Receptionist job description: what you'll do and what to write on your resume
Applying for receptionist at an office, clinic or hotel? Copy the duties below into your resume, then read what the interview asks.
Duties to write on your resume
Start each line with what you did. Keep the ones you've really done.
Greeted visitors warmly and directed them to the right person or department
Answered and transferred phone calls, and took clear messages when staff were away
Managed the appointment calendar and confirmed bookings with clients by phone and email
Signed in visitors, issued visitor passes and kept the visitor log up to date
Received and sorted incoming mail, parcels and courier deliveries for each department
Typed documents, filed records and updated spreadsheets using Microsoft Word and Excel
Checked meeting rooms were booked correctly, clean and ready before each meeting
Kept the reception area neat and restocked brochures, forms and office supplies
First job? Use the same lines for a school office, a family business or volunteer work, and say where.
A resume objective you can adapt
Courteous and organized senior high school graduate looking for a receptionist job, ready to greet visitors, handle calls and keep the front desk running smoothly.
Skills employers ask for
Speaking clearly and politely in English and Filipino
Answering phone calls with a calm, friendly voice
Using Microsoft Word, Excel and email
Keeping records and schedules organized
Staying patient with difficult or rushed visitors
What the interview asks
Why do you want to be a receptionist here? Say you enjoy meeting people and helping them, and name something real about the company.
How would you handle an angry visitor at the front desk? Stay calm, listen, say sorry, then find the right person to help.
What would you do if two phone lines ring while a visitor is waiting? Greet the visitor, answer one call, ask the other caller to hold politely, then serve in order.
Can you work a fixed schedule and stay at the desk all day? Answer honestly and say you are comfortable with routine and being the first face people see.
Most posts ask for at least a senior high school diploma, and many prefer college or vocational training.
TESDA offers Front Office Services NC II, and its online program has a course for it.
Bring a resume, a valid ID, an NBI clearance and your SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN numbers.
Apply online or in person at offices, clinics and hotels that post front desk openings.
Expect a short interview, and sometimes a typing or phone-etiquette test.
Licence or certificate
TESDA offers a national certificate for this work: Front Office Services NC II. TESDA's online program has a course for it. Source
What the work is like
You sit at the front desk most of the day and you're the first person visitors meet. The hard part is handling calls, walk-ins and requests at the same time while staying polite.
Questions
Do I need experience to work as a receptionist?
Not always. Many employers hire fresh graduates if you speak well and know basic computer programs.
Is receptionist work part-time?
Most posts are full-time, but some clinics and small offices hire part-time.
What should I study to become a receptionist?
Most posts accept a senior high school diploma. A course in business, hospitality or office work helps.
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