Receptionists are an important part of any successful professional office. They're responsible for answering and forwarding telephone calls, greeting customers as they come through the door, and overseeing office functions like scheduling events and ordering additional office supplies.
Receptionist Duties
Receptionists are typically the first person visitors see when they arrive at a place of business. Receptionists are responsible for greeting the visitors, directing them to the person they need to speak to, and taking down messages to be passed on if the appropriate office member isn't available.
Receptionists must be aware of the general guidelines of the office or business, familiar with different employees’ availability and schedules, and be able to handle basic office functions like copying, faxing, emailing, and making out-bound telephone calls. If office supplies are low or packages need to be sent, receptionists are tasked with taking care of it.
Educational Requirements
While there are no formal requirements to become a receptionist, having a college education demonstrates initiative and organizational thinking. If a receptionist has a college degree, they're likely able to see the office as an ecosystem rather than as a singular unit and, in turn, understand how each of the employees helps the business succeed. With a broad picture of the office's functions, a receptionist can anticipate employee needs or better serve customers when another employee isn't there.
Job Prospects
Because receptionists are the face of the company, internal promotion is very likely. By understanding the inner workings of the company, receptionists are prime candidates for higher secretarial positions within the business in later months or years. By demonstrating an eagerness to help the company succeed and strong organizational skills, receptionists require less training than a new employee for a new position, making them cost-effective and more desirable candidates for upper management.
Additionally, receptionists develop personal relationships with many of the office workers. These strong relationships will make it easier to know about upcoming opportunities within the company that outside job seekers may be unaware of.
Receptionist Salaries
Receptionists are typically considered entry-level positions at a business. Depending on the complexity of the job and experience level of the receptionist, receptionists can expect to earn approximately $10-12 per hour. Hourly wages are common for entry-level positions. Promotions may lead to higher paying positions within the company.
New receptionists may earn less than this because of their lack of experience, but receptionists joining a new company with at least one year of previous administrative assistance experience can expect to earn a higher wage.
