How To Write a Receptionist Resume
Working as a receptionist can be a way to use your customer service skills to enhance efficiency at the office and ensure clients have a positive experience from start to finish. Find out how to tailor your receptionist resume to align with your career goals as you apply for a new position.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
When applying for a receptionist position, you need to show potential employers that you have the right balance of customer service skills and technical ability to handle the front end of the business. A key place to highlight these skills is in the profile section of your resume. Use this paragraph to give an overview of your career, such as years of experience, and mention any specific technical proficiencies, such as CRMs or scheduling software. Entry-level applicants can focus on professional skills and how they can help create a better client experience.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Personable and professional receptionist with over a decade of experience in fast-paced, high-volume settings. Combines a commitment to superior customer service with strong verbal and written communication skills, expert knowledge of Microsoft Office, and experience with various CRMs.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Recent college graduate with experience in customer service and administrative support. A fast learner who thrives on interacting with people and providing unparalleled assistance to internal employees, external guests, and clients.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
The professional experience section of your resume gives the hiring manager an idea of your job history, previous responsibilities, and duties as well as whether you have the knowledge and skills to be a good fit. Use powerful action verbs to describe your duties, and try to fit in data points when possible. For example, don’t just say you answered the phone. Say that you greeted an average of 15 customers per hour and transferred their calls to the appropriate department. It can also be helpful to include any technology upgrades that you were a part of or how you impacted customer satisfaction surveys.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Receptionist, EFG Property Management, Philadelphia, PA
April 2012 – September 2016
- First point-of-contact for property management firm with 30+ properties throughout Philadelphia
- Answered a multi-line phone system and transferred callers quickly and accurately to appropriate departments
- Greeted office visitors and provided information and assistance as needed
- Processed rent payments and security deposits
- Filed lease paperwork and other legal documents
- Logged and tracked maintenance requests for all properties
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Receptionist, Temple University Financial Aid Office, Philadelphia, PA
June 2017 – Present
- Answer phones and direct calls to financial aid counselors or other appropriate personnel
- Oversee departmental email account, and forward inquiries to appropriate personnel
- Schedule counseling appointments for current and prospective students and families
- Open and sort incoming mail
- Provide administrative support to financial aid counselors and other personnel as needed, including data entry, filing, sending faxes, and making photocopies
3. Include relevant education and certifications
While many receptionist positions may be considered entry-level, those for larger companies or private firms in industries such as law and health care may require specific certifications or a particular education level. Highlighting any relevant coursework or certifications you have could make you a more attractive candidate. If you took business classes in college, you can point to assignments that gave you a better understanding of how office operations support the business’s larger growth goals. Receptionist certifications, software proficiencies, and other relevant credentials can show that you have a deep interest in the industry and are invested in growing your skills.
Certifications
Template:
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
- Certified Professional Receptionist, International Association of Administrative Professionals, 2022
Education
Template:
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
- Bachelor of Science, Tourism & Hospitality Management
- Temple University, Philadelphia, PA – May 2009
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
The primary function of a resume is to show that you have the professional skills and experience to succeed in the role. Hiring managers for receptionist positions are looking for specific professional and technical skills, and making sure to list these in your resume under a key skills section or work them into the professional experience section can put you at the top of the stack. Start with any skills listed in the job description, such as Windows proficiency and experience with multi-line phone systems, and work your way down to more general ones if you have room. Here are some common proficiencies hiring managers are looking for in prospective receptionists.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Ability to work under pressure | Adaptability and flexibility |
| Attention to detail | Basic computer and math skills |
| Complaint resolution | Customer service orientation |
| Data entry and record keeping | Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) |
| Familiarity with office equipment | Knowledge of office software, such as Microsoft Office or Google Suite |
| Multitasking abilities | Organization and time management |
| Positive attitude | Problem-solving skills |
| Professional appearance and demeanor | Strong interpersonal skills |
How to Pick the Best Receptionist Resume Template
Starting with a resume template can make creating a simple yet effective resume easier so you can begin applying for receptionist jobs. The best templates make good use of white space, are easily skimmable, and show off your most relevant skills and accomplishments. Look for templates that use bullets, bolding, and italics and are customizable so you can tailor them to each job posting.
Receptionist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Greg Jones
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Address Rd, Anywhere, USA, 12345
Profile
Recent college graduate with experience in customer service and administrative support. A fast learner who thrives on interacting with people and providing unparalleled assistance to internal employees and external guests and clients.
Key Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Expert proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Google Suite, and Adobe Acrobat
- Professional phone etiquette
- Data entry
- Attention to detail
- Patient and professional under pressure
Education
Bachelor of Arts, English
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2013-2017
- Academic experience in writing, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving
Job Experience
Receptionist, Temple University Financial Aid Office, Philadelphia, PA
June 2017-Present
- Answer phones and direct calls to financial aid counselors or other appropriate personnel
- Oversee departmental email account, and forward inquiries to appropriate personnel
- Schedule counseling appointments for current and prospective students and families
- Open and sort incoming mail
- Provide administrative support to financial aid counselors and other personnel as needed, including data entry, filing, sending faxes, and making photocopies
Office Assistant, Temple University Admissions Office, Philadelphia, PA
September 2015-May 2017
- Provided support to Admissions Office staff, including greeting prospective students, scheduling tours, mailing college marketing materials, and coordinating interviews with admissions counselors
- Answered questions from prospective students and their families via phone and email
- Transferred calls to admissions counselors and other personnel as necessary
- Processed student information, including sorting mail and entering data received into the applicant management system
Angela Martin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Address Rd, Anywhere, USA, 12345
Profile
Friendly, organized receptionist with significant experience in fast-paced healthcare environments. Committed to providing exceptional customer service and effective administrative support while embracing new challenges and skills.
Professional Experience
Receptionist, Pediatric Care Group, Pittsburgh, PA
April 2016-Present
- Welcome and check in approximately 30 patients per day at pediatrician’s office
- Schedule and confirm appointments via phone and email
- Answer questions and provide assistance in person, over the phone, and through email
- Distribute forms to patients and verify that required fields are completed properly
- Collect and process patient co-pays
- Maintain digital and physical patient records
- Coordinate with local hospitals to schedule in-patient and out-patient procedures
Assistant Receptionist, Community Health Center, Pittsburgh, PA
June 2013-April 2016
- Greeted and checked in approximately 40 patients per day at urban health clinic
- Scheduled and confirmed appointments via phone and email
- Maintained physical and digital confidential patient records
- Coordinated with health insurance companies to cover appointments and procedures and resolve billing issues
- Provided support to head receptionist as needed, including data entry, ordering office supplies, and maintaining the patient waiting area
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Communication
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, August 2009-May 2013
Key Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Google Suite
- Data entry
- Using a multi-line phone system
- Organization and attention to detail
- Providing friendly, prompt customer service
Christine Miller
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Address Rd, Anywhere, USA, 12345
Profile
Personable and professional receptionist with over a decade of experience in fast-paced, high-volume settings. Combines a commitment to superior customer service with strong verbal and written communication skills, expert knowledge of Microsoft Office, and experience with various CRMs.
Professional Experience
Head Receptionist, KMS Hospitality Group, Philadelphia, PA
September 2016 – Present
- Manage a team of three receptionists at the main office for a large restaurant and events management firm
- Utilize a multi-line phone system to answer and transfer calls to appropriate personnel
- Maintain office calendar for scheduling on- and off-site meetings and events
- File and organize vendor contracts and other legal paperwork
- Handle all incoming and outgoing mail correspondence
- Greet and assist office visitors
Receptionist, EFG Property Management, Philadelphia, PA
April 2012-September 2016
- First point-of-contact for property management firm with 30+ properties throughout Philadelphia
- Answered a multi-line phone system and transferred callers quickly and accurately to appropriate departments
- Greeted office visitors and provided information and assistance as needed
- Processed rent payments and security deposits
- Filed lease paperwork and other legal documents
- Logged and tracked maintenance requests for all properties
Front Desk Agent, Ace Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
June 2009-April 2012
- Assisted guests at a 300-room luxury hotel in downtown Philadelphia
- Processed reservations, check-ins, departures, and payments in accordance with company guidelines and procedures
- Provided information and assistance in person, over the phone, and via email
- Maintained daily schedule of on-site events and locations
- Handled mail, messages, guestroom messages, and faxes per company procedures
- Logged guest complaints and maintenance requests in property management system
Education
Bachelor of Science, Tourism & Hospitality Management
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, August 2005-May 2009
Key Skills
- Professional phone etiquette
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Scheduling with Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar
- Working in fast-paced office environments
- Friendly and attentive customer service
- Physical and digital file maintenance
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Google Suite
Frequently Asked Questions: Receptionist Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for receptionist resumes?+
The professional experience section of your resume is arguably the most important, but it can also be the most daunting to write. Each bullet should start with an action verb that is representative of the job duty and highlights part of your skill set. If most of your positions are similar, you could find yourself running low on action verbs to describe your work. Below, we’ve included a list of common action verbs for receptionist positions when you get stuck.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Answered | Arranged |
| Assisted | Collected |
| Coordinated | Directed |
| Distributed | Escalated |
| Maintained | Operated |
| Organized | Prepared |
| Received | Resolved |
| Responded | Scheduled |
| Transferred | Updated |
| Verified | Welcomed |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
You’re likely applying to more than one receptionist job, and while you don’t need to create a brand-new resume for each position, you do need to tailor your resume to each job description. Hiring managers today are busy and often have to sort through hundreds of resumes, and the competition is likely to get stronger, with little to no job growth expected for receptionist roles through 2031. To help find the right candidate sooner, managers often use applicant tracking software (ATS). ATS scans the resumes and automatically filters them by best fit, largely on how many keywords from the job description match the resume. By ensuring that you’re tailoring your resume to the job description, you can increase the chances that you make it through the first, and hopefully last, round of cuts.
What is the best receptionist resume format?+
While the best resume format for a receptionist position will vary depending on your skills and experience, a targeted resume generally works well for this job. This is because it makes it easy to highlight the specific skills and proficiencies you have that line up with the job posting. For example, if you are already familiar with the employer’s appointment scheduling software listed in the job description, highlighting this lets them know that you won’t need extensive training to be able to start handling calls. A targeted resume can also be beneficial for entry-level applicants with transferable skills in other industries.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Finishing your resume can bring a big sigh of relief, but you’re not quite done yet. Unless the job posting specifically says not to, it’s always a good idea to include a matching cover letter. If you’re not sure how to start, take a look at these receptionist cover letter examples and templates for ideas.