receptionist job description

As a receptionist, your primary duty is to support your co-workers. This assistance can take many forms, including: receiving guests: as a receptionist, you meet and greet visitors when they enter the business premises. You determine their needs and help them complete the signing-in book. You direct the visitors to the correct person or offer them refreshments as they wait for their appointment. answering phone calls: a receptionist answers incoming calls and deals with queries on the office line. You need to answer calls politely and speak to callers professionally. You can forward the calls to the appropriate employee or take a message and deliver it to the correct department. managing mail: your job involves preparing outgoing mail and notifying the courier to pick up deliveries. You also receive incoming mail and distribute it to recipients. supporting managers and office workers: as a receptionist, you support your colleagues and managers in various tasks. For instance, you may manage meeting schedules and prepare conference rooms for meetings. 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 perform basic bookkeeping duties.

As a receptionist, you can work for public, private and charitable organisations in informal, creative or casual workplaces. Receptionists usually work indoors at a desk. Most work in a lobby or reception area or at a desk within an open-plan office. Depending on the environment, receptionists may need to wear a uniform or dress in casual or formal business wear. Most receptionists work alongside a team of administrative assistants , but others work alone. Some receptionists work remotely and use voice calls, live chat or video calls to assist customers.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include reception managers, office managers and caretakers. You might also be working in close proximity to couriers and security guards , as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, personal assistants , customer care representatives and hotel managers.

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 and at weekends or nights. Most receptionist shifts last around eight hours. Depending on local employment laws, a receptionist 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 couple of days a week while others work four to six hours multiple times a week.

As a receptionist, you'll have the opportunity to advance to other positions within your company. Your career progression depends on the industry you work for and your skills. In large offices, you can seek promotion to head receptionist. When you work in hospitality, you can progress to becoming a hotel manager, while in corporate sectors, you could be an office manager or administrator. However, typical job growth opportunities come from lateral movement. As a receptionist, you'll learn how the company runs, its customers and how various employees interact. You will gain promotions between departments if you are hard working, motivated and fit well into the company culture. Receptionists go on to be administration assistants, office managers, HR employees and more. A receptionist job is, therefore, a good entry into your desired field. If you do not have the education or experience to get your dream job, a reception is a great place to start.

advantages of finding a receptionist job through randstad

Finding your receptionist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a receptionist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

what are the typical duties of a receptionist?

As a receptionist, your primary duty is to welcome guests and help them navigate the office to find their appointments. If they have to wait for their meeting at the reception, you may provide refreshments to make them feel welcome. Another important duty as a reception is answering phone calls and maintaining appointment calendars for managers.

how much is a receptionist paid in New Zealand?

A receptionist is paid an average salary of $60,000 annually, depending on experience and skill level. The salary increases to over $65,000 annually as you gain experience and take up complex roles in the organisation. Skilled receptionists have increased salaries based on the work they complete for the company.

what qualities does a receptionist need?

To become a successful receptionist, you need exceptional communication and customer service skills. You need to communicate well with various professionals, assist customers and build good relationships with clients.

what qualifications do receptionists need?

While you don't need educational qualifications to become a receptionist, you can complete a sales or business administration course. The coursework will impart the business knowledge you need to handle complex roles in the company, like bookkeeping or using customer relationship management (CRM) software.

is working as a receptionist a stressful job?

Being a receptionist can be stressful, depending on the company you work for and the complexity of your role. A typical receptionist spends most of the day multi-tasking. That means you must think on your feet and be organised to complete all the tasks on time.

how do I apply for a receptionist vacancy?

Applying for a receptionist job is straightforward: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area.Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

Receptionist

what is a receptionist?

A receptionist is an essential employee for many types of organisations and businesses. This job is inclusive of meeting and greeting clients and centre visitors and provide exceptional customer service. You greet people who enter the building or handle phone calls and emails for the company. Although receptionists' workloads are mostly related to customer service, they often perform other administrative tasks. Some receptionists assist with setting appointments, filing records and sorting mail.

what does a receptionist do?

Your role as a receptionist can vary a lot depending on the business. Sometimes, you are responsible for cleaning and tidying a reception area or providing beverages to guests. Some receptionists also handle payments or manage bookkeeping for their employers.

When most people think of receptionists, they visualise a person working in an office building. However, you'll find this position at any workplace that needs someone to coordinate interactions between customers and employees. That may be in an office or another type of location, depending on the industry sector. For example, some receptionists work in law firms receiving new clients and showing visitors to their appointments. In hospitals, receptionists direct patients to the right treatment areas and organise their medical records. Receptionists also work in hospitality, and manufacturing.

receptionist jobs

1

average receptionist salary

The salary of a receptionist usually depends on the experience and skill level. When you are highly qualified, your starting salary will be generous even if you have minimal work experience. In New Zealand, the median remuneration package for a receptionist is $60,000 - $65,000 yearly.

Most employers pay receptionists higher hourly rates for working overtime. You can also get year-end bonuses, which increase your salary prospects. While receptionists don't receive many extra allowances, most employers cover medical insurance costs and offer a car allowance.

how to increase your salary as a receptionist

The remuneration package of a receptionist often depends on the company size. When you work for a small start-up with limited resources, they may not afford to pay a high salary. However, working for a large organisation boosts your salary prospects. The complexity of the role and the company's extensive resources increase your remuneration.

Location can also influence your salary. For instance, working in metro areas and large cities improves your remuneration due to the high demand for receptionists. In smaller towns, the cost of living and lower need for receptionists lowers the average salary for workers.

2

types of receptionists

While receptionist jobs can't be strictly categorised, there are several types of positions in this field. Some typical 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 add decorative touches to make it more welcoming.
corporate receptionist: you assist executive assistants with repetitive tasks like screening calls and handling mail. You also write memos from executives to staff and summarise reports from various departments.
hr receptionist: in a company with a dedicated HR department, you sit at the entrance of the departmental offices. You perform administrative tasks like tracking holidays and sick leave, filing paperwork for new workers and planning employee travel.

3

working as a receptionist

Working as a receptionist involves handling administrative and front-office duties. Let's explore the daily tasks and work environments of receptionists.

receptionist job description
As a receptionist, your primary duty is to support your co-workers. This assistance can take many forms, including:
- receiving guests: as a receptionist, you meet and greet visitors when they enter the business premises. You determine their needs and help them complete the signing-in book. You direct the visitors to the correct person or offer them refreshments as they wait for their appointment.
- answering phone calls: a receptionist answers incoming calls and deals with queries on the office line. You need to answer calls politely and speak to callers professionally. You can forward the calls to the appropriate employee or take a message and deliver it to the correct department.
- managing mail: your job involves preparing outgoing mail and notifying the courier to pick up deliveries. You also receive incoming mail and distribute it to recipients.
- supporting managers and office workers: as a receptionist, you support your colleagues and managers in various tasks. For instance, you may manage meeting schedules and prepare conference rooms for meetings.
- 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 perform basic bookkeeping duties.
work environment

As a receptionist, you can work for public, private and charitable organisations in informal, creative or casual workplaces. Receptionists usually work indoors at a desk. Most work in a lobby or reception area or at a desk within an open-plan office. Depending on the environment, receptionists may need to wear a uniform or dress in casual or formal business wear. Most receptionists work alongside a team of administrative assistants, but others work alone. Some receptionists work remotely and use voice calls, live chat or video calls to assist customers.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include reception managers, office managers and caretakers. You might also be working in close proximity to couriers and security guards, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, personal assistants, customer care representatives and hotel managers.
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 and at weekends or nights. Most receptionist shifts last around eight hours. Depending on local employment laws, a receptionist 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 couple of days a week while others work four to six hours multiple times a week.
job outlook

As a receptionist, you'll have the opportunity to advance to other positions within your company. Your career progression depends on the industry you work for and your skills. In large offices, you can seek promotion to head receptionist. When you work in hospitality, you can progress to becoming a hotel manager, while in corporate sectors, you could be an office manager or administrator. However, typical job growth opportunities come from lateral movement. As a receptionist, you'll learn how the company runs, its customers and how various employees interact. You will gain promotions between departments if you are hard working, motivated and fit well into the company culture. Receptionists go on to be administration assistants, office managers, HR employees and more. A receptionist job is, therefore, a good entry into your desired field. If you do not have the education or experience to get your dream job, a reception is a great place to start.
advantages of finding a receptionist job through randstad
Finding your receptionist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a receptionist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

4

education and skills

Most employers don't have specific educational requirements for receptionists. You can join the profession with a secondary education. You only need basic office and administrative skills, such as one year of experience in an administrative role. Most employers provide on-the-job training to equip receptionists with skills for managing office computer systems.

receptionist skills and competencies

Some of the qualities and soft skills of a receptionist include:

time management skills: as a receptionist, you must be good at setting priorities and meeting deadlines to ensure the organisation's functions are completed on time. You will become a valued member if you expedite your work and complete tasks before deadlines.
detail-oriented skills: as a receptionist, you must pay attention to details when performing tasks. For instance, if you are preparing important documents, ensure you proofread your work to avoid errors.
multi-tasking skills: most of a receptionist's work involves assisting managers in completing their tasks. That requires you to juggle numerous duties. For instance, you will also need to greet walk-in visitors and escort them to specific destinations. Further, you will also complete tasks such as copying, filing and maintaining documents and records for the business.
customer service skills: as a receptionist, you welcome customers and answer phone calls, so you constantly interact with people. You need to understand their needs and respond positively.

5

FAQs about working as a receptionist

Here are the most asked questions about working as a receptionist:

what are the typical duties of a receptionist?

As a receptionist, your primary duty is to welcome guests and help them navigate the office to find their appointments. If they have to wait for their meeting at the reception, you may provide refreshments to make them feel welcome. Another important duty as a reception is answering phone calls and maintaining appointment calendars for managers.
how much is a receptionist paid in New Zealand?

A receptionist is paid an average salary of $60,000 annually, depending on experience and skill level. The salary increases to over $65,000 annually as you gain experience and take up complex roles in the organisation. Skilled receptionists have increased salaries based on the work they complete for the company.
what qualities does a receptionist need?

To become a successful receptionist, you need exceptional communication and customer service skills. You need to communicate well with various professionals, assist customers and build good relationships with clients.
what qualifications do receptionists need?

While you don't need educational qualifications to become a receptionist, you can complete a sales or business administration course. The coursework will impart the business knowledge you need to handle complex roles in the company, like bookkeeping or using customer relationship management (CRM) software.
is working as a receptionist a stressful job?

Being a receptionist can be stressful, depending on the company you work for and the complexity of your role. A typical receptionist spends most of the day multi-tasking. That means you must think on your feet and be organised to complete all the tasks on time.
how do I apply for a receptionist vacancy?

Applying for a receptionist job is straightforward: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area.Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

receptionist.