Receptionist CV sample

Receptionist CV sample

How to write a receptionist CV

Writing a good one can be hard for those who don’t know how. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the information you have to put in it.

Luckily, we’re on hand to give you all the support and guidance you need.

Your CV should be simple, concise and formal document that introduces you to a prospective employer. It must be easily readable and immediately highlight your strongest points.

Trying to write a good one is difficult, but not impossible. Read on to find out how to craft one that gets you where you want to be, in front of a hiring manager.

In a Receptionist CV show you can:

• Professionally and warmly welcome guests who come to the office.
• Manage the schedules, appointments, and meetings of senior executives.
• Keep the reception area, clean, organised, and welcoming.
• Reply to enquiries via phone, through email or in person.
• Receiving, sorting out and then forwarding on the offices daily mail.
• Directing visitors to the correct person or office.
• Arrange travel and accommodation bookings for senior managers.
• Carry out routine clerical tasks such as filing, photocopying, and checking software licences.

Target the job

If you want your CV to go from ‘good’ to ‘superb’, you’ve got to tailor it to the job you are applying for. Do this by unpacking the job description by reading it thoroughly to identify the exact skills the employer seeks in a candidate. Then echo these requirements in your CV.

Mention your ability to:

• Answer incoming calls, within three rings in a positive and welcoming manner.
• In a courteously and professional manner accurately direct visitors and callers to the appropriate people.
• Take phone message and then pass them on accurately.
• Keep the front desk area stocked with office supplies.
• Open, sort, separate, and then distribute mail.

Describe your experience of:

• Carrying out basic office-practice duties such as filing, typing, updating records and sorting paperwork.
• Using the latest office software and office equipment such as computers and printers.
• Booking and then preparing meeting rooms.
• Handling cash and issuing receipts for goods delivered

CV Structure

In the jobs market where first impressions count, how you present your CV is crucial to success. You’ve got to display everything in a clear and structured manner where information can be easily found.

The design of your CV really depends on how much text you’re trying to squeeze into it and what you want to prioritize. For instance, a chronological layout is different from a functional one.

CV Length

After writing their CV, many job seekers discover that they’ve written a great deal more than can fit into 2 pages. This almost always means having to rewrite it to refine and reduce its word count. A great way to do this is never use two words when one will do and not repeat what you have said elsewhere in your CV.

Contact information

Your personal contact details should stand proudly at the top of your CV.

Incorporate your contact information into the header of your CV. Make the font size slightly larger than the rest of the documents text, so that your name stands out. You should include your full name, address, email, phone number and LinkedIn profile. Double check the spelling to make sure there are no typo errors, the last thing you want is to be uncontactable because of a spelling mistake.

Example of which details to give:

First Name Last Name
City, County or State
Phone Number
Email Address
LinkedIn (if you have one)

Personal summary for a receptionist CV

This is where you introduce yourself to a hiring manager.

As this section will be the first part of your CV to be read, it has to be good. At a glance must attract the recruiters attention and encourage them to read the rest of your CV.

Rather than being seen as an inconvenience, view this as an opportunity to speak directly to the employer. Use this section to explain why you’re applying for the job and what your strongest points are.

It must be written based on your particular background, accomplishments and career objectives. Draw attention to any unique or special skills that you have, for instance mention your ability to prioritise tasks and multi-task as necessary.

Example:

‘Maxine is a respectful and trustworthy individual who can be a perfect ambassador for any company she works for.

She is always immaculately presented and very well spoken with a natural ability to work efficiently in a busy front-line role. As per your requirements she is able to look after several things at the same time, make quick decisions and operate as part of a team. On a personal level she has a professional and friendly manner that quickly puts people at ease.

Right now, she would like to work for a company where there will future opportunities for her to move up the career ladder.’

Related: How to write a winning personal summary

Receptionist CV Work Experience

This is the section where you can really sell yourself by giving the hiring manager a look at your professional journey so far. It’s where you can tell them about what you’ve done in the past and what you can do in the future.

Written properly your career history can promote you as the perfect candidate and convince employers to invite you to interview.

For each of your previous roles give the following information:

Job Title
Company Name
Location
Employment Dates
Work duties and responsibilities
Achievements

Example:

RECEPTIONIST – Start Date – Present
Employers name – Location
Responsible for providing general administration and office support to senior colleagues and for giving a friendly, welcoming and professional front of house welcome to visitors.

Duties;

• Answering telephones promptly and ensuring that all in-coming lines are always covered.
• Making sure the highest front desk and reception standards of service are met.
• Reporting to the Office Manager anything that may pose a risk to the health and safety of staff or visitors.
• Undertaking fire warden duties in the event of a building fire evacuation or evacuation drill.

Achievements

A great way to stand out from other candidates, is to list your achievements ahead of your work duties. Show how you’ve helped a previous employer and made a positive contribution to their operations.

Example:

• Implement a new booking system that reduced customer waiting times by 20%.

Receptionist CV Skills

Recruiters place a great deal of emphasis on a candidate’s knowledge and ability to get things done. Your skill sets can prove this to them.

Being the first person a visitor will interact with, receptionists can have a significant impact on a guest’s experience. It’s therefor imperative that they have the below key skills to ensure every interaction is a positive one.

Essential reception skills:

Active Listening

Data Entry

Diary management

Mail Management

Multitasking

Organised

Phone Answering

Problem-Solving

Scheduling

Visitor Management

Customer service skills:

• Have a professional and reassuring tone of voice.
• Quickly ascertaining the reason for a visitor calling.
• Giving a ‘right first time’ service to internal and external customers.

Administrative skills

• Providing visitors and colleagues with accurate and complete information.
• Fast and accurate typing speed.
• Using computers to keep detailed records of dealings with specific customers.
• Ability to sit in front of a PC monitor for extended periods of time.

Education

In this section aim to translate your academic achievements to look like job related experience. Display your educational background in a clear and structured manner, and highlight those modules, certifications and qualifications that are relevant to the role.

Example of layout:

University name          Degree details             Study Dates

College name              Qualifications              Study Dates

School name               Subjects / Grades       Study Dates

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