Jobs and Careers as a Receptionist…..Shepherd Stubbs Recruitment Advises…

HOW CAN I BE……….……..A RECEPTIONIST!

The Role:

A Receptionist is the first contact that a client or customer has with the organisation, so you represent the whole company, in person and on the telephone. Your colleagues will rely on you to pass on messages, connect calls and depending on the size of the organisation, conduct administrative and secretarial duties. Some receptionists will also act as a PA the MD or director(s), while others, in much larger organisations, will solely be responsible for connecting calls and greeting customers. Being a Receptionist is a very responsible and rewarding role as you are remembered for your multi-tasking, professional image and friendly nature.

Typical Responsibilities:

A Receptionist’s key purpose is to present an efficient, professional and helpful image to all visitors and internal customers. Below is a summary of typical responsibilities:

• Answering the telephone in a professional manner
• Connecting and transferring calls
• Taking and communicating messages
• Greeting customers and clients professionally
• Dealing with incoming emails and company correspondence
• General administration duties when required
• Distributing incoming post to relevant departments
• Managing the visitors book and passes
• Keeping the reception area organised and tidy

Conditions & Salary Expectations:

Receptionists are paid a basic salary depending on the size of the organisation, his/her experience and how busy the reception is on a daily basis. A starting salary of between £14,000 - £16,000 can be expected. A higher salary may be achieved if the role is combined with secretarial and/or PA responsibilities.

Conditions vary according to the size of the organization, but you can expect the role to be very busy with constant incoming calls and customers to greet. You will need to be fast paced and have a love of being busy and multi-tasking. Some reception desks will have several receptionists in order to accommodate the high level of calls where as others, may have one member who may combine the role with other functions.

Entry Requirements:

To become a Receptionist, you will need to have a friendly, professional and presentable nature and appearance. A good knowledge and use of the English language plus good all round communication skills are also essential, but no formal qualifications are required. However many employers prefer you to have GCSE’s at A-C grades, in particular to include in English and Maths.

In addition, certain personal qualities are needed:

• Friendly but professional image
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to prioritise and to work under pressure
• Excellent organisational skills
• High standard of written and communication skills
• At all times approachable
• Ability to deal with difficult situations confidently and calmly
• Sound I.T. skills
• Proficiency with office equipment - switchboard, fax, copier

Career Development:

Career development opportunities vary depending on the nature and size of organisation. Larger companies that have several receptionists, may offer career development in the form of promotion to Senior Receptionist or a Team Leader running a team of Receptionists. Smaller organisations may offer development into other roles, such as a Secretary or a Personal Assistant.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ’s) can also be obtained in Customer Service Skills, which will further raise the experience and qualifications of a Receptionist. For further information about our current roles in Reception, please contact us.