A receptionist welcomes clients and customers to a company.
Reception managers work at the front desk of a company welcoming guests and customers, making sure they know where they are going and who they are seeing. They are often the first face customers and clients visiting a company see, so a welcoming and cheerful personality is important. As the manager they are in charge of the reception area and any other receptionists.
Function
The work of a reception manager involves answering the telephone and dealing with any requests, dealing with email correspondence and writing letters and documents. It is also the role of the reception manager to keep a log of all the visitors who enter the building, noting the time they arrive and leave. In certain companies, the reception manager may also be asked to organize and distribute mail, take messages, update appointment calendars and arrange meetings. As a manager they may also supervise other receptionists within a small team.
Work Environment
A reception manager will normally be situated in the reception area where they can great customers and visitors. These are normally comfortable and well-lit settings. The work can often be repetitive and become boring and monotonous having to answer ringing telephones all day. The work environment involves meeting a variety of different people and acting as the "face" of the company, so reception managers should have good interpersonal skills and like dealing with the general public.
Qualifications
The most common academic qualification required to be a reception manager is a high school diploma. Most of the training required will occur on the job, however a reception manager should have good word processing skills, a working knowledge of spreadsheets, and good telephone manner. They may also need to supervise other receptionists meaning that leadership skills are also necessary.
Prospects
In 2008, there were 1.1 million receptionists in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The sector will grow by 15 percent up to 2018 which is faster than the national average for all jobs. The reason behind this is the need for more receptionists in growing industries such as construction, health and technical consulting.
Earnings
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for receptionists in the United States in 2008 was $11.80. The highest 10 percent earned more than $17.07 an hour, while the lowest earned less than $8.09 an hour. Industries that paid the highest wages were dentist offices, followed by the offices of physicians and employment services.
Tags: reception manager, dealing with, other receptionists, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics
