To everyone who has worked/works in a front desk position, how did/do u try to be your best?

Question

What habits did you incorporate. What did you learn? Details would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I worked as a receptionist for many years - a few tips - be on time, open the front desk on time...folks will call and visit, and expect you to be there at the opening and closing of business - you will be the first impression that the visitor gets, and late is not a good impression to have. Be knowledgeable about your office and area that it is located in - know in your office where the fax, copier, restrooms, coffee areas, coat racks, guest phones, guest computer facilities are located - in your offices city of location, know where the hotels, restaraunts, airports, and taxi services are and their numbers. For in office staff a great ideal is to complie local restaraunts menus and keep them on hand for ordering out. Also, become familiar with local catering companies and thier prices - you never know when you will be asked to assist in planning an office or xmas party! Utilize your best professional and clear speaking voice when answering the phone - pass messages along promptly. Be gracious and friendly to guests - if you are located near a coast closet - offer to take thier coats/hat, or direct them to hang them up, offer coffee/tea/cocoa/water if applicable, and contact the person they are visiting promptly to announce their presence....be aware of the staffs comings and goings - the admin assistants in each department shuold be able to help with this - if it is a small company, then spearhead the project! Take it upon yourself (with your bosses blessing of course) to account for this - it will make routing calls so much easier!...hope this helps - one more thing - look great at the front desk! Crisp blouse, nice slacks, and neat shoes are always perfect!

Answer 2

I have worked as a receptionist and now on the front desk of the computer dept. of a mid-size law firm. Make sure you look professional at all time, and act professional even when you're taking to your friends on the phone. No one should be able to tell you are idly chatting and not talking to a client. Smile a lot even when you don't feel like it. Make yourself useful and helpful, or at least offer often. Be patient, go beyond being patient some times, at least making it sound like you care. Don't lose your temper ever, don't get sarcastic or smart mouthed or short with anyone--you are Mother Teresa of the front desk, there to help, there to support, there to comfort and make everyone feel appreciated and noticed. Don't keep anyone on hold for more than 30 seconds--always let them know you haven't forgotten them. If the person they are trying to connect with is unavailable or is not taking the all fast enough, talk to the caller, see if you can get a callback number just in case you get disconnected or the executive doesn't want to take the call. Make sure you know which callers the big guns do not ever want to connect with so you can run interference (secretaries are jewels of information). Don't chew gum or eat at the desk--you are the first person representing the company so you're their first impression so make it a positive, respectable one. Know what is appropriate dress--some places are more casual than others (and these days young folks do not always know what appropriate business attire is--ask a secretary if you have doubts). If you find you have periods with nothing to do, ask your supervisor if perhaps you could do some additional things at your desk to help out--sorting or collating or typing--which would not interfere with your own job. Be gracious without being a doormat. Keep in mind that usually manning (or womanning) the front desk is an entry position so you are fairly low on the pecking order so don't over step yourself even if it seems like everyone else treats you like an equal. And basically you should practice the "golden rule"--do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Learn who everyone is and how they fit into the power structure so you know who you're talking to, who his people are, who is connected to whom, etc. Keep your language clean at all times because you just don't know who will hear you. In times of stress be the calm center keeping things in perspective even when everyone else is yelling and going crazy. And be prepared to be blamed for a lot of things you had nothing to do with--they need a scapegoat and you are expendable if necessary. And don't allow yourself to get rutted in the job, be trying to broaden yourself and your skills and your employability.

Answer 3

i worked at a university where i was a student. i was always on the computer looking busy, but actually doing papers and projects. (the work was slow--answering phones, front office stuff, typing memos, etc) i always dressed nice, was courteous and helpful, and was known by everyone. the little things stand out the most, like helping another employee get an appointment to see someone hard to see, showing someone how to use the copier, etc.
i took a fairly easy job and turned it in to an opportunity to market myself and ended up with a job with that same university after completing my degree.
hope this helps. if not isn't it a great story?
good luck to you

Answer 4

each and every physique's have been given to start someplace! I labored a front-table hotel place and a number of different of my co-workers have been very youthful with that being their first interest. It did require an utility to be filled out and that i do no longer bear in ideas bringing a resume. that's a desirable interest, to establish and meet human beings from throughout! i'm hoping you get the interest!!

Answer 5

The most important things are:
1) Be courteous and professional at all times.
2) Be a good and patient listener even if it takes longer.
3) Be kind.

Answer 6

You will learn all the skills on the job. Also they hired you knowing you have computer skills. The key is be NICE to people. Don't be rude even if they are. This is what makes or breaks a receptionist.

Answer 7

Just be yourself and dress nicely. everything else will come naturally. good luck.