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Receptionist: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook

Submitted by: paula

Job Overview Front-line workers are very important in any business. We are more familiar with them as information clerks or receptionists. Their function is very important since they are the first person who will be helping the clients and visitors of the business. They need to create a good impression. Receptionists help in organizing schedules and transactions so that the business operates smoothly.

Education,Knowledge and Trainings Required

Office Machine Operation, Business Procedures, English, Public Speaking and Business Math are courses that will help a person be honed as a receptionist. Computer courses are important since in modern days, businesses rely on computers. Having a high school diploma will give opportunities for a person to be a receptionist although preference is given to those who took a post-high school education with courses in Principles of Accounting and Basic Bookkeeping. These courses will also give better opportunities for an applicant to receive a higher pay or even get be promoted.

Skills and Abilities

Receptionists are required to know and be adept to several clerical skills like typing. They need to be used in operating computers and switchboards. It is essential to know how to express him/herself  in a pleasant, clear voice in front of the people. As a receptionist, he/she  needs to know how to multi-task. It is very important to be courteous and friendly since she/he will be assisting business clients and visitors. Also, he/she should need to be efficient and should have a broad knowledge about the company.

Duties

Being a receptionist is not an easy job.

It involves numerous and varieties of duties. Their main duty is to help customers, clients and visitors with their needs and inquiries. It is their responsibility to answer phone calls, take messages and relay those messages to customers, managers and employees. They also make sure that no one will be allowed to enter the office, unauthorized or unescorted. Appointments are also being set by receptionists, to include the documentation of all visits, which specifies the name of the visitor, reason for their visit, the person whom the guest will visit, the date and time. Clerical duties involve filing, preparing outgoing mail, proofreading and preparing travel vouchers.They also monitor the employees like track down where they are, whenever they are assigned to work outside the office. Answering inquiries is an important duty that should be done effectively, since it will create impression on the guest or clients.

Earnings and Job Outlook

The salary and earnings of a receptionist depend on the person’s knowledge, scope of work and
the location of the business. The average salary is estimated to be $21,840 yearly. There is a high demand of receptionists, eversince business learned how valuable they are in presenting a positive image for the company. Those who have a vast knowledge with clerical skills as well as a significant professional work experience will be given better opportunities in this field.

Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.

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Word Count: 525 Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 Time: 4:26 AM


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