Receptionists and information clerks are charged with a responsibility that may have a lasting impact on the success of an organization: making a good first impression. These workers often are the first representatives of an organization a visitor encounters, so they need to be courteous, professional, and helpful. Receptionists answer telephones, route calls, greet visitors, respond to inquiries from the public, and provide information about the organization. Some receptionists are responsible for the coordination of all mail into and out of the office. In addition, receptionists contribute to the security of an organization by helping to monitor the access of visitors—a function that has become increasingly important in recent years.
Whereas some tasks are common to most receptionists and information clerks, the specific responsibilities of receptionists vary with the type of establishment in which they work. For example, receptionists in hospitals and in doctors’ offices may gather patients’ personal and financial information and direct them to the proper waiting rooms. In beauty or hair salons, by contrast, receptionists arrange appointments, direct customers to the hairstylist, and may serve as cashiers. In factories, large corporations, and government offices, they may provide identification cards and arrange for escorts to take visitors to the proper office. Those working for bus and train companies respond to inquiries about departures, arrivals, stops, and other related matters.
Increasingly, receptionists are using multiline telephone systems, personal computers, and fax machines. Despite the widespread use of automated answering systems or voice mail, many receptionists still take messages and inform other employees of visitors’ arrivals or cancellation of an appointment. When they are not busy with callers, most receptionists are expected to perform a variety of office duties, including opening and sorting mail, collecting and distributing parcels, transmitting and delivering facsimiles, updating appointment calendars, preparing travel vouchers, and performing basic bookkeeping, word processing, and filing.
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Employment of receptionists and information clerks is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. This increase will result from rapid growth in services industries—including physicians’ offices, law firms, temporary-help agencies, and consulting firms—where most are employed. In addition, turnover in this large occupation will create numerous openings as receptionists and information clerks transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force altogether. Opportunities should be best for persons with a wide range of clerical and technical skills, particularly those with related work experience.
Technology should have conflicting effects on the demand for receptionists and information clerks. The increasing use of voice mail and other telephone automation reduces the need for receptionists by allowing one receptionist to perform work that formerly required several. However, the increasing use of other technology has caused a consolidation of clerical responsibilities and growing demand for workers with diverse clerical and technical skills. Because receptionists and information clerks may perform a wide variety of clerical tasks, they should continue to be in demand. Further, they perform many tasks that are interpersonal in nature and are not easily automated, ensuring continued demand for their services in a variety of establishments.
State employment offices can provide information on job openings for receptionists.
(See introductory statement on information and record clerks for information on working conditions, training requirements, and earnings.)
Receptionists answer telephones, route calls, greet visitors, respond to inquiries from the public and provide information about the organization. Whereas some tasks are common to most receptionists and information clerks, the specific responsibilities of receptionists vary depending upon the type of establishment in which they work. Those working for bus and train companies respond to inquiries about departures, arrivals, stops, and other related matters. Opportunities should be best for experienced persons with a wide range of clerical and technical skills. Technology should have conflicting effects on the demand for receptionists and information clerks.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20022003/ocos134.htm
Receptionists answer telephones, route calls, greet visitors, respond to inquiries from the public, and provide information about the organization. Whereas some tasks are common to most receptionists and information clerks, the specific responsibilities of receptionists vary with the type of establishment in which they work. Those working for bus and train companies respond to inquiries about departures, arrivals, stops, and other related matters. Opportunities should be best for persons with a wide range of clerical and technical skills, particularly those with related work experience. Technology should have conflicting effects on the demand for receptionists and information clerks.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos134.htm
You hope that the people you meet at the office are friendly and maybe even a little nice. Receptionists greet visitors to an organization. Receptionists also answer phone calls and provide information to callers. Work ActivitiesThe following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100175
You hope that the people you meet at the office are friendly and maybe even a little nice. Receptionists greet visitors to an organization. Receptionists also answer phone calls and provide information to callers. In some offices, they do more than answer the phone and greet visitors. For example, receptionists in medical offices gather personal and financial informa tion from patients.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/46001.jsp?id=434171
Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty. Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/43-4171.00
They are found throughout the financial and services industries as well as in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and government. Wages can vary greatly in different parts of the State. The number of openings includes both new jobs and replacement openings as workers leave the occupation. Or, you can go to a One-Stop Career Center for assistance.
Summary of: http://www.worksmart.ca.gov/c_receptionist.html
Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization. Do you want to find a job you truly enjoy. Take our Career Test now. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
Summary of: http://www.careerplanner.com/Job-Descriptions/Receptionists-and-Information-Clerks.cfm
RECEPTIONISTS AND INFORMATION CLERKS help enhance the public's impression of a business by providing efficient, courteous and personalized service to the public. They may type letters and reports, address envelopes, cards and labels, file correspondence and documents and locate and remove materials from files. The work is mainly sedentary but may involve some bending, standing or walking. EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING Employers prefer applicants with at least a high school diploma.
Summary of: http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/CLERKREC.HTM
Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization. Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations. Hear and resolve complaints from customers and public. File and maintain records. Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
Summary of: http://www.lunch-money.com/Careers/Overview/43-4171.00.aspx
CareerOINK function popUp(url,x,y) { x = x . Log In now, or create a new account. Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment location of departments, offices, and employees within organization. Hundreds of sample resumes and cover letters. JIST Publishing, Inc.
Summary of: http://www.careeroink.com/career-reference/onet/ONET4.asp?soc_code=43-4171.00