EDUCATION

Generally, there is no minimum entry requirement as a receptionist. Educational qualification requirements for a receptionist job will largely depend on the type and size of establishment.

Good GCSE grades, better still with “A” Levels are generally acceptable. In some corporations, you need to have higher diplomas or even a university degree. As you would expect, some have master’s degree! When applying this type of job, just check the advertisement page for the job and person’s specification to know what will be required of you.

Obtaining an NVQ 1&2 in reception is a great way of finding ones way into this field. You can earn free online certifications from some trainers like Brainbench as well as boost your skill in other areas.

If you are 24 years old or less, you can gain your NVQ level 1 and 2 to qualify for a receptionist job as well as for over 180 job skill by registering and training with www.apprenticeships.org.uk . You can get a full training as a Professional Receptionist irrespective of whether you are 24 or above with a world leader in vocational and online training called ICS

COMPUTER SKILLS

Having good IT skills is an essential job requirement to work as a receptionist. Specifically, proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other basic data base is increasingly mandatory. The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) is a widely accepted international computer qualification that provides all the required IT skills to work in any office or administrative environment.

It is easy to study for, and could even get self help books from popular book shops like Amazon. If you prefer, you can get free training courses online.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Are you people friendly? Having a good interpersonal skill is an absolute requirement if you must enjoy your job as a receptionist. You must be friendly, out going with excellent communication skills. Your foremost job is to always keep a calm courteous friendly yet professional look and comportment at all times, irrespective of the actions and reactions of your visitors.

Do not be put off if you think you do not have those traits for now. What is important is to recognise that these are important receptionist job requirements and to be willing to work towards cultivating these skills.

ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

Your organisational skills as a receptionist will be tested to the full. You will be required to take calls, write down telephone messages, book meetings, raise invoice, order stationeries, keep a log book of visitors coming and going out of the department and a lot more.

You must have an excellent prioritization and time management skill, as well as been able to multi task.

Remember, as a receptionist, you may be required to work as the office administrator or office manager too.

Other requirements for a receptionist job include:

• Excellent telephone manners

• Switchboard experience

• Use of photocopier and fax machine

• Flexibility with work time

• Good stress and anger management ability

Common Roles and Responsibilities of Receptionist

Duties, roles, and responsibilities of receptionists include:

• Meeting, greeting, and welcoming visitors

• Entering visitors details into the visit log book

• Assist visitors fill out visitors pass, and issuing of visitors pass

• Assisting new employees as well as old ones in some cases with provision of ID badges, time sheet, rotas

• Taking incoming telephone calls, dealing with such calls promptly in a professional manner, and re-directing appropriate calls to other individuals or departments within and outside the establishment

• General administrative duties including photocopying, invoicing, filing, booking and organising board and or meeting rooms, ordering stationeries, dispatching and accepting mails and couriers services (parcels)

• Ordering taxis for visitors

• Other specific duties tat may be required of the receptionist by the employer.

Job Opportunities for Receptionist

Receptionist could work as a receptionist or administrative staff in virtually any establishment.

The job prospect is thus endless. Mention the type of industry you like, they need a receptionist. You can work as a hotel receptionist, dental receptionist, medical receptionist to name a few.

You can even work as a receptionist with agency. Such job abound in London and other big UK cities.

To fit in properly, you may need training as a receptionist in that field if it is a bit more specialised like medical receptionist at G.P surgery or legal receptionist. An unpaid or paid work experience for one to there months may be all you need to get into that field.

For model CV and job interview skill for receptionist, see our receptionist job CV and Job Interview Questions page .

How Much can I Earn as a Receptionist

Depending on your qualification, years of experience, field of work and company you work for, you could earn from £8000.00 per annum as a trainee receptionist to £10,000 - £18,000.00 as an experienced receptionist, and above £18,000.00 as a very senior receptionist.

If you think that taking up a receptionist job is your calling, go for it. It could be rewarding. Only never "play dead like a receptionist when the phone rings".