what is a receptionist?
A receptionist is an essential employee for many types of organizations and businesses. As the name implies, a receptionist receives visitors. You greet people who enter the building or handle phone calls and emails for the company. Although receptionists' workloads mostly relate to customer service, they often handle administrative tasks. Some receptionists assist with setting appointments, filing records and sorting mail.
Depending on the business, your role as a receptionist can vary a lot. Sometimes, you are responsible for cleaning and tidying a reception area or providing beverages to guests. Some receptionists also handle money or accept payments and manage the company's bookkeeping.
Most people think of a receptionist as someone working in an office building. While most receptionists are employed in offices, they also work in other industries. You'll find this position at any workplace that needs someone to coordinate interactions between customers and employees. For example, some receptionists work in law firms, receiving new clients and assisting visitors with their appointments. In hospitals, they direct patients to the correct treatment areas and organize their medical records. Receptionists also work at the front desks of hotels and manufacturing companies to welcome visitors.
Would working as a receptionist suit your multitasking skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a receptionist role.
receptionist jobsaverage receptionist salary
According to Job Bank, receptionists earn a median salary of $33,903 per year — or an hourly rate of $17.39. Entry-level receptionist jobs attract a salary of $29,250 yearly, whereas high-paying receptionist jobs have salaries as high as $42,900 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a receptionist?
The salary of a receptionist depends on the organization they work for. When you work for a big company, you perform complex tasks or additional duties that warrant a higher salary. Besides, large companies have more resources and can afford to pay higher salaries. Small businesses may not have the resources to pay competitive salaries.
Working in large cities also increases your earning potential. The high demand for receptionists and the increased cost of living results in higher salaries. Improving your skills and educational qualifications also influences your earnings. For instance, receptionists with a few years of work experience take home higher salaries than entry-level receptionists.
Would you like to know what a receptionist earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a receptionist? Then download our Randstad salary guide and find out all about the salary of a receptionist in Canada.
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access our tooltypes of receptionists
While receptionists are not divided into strict categories, there are various types of positions in this field. Some of the common receptionist jobs include:
- front desk receptionist: your job is to monitor the front desk and direct visitors entering the office to their appointments. You also ensure the reception area is tidy, and you can add decorative touches to make it more welcoming.
- corporate receptionist: your job is to assist executive assistants with repetitive tasks, such as screening calls or handling mail. You also write staff memos for the executives and summarise reports from various departments.
- HR receptionist: in a company with a dedicated HR department, you sit at the entrance of the department offices. You also perform various administrative tasks, including the tracking of holidays or sick leave days, filing paperwork for new starters and planning travel itineraries for employees.
working as a receptionist
Are you interested in becoming a receptionist? Check out the duties and responsibilities of receptionists.
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what does a receptionist do?
As a receptionist, your main duty is to support your co-workers. This assistance can take many forms, including:
- receiving visitors: as a receptionist, you meet-and-greet visitors when they enter the business's premises. You determine their needs and help them fill out the sign-in book. You direct visitors to the correct person or offer them refreshments while they wait for their appointments.
- answering phone calls: a receptionist answers incoming calls and deals with queries made through the office line. As a receptionist, it is important to answer calls politely and speak to callers professionally. You forward calls to the appropriate employee or take messages and deliver them to the right departments.
- managing mail: your job involves preparing outgoing mail and notifying the courier to pick up the deliveries. You also receive incoming mail and distribute it to the intended recipient.
- performing clerical and financial duties: as a receptionist, you assist other employees with photocopying, filing documents or ordering office supplies. You also maintain office equipment and report malfunctions. Sometimes, you manage petty cash payments and do basic bookkeeping duties.
- receiving visitors: as a receptionist, you meet-and-greet visitors when they enter the business's premises. You determine their needs and help them fill out the sign-in book. You direct visitors to the correct person or offer them refreshments while they wait for their appointments.
- answering phone calls: a receptionist answers incoming calls and deals with queries made through the office line. As a receptionist, it is important to answer calls politely and speak to callers professionally. You forward calls to the appropriate employee or take messages and deliver them to the right departments.
- managing mail: your job involves preparing outgoing mail and notifying the courier to pick up the deliveries. You also receive incoming mail and distribute it to the intended recipient.
- performing clerical and financial duties: as a receptionist, you assist other employees with photocopying, filing documents or ordering office supplies. You also maintain office equipment and report malfunctions. Sometimes, you manage petty cash payments and do basic bookkeeping duties.
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work environment of a receptionist
Receptionists usually work indoors at a desk. Most work in a lobby or reception area, but some have a desk within an open floor-plan office. As a receptionist, you can work for public, private and charitable organizations in informal, creative or casual workplaces. You wear a uniform or casual or formal business wear, depending on the environment. Most receptionists work alongside a team of administrative assistants, but others work alone. You can work remotely and use voice calls, live chats or video calls to assist customers.
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who are your colleagues?
As a receptionist, you work in an office environment and interact with other workers from various departments. You are likely to work closely with cleaners, security guards and security officers. You also work with postal delivery workers, executive assistants and administrative assistants. Sometimes, you work in close proximity to office managers, data entry clerks and accountants.
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receptionist work schedule
Since a receptionist's main duty is interacting with customers, their schedule usually follows the same hours as the business. Most receptionists work weekdays, from around 8 am to 5 pm. However, some work a little earlier or later on weekends or nights. Most receptionist shifts last around eight hours. Depending on local work laws, a receptionist's shift includes a 30- to 60-minute lunch break. There are also part-time receptionist jobs available that offer around 15 to 30 hours a week. Some part-time receptionists work a few days a week, while others work around four to six-hours multiple times a week.
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career opportunities as a receptionist
As a receptionist, you can advance to other positions within your company. In large offices, you can be promoted to a head receptionist position. However, the common job growth opportunities come from lateral movement. As a receptionist, you'll get deeply acquainted with the business. You learn how the company runs, its customers and how various employees interact. If you are intelligent, motivated and fit well with the company culture, you will likely be promoted to work in other departments. Receptionists go on to be administration assistants, office managers, HR employees and more. This makes a receptionist job a good entry-level position in your desired field. If you do not have the education or experience to get your desired job, being a receptionist helps get you started.
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advantages of finding a job as a receptionist through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
receptionist skills and education
Some of the requirements for becoming a receptionist in Canada include:
- completion of secondary school: the minimum educational requirement for a receptionist is a high school diploma. However, you can boost your chances with courses in administration or arts and secretarial studies. Most employers provide on-the-job training to help you use the organization's computer systems.
- work experience: while a receptionist is an entry-level job, some companies require experience working in administrative roles. You can gain experience through internship opportunities, entry-level jobs and volunteer work. Aside from gaining work experience, check if you need a certification. In Quebec, being a reception clerk in the tourism industry is a regulated career, which means you require certification from the regulatory authority.
competencies and characteristics of receptionists
Some of the skills necessary for receptionists include:
- effective communication: as a receptionist, you need exceptional verbal communication skills. It is important to speak calmly and professionally to all visitors. Active listening and customer service skills also help you excel in the role.
- interpersonal skills: as a receptionist, you should be a good team player. You interact and collaborate with various employees in the office. You need people skills to help everyone with their duties.
- multitasking skills: a receptionist handles many duties, like screening calls, managing call traffic and running a busy reception area. Multitasking skills help you to prioritize and ensure that you accomplish all tasks.
- technical prowess: as a receptionist, your job involves maintaining office equipment and operating copiers, phone systems and printers. Technical skills will make your work easier and improve your performance. You also need computer skills to execute your clerical duties.
- organization skills: as a receptionist, being highly organized ensures the reception area is neat. You want to create a good impression for clients walking in, so organizing your desk is important. Planning your tasks is also useful for keeping up with deadlines and work schedules.
FAQs about receptionist jobs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a receptionist.
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what are the duties of a receptionist?
As a receptionist, you greet visitors and welcome them to the office. You help the visitors find what they need and guide them to their appointments. You also maintain calendars for appointments and sort incoming and outgoing mail. Other duties include filing and simple bookkeeping tasks, such as ordering office supplies.
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how much do receptionists get paid?
As a receptionist, you receive a median salary of $33,903 per year. The amount fluctuates depending on your experience and duties. For instance, in an entry-level position, you take home a salary of $29,250 annually. The most experienced receptionists earn up to $42,900 yearly.
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what skills should a receptionist have?
As a receptionist, you are always in contact with people, whether in person or by phone and email. You require exceptional people skills, like being friendly and approachable for in-person meetings. Communication skills help you convey information clearly. Your multitasking skills help you easily navigate the office environment and complete tasks. Organization skills are also useful for receptionists, enabling them to make good first impressions.
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are receptionists in demand in Canada?
Receptionists are in high demand since they are valuable in office administration. In Canada, 39,400 new receptionist job openings are expected between 2022 and 2031, arising from increasing demand and replacement of the retiring workforce.
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is being a receptionist a good career?
Working as a receptionist is a promising career with generous pay, according to your experience. As a receptionist, you are valuable in an office environment since you ensure clients receive the best service and keep the office running smoothly. The skills you gain working as a receptionist opens the door to many other administrative roles.
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how do I find a job as a receptionist?
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