Let’s be honest, receptionists sometimes don’t get the credit they’re due. Oftentimes, they’re the face of your business or the first impression customers and clients experience. Take a second and think about all the value your business would gain if you had the right person for that job. But, how do you create a receptionist job description that attracts the right fit you’re looking for?

Just like any other position at your company, there is an art to writing a front office receptionist description. In essence, it’s all about creating a job posting that is up front about the requirements, while communicating the personality of your business. In this article, we’ll walk you through what to include in a receptionist job description. Good help doesn’t have to be hard to find!

Time to Define the Job

The first step to creating the best job description is defining the role. After all, the responsibilities of a receptionist can vary based on the nature of your business. For example, if you work in a sales office, your receptionist will probably be in charge of booking appointments. This type of receptionist job would require higher technical ability than others.

Since not all receptionists share the primary responsibilities, start by getting together with the hiring team. Write down the most important traits your ideal receptionist would have. Some of the key attributes for any receptionist include:

• High interpersonal communication skills
• Professionalism
• Multitasking ability
• Organized
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Ability to build rapport with people

The Art of the First Impression

No matter the responsibilities of a receptionist, one thing stays constant. They are the first impression for your business, and we don’t have to tell you how important that is. Your receptionist job description should include the ability to maintain composure and provide a positive and welcoming first impression.

With any job dealing with people, there will come a time when frustration builds. The best receptionists are able to acknowledge those feelings and not let it impact their work performance. Keeping a smile or positive outlook helps ensure any visitor will feel a warm welcome.

And no warm welcome is complete without a personal connection. Your receptionist should be approachable and able to connect with a variety of people. You want every visitor to start their experience with your business on good note.

Dealing with Ambiguity

It may not seem like it, but every day is a new challenge for receptionists. That’s why your front office receptionist job description needs to include the ability to deal with ambiguity. When the unexpected strikes, you want the peace of mind knowing that your receptionist has it handled.

An easy way to test this requirement is to have situations ready for interviews. Present them with a hypothetical work situation and see how they respond.

Elements to Include that Minimize Turnover

To close out, we’d like to give you a few essential elements you should include to make sure you find the right fit. When you write your receptionist job description, be sure to include:

• Fair Compensation: Do research in your area and offer the going rate for similar positions.
• A Company Summary: Include a brief summary of your company culture. This way applicants can get an idea of what work will be like at your business.
• Experience Level: Be up front and honest about the level of experience you want.

Good Help Doesn’t Have to Be Hard to Find

Arizona Labor Force is a professional employee staffing agency that specializes in giving you access to top talent. Our team will work closely with your business to find the best employees. If you’re looking to fill a position, contact us today and discover how much easier the hiring process can be.