Receptionist Resume Guide + Tips + Example
A great job as a receptionist demands a perfect receptionist resume. Not sure what that looks like? Don’t worry! We’re here to help you create one. Our guide to crafting an effective resume for a receptionist job will help you make the most of your organizational and interpersonal skills to write a professional receptionist resume.
Start by editing this sample resume for a receptionist job or explore our library of customizable resume templates to find the perfect resume template for a receptionist job.
Receptionist resume example (text version)
George Dangelo
Wilmington, NC 28405
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Summary Statement
Dedicated retail sales professional with a history of success in achieving customer satisfaction through the continuous provision of top-quality service. Dedicated and dependable relationship-builder with excellent organizational strengths and superior work ethic. Looking to bring my upbeat and energetic personality to a receptionist role.
Skills
- Customer service
- Cash handling
- Telephone skills
- Security awareness
- Microsoft Office
- Relationship building
- Multitasking
- Problem-solving
Professional Skills
Communication
- Liaised with over 60 customers daily and recommended specific products and specials, aligning with individual needs, requirements and specifications.
- Maintained customer satisfaction while handling product returns quickly and professionally.
- Answered up to 15 store calls per day to field inquiries from clients, vendors and various other callers seeking information.
Organization
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers and promote specific merchandise.
- Tracked stock using company inventory management software.
- Balanced and organized cash register by handling over $3,000 in cash, counting change and storing coupons.
Conflict Resolution
- Applied security and loss prevention training toward recognizing risks, reducing store theft by 95%.
- Answered questions about products and provided solutions for various issues.
- Worked closely with the store manager to solve problems and handle customer concerns.
Work History
August 2018 – Current
Staples Store – Wilmington, NC
Sales Associate
Education
June 2018
New Hanover High School Wilmington, NC
High School Diploma
5 essentials of a top resume for a receptionist
Contact details
Add your contact information to the top of your resume so hiring managers can contact you. As our receptionist resume sample shows, your contact information must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile and a professional website, add them last.
Personal statement
A professional summary, also known as a personal statement, is a concise, three-to-five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you offer. A receptionist resume summary must include job-relevant skills, one or two notable accomplishments and it should touch on how long you’ve been in the industry. If you are just starting out in your career, it’s better to write a resume objective for a receptionist instead.
Skills
Create a skills section for your receptionist resume so hiring managers can see if your skill set matches their needs. A resume template for a receptionist will have a separate section for your job-relevant skills in a bulleted list. As our sample receptionist resume shows, skills for a receptionist resume should include hard and soft skills, such as your communication and data entry skills.
Work history
Like our receptionist sample resume shows, your resume must include a work history section, even if this is your first professional job. In reverse-chronological order, display your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them. Include three bullet points of measurable achievements for every job you list.
Education
A resume for a receptionist must include an education section. In reverse-chronological order, show the name of the schools and the years you graduated using bullet points. If you did not attend college, list your high school information and the classes or training you’ve taken since graduating. If you come from an apprenticeship, then list it here.
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Action words for a stand-out receptionist resume
Use action words and numbers to make your descriptions compelling.
Here’s a short list of perfect action words for a receptionist resume:
- Assist
- Organize
- Collaborate
- Help
- Present
- Prepare
- Manage
- Develop
- Process
- Reconcile
- Provide
- Verify
- Support
Want more inspiration? We have more than 800 resume samples to help you write a professional receptionist resume.
Need the perfect resume for a receptionist job now? Our Resume Builder has all the tools you need to create a professional resume in minutes! We’ll help you fill in your template. Then you can make edits on the fly, download your finished resume, save it in multiple file formats and send it to your target employer. It’s that easy!
Top skills for a receptionist resume
Review the job description closely and match the required skills to the ones that fit you.
Receptionist skills for a resume might include
- Organization
- Administration
- Interpersonal skills
- Verbal communication
- Multitasking
- Customer service
- Patience
- Mental agility
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Written communication
- Microsoft Office
- Business operations
- Work ethic
- Budgeting
- Friendliness
Certifications for a receptionist resume
A certification is not required to work as a receptionist, but having at least one certificate can put you ahead of the pack. Hiring managers will be impressed with your in-depth knowledge and passion for your profession.
Certification options for receptionists include:
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Receptionist resume FAQ
1. What are the educational requirements for a job as a receptionist
Receptionists usually have degrees in business, business administration, information management or a related field. Courses in Microsoft Excel and human resources can put you ahead of the pack. Direct work experience and internships are also helpful to show on a resume for a receptionist.
2. What does a receptionist’s resume look like?
There is no standard resume template for a receptionist resume; you can use any of our templates and customize them for your desired job. A good resume for a receptionist will look like the receptionist resume example on this page. It must display the job seeker’s contact information, hard and soft skills, job history, education and certifications, if applicable. A receptionist resume might also contain sections for awards and honors if the job candidate has them to display.
3. What are some tips for creating an excellent resume for a receptionist job?
A receptionist resume will vary from person to person, but you should pay attention to these resume writing basics:
- Keep your resume short and to the point. If you have less than 10 years of experience, it should be one page long; if you have more than 10 years of experience, then it’s acceptable to have no more than two pages.
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be one inch on all sides and line space should be single or 1.5 inches.
- Only use appropriate fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
- Proofread your resume more than once before sending it to potential employers.
4. What is the best resume format for a receptionist?
The format you choose will depend on your experience and career goals. If you have some experience, try a chronological resume, focusing on your work history and accomplishments. If you have a few years of experience and want to stress your full array of skills, a combination resume format could work well, and if you’re new to the field, then a functional resume is your best bet.
5. What if I have no previous professional experience?
On your receptionist resume, highlight any past academic or extracurricular activities, skills and experience that show that you can be a good fit for the job, such as leading a class project. These activities should depict your ability to produce work professionally and efficiently. In your summary, emphasize critical intangible skills that apply to the job, such as managing a large budget or organizing an event.
Do’s and don’ts for building a receptionist resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your receptionist skills and experience.
- Use action words to make an impact on your receptionist resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target receptionist job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your receptionist resume.
- Format your receptionist resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your receptionist experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best receptionist ever.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not related to a receptionist’s job.
- Forget to proofread. A receptionist’s resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for acing a receptionist interview
Research first.
It’s vital to take the time to learn about the institution or company’s history, goals, values and people before the interview. Doing so conveys interest, passion and commitment — traits that can set you above the competition.
Practice your answers.
Practice is critical. Be sure to practice for your interview by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- How Do You Determine Priorities When Scheduling Your Time?
- When Given an Important Assignment How Do You Approach It?
- What Two or Three Things Are Most Important to You in Your Job?
And some possible behavioral questions such as:
- Describe a Time When You Had to Cope With a Stressful Scenario.
- How Would Your Boss Describe You?
- What Are Three Positive Character Traits You Don’t Have?
Write down two or three possible answers for each question, then practice answering them with a friend.
Prepare questions to ask during the interview.
After the hiring manager and potential colleagues question you, they will likely offer for you to ask them some questions. Always have at least three for each person you speak with; doing so shows that you’re interested and have been paying close attention.
Some questions you might ask for a receptionist job are:
- What is a typical day like at the office?
- Can you tell me about the challenges the last person in this role had to overcome?
- What is the work culture like?
Gather references
Have professional references ready during your interview. It comes in handy, especially if the hiring manager offers you the job on the spot. Make a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to speak highly about your receptionist skills.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your administrative career
- Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
- Clerical Assistant Cover Letter
- Data Entry Clerk Cover Letter
- Data Entry Specialist Cover Letter
- Executive Assistant Cover Letter
- Office Administrator Cover Letter
- Office Assistant Cover Letter
- Office Clerk Cover Letter
- Office Manager Cover Letter
- Personal Assistant Cover Letter
- Practice Manager Cover Letter
- President Cover Letter
- Receptionist Cover Letter
- Store Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
CV examples for the next step in your administrative career
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Receptionist Resume Example
Kellie is the content strategist for My Perfect Resume. She has more than 20 years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She has a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
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