Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Receptionists

Receptionists Nature of Work

Receptionists greet people and attend to enquiries made by phone or in person. They are employed by hospitals, medical and dental offices and in other offices throughout the public and private sectors.

Receptionist Work Conditions

Receptionists who greet customers and visitors usually work in areas that are highly visible, designed and furnished to make a good impression. Receptionists are expected to be able to present an appropriate image for the organization and deal competently with the people and problems they encounter.

In some areas, such as the hospitality industry, they may be required to work outside normal hours including weekends and evenings. The work performed by some receptionists may be tiring, repetitious and stressful as many receptionists spend all day answering continuously ringing telephones and sometimes encounter difficult or irate callers.

Receptionist Personal Requirements

• Able to work accurately and neatly
• Able to work without supervision
• Good communication skills
• Good organizational skills
• Good presentation and a pleasant manner

Receptionist Employment Requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required
• Good keyboard and computer skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• On-the-job training and short-term training courses or programs specific to the company business are usually required

Receptionist Duties and Tasks

Receptionists may perform some or all of the following duties and tasks:

• Arrange appointments for callers or for people working in the organization and keep records of these
• Assist clients or refer them to appropriate contacts, either in the organization or elsewhere, record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts, arrange tour reservations and deal with emergency situations
• Carry out word processing, filing, mail-outs, bookkeeping and banking as required
• Greet personal and telephone callers, and find out the nature of their enquiry
• Open and deal with incoming mail, and organize outgoing and posting mail

Receptionist Example Titles

• Admitting Clerk
• Business Receptionist
• Dental Receptionist
• Front Desk Clerk
• Hospital Admitting Clerk
• Medical Receptionist
• Reception Clerk
• Switchboard Operator

Receptionist Related Occupations

• Administrative Clerks
• Bank Clerks
• Clerks
• Customer Service Representatives
• Data Entry Clerks
• Hotel and Motel Front Desk Clerks
• Secretaries
• Telephone Operators
• Word Processing Operators

Related Industries

All private and government industries