The receptionists’ job is an essential part
of most companies and organisations. Anyone who has ever called
or visited an office, of just about any company, whether it’s a
head office or a local office, has likely encountered a
receptionist.
But it’s not only larger companies that use
receptionists; they can also be found working for small
businesses as well, like surgeries (doctor and dentist),
solicitor’s office and beauty salons to name a few. The people
working this job have traditionally been a female. They are
usually the first representative of a company a client, patient
or visitor sees when they walk into the office of the
company.
It’s her, or his, job to greet visitors and
direct them to the company personnel they are there to meet
with and so on. This duty is also extended to people who
telephone to speak to someone at the company’s office.
Since receptionists regularly deal with people from outside the
companies or businesses, it makes sense that they are required
to have great interpersonal skills, and a pleasant demeanour.
Not only that, they are also expected to be neat and business-
like in appearance. They are also expected to conduct
themselves in a professional and courteous manner.
A receptionist who’s not neat and business
like may give visitors the wrong impression of a company. It
may seem the company isn’t being managed properly, or it
doesn’t care about its relationship with the public or with its
clients.
Usually, a secondary school education is all
that’s required, but sometimes a receptionist may have
qualifications in business or office administration. It’s not
uncommon for companies to care more about their receptionists’
appearance and personality than formal education.
That being said, receptionists are often
doing a lot more than greeting visitors or patients and
answering the phones. They often have other tasks, the nature
of which depends on the type of organization they are working
for.
Some of these duties can be include things
such as handling mail; writing and proof reading letters and
other documents; sending and receiving emails; sending and
receiving faxes and keeping employee attendance logs. To
perform these duties, strong organizational skills are
required.
A receptionist almost always has a desk,
phone, computer and any other necessary equipment, so computer
and typing skills are essential. But they almost never have an
office space or even a cubical of their own.
Most often, the receptionist is stationed in the lobby or
waiting area. For this reason some organisations may have their
receptionists responsible for keeping the lobby tidy.
That, most often, doesn’t mean they have to
vacuum the carpets or take out the garbage. But they may have
to tidy magazine stacks, straighten chairs, or dispose of any
garbage left behind by visitors.
A person who works a receptionist job can
find upward mobility to other administrative jobs like
secretary or executive assistant. Some people consider a
receptionist job as a great way to learn more about a
particular type of business and to network up the ladder. In
the UK the average receptionist can make £12,000 to £25,000 a
year.