If you’re aiming to land a job as a receptionist, the first step is creating a CV or resume that effectively showcases your skills, experiences, and suitability for the role.
A well-crafted CV is your ticket to getting that all-important receptionist interview. In this article, we’ll walk you through the essentials of writing a receptionist CV, including what to include, how to format it, and some examples to help you get started. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to polish your existing resume, this guide is designed to provide straightforward, practical advice to help you stand out to potential employers.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Receptionist Job Description Example
Receptionist Wanted: Join Our Dynamic Team!
We are seeking a friendly and organized Receptionist to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be the first point of contact for our company, playing a crucial part in setting the tone for our professional environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Greet and welcome guests as soon as they arrive at the office, providing an outstanding first impression.
- Direct visitors to the appropriate person and office, ensuring efficient flow of the reception area.
- Answer, screen, and forward incoming phone calls in a polite and professional manner.
- Maintain office security by following safety procedures and controlling access via the reception desk (monitor logbook, issue visitor badges).
- Handle scheduling of meetings and coordinate conference room bookings.
- Perform administrative tasks such as filing, photocopying, transcribing, and faxing.
- Keep reception area tidy and presentable, with all necessary stationery and materials.
- Provide basic and accurate information in-person and via phone/email.
- Receive, sort, and distribute daily mail/deliveries.
- Update calendars and schedule meetings.
- Arrange travel and accommodations, and prepare vouchers.
Requirements:
- Proven work experience as a Receptionist, Front Office Representative, or similar role.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with office equipment (e.g., fax machines and printers).
- Hands-on experience with office machines (e.g., printers and fax machines).
- Solid written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to be resourceful and proactive when issues arise.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Multitasking and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks.
- Customer service attitude.
Benefits:
- Competitive remuneration package.
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- Supportive team environment.
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
If you have a welcoming personality and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you! Join us and be a part of a team that values hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Receptionist Professional Summary Example
- With over 5 years of experience as a Receptionist, hold a Diploma in Office Administration and am proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, multi-line phone systems, and Salesforce CRM, adept at managing front desk operations and providing exceptional customer service.
- Most notable achievement includes the implementation of a digital visitor management system at the previous workplace, which streamlined the check-in process, reducing wait times by 40% and significantly improving visitor satisfaction.
- Recently managed all front desk operations in a high-traffic corporate office, handling over 100 calls daily, coordinating meeting room bookings, and maintaining a welcoming and organized reception area, contributing to a 30% increase in office efficiency.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your responsibilities on your CV, focus on how you’ve excelled in those roles, especially as a Receptionist. Instead of simply stating “Managed the front desk,” you could say “Efficiently managed a busy front desk, handling over 100 calls daily and greeting 50+ visitors, contributing to a 30% increase in office productivity.” This way, you’re not just listing a task; you’re showing how well you performed it and the positive impact you had. It tells employers that you’re not only experienced in managing a front desk but also skilled in improving office operations and handling high volumes of work effectively.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Receptionist CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Understand the Role and Tailor Your CV 🎯 Before you start writing, make sure you understand what the role of a Receptionist entails. Tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job. For example, emphasize your communication skills, ability to handle multiple tasks, and proficiency in office software.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences 💼 Focus on the skills and experiences that make you a great fit for a receptionist position. Include any experience with customer service, administrative tasks, and any relevant software or tools you’ve used, like Microsoft Office or a multi-line phone system.
Quantify Your Achievements 📈 Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements. For example, instead of saying “Handled phone calls,” say “Managed an average of 50+ phone calls per day, ensuring efficient communication.”
Showcase Your Personality 🌟 As a Receptionist, your personality is a big part of your job. Your CV should reflect your friendly and welcoming nature, as well as your ability to stay organized and calm under pressure.
Keep It Concise and Error-Free ✂️ Your CV should be clear, concise, and free of errors. Receptionists need to be detail-oriented, and a CV with typos or grammatical errors can be a red flag for employers.
Use a Professional Format 📄 Make sure your CV has a clean, professional layout. Use headings and bullet points to make the information easy to scan. A well-organized CV reflects your ability to keep things in order, a key skill for any Receptionist.
Include Relevant Education and Certifications 🎓 If you have any education or certifications that are relevant to being a Receptionist, such as a diploma in office administration or a certification in a specific software, make sure to include these in your CV.
Receptionist CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.
