To get a call back for an interview, check out My Perfect Resume’s receptionist resume samples and writing tips. Use the best resume samples (we’ve found) below to consider the right skills and accomplishments to include in your own professional document. If you need a little more help, use our resume builder tool to get step-by-step instructions to complete every section.
A receptionist must be able to stay on task and interact positively with people throughout the day. Use our resume builder feature to help arrange your document in a way that most effectively demonstrates these skills.
CREATE MY RESUMEA receptionist uses software for a variety of functions while also being the first interaction people have when calling or entering the office. Therefore, give equal emphasis to your computer and interpersonal skills when crafting your resume.
More Resume Samples
Administration Assistant
Tell employers all about your ability to schedule meetings, collaborate with the team as needed, and interface with clients and visitors.
Office Assistant
Your office assistant resume should feature diverse skills and experience. Describe how you keep the office running smoothly, from ordering toilet paper to assisting various teams.
Office Manager
An office manager should have great people skills and the ability to multitask. Check out our resume samples to see what else you need to thrive in the position.
Legal Receptionist
Present yourself as the ambitious legal receptionist you are. Prove that you are well-versed in the law and can reference landmark court cases easily.
Data Entry Clerk
Emphasize your precision and mathematical talents to impress hiring managers. Your data entry clerk resume is your ticket to a great interview.
Store Administrative Assistant
Store administrative assistants perform crucial duties. Make it clear that you can manage calls, clients, and employees in your resume.
Skills for Your Receptionist Resume
Add skills to your resume that demonstrate your abilities. Include a mixture from the job description as well as original ones. Our receptionist resume sample has a variety of relevant suggestions. You may want to use words and phrases such as:
- Excellent Communication
- Attention to Detail
- Organization
- Multitasking
- Phone Skills
- Typing
- Microsoft Office Expertise
- Interpersonal Acumen
- Leadership
- Time Management
- Active Listening
- High School Diploma/GED
- Computer Aptitude
- Customer Service
- Bilingual
Certifications to Include in Your Receptionist Resume
To prove that you’re qualified, you can get a Certified Administrative Professional certification. The International Association of Administrative Professionals issues this to receptionists looking to confirm their skills. Similarly, a Microsoft Office Specialist certification shows your expertise in Microsoft programs such as Word or Excel.
Your certifications should appear with your education credentials. Typically, they’re found near the bottom of a resume. Our receptionist resume sample can provide writing and formatting tips to make your certifications pop from the page. Well-written certifications can help you stand out as a candidate. They’re an excellent way to show off your skillset to an employer.
Keep in mind that certifications are not the same thing as certificates. Certifications reflect aptitude in a specific industry. You earn certificates after completing a series of courses from an educational institution. It may take time to get a certification, but it is almost always worth it as a way to progress in your career.
Receptionist Resume Questions
- How do you write the qualifications section of a receptionist resume?
- How do you write the header of a receptionist resume?
- How should you present software knowledge on a receptionist resume?
- What are the duties and responsibilities of a receptionist?
- What skills should you put on a receptionist resume?
- How do you make a receptionist resume with no experience?
How do you write the qualifications section of a receptionist resume?
As a receptionist, you need to be able to give an excellent first impression. Your resume’s qualifications section, found just below your contact information, may be just the thing that lands you an interview. That means it needs to accomplish the task of showing why you’re the perfect fit not only for an open position, but also for the company offering that position and its culture.
Take a look at our receptionist resume sample and you’ll see we’ve done away with the old objective statement and swapped it for a summary of qualifications. Employers know you’re looking for a job, so there’s no need for you to start your application off by saying you’re seeking employment. Instead, use this area to summarize your professional background and the level of experience you bring to the table. Towards the end of your summary, touch on hard and soft skills you have that relate to the position.
It’s best to keep this section to no more than three short sentences. This gives companies a general idea of who you are and invites them to ask further questions in an interview. If you can, feature qualities that closely match what the employer is looking for, as stated in the job listing.
How do you write the header of a receptionist resume?
Your resume’s header is a type of handshake between you and potential employers. To make the best impression, your name should be larger than all other text on your resume. Use the same font as you do the rest of the document, and feel free to put your name in bold type.
With regards to font selection, take a look at what we have on the receptionist resume sample. Rather than something dated such as Times New Roman or overly casual like Comic Sans, you instead want to stick to a more professional and modern selection.
Below your name, be sure to add a professional email address (preferably one with your first and last name) and your cell phone number. Know that you are neither expected nor required to add your home address to your resume header. However, you may want to include your city and state to let hiring managers know where you are.
How should you present software knowledge on a receptionist resume?
Employers expect applicants for receptionist positions to have some knowledge of computer software, such as Google Suite and Envoy. Before giving hiring managers a full rundown of all the technical proficiencies you possess, look to the job listing for guidance.
If it mentions specific software expertise that you have, be sure to list it near the top of your skills section. That way, potential employers know right off the bat that you possess the necessary knowledge. Then, include the technical experience you feel is the most necessary for a receptionist position or the specific company you wish to work for.
One additional note about your computer skills: Use bullet lists. Bullets look great on the page and are quick and easy for hiring managers to read. In the skills list in particular, whittle each line down to as few words as possible, and know that complete sentences aren’t always necessary. Look to our resume sample for how to best lay out software knowledge on your own document and integrate it into not only the skills section, but into the work history area as well.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a receptionist?
If you have a lot of experience as a receptionist, you may already have a solid idea of the duties and responsibilities common to the role. You should also look to the job listing for the position you’re applying for to get a more targeted rundown of the expectations you’ll have to fulfill if hired.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a typical rundown of responsibilities and duties for receptionists including:
- Handle incoming and outgoing physical and electronic mail
- Answer phone calls and either forward them or take a message
- Schedule and confirm appointments while keeping calendars updated
- Maintain, file, and copy digital and physical documents
- Greet and welcome guests, clients, and visitors
- Enter data into the company computer system
What skills should you put on a receptionist resume?
Receptionists need to have both hard and soft skills, but you may wonder what specifics to include on your resume. Reviewing the job posting, and think about what skills will allow you to better perform your duties and responsibilities. For example, if the job involves a lot of typing or computer use, touch on how many words per minute you can type. If there’s a lot of equipment you’ll use on a day-to-day basis, you can mention what type of copiers, multi-line phone systems, and electronic devices you’re familiar with.
Don’t be afraid to add specific skills from the job description. Hiring managers look for these abilities and often prioritize resumes that have them explicitly stated.
How do you make a receptionist resume with no experience?
Not to worry if you’re applying for your first receptionist job. Rather than focus on experience you don’t have, put the spotlight on useful and transferable skills and achievements. For instance, if you’re an excellent communicator, manage your time well, or are great with people, focus on these qualities. Employers are likely to find such abilities useful in a receptionist.
Possessing a degree or having completed college courses could also set you up for success. Don’t skimp on the education section of an entry-level resume, and bear in mind that many employers look for enthusiastic talent and fresh ideas.
Receptionist Job Search: Next Steps
Congratulations! You wrote a fantastic resume with the help of our receptionist resume sample, performed well in an interview, and received an offer. Here are our tips for negotiating salary.
7 Quick Tips for Negotiating Your New Salary
Did you receive an offer for the job you want but feel the pay is insufficient? Negotiate a better salary with these tips so you can be genuinely excited about the opportunity.
- Have Confidence A hiring manager will notice if you walk into the room slouched and looking at the ground. Make sure you show confidence in yourself from the very beginning of the negotiation process. Look the employer in the eye, give a firm handshake, and maintain an upright, relaxed posture as you discuss salary. Speak as someone who knows his or her worth.
- Be Courteous Be careful not to take your confidence in yourself so far that you come across as rude. If you act too pushy or demanding, the hiring manager may perceive this as aggression. This can affect not only your negotiation for salary but also your offer for the job. Be polite and courteous while negotiating. Do not interrupt or make demands.
- Use Data Just as reviewing our receptionist resume sample simplifies the process of creating a resume, researching receptionist jobs and salaries makes your negotiation experience easier. Find out the type of pay people earn in similar professions in your area or use national statistics. Then use these numbers and facts to support your case.
- Know What Not To Say Your new employer already knows you are the best fit for the job and expects you will work hard in the position. That is why you are receiving the job offer in the first place. Therefore, it is best not to use these statements or information from your resume as reasons you deserve higher pay. Instead, emphasize the data mentioned above.
- Establish Your Pay Range Asking for too low of a salary may land you with insufficient pay. Requesting too high of a salary may risk the withdrawal of the job offer. Establish a fair pay range in your head before negotiating. Know the lowest amount you will accept as well as the highest ideal that is still realistic. This range takes the pressure off determining just one desired figure.
- Think About Benefits If the employer will not budge on salary, think about the whole package. If you are comfortable with the compromise, ask for an increase in specific benefits. You may enjoy having extra vacation days, or you may find that working from home every so often reduces the time and money spent on commuting. Also consider health coverage and how it can lower your overall expenses.
- Be Comfortable With “No” It is fine if you receive hesitation or an outright “No.” Ask questions to understand why the hiring manager responded this way. Then reiterate your strong qualifications and excitement about the position to continue the negotiation.
Conversely, be comfortable enough to say “No” yourself. If you are not actually enthusiastic about the job, and the employer will not compromise on salary, decline the offer. Something better is out there.
Time To Build Your Receptionist Resume
Getting a job requires an application that properly advertises your strengths and experience, as shown on our receptionist resume sample and in our writing tips. Now that you have a clearer idea of what goes into a standout document, it is time to write your own. If you need more help and suggestions, we also have additional tools you can use.
Our professional resume builder makes it easy to begin or refine your document by giving you recommendations at every step. Recall how important it is to feature your technological skills, such as your familiarity with data entry software and Microsoft Office. Our builder ensures that you include these skills and more by giving you job-specific advice.
Make the writing process as simple and stress-free as possible. Our sample, tips, and resume builder are here to guide you through the process and help you get your dream job in less time than you imagined.
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