Entry-Level Receptionist Resume Examples & Guide for 2024
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Entry-level receptionists are responsible for greeting visitors, answering phone calls and performing various administrative tasks. They play a crucial role in providing excellent customer service and ensuring the smooth operation of the front desk.
To get a job as entry-level receptionist, you’ll need a resume that effectively highlights your organizational and customer service skills. We’re here to help with professionally made entry-level receptionist resume examples and expert writing tips to help you secure an interview.
Start by editing our entry-level receptionist resume samples, or browse our selection of 40+ resume templates to find the right one for you.
Entry-level receptionist resume example (text version)
Cecily Robbins
Denver, CO 80230
(555) 555-5555
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Career Objective
Enthusiastic and personable entry-level receptionist with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer service. Proficient in managing high call volumes, directing inquiries and providing accurate information. Adept at multitasking in a fast-paced environment, with a keen eye for detail and a friendly demeanor. Seeking to contribute my excellent communication skills and organizational abilities to create a positive first impression for clients and visitors.
Skills
- Database management
- Scheduling appointments
- Multiline phone telephone system
- Document filing Computer literacy
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Adaptability
- Time management
Professional Skills
Communication and Phone Handling
- Effectively managed a high-volume phone system, handling an average of 100 daily calls with a 95% call resolution rate.
- Demonstrated strong verbal communication skills, resulting in a 20% reduction in misdirected calls and improved client satisfaction.
- Implemented a call logging system, reducing response time by 15% and enhancing office communication flow.
Multitasking
- Successfully handled reception duties while managing administrative tasks, resulting in a 25% increase in overall office efficiency.
- Coordinated and scheduled appointments for a team of 10, optimizing the daily calendar and reducing scheduling conflicts by 20%.
- Managed a comprehensive filing system, achieving a 98% accuracy rate and minimizing document retrieval time by 15%.
Customer-Focused Service
- Provided exceptional customer service, maintaining a customer satisfaction rate of 90% through effective issue resolution and a friendly demeanor.
- Implemented a feedback system, leading to a 10% increase in positive client feedback and an improved overall office atmosphere.
- Resolved client inquiries promptly, achieving a 30% reduction in issue resolution time and enhancing the client experience.
Work History
June 2021 – Current
SPS North America, Inc. – Denver, CO
Receptionist
January 2021 – May 2021
Atlas – Denver, CO
Office Intern
Education
June 2021
University of Denver Denver, CO
- Bachelor of Science Management
- Minor in Business Administration
5 essentials of a standout entry-level receptionist resume
Contact details
Include your contact information at the top of your entry-level receptionist resume. Add your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. Add your LinkedIn profile and professional website, if applicable. Take a look at our guide on how to write a resume for more advice on creating an effective contact details section.
Personal statement
Your personal statement (also known as a professional summary) is where you introduce yourself and highlight your top qualifications in three to five sentences.
If you have limited work experience, we recommend writing a resume objective instead of a professional summary. Your entry-level receptionist resume objective should focus on transferable customer service and interpersonal skills.
Here is an example entry-level receptionist resume objective:
“Seeking an opportunity to contribute to the efficient operation of the front desk and office by managing multiple tasks simultaneously, maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrating a high level of professionalism and adaptability. Eager to learn and grow within an organization and committed to providing exceptional service to clients and customers.”
For additional guidance, take a look at our guide on writing a resume with no experience.
Skills
List your relevant skills on your resume using bullet points. The skills section of your entry-level receptionist resume should focus on your excellent customer service and communication skills.
A winning entry-level receptionist resume will showcase a mixture of hard skills and soft skills. For example, you might touch on soft skills, such as written and verbal communication, and hard skills, such as data entry and calendar management.
Additionally, touch on any technical skills you have such as experience with Microsoft Office Suite tools, typing skills and basic math skills.
Work history
To create the work history section of your resume for an entry-level receptionist position, start with your present or most recent job and list your remaining work experience in reverse-chronological order. Remember to mention the job title, employer’s name, company location and the duration of your employment. If you are writing a resume with no work experience, it’s acceptable to add volunteer experience or internships to this section.
Use bullet points to showcase your accomplishments and quantifiable achievements for each role.
For example: “Assisted in managing a high volume of incoming calls, averaging 100 calls per day, with an average wait time of less than 60 seconds, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rating.”
Check out how to include work experience on a resume for additional tips from career advice experts.
Education
List your educational background starting with the most recent and working backward. Include the name of the schools and the year of graduation. If you did not attend college, provide information about your high school and any relevant classes you have taken since graduating.
The educational requirements for an entry-level receptionist may vary depending on the employer and industry. In general, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for this position.
However, some employers may prefer or require candidates to have a post-secondary certificate or diploma in office administration, business administration or a related field.
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Action verbs for a winning entry-level receptionist resume
If you take a look at our entry-level receptionist resume samples, you’ll notice that they use action verbs at the beginning of each work experience bullet point.
Here are some examples of action words you can use:
- Answer
- Direct
- Manage
- File
- Schedule
- Coordinate
- Respond
- Assist
- Greet
- Prioritize
- Organize
- Communicate
- Resolve
- Update
- Document
- Review
Use our entry-level receptionist resume examples to get started or make a resume from scratch using our Resume Maker.
Top skills for your entry-level receptionist resume
Make sure the resume skills you include are relevant to the job description and what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
Here are some examples of entry-level receptionist skills:
- Customer service
- Data entry
- Telephone skills
- Organization
- Time management
- Scheduling appointments
- Communication
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Computer literacy
- Document filing
- Adaptability
- Multitasking
- Teamwork
Explore our library of 800+ resume examples for more inspiration.
Certifications to include on an entry-level receptionist resume
Create a separate section on your resume for certifications and licenses. Having certifications or training in specific areas such as customer service, phone etiquette and Microsoft Office Suite can be beneficial for an entry-level receptionist.
Here are some certifications you may consider including on your resume:
- Certified Receptionist (CR)
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
- Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
- Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP)
- Certified Front Desk Representative (CFDR)
Having one or more of these certifications can demonstrate to employers that the entry-level receptionist has the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a receptionist effectively and efficiently.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Entry-level receptionist resume FAQ
How do you write a resume for an entry-level receptionist position?
Your entry-level receptionist resume needs to highlight your ability to communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
Here are a few quick tips for writing a standout entry-level receptionist resume:
- Begin with a strong resume objective: Start your entry-level receptionist resume with a strong summary statement that highlights your qualifications and experience. Be sure to mention your key skills, such as data entry, document filing and scheduling appointments.
- Highlight your work experience: Remember to note measurable accomplishments from past roles that demonstrate your customer service skills. If you do not have any experience as a receptionist, touch on related work experience such as customer service roles or office positions.
- Emphasize your skills: In addition to highlighting your work experience, also include a section that highlights your skills and qualifications. This section should include a bullet-point list of your key skills, such as transferring calls, responding to emails and managing the front desk.
Remember to tailor your resume to the job description to catch the attention of the hiring manager. Reference our entry-level receptionist resume samples for ideas of what to include in your resume.
What is the best format for an entry-level receptionist resume?
The resume format you choose to follow depends on your years of experience as an entry-level receptionist and the resume sections that you want to highlight.
It is likely that you have limited professional experience as an entry-level receptionist, so we would recommend using the functional format, which focuses on skills rather than work experience.
Mid-level job seekers can use the combination format and those with over 10 years of experience can use the chronological format.
We have a variety of resume templates that feature all three formats so that you can choose the right one for you. Every template is customizable so that you can rearrange sections as needed and apply the colors and fonts that suit your personality.
Do’s and don’ts for your entry-level receptionist resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your experience. For example, “Implemented an electronic filing system for the department, resulting in a 30% reduction in paper waste and a 25% increase in document retrieval time.”
- Use action verbs — such as “answered” and “directed” — to make an impact on your entry-level receptionist resume.
- Tailor your resume to the entry-level receptionist job description.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your entry-level receptionist resume. For example, “Microsoft Excel” or “telephone etiquette.”
- Format your entry-level receptionist resume with clear sections and appropriate fonts so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Don’t lie about your entry-level receptionist experience and skills.
- Don’t make vague claims about your skills. Instead, provide specific examples of relevant experience answering phone calls and scheduling appointments.
- Don’t include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Don’t include irrelevant skills and work experience. Focus on your expert customer service skills instead.
- Don’t forget to proofread. A resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for interviews for an entry-level receptionist job
Research the organization.
When applying for an entry-level receptionist role, it is important to research the organization in order to demonstrate interest and knowledge during the interview process. Here are some areas we recommend researching:
- Products and services: Learn about the products or services the company provides to its customers or clients. This will help you understand the company’s operations and how the receptionist role fits into the larger picture.
- Company structure: Learn about the organizational structure of the company, including the different departments and how they interact with each other. This will help you understand who you will be working with and how the receptionist role supports the organization as a whole.
- Recent news and events: Research recent news and events related to the company, such as new product releases, awards, or changes in leadership. This will help you demonstrate knowledge and interest during the interview process.
Practice your answers.
It is important to prepare for your job interview by practicing your answers to frequently asked questions. Here are some common behavioral interview questions to prepare for:
- How do you deal with conflict?
- What motivates you to do a good job?
- Describe a time when a colleague disagreed with you
- Give an example of how you’ve adapted to different people and environments
- How would your coworkers describe you?
Make sure that you prepare for job-specific questions in addition to behavioral questions. Here are a few entry-level receptionist questions to prepare for:
- What experience do you have in customer service?
- How do you handle difficult customers or situations?
- How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks?
- What computer skills do you have and what software are you comfortable using?
- Describe a time when you had to handle a high-pressure situation.
- Describe a time when you had to communicate effectively with a coworker or supervisor.
- How do you maintain confidentiality in your work?
Prepare questions to ask during the interview.
Demonstrate your interest in the role and the company by asking the hiring manager questions about the organization, culture and expectations.
Here are a few example questions that you can ask during your interview:
- How does the receptionist role fit into the larger picture of the company’s operations?
- What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the company?
- Can you describe the company culture and work environment?
- How does the company support the professional development of its employees?
- How does the company measure success in this role?
- Can you describe the training process for new employees?
Gather references.
Gather your professional references to have on hand in case the hiring manager asks for them during or after your interview. Make a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to speak highly about your abilities and performance as a receptionist.
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Receptionists
- Indeed. Article. How to Become a Receptionist with No Relevant Work Experience
- ZipRecruiter. Article. What is an Entry Level Receptionist and How to Become One
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Entry Level Receptionist Resume Example
Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
More Articles by Elizabeth Muenzen, CPRW