What Do Receptionists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Receptionists answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization. They also operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.

Other tasks include:

• Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
• Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
• Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
• File and maintain records.
• Receive payment and record receipts for services.
• Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents.

We asked Receptionists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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65% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 54% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Receptionists operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments. They collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.

A typical day for a Receptionist and Information Clerk will also include:

• Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
• Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
• Receive payment and record receipts for services.
• Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
• Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.

We asked some Receptionists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	94% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	65% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	91% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	78% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	66% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Receptionists also hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public. They may also calculate and quote rates for tours, stocks, insurance policies, or other products or services.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Receptionists Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents. They might also Process and prepare memos, correspondence, travel vouchers, or other documents.

In addition, they Take orders for merchandise or materials and send them to the proper departments to be filled.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Perform duties, such as taking care of plants or straightening magazines to maintain lobby or reception area.

To some Receptionists, it is also their responsibility to Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Receptionist and Information Clerk, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/office-and-administrative-support/receptionists.htm

http://www.asaporg.com/

http://www.theaeap.com/

http://www.iaap-hq.org/