Receptionist Duties and Skills

Receptionist duties have expanded to include a number of other functions as companies consolidate work tasks and responsibilities to create more efficient staffing practices.

This pivotal job function requires a range of skills to successfully perform all the activities associated with a receptionist position. Find a comprehensive list of both the tasks and skill requirements included in the current role of a receptionist.

Complete List of Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

Depending on the company the receptionist can be responsible for any of the following:

Receive Visitors

• greet visitors appropriately
• determine visitor needs in a professional manner
• maintain visitor register
• offer refreshments to visitors where appropriate
• direct visitors to correct person
• ensure back up when absent from reception desk

Answer Phone Calls

• answer and address incoming phone calls in a timely and polite manner
• clearly determine the purpose of the call
• deal with queries and provide correct information
• forward calls to appropriate person
• take and deliver messages accurately and completely

Manage Mail

• sort and distribute incoming mail
• prepare outgoing mail for pick-up or courier
• organize courier deliveries

Monitor Security

• monitor people coming and going through the reception doors
• issue visitor passes where required
• be aware of and report suspicious activity

Financial

• monitor and record petty cash payments
• balance petty cash
• prepare travel vouchers
• basic cashiering duties
• basic bookkeeping duties

Clerical

• photocopy and collate documents
• fax documents
• file documents accurately
• maintain equipment and report any malfunctions
• monitor, control and order office supplies

Organize Meetings

• book meeting room
• inform participants
• set up meeting room with necessary stationary and equipment
• organize catering for meeting

Secretarial Support

• prepare correspondence and documents
• update databases
• organize mailings
• prepare and maintain spreadsheets
• schedule and follow up on appointments

Reception Area Maintenance

• keep reception area clean and neat
• maintain and organize reading material

Front Office Receptionist Duties

Medical Receptionist Duties

List of Core Receptionist Skills

Find out the skills needed to successfully perform these receptionist duties.

Personal Presentation

• maintain a neat and well-groomed appearance
• maintain an attentive posture
• respond professionally to visitors and callers

Company Representation

• maintain confidentiality and show discretion

• adhere to company policies and procedures
• represent organization in an ethical and professional manner
• maintain a complete knowledge of organizational structure, personnel names and titles
• remain calm under pressure

Communication skills

• write well using correct grammar and spelling
• communicate verbally with confidence and clarity
• ask effective questions
• listen actively and respond with empathy
• follow instructions properly
• understand and respond to non-verbal signals

Customer Service Orientation

• clarify customer needs
• provide solutions and support to the customer using in-depth knowledge of company products and services
• deal effectively with difficult customers

Computer Skills

• MS Word
• Outlook
• Excel
• accurate and fast typing skills

Work Management

• set priorities, plan and organize tasks
• schedule activities accurately

• find and use resources effectively
• pay attention to detail
• complete tasks on time

Information Management

• locate and collect information
• organize information
• distribute information efficiently

Receptionist Job Descriptions

Dental Receptionist Job Description

Secretary Job Description

Administrative Assistant Job Description

Customer Service Job Description

Your Receptionist Job Search

You can use this list of receptionist duties to create a job-winning resume and cover letter for the receptionist position.

Receptionist Resume

Receptionist Resume Objectives

Receptionist Cover Letter

Hotel Receptionist Resume

Medical Receptionist Resume

Receptionist Job Interviews

Create your own specific receptionist job description using this list of receptionist skills and duties.

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