Back to Career Guides

How to become a Receptionist

933

Receptionist jobs

1,577

Receptionist courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Receptionist

Junior Receptionist

| Up to £18,000

Receptionist

| Up to £22,000

Office Manager

| Up to £30,000

The role of a Receptionist

What does a Receptionist do?

Looking put your admin and organisational skills to good use? You should be a Receptionist…

Receptionists offer administrative support to companies of all sizes, helping to ensure everything in the organisation runs smoothly and efficiently.

They could work in a variety of different settings, ranging from big office buildings and corporate events, through to schools, hospitals and hotels. However, no matter where they find themselves working, Receptionists are ambassadors for their business – and they should always aim to positively reflect the brand values at all times.

Typical duties for a Receptionist could include:

Welcoming and directing new visitors
Answering telephone and email enquiries
Passing phone calls and mail on to the relevant people
Booking meetings and maintaining meeting rooms
Issuing security passes
General admin and bookkeeping tasks

Is a career as a Receptionist right for me?

To become a Receptionist, you’ll need excellent interpersonal skills, being able to communicate confidently and professionally with any new visitors that come in.

In fact, as the first point of contact for clients, how you come across could greatly impact how your business is perceived. And, aside from giving off the right impression, good Receptionists help make their companies – and staff – more efficient in the work that they do.

Other key skills for a Receptionist could include:

Positivity
A professional appearance
Excellent organisation skills
Attention to detail
IT, admin and written communication skills
The ability to work well under pressure

What's it like to be a Receptionist?

"When I left school, I wasn’t really too sure what I wanted to do. I just knew I didn’t really want to work in retail, and the office environment has always appealed to me. Becoming a Receptionist turned out to be the perfect career move. I love meeting new people every day, and helping people out. And I get to put my organisational skills to good use, in a professional setting – which I certainly didn’t get when I worked in retail. I’m hoping to become a PA once I’ve built up enough experience – and I love that there’s real progression."

Get qualified as a Receptionist

While formal qualifications are not always necessary to become a Receptionist, excellent communication, organisational, and customer service skills, along with basic IT proficiency (particularly with office software like Microsoft Office), is essential. Previous experience in administrative or clerical roles can also be beneficial, especially if it involves similar tasks like answering phones and managing appointments.

Recommended Receptionist courses

Office Skills & Administration (Office Management) Training for Receptionist & PA

Essential Safety Training

10-in-1 CPD Accredited | Last Updated 2025 | PDF Certificate | 24/7 Tutor Support, Lifetime Access |Money-Back Guarantee
- Compare
- Online
- 13.6 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 10 CPD points
- Tutor support
Bestseller in Medical receptionist

Viewed 7 times in the last 24 hours

See more See less

★★★ 1,500+ Positive Reviews from Students! ★★★ Join thousands of professionals who trust Essential Career Training for industry-leading professional development courses. Black Friday Special: Comprehensive 9-in-1 Professional Receptionist Training Bundle Updated: 1st November 202 …
Save 16%

£21 £25
Office Administration & Receptionist Skills Training - Level 3 Diploma

High Skills Training

Spring Sale | Updated: 2025| Includes Free Microsoft Office Training | PDF Certificate | Expert tutor support
- Compare
- 24 students
- Online
- 18.3 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 30 CPD points
- Tutor support
See more See less

★★ 1500+ Positive Reviews from Learners! ★★ This CPD-Accredited Office Administration & Receptionist Skills Training - Level 3 Diploma is designed to provide you with all the essential skills to excel in office administration and receptionist roles. It prepares you for a su …
Save 67%

£45 £139