Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResume

Skills

What They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesRemote JobsJob OutlookCompareFAQsPart Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobsWork From Home jobsLocationsInterview QuestionsCover Letter
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippi

Upload your resume to get started.

Receptionist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Allison White,
Allison White
Receptionist example skills

One of the most important hard skills a receptionist can possess is data entry, as receptionists play a large role in keeping track of important data. It's also important for receptionists to have the hard skill of experience scheduling appointments, making and answering phone calls, and supervising a front office or reception area.


When it comes to soft skills, receptionists should have strong customer service skills above all else. Receptionists will act as the point of contact and correspondence for whom they are assisting, so great communication skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical receptionist skills. We ranked the top skills for receptionists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 17.0% of receptionist resumes contained patients as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a receptionist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 receptionist skills for your resume and career

1. Patients

Here's how receptionists use patients:
  • Notified and supported patients with abnormal test results- scheduled follow-up testing and referrals to physicians.
  • Check insurance eligibility and assist patients in completing personal information and insurance forms.

2. Phone Calls

Phone calls are a wireless or wired connection made over a telephone or a mobile phone between two people. Two parties are involved in a phone call, the caller and the receiver. A caller dials the number of the one he wants to call, and the recipient hears a bell or a tune to which he picks up the call. The call establishes a connection between them through which they can communicate. The voice is converted into signals and is transmitted through wired or wireless technology.

Here's how receptionists use phone calls:
  • Received and directed telephone calls and relayed conversations and pertinent messages, while maintaining accuracy, clarity, and confidentiality.
  • Facilitate students, Manage phone calls and Manage university log system with student information

3. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how receptionists use customer service:
  • Greeted customers/clients, provided quality customer service by answering customer inquiries, describing package of selected massage package.
  • Functioned as primary liaison to guests to ensure a consistently positive customer service experience.

4. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how receptionists use data entry:
  • Completed general clerical duties including data entry and filing; operated office machinery.
  • Provided general administrative support involving filing, faxing, data entry and photocopying

5. Telephone Calls

Telephone calls are a communication means through which a caller is connected to the called party. The call is done through a telecommunications device called a telephone. The caller can use a landline, mobile phone, or satellite phone to make the call.

Here's how receptionists use telephone calls:
  • Directed office callers by answering telephone calls from customers; determined nature of business and directed callers to appropriate destination.
  • Created official documents for informative mailings to church officials and members while directing telephone calls to appropriate destinations.

6. Front Desk

Here's how receptionists use front desk:
  • Managed demanding front desk office, executed patient management, scheduled and maintained patient appointments.
  • Lead monthly receptionist meetings eradicating any security and front desk issues by implementing solutions.

Choose from 10+ customizable receptionist resume templates

Build a professional receptionist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your receptionist resume.

7. Appointment Scheduling

Here's how receptionists use appointment scheduling:
  • Handled weekly student appointment scheduling; entered student information into computer system, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring no overlaps.
  • Communicate with various providers and clinical team members to ensure appropriate appointment scheduling or medication renewals.

8. Office Equipment

Here's how receptionists use office equipment:
  • Keep medical office supplies adequately stocked by anticipating inventory needs, placing orders, and monitoring office equipment.
  • Routed calls, data entry, and utilizing office equipment to speed communication efficiently and effectively.

9. Word Processing

Here's how receptionists use word processing:
  • Managed a variety of responsibilities in busy office environment including: data entry, word processing accounts receivable and general office duties
  • Provided typing and or word processing services for administrative office correspondence; assisted with other business office functions.

10. Direct Calls

Direct calls are connections established with a previous customer or client, most likely a subscriber.

Here's how receptionists use direct calls:
  • Answer telephone, screen and direct calls *Take and relay messages *Greet persons entering organization *Monitor visitor access and maintain security awareness
  • Screen and direct calls; Answer and refer inquiries Direct people to correct destination Provide general and administrative and clerical support.

11. Multi-Line Phone System

Here's how receptionists use multi-line phone system:
  • Answer Multi-Line Phone Systems up to 15 lines.
  • Performed traditional administrative assistant functions such as operating a multi-line phone system, setting up appointments, and preparing reports

12. Greeting Visitors

Here's how receptionists use greeting visitors:
  • Managed receptionist area in an organized manner, including greeting visitors and responding to telephone and in person requests for information.
  • Managed reception area in neat and organized fashion, including greeting visitors and responding to telephone and in-person request information.

13. Clerical Support

Clerical support performs activities that must be done in every workplace in order to support the company going forward. These duties, which come within the category of clerical support, are typically delegated to entry-level employees since they are simple and easy to learn. Even though clerical duties like printing and filing are easy, they require time and in many instances, other workers are preoccupied with other activities and unable to keep up with all that needs to be accomplished. As a result, many businesses employ clerical support staff who are solely responsible for these duties.

Here's how receptionists use clerical support:
  • Provided administrative and clerical support to the executive and administrative team that included screening, answering, and directing calls appropriately.
  • Managed switchboard proficiently, distributed departmental mail, provided clerical support as requested and assisted productivity projects as assigned by supervisor.

14. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how receptionists use hr:
  • Assisted Human Resources General Manager with HR responsibilities as directed.
  • Provide Customer Service, answer phones, process payroll for about 300 employees and HR requests etc new hire and terminations.

15. Computer System

Here's how receptionists use computer system:
  • Managed computer systems *Faxing/copying *Scheduled appointments *Distributed applications *Handled/organized incoming resumes
  • Scheduled patient appointments daily Check-out patients and collected co-pays Verified that information in the computer system was up-to-date and accurate.
top-skills

What skills help Receptionists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on receptionist resumes?

Allison White

Associate Professor, Ohio University

Knowledge of spreadsheets software such as MS Excel is a commonly sought-after skill. Employers want word processing and spreadsheet skills but often say they want high school graduates and pay accordingly. These skills aren't always taught in high school. Those in the field should seek these skills. Additionally, medical and legal assistants have highly sought after. Terminology courses for these specialized areas are sometimes offered at the vocational schools but are usually offered at the post-secondary level.

What soft skills should all receptionists possess?

Allison White

Associate Professor, Ohio University

Employers have told me repeatedly that soft skills are often the most important. They will ask for my reference after I've gotten to know a student and been able to identify their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. They want someone to take the initiative yet know when to ask questions. Customer service skills and confidentiality were also voiced by our internship supervisors. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a must. The applicant must be able to write well!!
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about receptionist

List of receptionist skills to add to your resume

Receptionist skills

The most important skills for a receptionist resume and required skills for a receptionist to have include:

  • Patients
  • Phone Calls
  • Customer Service
  • Data Entry
  • Telephone Calls
  • Front Desk
  • Appointment Scheduling
  • Office Equipment
  • Word Processing
  • Direct Calls
  • Multi-Line Phone System
  • Greeting Visitors
  • Clerical Support
  • HR
  • Computer System
  • Patient Appointments
  • Collating
  • PowerPoint
  • Patient Charts
  • Visitor Badges
  • Transferring Calls
  • Fax Machines
  • Inbound Calls
  • Insurance Verification
  • Multi-Line Telephone System
  • EMR
  • Update Appointment Calendars
  • Telephone Switchboard
  • Bank Deposits
  • Administrative Support Tasks
  • Customer Inquiries
  • Travel Arrangements
  • Customer Complaints
  • Relay Messages
  • Courier Deliveries
  • Insurance Claims
  • FedEx
  • Multi-Line Switchboard
  • Greeting Clients
  • Senior Care
  • Book Appointments
  • Facsimile Machines
  • Credit Card

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs