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How Do I Become a Night Receptionist?

Angela Farrer
Angela Farrer

You can become a night receptionist by specifying your availability along with your other qualifications when applying for this kind of office support position. A night receptionist usually begins work after normal business hours and may go home just as the day shift employees begin arriving to work the next morning. It usually helps to have previous experience with some of these job duties such as telephone answering and keeping the company's waiting area presentable as needed. Depending on your geographic location, you may find a somewhat smaller number of night versus day receptionist job openings. In this situation, utilizing local job placement agencies is often helpful in your quest to become a night receptionist.

Common job openings for night receptionists can be found in hotels, 24-hour health clinics, or hospitals. You will normally need to have completed high school as a minimum qualification for one of these positions. Depending on different employers, additional education and experience in these fields usually increases your chances to become a night receptionist. Skills such as filing, data entry, and customer service are often preferred. Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, and database computer software is also a plus.

Hotel night receptionists often serve road-weary travelers.
Hotel night receptionists often serve road-weary travelers.

If you want to become a night receptionist in the hospitality field, any previous customer service experience is generally an important point to highlight on your resume. Primary job duties usually include checking guests in and out, processing payments, and addressing common questions. While working the front desk at night may sometimes be slower-paced in some locations, good receptionists are often skilled at dealing with various personalities and at solving problems quickly.

A nighttime medical receptionist may be responsible for assessing a patient's symptoms and deciding if s/he needs immediate medical care.
A nighttime medical receptionist may be responsible for assessing a patient's symptoms and deciding if s/he needs immediate medical care.

A basic background in healthcare front desk support is often required to become a night receptionist at a hospital or clinic. Many of these jobs prefer applicants who have completed a certificate or degree in medical assisting or a related vocational field. Some of the most common job responsibilities entail processing patients for emergency care, updating records, and processing various health insurance forms.

Local employment agencies are frequently good places to start when searching for night receptionist job openings. You will typically need to submit a current resume and arrange an interview with a recruiter who will assess your relevant skills and qualifications. The recruiter will then match your skills and availability with any open receptionist positions in the agency's database. Some of these reception jobs may require a second interview with the actual employer as well.

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    • Hotel night receptionists often serve road-weary travelers.
      By: David Gilder
      Hotel night receptionists often serve road-weary travelers.
    • A nighttime medical receptionist may be responsible for assessing a patient's symptoms and deciding if s/he needs immediate medical care.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      A nighttime medical receptionist may be responsible for assessing a patient's symptoms and deciding if s/he needs immediate medical care.