What Does a Front Desk Receptionist Do?
A front desk receptionist is normally the first contact a customer encounters at a company. He is commonly not only the person who greets visitors as they arrive at the location, but also provides the first voice people hear on the phone when they make contact by telephone. His demeanor is often considered the most important impression a client or customer observes, as it is often a lasting one. A front desk receptionist can normally be found working at any type of company in which there is a greeting or welcoming area through which visitors pass.
A person in this position is normally expected to perform a wide variety of tasks besides greeting people. He is generally expected to handle written correspondence, schedule appointments, compile reports and keep the office neat and smoothly running. If the company has multiple employees, the front desk receptionist may be required to discreetly maintain personal files on them regarding attendance and performance reviews.
Good knowledge of computer and telecommunications systems is normally required for this position. Maintaining contact with employees, clients, customers and vendors is a common part of the receptionist’s job and being able to e-mail and text contacts is an important skill. Researching service providers and contractors via the Internet is also generally part of his job description. Web video conferencing skills are also a plus for a person in this position.
If there is no secretary or administrative assistant on staff, the front desk receptionist is typically expected to perform light bookkeeping, maintain files and records and distribute mail. He may also be required to generate reports and spreadsheets on the computer. Preparing letters and parcels for shipping is an ordinary part of his job description, as is developing good relationships with a variety of shipping and courier services.
In factory or manufacturing environments, the receptionist is frequently the person who leads visitors on tours. He may log them in and provide them with identification or security clearance badges. If the tour requires a narrative to describe the operations or history of the company, the front desk receptionist typically provides it.
Besides being friendly and engaging, a successful front desk receptionist is traditionally highly organized. He is also normally proficient in multitasking and able to effectively prioritize projects. Good problem solving skills are an asset for this job.
Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent to apply for this job. Any coursework at a technical institute or community college related to office practices or computer operations is preferred. On-the-job training is typically provided for this position as well.
Written by Cassie L. Damewood
