If you’re thinking about applying for a receptionist job, it’s important to focus on crafting a strong, persuasive resume. Here’s what you need to know about writing a receptionist resume.
There are many types of positions that can benefit from a receptionist resume. A medical receptionist and an office assistant, for example, could both likely benefit from a receptionist resume, although they often do different types of work. In general, if you work in a reception area, like a front desk, or you do administrative support, you can probably use a receptionist resume. This example is equally beneficial for a front desk receptionist and an administrative assistant alike.
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To write a great receptionist resume, you need to nail five major components that you’ll see in most resumes:
First is your resume header. This is where you include your contact information, including your phone number, your full name, and any professional links, such as a job networking profile. You can include your current job title with your name (e.g., “John Jones, Administrative Assistant”).
Next is the resume summary or resume objective. This is a two to three-sentence paragraph at the top of your resume highlighting your top skills and professional experience. The difference between them is that the resume objective also includes a statement about your career goals; an objective is best for first-time job seekers, while a summary works better for job candidates with professional experience.
Here’s a list of popular skills related to receptionist work you should consider:
The skills you feature will depend on the specific job application; a typical administrative assistant, for example, typically won’t need to know much healthcare jargon. It’s all about what will catch a recruiter’s eye.
In your experience section, you can include up to ten years of experience in receptionist and related jobs, with bullet points spelling out your top duties and accomplishments for each job. An entry-level job may not require any experience, while a more high-level job may require plenty of experience.
Your education section is where you’ll put your highest education credential as well as any certifications that relate to the job. Most receptionists only need a high school diploma but include your bachelor’s degree if you have it.
No. Nowadays, it’s expected that you’ll have basic computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office and similar programs. Only feature these types of skills if you have advanced skills. For example, if you know how to create extremely advanced Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and macros, then you can include that on your resume.
Specificity is always better than being vague. If you have skills in a specific area or from your experience in the field, then you want to talk about what those skills are specifically. If you’re not sure how to describe your receptionist skills, then use a receptionist resume sample and try to find the best skills that you’re also competent in.
Any resume format can work for a receptionist resume. The chronological resume, which is the most common type of resume, may be a good option if you have a lot of experience; the functional resume, on the other hand, emphasizes skills and might work better for someone without a lot of experience. It’s all about what resume format best displays your strengths.
