Clerical workers known as receptionists man the front desk of offices. Learning certain skills, putting together a strong résumé, and passing an interview are all requirements for becoming a receptionist.
By concentrating on important abilities and tactics, you can improve your hiring efforts and increase your chances of landing a position. In this post, we discuss where receptionists can find employment, how to apply for a position, and some hiring-related advice.
Where are receptionists employed?
There are many different situations and industries where receptionists can work. Receptionists can work in a variety of businesses without having specific industry knowledge because they have many transferrable skills. Examples of places where receptionists work include:
- Medical practices
- Office structures
- Executive offices of a company
- Hotels
- Libraries
- Governmental structures
- Industrial workplaces
How to get a receptionist job near you in 6 steps
1. Make each cv specific to the position.
An employer can want a cover letter in addition to your resume when you submit a job application. A cover letter serves as a formal introduction, outlining your qualifications, work history, and special skills or abilities that you may offer an employer. One of the most important first connections you can make with a potential employer is through a cover letter.
Your application will look more professional if you write a strong cover letter, which may also improve your chances of getting an interview. Typically, cover letters are one page long. Emphasize any administrative and clerical abilities you have in addition to your prior experience working as a receptionist.
Related: How To Find Bartender Jobs Near Me
2. Look into employment agencies
A receptionist without any experience might occasionally be hired by staffing businesses with temporary workers and given a brief “test” assignment to gauge performance. You must register with the organization, pass any required skill assessments, and successfully complete an interview to access these changes.
You might let the staff know that you want to obtain experience as a receptionist and are willing to take on temporary or entry-level jobs to accomplish so. If you are given short-term work, being punctual, adhering to all agency directives, and acting courteously and professionally will help you secure another assignment, enhancing your experience.
3. Promote your expertise on Linkedin
While previous employment may not have required receptionist duties, it is still possible to showcase abilities like open interaction, professionalism, and telephone knowledge. Going through a boss, relative, or friend can also open doors that might not otherwise be there.
If they are persistent, a strong applicant may be able to get experience through brief assignments at a temp agency, as a student worker in a high school referral program, or through a university work-study program, among several other possibilities.
You might also mention what piqued your interest in the position. Explain your professional background and how it pertains to the role, then go on to discuss why your particular abilities are a suitable fit for the position.
4. Use your experience volunteering
Even if you’ve never held a position as a receptionist, you can leverage your prior volunteer, extracurricular, and professional experiences to demonstrate skills related to that function. For instance, phone answering may be a part of assisting at a pet rescue, or perhaps you’ve previously worked in the band office at your school.
Any involvement in student government or summer programs, particularly ones where you showed leadership, organization, and telephone skills, can be beneficial. If you don’t possess any of this expertise, volunteering at a cause that interests you or taking a job as an intern can help you get started.
5. Check the school employment office.
A school will frequently give a chance to a receptionist with no experience if they are employing a student employee. Via a collaboration or recruiting program, a high school may provide chances for part-time, entry-level jobs in the community, and the majority of universities employ a significant number of undergraduates for work-study and undergraduate employment positions.
While making hiring judgments, school departments may be more inclined to accept applicants with little to no experience, giving priority to applicants’ volunteer work, class schedules, and interpersonal skills. These possibilities often involve applying through the office for student employment, and the number of hours available may be constrained by funds and policy.
6. Engage in professional networking to find new employment prospects.
You can start submitting proposals and accepting interviews if you have a CV, cover letter, and professional appearance. You can seek roles that you would not find on job boards by using your strong relationship to identify new employment prospects.
Also, you might approach a member of your network for a reference, which may improve your chances of landing a job. Consider asking about any open receptionist roles with the people in your network. Professional networking websites are a fantastic way to connect with more people and discover new prospects.