Receptionists are always representing an organisation since they are usually the first point of contact an outsider will have with the organisation. This week’s career memes pay cheeky tribute to these ‘front-line’ workers.
Receptionists need to be aware of what’s happening in an organisation, from which important meetings will be taking place to co-ordinating deliveries and organising travel arrangements for employees.
A receptionist will also greet visitors and direct them to where they need to go, as well as alerting staff to visitors’ arrival. He or she may also maintain a visitor logbook and issue visitor badges.
Other responsibilities includes responding to telephone calls, sorting and distributing post, maintaining a tidy reception area, ordering office supplies, and documenting and communicating actions to work teams.
A receptionist is required to be efficient, self-motivated, friendly and polite, and able to deal with difficult clients or customers. Therefore, good communication and organisational skills are key in this role, as well as a good grasp of office software.
In Ireland, a receptionist can expect to earn an average annual salary of €22,249, according to PayScale.com.
