Example Receptionist Job Description for 2022

a picture of a Receptionist and business professional ready for an interview

Free receptionist job description. A receptionist is a front desk professional that handles administrative tasks and office management tasks. This includes scheduling appointments, walking guests to their desired destinations, answering phones, and performing other clerical duties and essential functions of managing the front desk area.

receptionist job description

Front Desk Receptionist Job Description Sample

Job Summary

Our office complex is seeking a corporate receptionist to oversee our front desk area. A successful receptionist is someone who can answer customer questions, ensure each phone call is answered and answered, as well as handle appointment scheduling or rebooking. A receptionist may need to handle administrative duties while handling incoming calls and dealing with a new customer. The receptionist should multitask, create a warm work environment, and assist customers with ease.

Front Desk Receptionist Job Summary

Our team is looking for a people-oriented front-desk receptionist who can start projects and complete them on time. Our front desk is a vital part of our office. We're looking for someone who can greet customers, handle appointments, and make sure that our team has their needs addressed on a regular basis. The day-to-day activities and front desk receptionist duties may vary on a daily basis. Schedule meetings, arrange travel, oversee office supplies, assist the office, direct visitors, and act as our general office representative. This includes overseeing office security staff, managing vendor relationships (office expenses and managing a budget), and more.

Front Desk Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

Below are sample clerical receptionist duties and responsibilities.

  • Schedule appointments and oversee scheduled appointments.
  • Assist each customer and person with their destination in the office.
  • Oversee office supplies and inventory.
  • Perform administrative support tasks on a daily basis.
  • Provide information to customers approaching the front desk.
  • Answer inquiries from customers who approach the front desk.
  • Greet clients, customers, and other guests.
  • Take on the “no task is too small” mentality. Oversee the reception area. And answer phone calls as necessary.
  • Walk a client to their final destination from the front desk to their appointment. Handle incoming and outgoing mail. Answer each visitor.
  • Communicate with the employee who has arriving guests.
  • Assist with administrative and clerical tasks as assigned.
  • Make sure the front desk welcomes guests positively.
  • Other clerical receptionist duties include assisting with the office staff, streamlining office operations, forward incoming phone calls, and other ad-hoc administrative duties.

Medical Front Desk Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assist with redirecting phone calls.
  • Use Microsoft Office applications to plan weekly schedules.
  • Direct patients to the appropriate person and doctor.
  • Ensure patients leave the office in a timely manner.
  • Oversee all front office supplies.

Veterinary Front Desk Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

  • Practice and professional attitude and appearance.
  • Solid written and verbal communication skills should be practiced to customers at all times.
  • Oversee all front desk activities.
  • Handle safety procedures and other clerical tasks like distributing mail.
  • Be able to handle multiple tasks while assisting customers and their pets.

Hotel Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

  • Act as our front desk representative, assisting our guests.
  • Make sure guests are checked in with a timely and effective manner.
  • Direct visitors to the correct person and office.
  • Answer, screen, and assist guest questions.
  • Play a customer service role when guests have questions about the hotel.

Dental Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

  • Be the conductor of a positive attitude and our office environment.
  • Ensure we follow all OSHA and HIPPA requirements.
  • Coordinate front desk activities.
  • Be sure our staff is following all safety procedures via the reception desk.
  • Practice excellent organizational skills and oversee patient files.
  • Double check for accurate information in-person when the patients arrive.

Spa Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

  • Greet guests with a strong, professional manner.
  • Ensure that rooms are clean and ready for spa experiences.
  • Practice good time management skills when answering phones and assisting customers at the same time.
  • Come to work with a professional appearance.
  • Be offering administrative support to other staff.

Front Desk Receptionist Requirements

Qualified candidates should have the following. Job requirements for a receptionist are:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Previous experience as a medical receptionist, front desk receptionist, or other receptionist position preferred.
  • Strong verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to be adaptable in the workplace.
  • Previous experience collaboration with staff preferred.
  • Keen interpersonal skills, communication skills, and customer service skills.
  • Willing to take responsibility for the front desk area and develop receptionist skills over time.
  • Attention to detail.

Front Desk Receptionist Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a receptionist earns $14.45 per hour, on average. Equalling $30,050 per year, on average.

Front Desk Receptionist Skills

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top candidate in the receptionist position have the following skills:

  • Communication skills. Receptionists must speak and write clearly when providing information and corresponding with customers.
  • Computer skills. Receptionists should be adept at using computers.
  • Customer-service skills. Receptionists represent the organization, so they should be courteous, professional, and helpful to customers and the public.
  • Integrity. Receptionists may handle confidential data, especially in medical and legal offices. They must be trustworthy and protect clients’ privacy.
  • Interpersonal skills. Receptionists should be comfortable interacting with people in different types of situations.
  • Organizational skills. Receptionists take messages, schedule appointments, and maintain employee files. They need good organizational skills to manage their diverse responsibilities.

Additionally, Robert Half describes what attributes, qualities, and characteristics make a great receptionist. Saying, "Naturally, a receptionist should have excellent verbal communication skills. Active listening and great customer service skills also are a must. A talented receptionist can connect callers and visitors with the right employees, as well as handle basic customer service problems and requests adeptly."

Front desk receptionist hard skills

Hard skills are important for receptionists to have, as well. Confused about what soft skills and hard skills are? Indeed offers assistance in understanding the difference. Saying, "Hard skills are related to specific technical knowledge and training while soft skills are personality traits such as leadership, communication or time management. Both types of skills are necessary to perform and advance in most jobs successfully."

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Supply management software
  • Typing skills (include WPM)
  • Information management software
  • Use of office equipment (fax machines, copiers, printers, etc)
  • Multi-line phone systems (like Cisco systems)

Front Desk Receptionist Job Boards

The following job boards are "nice" job boards where a receptionist job seeker might go to find an open position. For employers, these job boards are perfect places to post a job advertisement. Starting with a "niche" job board before posting a job advertisement on national job boards like Indeed or Monster.com is advised. Often, higher caliber candidates with a greater passion for the industry and career advancement use "niche" job boards.

Top receptionist job boards

Related job descriptions

Download the free receptionist job description PDF template. And use the sample receptionist job description provided to make an efficient job posting for your company. For more information please visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


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Receptionist Job Description Template

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author: patrick algrim
About the author

Patrick Algrim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and general career expert. Patrick has completed the NACE Coaching Certification Program (CCP). And has been published as a career expert on Forbes, Glassdoor, American Express, Reader's Digest, LiveCareer, Zety, Yahoo, Recruiter.com, SparkHire, SHRM.org, Process.st, FairyGodBoss, HRCI.org, St. Edwards University, NC State University, IBTimes.com, Thrive Global, TMCnet.com, Work It Daily, Workology, Career Guide, MyPerfectResume, College Career Life, The HR Digest, WorkWise, Career Cast, Elite Staffing, Women in HR, All About Careers, Upstart HR, The Street, Monster, The Ladders, Introvert Whisperer, and many more. Find him on LinkedIn.

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