Receptionists and secretaries often create the first impression people will receive of your business. This role can be called a multitude of things, including receptionist, front of house or front desk executive, but they mostly cover the same responsibilities.
If you are hoping to fill a receptionist or secretary vacancy in London, it may be worth working with a London recruitment agency to help you understand the best companies that are looking to hire. In the meantime, here are some of the top skills that employers will be looking for in a receptionist.
1. Communication
As with most jobs, communication is key in a receptionist role. Whether it is written or verbal communication, the job of a receptionist will include speaking with many different people throughout the day. One of your key roles may be answering phones, in which case your professionalism and ability to communicate clearly will be crucial.
As a receptionist or front of house representative, you may need to deal with clients and customers. It is key that you have good interpersonal skills, and have the ability to deal with any issues that arise. Being able to put people through to the right staff, understanding a situation at hand or being able to answer questions may all be a normal part of your working day.
2. Time management
A receptionist’s role can be a busy one, and you will often be in charge of organising other members of staff. This can include scheduling meetings, making appointments and arranging travel. You should be able to prioritise tasks accordingly, while managing your time efficiently.
Many front desk roles are isolated from the rest of the office, meaning you should be able to work independently and manage your day appropriately.
3. Flexibility
Most receptionist and secretarial roles require you to complete varied jobs, and means you have to be flexible and able to multitask. Being organised and efficient is key here, allowing you to complete your daily tasks without getting flustered!
Whether it’s handling a busy reception area while also answering calls and queries, or assisting other administrative staff without letting your own workload slip, your day can get incredibly busy. It’s important that you can handle it fairly effortlessly.
4. Technical knowledge
Many of today’s businesses are embracing digitisation more than ever before. Traditional processes are being replaced by technology, and devices are being upgraded and improved all the time.
In a receptionist or secretarial role, you will be required to use the likes of phone systems, printers and copiers. However, you could also need to be trained on industry-specific software or new systems that come into the business. Consider what technical skills you can bring to the role to make the transition a smoother process.
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Interesting related article: “What is Customer Service?“