Receptionist Job Description

Receptionists are a fundamental part of nearly every office, as they perform many vital duties to ensure that the office runs smoothly and its professionals are supported. They typically sit in the main lobby area of an office and are the first person who guests see upon visiting the office space. Receptionists are responsible for several different tasks depending on the organization in which they work and they generally report to a supervisor or manager.

The role of a Receptionist varies, and depends on where they work. Someone who works for a company that sets several in-office appointments may spend much of their time scheduling appointments with clients, whereas Receptionists who work for companies that do not have many in-office appointments may spend their time doing other administrative tasks. Depending on their career path, a Receptionist can rise to become an Administrative Assistant, Administrative Supervisor, Office Manager and Executive Assistant.

Education Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area

Receptionist Essential Skills

• Attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Positive demeanor

Receptionist Roles & Responsibilities

• Welcome office guests and direct them to the person or office they are visiting
• Answer phones and make phone calls on behalf of office employees
• Maintain office supplies and place orders when inventory is low
• Schedule appointments and meetings for employees and coordinate with clients regarding the meetings
• Keep office records up to date
• Arrange travel and accommodations for employees

Day-to-Day Duties

• Forward phone calls to appropriate recipients
• Send and reply to office emails
• Guide caller to destination
• Record name, time of call, nature of business and person called upon
• Arrange appointments
• Occasionally handle day-to-day office and supply management
• Send and receive mail and other correspondence
• Perform various other clerical tasks including faxing, transcribing and filing

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