Considered an administrative position, a receptionist is the face of any organisation and usually the first point of contact when it comes to clients and customers. The job role can vary depending on the industry or company, but staff will often undertake tasks such as answering queries, directing visitors, organising appointments and general clerical / administration work. The demand for receptionists, secretaries and telephonists is always high and this has created a need for specialist recruitment agencies to source the most capable personnel for their clients.
What earnings can a Receptionist expect?
A receptionist can expect to earn a salary of between £10K-£20K per annum, however secretarial personnel working within banking or the financial services may command significantly more. The role typically consists of a standard 40 hour week although restaurant and hotel staff may have to work weekends. Receptionist candidates aiming to enter the industry may want to look at London and South East city locations as companies here tend to offer the highest pay and best job opportunities.
Qualifications and skills that employers will look for
Employers won't usually require candidates to have formal qualifications although GCSEs in Maths and English are looked upon favourably. IT skills such as word processing, creating spreadsheets, email and internet browsing are also increasingly necessary and any applications for receptionist jobs should highlight these. Further training via a Diploma or NVQ may also be required although an employer will generally inform staff about this once hired.
Recruiters will assess interpersonal skills as much as qualifications when sourcing a receptionist and candidates should be well organised, friendly and well spoken. A specialist recruitment agency will have the experience and knowledge to source professionals with the right balance of personality and skills to fill permanent, temporary and contract vacancies of a client.