Receptionist, What Qualifications Do You Need?

Being the front line of an organization, a receptionist plays an important role in managing the front desk of an organization and communicating with clients.

To be a professional receptionist you do need to have certain skills.

Organizational, office management, working knowledge of MS Office, and sound communication skills.

So what qualifications do you need to be a Receptionist?

You do not need any formal qualifications to become a Receptionist. Some organizations would prefer a high school certificate. Qualifications demonstrating an understanding of the use of Word, the internet, email, and phones will come in handy.

So now I have answered the main question, we’ll discuss the best qualifications that will help you to land a reception role and other frequently asked questions relating to becoming a receptionist.

Qualifications For A Receptionist 

To become a receptionist you don’t necessarily require a formal qualification.

However, when applying and interviewing for receptionist roles having a qualification can provide you the edge over the competition.

A qualification demonstrates your desire to learn, self-improvement, and seeking a career as a receptionist.

To become a receptionist with qualifications, there is plenty of accessible online courses without the need for getting a college degree.

If you are looking for receptionist qualifications, I have performed some research on some really good courses. The are many courses out there, but these ones I found to be very good.

1. Johnacademy.co.uk

Johnacademy is well known for the highest quality standards that come with e-learning so that students are able to utilize what they have learned in the real world, especially in the workplace.

Searching the term “receptionist” at Johnacademy.co.uk come up with 28 responses.

There are some notable courses such as “Professional Receptionist Diploma”
which is aimed at entry-level people who want to pursue a career in reception.

This course is comprised of training in (1) organizational skills; (2) office management techniques; and (3) advanced Microsoft Office skills.

At the end of the course, you do have the choice of sitting a test.

Your test will be assessed automatically and immediately so that you will instantly know whether you have been successful.

The course duration is 2 hours 15 mins, the cost of the course is around $29 plus the cost of a PDF certificate at $30.

A second notable course is the “Office Admin Receptionist Course”

This course is designed to provide you with the necessary knowledge and training in the fundamentals of administration and reception.

It will help you to upgrade your administrative and secretarial skills and to enhance your computer literacy so that you can carry out your job more efficiently.

At the end of the course, you will be required to sit an online multiple-choice test.

Your test will be assessed automatically and immediately so that you will instantly know whether you have been successful.

The course duration is 2 hours 15 mins, the cost of the course is around $25 plus the cost of a PDF certificate at $30.

2. Udemy

You can find a number of courses on Udemy. One that stands out is “Become Outstanding Receptionist”

A complete receptionist training course, that teaches persuasive and influential receptionist skills for outstanding performance.

In this course, you will learn how to build relationships and deal with difficult tough clients.

A 2-hour on-demand course that comes with a certificate upon completion.

This course comes are a heft price tag of $129, however, that is a small investment in yourself and increasing your chances of landing a well-paying reception role.

Another course on Udemy is the “Basic Secretarial Course”.

This course is also aimed at receptionists. In a 40-minute on-demand course, you will learn the basic principles of becoming a receptionist.

At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate. The cost of the course of $24, which is very affordable.

It is also worth mentioning another course called “Fundamentals of Administrative Professional”, which teaches you the basics of being an administrative professional.

How to work and deal with executives, learn about handling mail and email, how to set up a calendar.

The course provides tips and tricks that will help you be proficient in administration.

The course is well priced at $24.99 and comes with a certificate at completion.

Skills For Being A Receptionist

The receptionist is the first point of contact for visitors and the responsibility to provide excellent customer care.

Receptionists are often viewed as look into an organization.

If you have a professional competent receptionist it reflects well on an organization.

To be successful as a receptionist you will require the following skillset;

Good Communication Skills 

Receptionists are constantly communicating in person or on the phone to clients or internal staff.

Some of the conversations will be tricky, dealing with limited information and troublesome clients and internal stakeholders.

The receptionist becomes the middle person liaising and taking notes between the client and the organization staff.

To overcome these challenges, Receptionists need to have good communication skills.

Multi-Tasking 

Constantly receptionists will have to greet visitors, have them sign them into the visitor database,

At the same time handle incoming calls and accept deliveries.

The role of being a receptionist can be very demanding, so you will need to be able to thrive on multi-tasking.

Organizational 

Having to multi-task under pressure means you also need to be well organized. Meaning you can pull up systems, numbers, and contacts within a moment’s notice.

A good receptionist will have a clutter-free – orderly workspace knowing exactly where everything is.

Professionalism

A rude receptionist will reflect poorly on an organization, leading to poor reviews and feedback.

In contrast, a professional, polite receptionist will reflect very well on an organization.

It’s important that a receptionist is friendly, helpful, and proactive when dealing with a customer.

Good With Computers And Phone Systems.

Receptions use phones linked to computers with directories. You will need to be comfortable using phones and computers, including the ability to use MS Excel and Word.

If you can demonstrate these abilities with a prospective hiring manager you will be in a strong position to get the job.

How Much Does A Receptionist Pay (average)

Researching online, below are the average wages.

They are averages and actual pay generally depends on the industry and size of the organization.
Australia – 55K per annum
Canada – 33k per annum <
United Kingdom – 19k per annum
USA – 33K per annum<

Final Thoughts 

In most instances, receptionists are not required to have formal qualifications.

If you are applying for a reception role, and if it’s your first then having a qualification will increase your chances of landing a role.

If you are planning on obtaining a qualification, the good news is there is plenty of online-accessible material.

Hope you enjoyed this article, for more articles relating to being a receptionist please see below

Receptionist a Stressful Job?

Receptionist a Dead-End Job?

How Can I Become A Receptionist With No Experience

Can Males be Receptionists?