Five skills great receptionists need in London

Receptionist; front of house; director of first impressions; or front desk executive: whatever the chosen job title, this role represents the face and voice of a business. Performing the critical position of delivering first impressions to a company’s clients, you need to be the best at manning your fort. So, how do you stand out from the crowd? Whether you’re looking for a permanent or temporary role, we’ve put together a few skills that should shine brightly on your CV.

Customer service

The majority of daily duties for a receptionist job include some form of communication, and a great receptionist will focus on their customer service skills and experience when applying for roles. The difference is the ability to empathise with an unhappy client and take the time to truly understand the situation from their point of view. As a receptionist, you must also act as a gatekeeper; being able to confidently express how you’d handle and diffuse a tricky situation will set you apart from the rest.

Diary coordination

Commonplace on a PA’s CV, a receptionist may also coordinate travel and meetings in their day-to-day role. In terms of travel, this may be domestic such as ordering taxis, limousines, or couriering parcels. Organising meeting rooms may also require a complex understanding of Outlook or an equivalent program, so mentioning your ability to manage these many moving parts is vital.

Flexibility

A receptionist’s role offers great variation in duties, from sitting behind the desk answering phone calls to tidying up the reception area and meeting rooms. Demonstrating a muck-in attitude will convey to an employer that you go above and beyond, even if the duties aren’t reflected in a traditional receptionist job description.

Logical thinking

An underestimated skill in a receptionist’s job is the ability to remain calm and logical in the face of a stressful situation. Examples of this might include finding a last-minute room for a flustered employee who forgot to book for a conference, or locating a missing parcel for a demanding client. The ability to block out emotions and review the problem methodically is an important part of the job.

A second language

Being a receptionist in London gives you the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. As a result, it’s likely that a second language will be an asset in this role. Whether you’re bi-lingual or a conversational speaker of another language, it’s definitely a great skill to highlight on your CV. Don’t underestimate the power of a few words spoken in the native language of a client or visitor coming through the door.

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Author Tiger Contributor Tiger Recruitment Team