what is a receptionist?
A receptionist is an important person and employee who is needed in many different organizations and companies. The role includes welcoming people who enter the building or office, handling the company’s phone, email, and mail. Even though a receptionist’s duties mainly revolve around customer service, they also often have a range of administrative tasks.
receptionist jobswhat does a receptionist do?
Your role as a receptionist can vary greatly depending on the type of company, organization, sector, or industry you work in. In some cases, you are responsible for cleaning and keeping the reception area tidy or offering drinks, such as coffee or water, to the company’s guests. Some receptionists handle payments and manage accounting for the company.
Most people probably think of someone working in some kind of office when they hear the word receptionist. That’s true, since the majority of those who work as receptionists are inside an office building. Companies need someone to coordinate meetings and handle the first conversation with customers when they visit the office, but also to maintain communication with employees about their needs and orders. For example, some receptionists work at law firms where they greet new clients and direct visitors to different meetings. In hospitals, receptionists guide patients to the correct treatment departments and manage their medical records.
Receptionists also work at places like hotels or companies in manufacturing, where they welcome guests at the reception.
Would the job as a receptionist suit your social and communication skills? Then you can read on to find out what skills and qualifications you may need to succeed in a role as a receptionist.
average salary as receptionist.
The role of receptionist exists in many different types of companies and organizations. Which employer you have and which industry you work in can affect how much you earn. How many years of previous experience you have is also a decisive factor. If you have a permanent position, you often have a fixed monthly salary, while if you work part-time or have an hourly position, it is often an hourly wage that applies. If you work inconvenient hours, you will receive extra compensation in the form of shift allowance.
When you work part-time or as an hourly employee, different types of compensation may also be included, such as travel allowance. Some employers may also offer bonuses and company pension, but this completely depends on the type of contract you have as an employee.
According to Union the average salary for a receptionist is between 27,000 and 33,000 or per month.
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different factors that affect the salary for a receptionist
Factors that affect your salary as a receptionist include the geographical location where the company is situated. In larger cities, the salary is generally somewhat higher compared to smaller cities. Your area of responsibility and tasks, how much work experience you have, and whether you have any educational qualifications also affect the salary you receive.
Most entry-level receptionists primarily act as customer service via phone. For other receptionists, the work may involve a more administrative assistant role, which can also lead to a higher salary.
Receptionists who work in specialized areas, sectors, or industries usually have a higher salary. That means you are skilled and have experience in the relevant field. For example, if you work at a hospital or a law firm, you will earn more than someone who works as a receptionist at a company that deals with retail.
Generally, you get paid more at companies operating in industries and sectors with overall high salaries.
different types of receptionists.
It is not possible to divide receptionists into exact categories, but there are several different roles within this occupational category. Some of the most common jobs as a receptionist include:
- Receptionist at the reception: Here your job is to keep an eye on the reception and direct visitors to their various meetings or answer other questions the visitor may have. You also make sure that the reception area is neatly arranged, clean and gives a welcoming impression.
- Receptionist at a company: When you work as a receptionist at a company, you assist with operations by answering phone calls, responding to emails, handling and distributing incoming mail. You also take notes during certain meetings, summarize reports from different departments, and send out necessary information to staff, both managers and other departments.
- Receptionist in HR: At a company with an HR department, you work as a receptionist at the entrance. You perform administrative tasks such as keeping track of vacation and sick days, filling out documents for new staff. You may also need to plan and book trips for employees.
working as a receptionist.
Below are some of the tasks and situations you may encounter in the job as a receptionist.
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receptionist duties
As a receptionist, your primary task is to assist and support your colleagues with various tasks, matters, and requests they bring in. You are also the face of the company for visitors. This support and service can take many different forms, including:
- Receive visitors: As a receptionist, you greet and welcome visitors when they arrive at the company's premises. You determine what they need and, in some cases, help them sign in if necessary. You are also the one who directs or guides guests to the person they are there to visit.
- Answer the phone: As a receptionist, your job is to receive incoming phone calls and handle questions directed to the office. It is important that you answer and respond in a polite and professional manner. You can forward calls to employees or send messages and deliver them to the correct department.
- Handle mail: Your job as receptionist may include preparing outgoing mail and notifying couriers to pick up deliveries. You also receive incoming mail, both physical and digital, and ensure it reaches the correct recipient.
- Carry out tasks related to office and finance: As a receptionist, you assist employees with filling out documents, order office supplies, or send deliveries. You also make sure to maintain various types of materials and equipment and report issues that are broken or have stopped working. Sometimes you are also responsible for basic bookkeeping.
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work environment
As a receptionist, you usually work indoors at a large desk or workstation. Most have their job located in a lobby or reception area, but some also have their desk in an open office landscape. As a receptionist, you can work for government or private companies and organizations. The role exists in a variety of industries, and depending on the work environment you are in, you as a receptionist may need to wear specific work clothes or dress according to a particular dress code. This is determined by each employer and industry. Most receptionists also work alongside other administrative assistants, while others work independently. When it comes to remote work, it is difficult for a receptionist to perform their tasks from home, as you are the face of the company for visitors and the tasks you carry out often include contact with other employees in the company.
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your colleagues
When you work as a receptionist, your colleagues can vary depending on which sector or industry you are in or what type of company you work for. Among other things, you can work together with staff and recruiter from the HR department or other assistants administrator, personnel administrator in other departments. Mail carriers and couriers can also be your colleagues. If your job includes maintaining the reception area and making sure it is clean and welcoming, it may also involve working together with, for example, janitors and cleaning staff. As a receptionist, you basically work with everyone employed at the company.
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work schedule
Since a receptionist's main task is to welcome visiting customers, the working hours are the same as the rest of the company. Most receptionists usually work weekdays from around 08:00 to 17:00. However, there are those who work either earlier or later, as well as evenings or weekends, depending on the type of industry and company involved.
The working hours for a receptionist are eight hours per day. But there is also an option to work part-time with working hours between 15 and 30 hours per week. Some part-time receptionists work full days a few times a week while others work shorter days but more often.
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future prospects
As a receptionist, you will have the opportunity to advance to other roles within the company or organization. In larger offices, you can move up to receptionist manager. When you work as a receptionist, you will gain a deeper understanding of the organization or company you work for. You will learn about how the company operates and functions, who their clients are, and how different employees interact with each other as well as with the clients.
If you are driven, motivated, and fit into the company culture, you will likely be offered the opportunity to be promoted to other departments within the company. For example, you can move on to become an administrative assistant or an assistant in the HR department. This makes the job as a receptionist a good entry-level position for the area you are interested in and want to work in. If you do not have the education or experience required to get the job you really want, the role of a receptionist can be a perfect first step to take.
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benefits of finding a job as a receptionist through randstad
There are many advantages to finding an open job as a receptionist through Randstad:
- various development and career opportunities
- an experienced contact person who can help you when needed
- many open jobs within your area
- full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Do you want a permanent position as a receptionist? A temporary position or short-term job as a receptionist is often a good first step towards a permanent job. Every year, several people get a permanent position with employers thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.
education and qualifications.
The job as a receptionist does not require formal education and you do not need to have much work experience to be an interesting candidate for the position, although experience always helps. For example, if you have worked in any type of sales or customer service before, you have good chances of getting a job as a receptionist. Other types of jobs where you interact with customers in different ways are also considered valuable.
Even though no specific education is required, you can still improve your chances through studies. For example, you can choose to take courses in administration or communication at college or university.
knowledge and skills.
There are some important skills you need to have in the role of receptionist:
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communicative ability
Having strong problem-solving skills is an important quality for a payroll administrator, because
As a receptionist, you should have a very good ability to communicate. You must be able to speak calmly and professionally, both with visitors on the company's premises and with customers over the phone.
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social skills
You need to be a skilled team player when working as a receptionist. You will have to interact and collaborate with different employees at the company and assist visiting customers. This requires strong social skills so that you can help both colleagues and customers achieve their goals.
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ability to handle many different cases at the same time
A receptionist handles many different types of tasks at the same time. You answer calls, make sure that incoming and outgoing mail reaches the right recipient, and keep an eye on the reception area. If you are skilled at multitasking, it will be very useful for you when it comes to prioritizing tasks and making sure you complete all your duties by the set deadlines.
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knowledge of technology
As a receptionist, you are responsible for maintaining various types of equipment in the office, such as copiers, telephone systems, printers, display screens, and other digital devices that may be found in meeting rooms. Having good technical knowledge will make your work easier and more efficient. You also need to have solid computer skills to be able to perform the more administrative tasks in your job.
frequently asked questions about working as a receptionist.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about working as a receptionist.
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what is a receptionist's role?
The receptionist's most important role is to be the bridge between a company's or organization’s employees and its customers. You also make sure the reception area is tidy and welcoming and handle incoming and outgoing mail. In addition, your duties may include managing various types of document and data archiving.
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what skills and abilities does a receptionist need?
A receptionist must have very good communication and social skills. You should also be comfortable working with different types of technology to be able to handle, for example, copiers and various office-related software. As a receptionist, it is important to be good at organizing, prioritizing, and having the ability to keep many tasks going at the same time.
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is the role of receptionist a good job?
The role of receptionist is a very good entry-level job that can lead to other positions within the company you work for. The job is not particularly physically demanding but is often challenging and sometimes stressful, while also being stimulating for those who enjoy a job with varied tasks. You are an important part of the team and learn a lot about your employer.
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how do I apply for a job as a receptionist?
It's easy to apply for a job as a receptionist. Search among our open jobs in your area. Then submit your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn.
If you need help with your job application, you can read all our guides job tips here!
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further reading about the role of receptionist
Here you can find more information about the role receptionist.
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