How to be a Receptionist

Receptionists are individuals with highly responsible jobs, as the success of an organization depends on what first impression the receptionist creates to outsiders. The basic duties are answering telephone calls, greeting the visitors, helping resolve the queries of visitors, and providing valid and necessary details of the organization.

They help and guide visitors, which is not just in personally assisting the visitors but also keeping a check on them. They have to answer inquiries and provide information on the goods, services and activities of the organization. They create a good impression about the organization and also take care of the ambience and culture to be maintained within the organization.

To be a receptionist all you need is a high school diploma and an ability to handle telephone calls with a pleasant personality and a neat appearance. It gives an advantage if your communication skills are perfect along with the computer knowledge. This job has a unique responsibility of representing the company in front of outsiders, though the responsibilities keep changing depending on the industry. The receptionist can be the in charge of coordinating the work and delivering results.



Training is provided as every organization has a different way of handling visitors. Most times, they get on-the-job training to either handle telephone calls or mailing/faxing documents or delivering/receiving letters. Good interpersonal skills along with the ability to handle customers are important for getting a job as a receptionist.

As the number of organizations is increasing, the need for receptionist is expected to increase enormously. The role of a receptionist is really important to maintain relations with the outside world, as she represents the office. There are a number of opportunities especially for technical and clerk positions. They should know all aspects of business, and should know how each business line works.

They can work under different work heads like receptionist, admissions clerk, hotel or motel receptionist and even medical receptionist. They also maintain the reception area, advise and arrange reservations and accommodation facilities provided to their employees or customers. They also arrange and record appointment details for all the top-level management employees or superiors.

The average salary for a receptionist is $20,000-$45,000. The job has wide range of applicable industries so the salary also varies. If more responsibilities are attached to a particular job, salary paid would be more. With just a basic routine work, salary paid is $25,000.