What Are the Different Types of Receptionist Qualifications?

Being a receptionist requires a personable disposition. If someone is not outgoing and does not like people, he or she should probably not consider a job as a receptionist. A professional manner, good speaking voice and diction, business savvy, and computer skills can also be important receptionist qualifications. Working as a receptionist can offer a ground-floor opportunity to learn about a business and make career connections.

A people-friendly personality is an important receptionist qualification, because the position involves a great deal of interaction. The receptionist is often the first face and voice a customer or other member of the public encounters in an organization. For this reason, a good receptionist is an important member of an organization. An outgoing manner and the ability to stay calm and even-toned when pulled in multiple directions are important receptionist qualifications.

Professional communication abilities and a pleasant speaking voice are paramount as receptionist qualifications. Although the job of receptionist can be an entry-level position, it does require some business communication know-how. Careful observation of how other people in the organization communicate can often be helpful to a receptionist.

A receptionist is usually the go-to person for questions from the public, current or potential customers, and other employees; therefore, knowledge about the workings of an organization is an important receptionist qualification. An understanding of a company’s products and services is essential. The receptionist should also be familiar with the company’s mission statement, or purpose for existence, as well as its goals, and be able to communicate them to the public. Knowledge of operations and the roles of various employees is important too.

Administrative responsibilities often go hand-in-hand with a receptionist job. Good typing skills and proficiency in the various software programs commonly used in business are usually necessary receptionist qualifications. In addition to work on a computer, other clerical duties that might be required of a receptionist include filing and maintaining paperwork.

A receptionist job is often considered to be an entry-level position in many organizations, and it can be a great place to start. The position offers the opportunity to learn about different aspects of an organization, its products and services, and the various career paths available. A receptionist position can also be a great way to make career connections, because receptionists generally interact with many different people, both inside and outside of the organization.