If you want to learn about a certain industry, be it veterinary medicine,
real estate, law, dentistry or accounting, working as a receptionist is a
good place to start. And you can start right now.
"My advice to those who don't have much experience is volunteer. Some organizations
are always looking for help and will welcome you with open arms," says Diane
Clement. She is a volunteer medical receptionist.
"It's great. You learn something new every day, skills that you will use
in any future job. The phone system, taking messages and appointments, filing,
meetings, computer database entry, greeting people, everything. And when you've
done good work, you leave knowing that you have great references to start
your career.
"If your education is not specific to a career as a receptionist, find
out if your community college offers a short course on telephone techniques,
public relations or customer service," adds Clement. Every little bit helps.
"We expect our employees to know the basics when they come to work for
us," explains Kevin Glover. He is in charge of the phone reception at a coffee
shop chain's head office.
"Then we train our new receptionists for up to three weeks to ensure they
are comfortable and their customer service skills are up to [our] standard.
In my opinion, customer service skills are the most important in a receptionist,"
he adds.
Clement agrees. "A receptionist must know how to interact with people both
face to face and on the phone. It might sound easy, but it can
sometimes be a challenge. And you can learn a lot just by watching others
communicate effectively."
Ruth Tapley is a receptionist at a ski resort. "You should hear some of
the phone calls we get," she chuckles.
The resort receives calls from all over the world. Sometimes the receptionists
have to try and figure out what language the caller is speaking. Then they
look around the office to find a translator.
"One day, a man walked into the lobby with a bowl of cereal while I was
on the phone. A camera crew was filming him eating cereal at my desk. Then
he was gone. I'm still not sure what that was about.
"It can get pretty crazy. We keep a book here at the front desk where we
write down all of our weirdest calls and experiences. Then, on quieter days,
we look through it for a good laugh."
Being a receptionist can be fun. And working for a large company has its
benefits. For example, receptionists at a ski resort live in a place surrounded
by beautiful mountains and lakes. They also enjoy complimentary ski passes.
Glover and his team have the best view in the office, overlooking the ocean.
Of course, coffee is always available at work. But they get some free coffee
to bring home as well.
Gloria Savage is a receptionist for a small real estate company. "I like
being a receptionist so much, I have been here for over 20 years. I love to
talk with people on the phone. These days, with voice mail, callers are so
grateful to hear a human voice. They like to chat and I get to know our clients
really well," she says.
"But when I get home at night, I refuse to answer the phone."
Savage adds that receptionists are the company's only chance to make a
good first impression. "And a good receptionist is hard to come by. So when
you're good at it, you get noticed."
"There is definitely room for growth," says Glover. "It's what some people
call an entry-level position.
"What I love most about the job is the interaction with people. You really
get to learn how an office works, how a large corporation functions day to
day. The president, for example, calls us all the time."
As a receptionist, you get to know people in the industry that you would
otherwise never meet.
Because receptionists often get promoted, there is always a healthy number
of new openings. "Many of the receptionists I work with are part time," says
Clement. "We have people who are still in school and getting ready for college.
They are working to improve their resume."
The options are endless. Just think of an industry or company you would
like to work with. Chances are, they need a receptionist.