What's the first thing that happens every time you enter an office or a hotel? There is always one person ready to welcome and guide you. This person is called a receptionist.
Receptionists are the face of a business. They are the first people you see when you enter. They sit at the front desk and ensure smooth day-to-day running. They take care of answering phone calls. Additionally, they greet visitors and guide them to their destination. They also handle administrative tasks.
It sounds like a good job, doesn't it? That's because it is!
The salary of a receptionist varies. It is based on the size and responsibilities of the organisation.
Some of the duties of a receptionist are:
-
Greeting and interacting with visitors/customers.
-
Making a good impression.
-
Answering phone calls.
-
Scheduling appointments.
-
Restricting unauthorised visitors and informing security of any incidents.
-
Creating and managing filing systems, documents and records.
-
Managing paper correspondence and communications.
-
Entering customer or appointment information into the company database.
-
Making travel arrangements.
Receptionists can be promoted to secretary, customer services manager, or supervisor after 5-9 years of experience.
What education qualifications do you need?
You need a certified high school degree, diploma, or equivalent to become an entry-level receptionist.
In major companies, you may require a bachelor's degree.
However, receptionists need to have the following skills:
-
Payroll Accounting
-
Business Math
-
Customer Service
-
Office Management
-
Office Software
Various training programmes are available. These train you for the above skills and more. You can choose to volunteer or intern in an office. This will help you to learn office manners. Your communication skills will also develop significantly. You will learn to handle phone lines and office equipment.
Receptionists are trained on the job as well. There is usually an onboarding process. This includes training about the company's procedures and policies.
Skills Required:
-
Communication skills: Receptionists need to be able to speak and write well. Customers and Visitors should not have any difficulty understanding them.
-
Customer-service skills: Receptionists deal with a lot of people. They should be professional, helpful and kind. An organisation is judged by how well they treat their customers.
-
Integrity: Receptionists must not reveal confidential information. They handle a lot of client data. This includes medical and legal history. Protecting clients' privacy is a priority. Trustworthiness is one of the main qualities of a receptionist.
-
Interpersonal skills: Receptionists must have social skills. They need to know how to talk to people and guide them. They should be able to diffuse a situation if required.
-
Organisational skills. Receptionists handle a lot of work. They manage a tonne of data. They must find what they need at any time. Hence, organisational skills are a must.
If this seems like an exciting career option for you, go for it! If you're a fresher, build a resumefor free at Glow & Lovely Careers (formally known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation). Carry yourself with confidence and grace. Making a good first impression with the hiring manager is important. How well you do in the interview will work in your favour. This is because your performance will show how good you are with people. They will evaluate you based on your communication and personality.
Glow & Lovely Careers (formally known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation) also offers courses to help you improve your skills.
