- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- administration skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- sensitivity and understanding
- customer service skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of English language
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- greeting visitors and directing them to the correct person or department
- managing the visitors book and giving out security passes
- answering enquiries in person, by phone and email
- managing a room booking system and keeping rooms tidy
- dealing with incoming and outgoing post and deliveries
- arranging appointments and updating records on databases
- taking payments and handling invoices
You could work in a reception area, in an NHS or private hospital, at a fitness centre, in an office or in a hotel.
With training and experience, you could move into a senior receptionist or personal assistant (PA) role.
In a GP surgery or health centre, you could train to become a medical secretary or a practice manager.
You can find out more about becoming a receptionist in hospitality from the Hospitality Guild.
