Receptionist
Also known as: receiving clerk, office receptionist, front desk agent, front desk receptionist, secretary, company secretary
About this occupation
Receptionists are responsible for the reception area of a business. They answer the phone, greet guests, pass information, respond to inquiries and instruct visitors. They are the first point of contact for clients and customers.
Essential skills and knowledge
- greet guests
- disseminate messages to people
- disseminate internal communications
- customer service
- adhere to organisational guidelines
- maintain logbooks
- communicate with customers
- communicate verbal instructions
- maintain reception area
- company policies
- use microsoft office
- administer appointments
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Receptionists and Information Clerks (O*NET 43-4171.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
- Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
- Receive payment and record receipts for services.
- Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
- Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
- Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Social
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness
US median pay: US$38,010 a year (2025), 910,180 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Office Clerks, General
- Customer Service Representatives
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Patient Representatives
- Correspondence Clerks
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.