This post presents detailed information on the job description of a senior receptionist, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.
What Does a Senior Receptionist Do?
Senior receptionists are one individuals who represent an organization in a friendly and professional way.
The senior receptionist job description entails receiving guests and welcoming them in the warmest way possible and answering telephone calls.
The major role of the senior receptionist is to ensure that the reception unit of an office runs efficiently, and that all reception duties are attended to.
He/she will be responsible for supervising the receptionist on a daily basis and ensuring that all functions are carried out in accordance with stipulated protocols and procedures.
He/she will report to the administrator or practice manager and will offer general assistance to the practice team, projecting a positive and friendly image of the organization to its visitors and the public at large, whether in person or via phone calls.
The lead receptionist also helps in facilitating effective communication between his/her agency and its customers.
He/she may sometimes undertake a variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of the organization.
Senior Receptionist Job Description Example/Sample/Template
The senior receptionist performs various duties, tasks, and responsibilities as shown in the job description example below:
- Coordinate the activities of the reception team
- Ensure that every phone call is handled in a courteous and professional manner and that all visitors are appropriately attended to
- Responsible for directing inquiries accordingly
- Ensure the safe keep of information displayed for member use and update it regularly
- Ensure the efficient processing of incoming and outgoing mails as it regards the premise
- Responsible for arranging couriers
- Liaise with suppliers to effect the ordering and distribution of items required by firm, mostly on a weekly basis
- Organize celebrations around the premise
- Ensure that the entry desk premises are kept tidy and clean at all times. Ensure the maintenance of the front office, entrance foyer, staff area, and board room
- Responsible for checking the state of stationery and equipment in the reception area and if found to be malfunctioning, the maintenance personnel should be informed to fix it
- Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and guidelines
- Ensure records are kept properly so that they can be easily retrieved for review when needed by relevant personnel
- Provide support, mostly administrative to other members of staff according to the directives of the manager
Senior Receptionist Job Description for Resume
When preparing a resume for the post of the senior receptionist, you will need the right information to complete the different sections of the resume.
For the employment history section, the sample job description given above emphasizes the functions of the senior receptionist, which can be used in completing the section.
Senior Receptionist Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success
To be considered for the position of senior receptionist in most organizations, there are certain vital skills, knowledge, and abilities employers normally expect applicants to have, which include the following:
- Effective use of English grammar, spelling, and vocabulary
- Knowledge of standard procedures and practices in an office
- Some knowledge of government operation or other complex and multi-function operations
- Ability to communicate must be fairly strong, as this will promote effective working relationships with other member of staff
- Ability to understand people that come around, with a degree of poise, and to assist them with their inquiries, and help them with the necessary information that they want
- Ability to flow well with visitors to the office, and also to maintain a cooperative relationship with other staff
- Ability to learn on the job and apply to work. This learning should include information about personnel, organization, and service improvement
- Ability to work effectively under continuing pressure and possible interruptions
- Ability to understand and keep to instructions, whether oral or written
- Ability to use the computer fairly well
- Any previous training on customer service or people management will be an added advantage
- Working in similar occupation to have gained experience on the job, which demonstrates possession of the required abilities and knowledge
- Having a chatty and cheery personality. This may sometimes feel like an unwanted or under-valued trait, but it’s something some employers want
- A smiling face: as a receptionist of any class, a smiling face is really important
- Ability to be organized and friendly. This goes just beyond the role of picking up the phone to answer to calls
Hint: Since the above skills and qualities are what employers look out for when hiring, you can also use them in making your resume, as long as you truly possess them. It makes your resume more compelling.
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Senior Receptionist Resources
To help in making you a better senior receptionist and taking your career to the top, here are useful resources you can access:
Professional Organizations
The National Association of Professional Receptionists The Association promotes the value of a professional receptionist, sSets standards for professionalism through certification, etc. | National Customer Service Association The Association equips its members with the right information and skills to be effective in customer relationships. |
Useful Blogs
Myreceptionist Provides lots of customer service and receptionist topics to help you improve your skills and knowledge. | Beyond the Reception Desk Provides resources on receptionists' training, telephone techniques, confidentiality, communication skills, and more. |
Helpful Books
The New Receptionist: An essential guide to the professional workplace This book can help you to go from receptionist to CEO. | The Receptionist Handbook A no-nonsense guide to being a receptionist that every front desk employee should read. | Medical Receptionist Handbook to Success A comprehensive guide for all front desk workers in the healthcare industry. |