The requirements for becoming a secretary/receptionist differ depending on the type of company where the position is available. Most employers only require a basic level of education and little to no training. Other companies, however, may require a certain level of education due to the responsibilities of this position. Others may anticipate that you have a bachelor’s degree and a few years of work experience.
A secretary/receptionist is typically in charge of administrative support within a company. Office support responsibilities may be part of secretarial duties. You could assist one department manager or provide general office support to the entire company.
There are several responsibilities that come with working as a receptionist. One of the most important responsibilities is answering the phone and routing calls to the appropriate department. Another common duty associated with being a receptionist is greeting clients and guests in the waiting area.
Other responsibilities may be required, depending on the functions that support office operations. You may be required to prepare mail for delivery services in some companies. You could also distribute incoming mail to company employees.
You’ll need a wide range of knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed as a secretary/receptionist. Most employers expect you to know everything there is to know about office procedures. Because one of the primary responsibilities of this position is to answer the phone, having pleasant verbal skills is usually a plus. Most businesses also value the ability to operate office equipment.
A few technical schools offer business and office administration courses to help you gain the skills you’ll need to work as a secretary or receptionist. Training in the use of word processing and spreadsheet applications is common in typical courses. Most schools also offer courses in writing business correspondence and office etiquette.
Furthermore, some employers may prefer to hire someone with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. A four-year academic institution can help you meet this requirement by providing you with a business or related degree. This degree may also help you advance your career within the company.
You may need time to learn the standard operating procedures of a company in addition to the formal training required to become a secretary/receptionist. After being hired, you will typically receive training in industry-specific procedures that affect the variety of your duties. Working for a medical facility, for example, might entail scheduling patient office visits. Office procedures could include verifying health insurance and creating a medical file before the patient arrives.