resume job description for receptionist

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Receptionist Job Description: All Key Roles & Duties

7 min read · Updated on November 07, 2024

This Receptionist job description provides all the details you need to write a new resume

Whether you consider being a receptionist a job or a career, it's crucial to recognize the significant role you play in the company's operations. The chances are great – practically 100% – that you'll need a winning resume to even get your foot in the door. After all, the Receptionist role is an all-important client-focused, face-of-the-company position, and employers will want to know up-front that you have what it takes. 

Enter the Receptionist job description. It's not just a document but a guide that will lead you to write an effective resume. It contains information that is critically important to what you'll write in your new resume. In fact, as you read through all the key roles and duties, you'll need to extract relevant keywords to use in your resume to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.

Get ready to write your resume before you actually start writing

There's a bit of homework you have to complete before you can start writing your Receptionist resume and even before you start reviewing Receptionist job descriptions. 

You need to make a list of your skills and career achievements

You also need to choose the format you want to use for your resume 

There are three formats to choose from, including:

Reverse-chronological

Functional 

In most instances, you'll need to opt for the reverse chronological format because it's the one that will get past the applicant tracking system the company is using to weed out candidates. It'll also be the one the hiring manager wants to see. 

Another thing that makes the reverse-chronological resume the best option is how easy it is to put together – basically, all you're doing is filling in the blanks of a very well-defined structure.

Contact information

Title/Headline

Profile Paragraph

Core Competencies

Professional Experience

As you work through each section of your new resume, inject the skills and achievements you've listed from your career to tell a story of accomplishment and progression. 

Remember to use action verbs to make your resume more engaging. For instance, instead of saying 'Handled customer inquiries,' you could say 'Managed customer inquiries' to make your role sound more proactive. 

Related reading: How to Make a Resume: Beginner's Writing Guide with Examples

Receptionist top skills & proficiencies

Sometimes, it can be challenging to come up with a list of skills because people simply don't like to brag about what they know. Other times, job seekers question whether something they know how to do qualifies as a skill because it's so simple a thing. 

To get your brain juices flowing and to help you see that even the most minor task can fit into your Receptionist resume as a skill, here's a list you can use for inspiration. 

Customer Service

Overachieving Attitude

Verbal and Written Communication

Professional

Problem-Solving Skills

Accuracy and Attention to Detail

Interpersonal Skills

Telephone Skills

Microsoft Office Skills

Professionalism

Customer Focus

Organization

Handle Pressure

Supply Management

Skills equal keywords

You have to go one step further from simply listing your skills on your resume. Now, you can start to review Receptionist job descriptions to make sure your skills align with what companies are looking for. The keywords in the Receptionist job description are a direct reflection of the skills the company is seeking in its new Receptionist. Use these keywords to show that you have what it takes to excel in the role. 

By reviewing job description examples – like the one below – you'll be able to identify what technical skills (specific, job-related skills like operating a switchboard) and soft skills (personal attributes like communication and adaptability) matter most to an employer in your target field. 

When crafting your resume, aim to include as much relevant information from the Receptionist job description as possible. This will show the hiring manager that you understand the role and have the necessary skills and experience to succeed as a Receptionist. 

Receptionist job description

Let's take a look at what a normal Receptionist job description looks like. The first thing you'll likely see is a job summary that gives an overview of the daily activities you'll perform as a Receptionist.

Job summary

Greet vendors, customers, job applicants, and other visitors and arrange for transportation services when needed. Direct visitors by maintaining employee and department directories. May operate a switchboard to route incoming calls and place outgoing calls. Maintain security by following procedures, monitoring logbooks, and issuing visitor badges.

Responsibilities

After the job summary, you'll find a list of bullet points that break down specific duties individually. This is a great place to extract keywords for your Receptionist resume.

Greet clients as soon as they arrive and connect them with the appropriate party

Answer the phone in a timely manner and direct calls to the correct offices

Create and manage both digital and hardcopy filing systems for all partners

Make travel arrangements and schedule meetings based on all partners' itineraries

Deal with bookings by phone, e-mail, letter, fax, or face-to-face

Complete procedures when Guests arrive and leave

Prepare bills and take payments

Take and pass on messages to Guests

Deal with special requests from Guests

Answer questions about what the hotel offers and the surrounding area

Deal with complaints or problems

Answer telephone calls and take messages or forward calls

Schedule and confirm appointments and maintain event calendars

Check visitors in and direct or escort them to specific destinations

Inform other employees of visitors' arrivals or cancellations

Enter customer data and send correspondence

Copy, file, and maintain paper or electronic documents and records

Handle incoming and outgoing mail

Qualifications

The final thing you'll see in a Receptionist job description is a list of qualifications that describe everything from the level of education you need to the number of years of experience. Here's what a qualifications list could look like:

More than five years of experience as a Receptionist or Front Office Representative

High school diploma/GED

Bilingual preferred

Adaptable and flexible with an excellent ability to multitask

Self-motivated with strong communication skills

Knowledge of customer service best practices

Computer savvy with experience in data entry, word processing, and managing files

How to use the Receptionist job description

As you work through each section of your reverse-chronological resume, you'll insert items from your list of skills and achievements that mirror what the Receptionist job description defines as necessary for job success. This is called tailoring your resume to the job.

At the end of the day, the hiring manager cares less about everything you've done during your career and more about achievements that prove you'll be an asset to their team – achievements being what's important. 

Let's say that you “issued guest badges” at a company in the past. That's great because it's specifically mentioned in the new job description. You can improve upon that relevant keyword by quantifying your experience and turning it into an achievement. 

Reduced security incidents by 12% by following company protocols to issue guest badges. 

Now, the new company will see that you can do what they want you to and that you understand how to follow protocols to improve things. You're a winner!

It's time to apply for jobs

Once your resume is ready and perfectly tailored to the Receptionist job description, it's time to send it out. Here are a few tips to keep your Receptionist job search organized and manageable.

Network with like-minded individuals

Follow up after you apply for a job

Get ready for interviews

Maintain a positive mindset

You got this!

Searching for a new job can be frustrating, especially if it starts to take a long time. Don't give up. Keep reviewing Receptionist job descriptions to make sure that you've got the right keywords in your resume. You'll land an interview before you know it. 

Having a third party review your resume can be extremely helpful and even boost your confidence. TopResume offers a free resume review and will happily give yours a once-over to make sure it's hitting the mark.

Recommended reading: 

Your path to a great resume starts here.

17 Resume Tips to Get Seen and Hired Faster

Unconventional Ways to Stay on a Recruiter's Radar

Related Articles:

Great Jobs for Teens: Top Picks for 16-Year-Olds

Selecting the Right Resume Format for Your Job Hunt

Machine Operator Skills: Add to Improve Your Resume!

See how your resume stacks up.

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Receptionist Resume Sample for 2024 [Job Description, Skills & Tips]

A receptionist does much more than welcome, greet, and direct a company’s guests or clients. 

The job includes maintaining the security and telecommunications systems, providing information to customers by answering or redirecting their inquiries, and offering administrative support within the company, among others. 

As such, it’s not surprising at all if you’re stuck trying to put all that effectively on your receptionist resume. 

Fortunately, though, with the right guidance, writing an impactful receptionist resume can be easy, and we’re here to help!

Read our article to learn all you need to know about writing a receptionist resume! Here’s exactly what we’ll cover: 

• Receptionist Resume Example (Better Than 9 Out of 10 Examples)

8-Step Guide to Write Your Receptionist Resume

• 20+ In-Demand Skills to Put on Your Receptionist Resume

So let’s get to it! 

Receptionist Resume Example (to Inspire You)

Not sure where to start with your resume? Reviewing a receptionist resume example is a good start!

The resume example above does everything right, including: 

• Follows the chronological format. As the most popular format among recruiters worldwide, the chronological resume format is the way to go.
• Has a memorable resume profile. To show the recruiter they’re relevant as an applicant, the candidate has written a captivating resume summary. 
• Includes professional contact details. In addition to the must-have contact details, the receptionist resume example above also lists the applicant’s LinkedIn and Skype handles.
• Lists quantifiable achievements. The candidate has built a work experience section that focuses on achievements to stand out from other applicants. 
• Has a short education section. With plenty of work experience to show for, the receptionist resume example keeps their education section short. 
• Includes relevant skills. The candidate doesn’t list every skill under the sun, but only the ones that are relevant to the position. 
• Uses optional resume sections the right way. By adding their certificates and languages, the candidate has even better chances at standing out from the competition.
• Is based on a well-designed resume template . To avoid the hassle of building their resume from scratch, the receptionist resume example above was built using a plug-and-play template.   

Inspired by the receptionist resume example above?

Now it’s time to write yours! Below, we’ll walk you through the 8 essential steps for creating an effective receptionist resume, starting with:

#1. Choose the Right Format and Layout

When it comes to resumes, the structure is everything. 

You can be an amazing professional and you still won’t stand much chance if:

• Your resume sections are all out of order.
• Your resume is very hard to follow because of a messy structure.
• The resume looks unprofessional because you picked the wrong font . 

So, before you can start filling out the contents of your receptionist resume, you’ve got to first make sure its format and layout are just right.

When it comes to your resume format, the choice is quite easy. 

Out of the three resume formats ( chronological , functional (also known as skills-based), and combination ) you should go for the chronological resume format . It’s the most popular among recruiters everywhere in the world and successfully highlights your skills and achievements by putting your most recent work experience first. 

Here’s what it looks like: 

Now, when it comes to the layout, you’ll have to keep a few more things in mind:

• Keep your resume short. Unless you have 10+ years of experience, a 1-page resume is your best bet that recruiters will go through your entire resume. After all, they receive hundreds of applications daily—they don’t have time to read your resume if it’s the same length as a short novella. 
• Picking the right font size and style. Go for 11-12 pt font size for the body of your text and 13-14 pts for the section headers. As for the style, we recommend using a font that’s casual but professional, such as Ubuntu or Roboto. 
• Using section headers. Section headers are a good way to clearly separate your resume’s sections. 
• Saving your resume as a PDF file. Unless otherwise instructed in the job description, save your resume as a PDF . That way, you can be sure it will open as you intended it despite the device or OS that opens it. 

Or Skip Formatting and Layout Altogether By Using a Resume Template!

Imagine this:

You spend hours and hours tweaking your resume layout, only for it to look like a generic, black-and-white resume.

Not a good feeling, right?

Want to skip ahead of all the formatting hassle and jump right into filling in your contents? AND come out with a visually-appealing, short-n-snappy resume, all at the same time?

All you have to do is pick one of Novorésumé’s free, plug-and-play templates ! 

Our resume templates were made in collaboration with professional recruiters, which means they are easy to read and scan (and they’re ATS-friendly to boot!). 

And the best part? The templates look absolutely gorgeous (especially when compared to a standard black-and-white resume ): 

#2. Add More Than Your Traditional Contact Details 

The contact information section is the most straightforward part of writing a resume. 

Basically, all you have to do is list the following details:

• Professional title. 
• Phone number.
• Location (city and state/country).

Here’s how all that looks like on a receptionist resume: 

Receptionist

123-123-333

[email protected]

Scranton, PA

If you want to add some flavor to this section and you’re active on LinkedIn, you can include your profile’s URL link too. 

#3. Write a Compelling Resume Summary Summary/Objective

Put simply, your resume profile is a summary of you as a professional. 

The 2-3 sentence short paragraph goes at the top of your resume and aims to tell recruiters just enough to convince them to deep-dive into the rest of your resume.

Depending on your work experience level, you can write a resume profile as:

• A resume summary . If you are experienced in the field use a resume summary to sum up your title and years of experience, as well as your top skills and achievements.
• A resume objective . If you don’t have a lot to show for in terms of work experience, then you should go for a resume objective . To ace, it, mention any degree names or experience related to the field, the skills that you can offer the company, and your interest in working there. 

Here’s what a receptionist resume summary looks like:

Detail-oriented receptionist with 4 years of experience in customer service. Efficient in performing the administrative and front-desk tasks of large-scale offices. Fluent in Spanish and proficient in MS Office Suite. 

And here’s a receptionist resume objective:

Motivated communications graduate looking to apply their people and organizational skills as a receptionist at Company Z. Worked as Resident Assistant for 3 years and has hands-on experience on front desk duties, helping students solve problems, and dealing with administrational tasks.

#4. Make Your Work Experience Count 

Consider your work experience section as the backbone of your receptionist resume - it’s what recruiters will be checking to see whether you’ve got what it takes to excel at the job.  

To make this section count, first, make sure to format it the right way. Here’s what that involves: 

• Start with your current/most recent position and go backward in time. Keep your work entries relevant - the paper delivery job from your teens won’t help land you a receptionist job. 
• Begin each work entry with your professional title. Underneath, add the company's name and location, the period you worked there, and 3-5 of achievements and responsibilities in bullet points. 
• List fewer bullet points (1-2 for each work entry) as you go back in time. Your job from 10 years ago doesn’t need to be as comprehensively described as your last one.

After you’ve handled the formatting, you’ve got to make sure your professional experience shines through brighter than other candidates’. 

As hard as it may sound, we have some very effective tips to make that happen, including: 

• Focus on achievements over responsibilities whenever it’s possible. After all, recruiters know what the responsibilities of a receptionist are pretty well - it’s your achievements that can really help you stand out. 
• Quantify your achievements whenever you can. For example, instead of saying “handled incoming and outgoing calls effectively,” say “handled 100+ incoming and outgoing calls on a daily basis.”
• You can use the following formula to quantify your achievements : “accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z.” 

Here’s how a well-written work achievement would look like in a receptionist resume:

• Consulted regarding a redesign of the office scheduling system, increasing accuracy by 38%.
• Achieved 95% customer satisfaction score based on feedback forms.
• Handled successfully 100+ phone calls daily with no complaints during the last 2 years.

And here’s a less convincing achievement:

• Answered questions.
• Provided good customer service.
• Made phone calls.

The first example is achievement-oriented and the recruiter reading it knows how, exactly, you excelled at your last role.

The second example, though, is not as much. The recruiter knows that you worked as a receptionist… and that’s about it. They have no idea if you excelled at the role or not.

If you do have to list responsibilities and tasks on your Receptionist resume, make sure you’re using dynamic action words and strong verbs !

#5. Include Your Education 

The next step in creating your receptionist resume is to list your educational background.

Start by following this format:

• Add your latest and highest degree first. 
• Start off with the degree name, then the institution’s name, and the dates attended. 
• Don’t add your high-school education if you hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. 

Here’s how the education section should look like in a receptionist resume:

BA in Communication 

Penn State University, PA

Now, if you don’t have any work experience at all, you can use your educational history to help you stand out.

In such a case, you can make this section more elaborate by mentioning:

• Academic merits and achievements
• Relevant coursework taken
• Extracurricular activities  

BA in World Literature

• Graduated Summa Cum Laude
• Graduated first of the class in Communications
• Resident Advisor for 3 years

#6. Include Industry-Related Skills

You can definitely tell a good receptionist by the skills they possess. 

And that’s exactly why the skills section is another receptionist resume must-have. 

Of course, this includes a balance between soft skills (e.g. communication skills , time-management, multi-tasking), and hard skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, Supply Management). 

Keep in mind, however, that the key here is to list the right skills and not every single skill that you possess.

Sure, knowing Adobe Illustrator is great, but it won’t help much with your job as a receptionist. 

So, first, go through our list below and include the must-have receptionist skills in your resume (the ones that you do possess, that is).

Then, go through the job ad you’re applying for and see if you missed an important skill or two. Make sure that the skills you’ve listed match the ones required for the role (as long as you actually possess them, of course).

20+ Receptionist Soft and Hard Skills to Put on a Receptionist Resume

Receptionist soft skills.

• Verbal and written communication
• Professionalism
• Customer focus
• Organization and planning
• Handling pressure and tolerating stress
• Attention to detail
• Reliability
• Multitasking
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving
• Prioritizing
• Time Management

Receptionist Hard Skills

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Administrative skills
• Supply management
• Typing skills (include WPM)
• Information management software
• Use of office equipment (fax machines, copiers, etc)
• Multi-line phone systems

#7. 5 Additional Sections to Take Advantage Of

At this stage, if your resume is already a full one-pager, you can just skip this section altogether.

If, on the other hand, you’ve got some space left (e.g. if you don’t have a lot of work experience), you can make use of these extra sections to give your receptionist resume an edge:

• Awards and certifications. Are you certified in office management? Do you have any awards for excellent performance in any of your previous roles? These are definitely things you should include in your receptionist resume. 
• Languages. Whatever your position might be, knowing an extra language or two can always come in handy.
• Volunteer experience. Volunteering can be a great way to show you also care about giving back to the community. If you’re a recent graduate, volunteering experience can also show employers that you’re familiar with hard work.
• Internships. Got any past internship experience? Make sure to include that in your resume, along with your main tasks and achievements there. 
• Hobbies and interests . Show the recruiter who you are outside of work. Who knows, maybe it’ll help you establish rapport with your interviewer!

The thing about extra sections is that they work on two levels: if you’re lacking work experience, they can definitely help you land an entry-level job, whereas if you’re experienced in the field, they can set you apart from other applicants with similar work experience and skills. 

Here’ an example of how extra sections should look in a receptionist resume:

Examples of Extra Sections

Certifications.

• Microsoft Office Specialist - Issued by Microsoft
• Certified Business Officer - Issued by the Management and Strategy Institute

Volunteer Experience

Front Desk Assistant  Scranton Community Center 06/2010 - 10/2012

• Helped staff with daily clerical tasks and activities
• Got hands-on experience doing administrational work
• French (Fluent)
• German (Intermediate)

#8. Don’t Forget to Include a Cover Letter

Including a cover letter with your resume is an inseparable part of sending a job application.

As such, it’s safe to assume that it should be just as good as your receptionist resume. 

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter shouldn’t just rephrase whatever you mentioned in your resume.

Rather, you should use it to:

• Summarize your most important skills, achievements, or experiences.
• Expand on any information you couldn’t talk about in detail in your receptionist resume.
• Mention what you know about the organization you’re applying for (and why you want to work there).

Here are our tips on creating a compelling receptionist cover letter:

• Tailor your cover letter to the specific job position you’re applying for. Instead of using a generic cover letter introduction, start your cover letter by introducing yourself and mentioning exactly why you want to work for that company.
• Use the body of your cover letter to talk about your skills, achievements, and qualifications in more detail. 
• Write a strong cover letter ending by including a strong call to action. 
• Make sure that your cover letter looks as compelling as your resume by using one of our cover letter templates . 
• Learn more about how to write a compelling cover letter by checking out our cover letter tips .

Not sure what a good receptionist cover letter looks like? Check out our top cover letter examples !

We hope you are feeling more confident about creating your receptionist resume and we are sure you will get hired in no time!

Related Resume Examples

• Customer Service Resume
• Event Planner Resume
• Bar and Restaurant Manager Resume
• Cashier Resume
• Waiter Resume
• Server Resume
• Barista Resume
• Bartender Resume

Key Takeaways 

Follow the steps we outlined above, and you’ll have yourself a job-winning receptionist resume in no time!

Before you leave to work on your resume, though, let’s recap the key learning points we covered above:

• Use a resume summary or objective to summarize your experiences and show the recruiter that you’re relevant for the role.
• Mention achievements over responsibilities when possible. This helps show the recruiter how you excelled in your previous role.
• Quantify your work experiences by using the XYZ formula.
• Use some of the optional resume sections to help you stand out. This includes languages, hobbies, extracurricular activities, and more.

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• English (UK)

• Resume Examples

Receptionist Resume Examples for 2025 (+Duties & Skills)

You can hold down a front desk, manage customer flow, and keep the business running smoothly with a smile. Prove it to the hiring manager with a perfect receptionist resume.

Why do so many receptionist resumes fall flat? Too many employers think a monkey can answer the phones. They’re wrong. There’s so much more to being a receptionist.

So don’t just list the receptionist duties you’ve “handled.” Prove you go above and beyond.

This guide will show you:

• A receptionist resume examples better than most.
• How to make a good receptionist job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for receptionist jobs that gets interviews.
• Why you can’t just list receptionist skills and duties on your resume (and what to do instead).

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

Create your resume now

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

Need a special kind of resume for receptionist jobs? See our other guides:

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Concierge Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Front Desk Resume
• Customer Service Resume
• Sales Associate Resume
• Retail Resume
• Call Center Resume
• Office Clerk Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Secretary Resume
• Data Entry Resume
• Hospitality Resume Examples
• Virtual Assistant Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our  Professional Resume Examples.

Receptionist Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

Dawn Salehi

Receptionist

Personal Info

Phone: 601-750-5262

Email: [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/dawnzsalehi

twitter.com/dawnzsalehi

Receptionist with 3+ years of experience and strong skills in EHR and scheduling. Seeking to deliver efficient, friendly customer relations at Dobson-Ruff Dental Clinic. At Darrell McGehee Dental, used Kareo clinic software to process 50+ patients per day.

Experience  

Front Desk Receptionist

Darrell McGehee Dental Clinic

2017–2019

• Used Kareo clinic EHR software to schedule patient appointments, handle check-ins, track records, and manage billing with 100% accuracy.
• Greeted and registered an average of 50 patients per day with 97% positive customer review score.
• Handled 40+ daily incoming and outgoing phone calls.

Andrews Drilling Supply

2016–2017

• Answered 30+ calls per day.
• Resolved customer complaints with 95% positive feedback.
• Scheduled 3–4 client meetings per week.
• Entered phone orders into the system with 99.9% accuracy.

Team Member

Ruby Tuesday

2015–2016

• Took 10+ phone calls and phone orders per shift.
• Collaborated with 30+ employees to maintain 96% positive customer scores.
• Wrote daily shift reports with MS Office Suite.

Education  

BA, African American Studies, MVSU

2011–2015

• President, women's intramural soccer league.
• Excelled in communications coursework.
• Member, sociology club.

Additional Activities

• Teach weekly yoga classes to groups of 15+.
• Lead monthly book club with 9 regular members.
• Installed computer system in small florist shop.

Volunteer Work

Board Member, Hinds County Animal Shelter

• Coordinate rescue transports with 24 out-of-state rescues.
• Collaborate with other board members to create monthly budget.

Hard Skills:  Kareo EHR Software, Microsoft Office Suite, scheduling, data entry

Soft Skills:  Friendly, detail oriented, time management, efficiency

Now here’s how to write a receptionist resume they’ll love:

1. Start With the Best Receptionist Resume Format

Receptionists are the face of a front office. They meet, greet, and register customers, answer phones, make calls, and schedule appointments. They may also handle billing. A receptionist resume must prove you can keep track of dozens of customers efficiently and maintain a friendly attitude.

The best way to strut your stuff?  With a well-formatted resume for receptionist jobs. Put your best foot forward with these tips:

Receptionist Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format .
• Pick good resume fonts like Arial or Garamond in 10–12pt.
• Add white space between sections and 1-inch margins .
• Make a one-page resume . Receptionists don’t need more.
• Use these sections: Header , Objective, Experience, Education, Skills, and “Other” (Volunteer Work, Languages, etc.)

Expert Hint: Save your receptionist job resume as a PDF . PDFs look great no matter what device they’re viewed on. Check the job ad first to make sure they’re not prohibited.

2. Write a Receptionist Resume Objective or Summary

The office manager won’t actually read most resumes. I said “most” so— Make sure she reads yours.

How? With the right receptionist resume objective or resume summary .

• One or two adjectives (friendly, efficient, team-player)
• Job title (Receptionist)
• Years of experience (2+, 3+)
• How you’ll help (deliver friendly customer relations)
• Best few achievements   (used Kareo to process 50+ patients per day)

See how this examples of receptionist resume handled it: 

Receptionist Resume Summary—Example

The first of those receptionist duties resume examples shows you’ve used the skills. The second seems made up.

Receptionist Resume Objective—Example

Writing an entry-level resume for receptionist jobs? Don’t worry. Use receptionist achievements from non-receptionist jobs, like this:

Okay, so you’re new. But that entry-level receptionist resume example proves you can do the job.

Expert Hint: Putting company names in a receptionist duties resume summary or objective adds credibility. It shows you’re applying for this job in particular.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now .

3. Write a Great Receptionist Job Description and Skills Sections

Too many receptionist job applicants don’t know how to show their work experience on a resume . The good news? You can learn it and outdo them all.

How to write a receptionist job description on your resume:

• Find the job’s needs in the receptionist job posting online.
• Take notes on the receptionist skills and duties you find.
• Recall some results you got by using those skills in past jobs.
• Put them in your resume, with numbers that show you helped your company.

These receptionist resume examples show how:

Receptionist Job Description for Resume

Job ad wants these receptionist skills: (1) EHR software (2) greet and register patients (3) handle phone calls .

• Greeted and registered in an average of 50 patients per day with 97% positive customer review score.
• Handled 40+ daily outgoing and incoming phone calls .
• Welcomed patients into the clinic.
• Handled all front-office scheduling.
• Used EHR software to handle patient check-ins.
• In charge of ordering front-office supplies.

The first of those receptionist resume examples is straight from the job ad. The numbers show you’re Pam Beesly in the rough. The second does list two of the right skills for a resume . But where are the numbers? You need to show achievement.

Writing an entry-level receptionist skills resume? Read this:

Entry-Level Receptionist Resume Job Description

Job ad wants these receptionist skills: (1) take phone calls (2) collaboration (3) MS Office

• Responsible for waiting on customers and restocking items.
• Maintain friendly attitude at all times.
• Provide efficient service to restaurant guests.

The second of those receptionist resume examples misses the point. It even uses the wrong job title (“waitress” instead of “team member.”) The first one proves your receptionist chops.

Receptionist Resume Skills List

We all know that being a receptionist is much more than answering the phone. Your future employer knows that's too, and that is what he'll be looking for in every receptionist resume. 

That's why we prepare a list of receptionist skills and duties that you can use as inspiration. The key here is not to copy/paste it. Make it truly yours and show how unique a receptionist you are. 

Receptionist Soft Skills:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication
• Time Management
• Friendliness
• Dependability
• Organization
• Detail-oriented
• Adaptability

Receptionist Hard Skills

• MS Office Suite
• Typing 90 WPM
• EHR Software
• Phone Systems
• Bookkeeping

Expert Hint: Check the job ad and include the skills they’re looking for. They’ll serve as your resume keywords .

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

A resume for receptionist jobs doesn’t need a Master’s degree. But your schooling should add a few front desk achievements.

How? These receptionist resume education section examples answer that:

Receptionist Education—Example

That example shows leadership, communication, and teamwork.

Expert Hint: If you graduated many years ago, you don’t need to show much in your education section. But if you’re entry-level, pack your schooling with accomplishments.

5. Build Your Receptionist Resume With Bonus Sections

To really stand out, a receptionist resume has to go above and beyond. Do it with “bonus” resume sections :

• Freelance Work
• Certifications
• Typing Test Results
• Conferences
• Continuing Education
• Foreign Languages
• Professional Associations like NAPR

Check these two receptionist resume examples:

Receptionist Resume—Extra Sections

• Successfully completed Practice Fusion EHR Online Training.
• Line dancing
• Huge Disney fan

The first of those receptionist resume samples is a dream come true. The achievements show you’re one to watch.

Expert Hint: Write a receptionist cover letter. Lots of office managers won’t even glance at your resume without one. So learn how to write a cover letter and use it to show exactly why you’re perfect for this job.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

For a receptionist resume that gets jobs:

• Use the receptionist resume template up top. It maps directly to the office manager’s needs.
• Put receptionist accomplishments in your resume objective, work history, education, and “bonus” sections to get interviewed.
• List the right receptionist skills. They’re in the job ad.
• Write a receptionist cover letter . Prove you know what the position is about by showing your best matching achievements.

Got questions on how to write a great resume for receptionist jobs? Not sure how to show receptionist on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines , ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets . Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages.

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