How To Write a Front Desk Receptionist Resume
Your front desk receptionist resume should show you can deliver exceptional customer service and create a welcoming environment for visitors. Employers want to know you can care for their customers while managing daily administrative tasks. This guide will walk you through the resume-writing process and teach you how to highlight key aspects of your experience as a receptionist.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Summarize your front desk receptionist qualifications in a dynamic profile
To create a compelling resume profile, introduce yourself and give hiring managers three to five reasons you’re a perfect fit for the role. This is your chance to draw the reader in and present yourself as an administrative professional committed to excellence. Start by listing your job title and years of experience. Then, describe a few of your key qualifications.
For instance, if you’re bilingual, show how you can contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment at the front desk. Emphasize your ability to communicate fluently and cater to diverse clientele. Or if you’re tech-savvy, highlight your skill in managing digital systems, ensuring efficient call handling, and leveraging software to enhance office operations.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
Friendly and reliable front desk receptionist with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Praised for efficiently completing front desk duties at several 5-star hotels. Trilingual: fluent in English, Spanish, and French.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Courteous front desk receptionist with nearly two years of experience. Skilled at maintaining the reception area, greeting guests, answering multi-line phone systems, and maintaining office equipment. Learns new software quickly, with expertise in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
2. Showcase your front desk receptionist experience
A results-driven professional experience section is the best way to show your skills in action. Instead of listing your daily duties, create bullet points demonstrating your accomplishments. This strategy demonstrates the unique strengths and contributions you can bring to your next employer. Using numbers like percentages and monetary figures will help you quantify your impact.
As a front desk receptionist, you’ll likely encounter situations requiring diplomacy and mediation.
Underscore your ability to handle disputes tactfully and professionally, ensuring a positive atmosphere for visitors and colleagues.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Front Desk Receptionist, Mountain Ski Villas, Boulder, CO | July 2010 to September 2016
- Ensured hotel compliance with all state and federal safety policies
- Confirmed reservations for conference bookings and reserved activities for event attendees
- Greeted and informed guests about hotel amenities and local attractions
Highlight:
- Launched a new online booking system that increased reservations by 22%
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
Front Desk Receptionist, Maya Consulting Services, Chicago, IL | September 2019 to present
- Courteously greet clients and announce their arrival to the necessary departments
- Handle incoming calls on a multi-line phone system and direct them to the correct staff member while answering general inquiries as required
- Provide administrative support to the executive staff when needed, such as data entry, preparing correspondence, and record-keeping
- Keep the lobby neat and organized to ensure clients are comfortable and feel welcomed
- Coordinate with the office manager to ensure office supplies are well-stocked
3. List any education and certifications relevant to front desk receptionists
While hiring managers are usually most concerned with your skills and work experience, don’t undersell your formal training. Start by highlighting your education. This section can be brief but should give a clear snapshot of your academic qualifications, listing any degrees or diplomas.
Then, add any certifications that directly relate to the role of a front desk receptionist. For example, a Microsoft Office specialty could help show your knowledge of programs used daily. First Aid, customer service training, or office management certifications could also be useful.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Associate Degree in Hospitality Management
- Central Colorado Community College, Boulder, CO | 2010
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year – optional]
Example
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Word and Excel 2016 Expert
- Certified General Receptionist
4. List key skills and proficiencies for front desk receptionists
In today’s digital age, most large organizations use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline hiring. These systems scan each resume for relevant keywords and skills. To ensure you pass the ATS screening, incorporate keywords directly from the job posting throughout your resume to demonstrate you have what the employer is looking for. Review the list below to get familiar with terms and phrases you may consider as you write your front desk receptionist resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Customer service | Data entry |
| Front office operations | Greeting visitors |
| Multi-line phone systems | Office directories |
| Process streamlining | Task prioritization |
| Team collaboration | Work scheduling |
How To Pick the Best Front Desk Receptionist Resume Template
A good template will provide a clean, organized structure for your resume. Opt for one that allows your skills and experience to shine without distractions. Prioritize readability by selecting fonts and color schemes that make scanning your resume easy. Remember, hiring managers are primarily interested in your career background and how well you fit the role, not how stylish your template is.
Front Desk Receptionist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Jack X. Spear
(930) 234-9876 | [email protected] | 3517 Moker Street, Apt 8D, Terre Haute, IN 47800
Profile
Motivated Receptionist with 8+ years of experience working in private medical offices. Personable and adept at helping clients and staff navigate sensitive situations. Expertly apply Microsoft Office programs to streamline daily office functions.
Professional Experience
Front Desk Receptionist, Vigo Dermatology Center, Terre Haute, IN | April 2014 to Present
- Scheduled meetings and managed office and travel calendars for 5 dermatologists
- Fielded and facilitated patient-staff communications
- Liaised between the center and insurance carriers
Highlight:
- Introduced database that helped medical staff improve efficiency by 10%
Front Desk Receptionist, Clark Health & Wellness Center, Brazil, IN | September 2012 to March 2014
- Managed and maintained schedule for all 6 physical and occupational therapists
- Helped clients book and change their next appointments in-house and with medical partner facilities
- Opened office early to greet clients
Highlight:
- Created a database that streamlined reordering of office supplies
Education
Graduate, Terre Haute High School, Terre Haute, IN | 2012
Key Skills
- Client Service & Communications
- Filing & Records Management
- Social Media Scheduling & Posting
- Typing 90-110 WPM
- VoIP Phone Systems
Certifications
Certified General Receptionist
Microsoft Office Specialist: Word and Excel 2016 Expert
Mina Stallworth - Professional & Administrative Recruiter at Express Employment Professionals, LinkedIn
Meet our Expert: Mina is a professional and administrative recruiter with over nine years of experience in the complex world of talent acquisition, where she guides both professionals from all walks of life seeking their path in the workforce and organizations striving to assemble exceptional teams.
1. What are the most in-demand skills for front desk receptionists that should be featured on a candidate’s resume?-
- Friendly and welcoming demeanor
- Ability to handle high-volume traffic (calls, walk-ins, etc…) with ease, poise, and confidence
- Strong administrative and project management skills supporting multiple departments with various needs
2. What work experience and other accomplishments are hiring managers looking for in a front desk receptionist?-
Receptionists are the first impression and a core representation of the organization so hiring managers are more apt to give opportunities to candidates with a service-related or hospitality-based background that understands the importance of customer service. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who are approachable, friendly, and have a warm demeanor.
3. What else, in addition to a resume, should a front desk receptionist candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers? -
For most candidates, this is ultimately a stepping stone into an office setting, so preparing for behavioral and situational examples of working and interacting with customers, working under pressure, using good judgment calls, troubleshooting, and bringing customers satisfactory solutions are critical skills.
4. What advice would you give a front desk receptionist candidate about their job search? -
During the interview, make sure you are exuding confidence, being engaging, and showing interest by making strong eye contact, smiling, using active listening, and providing articulate and well throughout responses. This essentially is a reflection of how you will treat their customers (internal and external).
Frequently Asked Questions: Front Desk Receptionist Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for front desk receptionist resumes?-
Action verbs help make your resume more engaging and show you're proactive, capable, and can handle the role’s duties. But it can be hard to find the right words to describe your work. Consider using some of the action verbs below in your resume’s professional experience section:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapted | Answered |
| Communicated | Completed |
| Confirmed | Created |
| Directed | Entered |
| Expedited | Filed |
| Greeted | Learned |
| Maintained | Managed |
| Organized | Prioritized |
| Registered | Responded |
| Scheduled | Solved |
| Transacted | |
How do you align your resume with a front desk receptionist job posting?-
Employment for receptionists, including front desk receptionists, is expected to show little to no change from 2021 to 2031. However, about 142,000 positions will open up each year as people leave the field to transfer or retire. The highest demand for receptionists will be seen in health care industries, especially for physicians, dentists, and other medical practitioners.
No matter your industry, competition for receptionist jobs will likely remain strong. The best way to get noticed by hiring managers is with a customized resume.
For instance, imagine you’re applying for a job at a law firm. Your resume should showcase any legal experience you have. Use your profile and skills sections to show you can manage legal documentation, direct client inquiries, and maintain an organized office environment.
What is the best front desk receptionist resume format?-
Most front desk receptionists should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section and the functional format’s profile section. The resume examples on this page all use a combination format.
A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two features. The experience section lets you overview your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you showcase your career highlights at the top, regardless if they’re from that work history or another part of your background. The resulting resume is straightforward yet strategic. It gives hiring managers the clearest possible view of your experience and relevant strengths, so they can decide to call you for an interview.
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