Receptionist
Receptionists are the first point of contact for visitors to an organisation.
In this guide
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a receptionist, your tasks will depend on where you work. You could:
- greet visitors and direct them to the correct person or department
- manage people signing in and give out security passes
- answer enquiries in person, by phone and online
- manage reservations, meeting room bookings and appointments
- deal with incoming and outgoing post and deliveries
- take payments and handle invoices
Working environment
You could work in a reception area, in an office, in an NHS or private hospital or in a hotel.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With training and experience, you could become a senior receptionist, front of house supervisor or personal assistant (PA).
In a GP surgery or health centre, you could train to become a medical secretary.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- administration skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- sensitivity and understanding
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Related subjects
Most relevant
- English Language - Receptionists communicate constantly – greeting visitors, answering phone calls, responding to emails, and handling enquiries. Strong spoken and written English skills are essential for making a good first impression and passing on information clearly and professionally.
- Business - Receptionists work at the heart of an organisation's daily operations, handling appointments, invoices, payments, and administrative tasks. Understanding how businesses are structured and how office systems work helps them keep everything running smoothly.
Also relevant
- Mathematics - Receptionists often take payments, handle invoices, and manage petty cash. Being confident with basic arithmetic and financial transactions helps them process payments accurately and spot errors quickly.
- Modern Foreign Languages - Receptionists in hotels, tourist attractions, or international businesses may regularly interact with visitors who speak other languages. Being able to communicate in another language – even at a basic level – can make visitors feel welcome and help resolve enquiries more easily.
- Psychology - Receptionists deal with a wide range of people, including those who may be stressed, upset, or frustrated. Understanding how people behave and how to respond with empathy and patience helps them manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
You can take a college course before applying for work as a receptionist. Some courses relate to particular types of work, others are more general.
For example:
- salon reception (beauty and hairdressing)
- business administration (office work)
- front of house reception (hospitality and catering)
- customer service
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You could get into this job through an apprenticeship, such as:
- Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Hospitality Accommodation Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
These take around 1 year to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You could begin as an admin assistant in an organisation, for instance by doing temporary work, then apply for a permanent job as a receptionist when a vacancy becomes available.
In a hotel, you could start in housekeeping and take further training on the job.
You may be able to apply directly for receptionist jobs. It will help to have good admin and customer service skills.
Some employers will prefer you to have GCSEs and IT skills to work with computerised booking or payment systems.
Further information
You can learn more about working as a receptionist in hospitality from Caterer.com.
You can also find out about medical reception work from NHS Careers.
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