Job Responsibilities
As a receptionist, you would be the one who would entertain the calls made by clients, visitors etc at first. It would be your duty to make all vital and importantly good impression, therefore you would be required to acquire pleasant rapport with the others and make them feel at ease. It would be your responsibility to make appointments, greet the visitors, offer them with refreshment and assist them too. You would be required to answer all doubts, queries, calls, take messages, screen calls, tidy up the area of reception, taking care of security passes, visitor books etc, parcel receipt etc. If you happen to be employed in smaller companies then, as a receptionist, you would have to be part of some administrative work too. The job of a receptionist has several options, when employers are concerned, as you can choose to work on large corporate houses, hospitals or even schools. The list is endless of all the opportunities. The working hours would depend on the employer since this is mostly a desk job, you would have to sit without leaving the desk for long hours, in case any important appointments, calls etc go amiss.
Skills Required as a Receptionist
You have to have a very strong communications skill and a pleasant personality to deal with people, hailing from different backgrounds. Apart from a striking personality, one has to be an organized person with the skill too, must be tactful, discreet, efficient, and courteous and at the same time firm with people who are difficult to handle. He or she must be able to work under pressure and have a strong memory. Self initiation and motivation is also another skill that a receptionist must have. Have prior knowledge of computers and also of the equipments that are present in offices, with an added interest in the particular business.
Educational Requirements
Though there are no mandatory educational requirements for this post in the admin field but in recent day, employers are preferring candidates having degree in English, math and IT. If you possess few years of experience then you would be having an added advantage over the position of a receptionist.
Experience and level, really determines the salary of a receptionist, though the annual average salary of a receptionist is around $34,000 to even $48,000.
Starting off as a receptionist is the best way to get a break to any industry of your choice. There would be opportunities to get a switch into organization and administration.
