Nature of the Work:
Receptionists greet customers and other visitors, determine their needs, and refer callers to the person who can help them. They also answer questions from the public. Their day-to-day duties vary a great deal, depending on where they work. Those in hospitals and doctors' offices, for example, may obtain personal and financial information and then direct patients to the proper waiting rooms. In beauty shops, they arrange appointments and may show customers to the operator's booth. In factories or large business firms and government offices, they provide identification cards and arrange for escorts to lake callers to the proper office. Those working for bus and train companies respond to inquiries about departures, arrivals, stops, and related matters.
Many receptionists keep records of callers, the times at which they called, and the persons to whom they were referred. When they are not busy with callers, they may perform clerical duties, such as typing or filing. Some open and sort mail and collect and distribute messages. Still others prepare travel vouchers and do simple bookkeeping.
Receptionists, particularly those in large cities, frequently perform a security function, seeing who belongs in a given place and who does not. They also may be expected to monitor the attendance of other employees and report this to management
Increasingly, receptionists use automated office equipment such as word processors or personal computers in the course of their work. While this equipment allows them to handle more messages, for example, it does not alter the basic content of their job, human contact and interaction.
Working Conditions:
For the most part, working conditions for receptionists are the same as those for other office employees in the same company. Those on a full-time schedule usually work a standard 40-hour week. Nevertheless, a few work part-time. In addition, a significant number of receptionists work as temporaries.
Employment:
More than one-third of all receptionists' jobs were located in health facilities: Doctors' and dentists' offices, hospitals, nursing homes, urgent care centers, surge centers, clinics, and so forth. Factories, wholesale and retail stores, government agencies, real estate offices, and firms providing business and personal services also employed large numbers of receptionists. More opportunities for flexible working arrangements exist for receptionists than for other information clerks.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Many receptionist jobs are entry level and do not require office or business experience. Employers usually require a high school diploma, and some require typing, word processing, and other general office skills. In addition, basic computer skills are becoming increasingly important.
Training for this occupation is widely available. Business education programs are offered in high schools, community and junior colleges, and postsecondary vocational schools. Courses in keyboarding, micro-computer applications, and office practices are particularly helpful. Receptionists usually work with others. Therefore, they should be cooperative and able to work as part of a team.
Some receptionists, particularly those who exhibit strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills are promoted to supervisory positions. Others move into different clerical jobs, such as typist or secretary. Advancement to professional occupations usually requires more formal education, such as a college degree.
Job Outlook:
Employment of receptionists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year. Employment is expected to grow more rapidly than employment of clerical workers in general. This is largely because so many receptionists work for firms providing business and professional services, sectors of the economy that are expected to continue to show strong growth, particularly doctors' and dentists offices, law firms, temporary help agencies, and consulting firms. In addition, more and more firms are recognizing the importance of these workers in promoting good public relations.
Job opportunities should be very plentiful. In addition to rapid employment growth, turnover is high. Each year, a great many receptionists transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force to tend to household responsibilities, return to school, or retire. Since the work of receptionists is of a person-to-person nature, it is unlikely to be affected by office automation. In addition, because establishments need their services even during economic downturns, receptionists usually are not subject to layoffs during recessions.
Many receptionists also perform secretarial duties, and persons with good typing, stenographic, and other skills should have the best job prospects.
Related Occupations
Other workers who perform a variety of clerical tasks to keep offices functioning smoothly include office helpers, messengers, mail clerks, file clerks, and real estate clerks.
