A receptionist is the first person customers or clients will see upon entering a business.
A receptionist or information clerk is a person who works at the front desk or reception area of an office, organization or building. She is the first person that the public, clients or customers see when they come into an office. She must be personable, friendly, professional and able to organize and manage data efficiently. Receptionists can work in a variety of environments, including hospitals and clinics, corporate headquarters, government offices and bus or train companies.
Responsibilities
Receptionists' duties vary depending on the particular establishment in which they work. However, they are generally responsible for greeting customers or clients, scheduling appointments, preparing documents and entering information, and other administrative duties such as opening and sorting mail and performing basic word processing tasks. Depending on the position, they may also be required to create and manage records using computer software. Even in businesses where voice mail systems are utilized, receptionists are sometimes responsible for answering and routing phone calls and checking messages. Front desk receptionists may also be responsible for providing information about the organization to the public or for routing customers' questions to the appropriate person.
Qualifications
Most receptionist positions require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Other training is usually received once they are hired. However, an associate's degree or other formal training in office equipment and software may make applicants look more favorable to employers. Applicants should also have experience with spreadsheet and word processing software, as well as answering phones. Receptionists must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and should be able to listen effectively to others.
Salary
The average salary for a front desk receptionist depends on the type of facility he is employed in. As of May 2009, receptionists employed by the Postal Service earned an average of $25.67 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those employed in tobacco or computer equipment manufacturing earned averages of $16.10 and $15.67 per hour, respectively. The industry that employs the largest number of receptionists is the offices of physicians; however, receptionists in this industry averaged $12.71 per hour in May 2009. Receptionists may have opportunities for raises, as well as advancement to higher-earning positions, depending on their employer.
Work Environment
Most receptionists usually work in clean, well-lit environments. They spend most, if not all of their day sitting at a desk, and are engaged in repetitive tasks such as typing, copying and answering phones. They must have patience to deal with angry, frustrating and sometimes confusing customers, and must be able to maintain a friendly demeanor throughout the entire day. For individuals who like interacting with other people, this can be a rewarding aspect of the job. As of May 2008, approximately 30 percent of receptionists worked part time.
Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, there were 1.1 million receptionists and information clerks in the United States as of 2008. Employment of receptionists is expected to grow by 15 percent from 2008 to 2018, with much of the growth accounted for by jobs in physicians' and practitioners' offices, legal services, construction and management consulting. Receptionists with varied technical and clerical skills will be well-equipped to find employment in the growing number of positions.
Tags: answering phones, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, customers clients, first person, front desk, Labor Statistics
