What is a Receptionist?
Summary
Receptionists are often the first point of contact for customers, clients, and visitors. These workers are responsible for making a positive first impression and for ensuring that front-office activities run smoothly. Receptionists are typically responsible for a variety of different tasks, including answering phone calls, responding to emails, assisting with data entry, greeting customers, scheduling appointments, and handling administrative jobs.
Types of Receptionists
The role of a Receptionist largely depends on the type of industry they work in and the services required by the business.
- Corporate: In this role, a receptionist will often handle front-office duties in corporate environments, including managing calls, welcoming clients, coordinating meetings and scheduling appointments.
- Medical: In the healthcare sector, you will often find medical receptionists in hospitals, clinics, and dental offices. They usually act as the first point of contact.
- Tourism: These receptionists are responsible for managing guest check-ins and check-outs, reservations. They also provide information to customers about the hotel and local area.
- Employment: In the recruitment space, a receptionist is often sitting at the front desk and is responsible for welcoming job seekers, candidates, and clients. They typically manage phone calls, answer emails and schedule interviews.
- Government: Receptionist that work in governmental roles such as; city council or in the public sector, are often required to schedule meetings, make phone calls and do data entry tasks.
Tasks Required
Receptionists have many key responsibilities, which includes:
- Answering Phones
- Greeting Visitors
- Scheduling Appointments
- Administrative Support
- Customer Service
How to Get a Job as a Receptionist in Australia
- Build Experience: Prior experience in customer service or administrative roles is often preferred. This can be obtained without a qualification by working in retail or hospitality.
- Develop Key Skills: Learn how to use Microsoft Office tools such as; Outlook, Excel and Word. Being familiar with Customer Relationship Management systems may also be necessary.
- Search for Jobs: Consider reaching out to staffing and employment agencies that specialise in filling business support roles.
- Prepare a Strong Resume: Tailor your resume to the specific role you’re applying for.
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What qualifications do I need to become a receptionist?
- A high school certificate is usually all that is required, but additional training in business administration or customer service can be an advantage.
- What skills are important for a receptionist?
- Important skills include good organisational abilities, Microsoft Office proficiency, and professional customer service skills.
- Can Receptionists advance in their careers?
- Yes, with the proper training and development, Receptionists can get promoted into roles such as Operations/Office Manager, Executive Assistant, or Administrative Coordinator.
- What is the job outlook for Receptionists in Australia?
- The job outlook for Receptionists is stable, with consistent demand across various industries.
*This is to be used as a guide only and is not a representation of the roles we currently have available.
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