what is a receptionist?
A receptionist is an essential employee for many types of organisations and businesses. As the name implies, a receptionist receives visitors. You greet people who enter the building or handle phone calls and emails for the company. Although receptionists' workloads are mostly related to customer service, they often handle a wide variety of administrative tasks. Some receptionists assist with setting appointments, filing records and sorting mail.
what do receptionists do?
Your role as a receptionist can vary a lot depending on the business. In some cases, you are responsible for cleaning and tidying a reception area or providing beverages to guests. Some receptionists also handle money. They accept payments or manage bookkeeping for the company.
When most people think of receptionists, they picture a person working in an office building. While it is true that the majority of receptionists are employed in offices, they also work in other industries. You'll find this position at any workplace that needs someone coordinating interactions between customers and employees. For example, some receptionists work in law firms receiving new clients and directing visitors to their appointments. In hospitals, they direct patients to the right treatment areas and organise their medical records. Receptionists also work in hotels or manufacturing companies at the front desk to welcome visitors.
Would working as a receptionist suit your social skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a receptionist role.
receptionist jobsaverage salary of a receptionist
The median salary of a receptionist according to National Careers is £15,000 per year for those with minimal experience. As you improve your skills, your salary can increase to £22,000 per year. Some employers pay receptionists hourly, with different rates for normal working hours and overtime hours.
When you are a full-time receptionist, your earnings include various allowances like medical and transport allowances. You will also enjoy paid holidays, annual bonuses and other awards based on your performance. Some companies also assist employees with payments to pension schemes.
what factors affect the salary of a receptionist?
The primary factor that affects your salary is the location. Receptionists in areas with high living costs tend to get a bigger salary. Top-paying regions for receptionists are Glasgow, London and Leeds. Variations in salary also depend on the scope of the role and additional responsibilities.
Many entry-level receptionists primarily provide customer support on the phone. Some receptionists take on more of an administrative assistant role, leading to a higher salary. Receptionists who work in specialised fields get a higher salary. For instance, if you work in a hospital or law firm, your compensation package is higher than a receptionist for a retail firm. Generally, high-paying industries like finance provide higher salaries for receptionists.
types of receptionists
While receptionists are not divided into strict categories, there are several types of positions in this field. Some of the common receptionist jobs include:
- front desk receptionist: your job is to monitor the front desk and direct visitors entering the office to their appointments. You also ensure the reception area is tidy, and you can add decorative touches to make it more welcoming.
- corporate receptionist: your job is to assist executive assistants with repetitive tasks like screening calls and handling mail. You also write memos from the executives to staff and summarise reports from various departments.
- hr receptionist: in a company with a dedicated HR department, you sit at the entrance of the department offices. You also perform administrative tasks like tracking holidays and sick leave, filing paperwork for new starters and planning employee travel.
working as a receptionist
Are you interested in learning more about the day-to-day realities of being a receptionist? Here are some of the things you might encounter.
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receptionist job description
As a receptionist, your main duty is to support your co-workers. This assistance can take many forms, including:
- receiving visitors: as a receptionist, you meet and greet visitors when they enter the business premises. You determine their needs and help them fill the signing in book. You direct the visitors to the correct person or offer them refreshments as they wait for their appointment.
- answering phone calls: a receptionist answers incoming calls and deals with queries made through the office line. You need to answer calls politely and speak to callers professionally. You can forward the calls to the appropriate employee or take a message and deliver it to the right department.
- managing mail: your job involves preparing outgoing mail and notifying the courier to pick up the deliveries. You also receive incoming mail and distribute them to the intended recipients.
- performing clerical and financial duties: as a receptionist, you assist other employees with photocopying, filing documents or ordering office supplies. You also maintain office equipment and report malfunctions. Sometimes, you manage petty cash payments and do basic bookkeeping duties.
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work environment
Receptionists usually work indoors at a desk. Most work in a lobby or reception area, but some have a desk within an open floor plan office. As a receptionist, you can work for public, private and charitable organisations in informal, creative or casual workplaces. Depending on the environment, receptionists may need to wear a uniform or dress in casual or formal business wear. Most receptionists work alongside a team of administrative assistants, but others work alone. Some receptionists work remotely and use voice calls, live chats or video calls to assist customers.
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who are your colleagues?
As a receptionist, you work alongside various employees depending on the industry you work in or your employer. Some of your colleagues may include caretakers, gateman operator, postal delivery workers and shop assistants. You can also work in close proximity to executive assistants and office managers, as well as other specialists, including HR managers, accountants, data entry clerks and customer service representatives.
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work schedule
Since a receptionist's main duty is interacting with customers, their schedule usually follows the same hours as the business. The majority of receptionists work on weekdays from around 8 am to 5 pm. However, some work a little earlier or later and on weekends or nights. Most receptionist shifts last around eight hours. A receptionist shift includes a 30 to 60 minutes lunch break depending on local work laws. There are also part-time receptionist jobs available that offer around 15 to 30 hours a week. Some part-time receptionists work a few days a week while others work around four to six hours multiple times a week.
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job outlook
As a receptionist, you'll have the opportunity to advance to other positions within your company. In large offices, you can be promoted to a head receptionist position. However, the common job growth opportunities come from lateral movement. As a receptionist, you'll get deeply acquainted with the business. You'll learn how the company runs, its customers and how various employees interact. If you are intelligent, motivated, and a good fit with the company culture, you're likely to get a promotion to work in other departments. Receptionists go on to be administration assistants, office managers, HR employees and more. This makes a receptionist job a good entry position into your desired field. If you do not have the education or experience to get your desired job, being a receptionist helps you get started.
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advantages of finding a receptionist job through randstad
Finding your receptionist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a receptionist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
A receptionist role doesn't require formal education, and you need minimal work experience. For instance, if you have previous experience in sales or customer services, you can land a job as a receptionist. You can also join the career through a college qualification like a diploma or certificate course. For instance, you can pursue a certificate course in Level 1 or 2 business administration and reception courses. Alternatively, gain a Level 2 diploma course in hospitality or reception operation and services.
skills and competencies
Some of the skills necessary for receptionists include:
- effective communication: as a receptionist, you should have exceptional verbal communication skills. You should speak calmly and professionally to all visitors. Active listening and customer service skills also help you excel in the role.
- interpersonal skills: as a receptionist, you have to be a good team player. You interact and collaborate with various employees in the office. You need people skills to help everyone with their duties.
- multitasking skills: a receptionist handles many duties like screening calls, managing call traffic and running a busy reception area. Multitasking skills help you to prioritise and ensure that you accomplish all tasks.
- technical prowess: as a receptionist, your job involves maintaining office equipment and operating copiers, phone systems and printers. Technical skills will make your work easier and improve your performance. You also need computer skills for your clerical duties.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a receptionist
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what is the role of a receptionist?
A receptionist's most important role is to be the bridge between customers and employees. A receptionist also maintains a tidy lobby area and receives mail and files records. Want to learn more about working as a receptionist? Then check out this article.
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what are the skills of a receptionist?
Receptionists must have strong communication skills. You also need to be comfortable working with technology to manage common office software. Receptionists need strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask.
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is being a receptionist a good job?
A receptionist is a great entry-level job that can lead to advancement within a company. Furthermore, many large companies have head receptionists who earn a higher income. The work is typically not physically demanding - a plus for many people - but it's often challenging and intellectually stimulating. You'll be an important part of a team and learn a lot about your employer.
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is being a receptionist a stressful job?
Typically, a receptionist's job is not extremely stressful. There is a chance that receptionists have to deal with irate customers or handle multiple tasks at once. Therefore, it is ideal for receptionists to be calm and even-tempered. Office culture can have a huge impact on stress levels, so very tense offices might result in more strain for a receptionist.
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what is the most important skill that is required of a receptionist?
The essential skill a receptionist needs is communication. In this role, you need to listen to others, clearly communicate ideas and be able to pass on information in an easy-to-understand manner. Receptionists should be able to communicate effectively in person, over the phone and through email.
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how do I apply for a receptionist vacancy?
Applying for a receptionist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips and tips to nail your job interview here!
