Receptionist

Typical Salary

£12,000 To £21,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Receptionist

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

College / University

Getting a college qualification may be helpful. Courses are widely available and include:

Level 1 Award in Salon Reception Duties (beauty and hairdressing)
Level 1 Certificate in Business and Administration (office administration)
Level 2 Certificate in Front of House Reception (hospitality and catering)
Level 2 Diploma in Reception Operation and Services (hospitality and catering)

2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a hospitality team member intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could start as an admin assistant in an organisation, for example by doing temporary work, then apply for a permanent job as a receptionist when a vacancy becomes available.

You may not need any formal qualifications to apply directly for work as a receptionist.

Some employers will prefer you to have a good general education, with GCSEs and IT skills.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
administration skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
sensitivity and understanding
customer service skills
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

greeting visitors and directing them to the correct person or department
managing the visitors book and giving out security passes
answering enquiries in person, by phone and email
managing a room booking system and keeping rooms tidy
dealing with incoming and outgoing post and deliveries
arranging appointments and updating records on databases
taking payments and handling invoices

Working Environment

You could work in a reception area, in an NHS or private hospital, at a fitness centre, in an office or in a hotel.

Career Path & Progression

With training and experience, you could move into a senior receptionist or personal assistant (PA) role.

In a GP surgery or health centre, you could train to become a medical secretary or a practice manager.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering is highly valued if you want to apply for receptionist jobs.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a receptionist in hospitality from the Hospitality Guild.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.