Job Description for a General Receptionist
The general receptionist is the face of her company. Often, she is the first person to interact with customers by phone or in person and can therefore be a key component to the success of the business, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Purpose
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While it's important for a receptionist to make a good first impression by greeting and directing visitors, the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in 2010 that receptionists have become an increasingly important part of many organizations' security measures by controlling and monitoring visitor access to the building.
Duties
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Receptionists answer phones, take messages, screen and direct calls. They often receive, sort and direct mail and deliveries to the building. Some receptionists perform secretarial and other administrative duties, including the preparation of business correspondence and reports and maintenance of customer files or--in a medical office--patient records. They also schedule appointments. In large companies and government offices, receptionists are often in charge of making and giving out identification tags for employees and visitors.
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Requirements
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Most companies require receptionists to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Depending on the size of the organization and its demands for the position, receptionists may need to have strong typing and computer skills. Since receptionists deal directly with the public, it's important that they have strong etiquette skill and that they dress, groom and comport themselves well.
Salary
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In May 2008, the median wage for receptionists was $11.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They earned more than $17.07 an hour at the highest end and less than $8.09 at the lowest. Of the industries that employed the most receptionists, dental offices paid the best, at an average of $13.78 an hour.
Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that growth in the receptionist and information clerk fields will grow "faster than the average for all occupations." Between 2008 and 2018, it predicts this field will expand by 15 percent.
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References
- Photo Credit terminplanung image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
