Common Receptionist Interview Questions and Best Answers

Common Receptionist Interview Questions and Best AnswersCommon Receptionist Interview Questions and Best AnswersAt many organizations,receptionistsare the face of the company. Every new client, job applicant, employee, or third-party vendor will pass by or check in with a receptionist, so employers are eager to find someone who will be responsible, friendly, and calm. 10 Typical Questions Asked in a Receptionist Interview Here you will find frequently asked questions for receptionists, sample answers, and tips for what to say during your interview. 153 Watch Now How to Answer 4 Common Receptionist Interview Questions 1. What do you do to keep up in a fast-paced work environment? What They Want to Know Your interviewer wants to be koranvers that you can keep up. How you do it is likely irrelevant, but you should have a clear and confident answer ready. The number one thing I do is keep calm, since a frantic, stressed attitude isnt helpful and also isnt a good look in front of an y staff or clients. I try to triage tasks, so that Im always working on the most important task first. Usually, thats anything that involves one of the companys clients. As well, I keep a running list of everything I need to do, so that I dont neglect any important responsibilities. Expand2. How do you keep your daily schedule organized? What They Want to Know How you organize your day is notlage really the point. The point is to demonstrate that you are well-organized and will complete all your duties in a competent and timely manner. I begin every day by making a list of everything I need to accomplish. I check my calendar for any meetings or appointments, so I can be aware of them, and get coverage on the front desk if necessary. In my job, communication is key, so Im constantly answering the phone and checking my email for new requests, then updating my to-do list with follow-up tasks accordingly. Expand3. What role does a receptionist play in a customers first impression of an organization? What They Want to Know Your interviewer needs to be aya that you understand the position you are applying for, but this question may also be cultural, touching on your philosophy of work. A receptionist can make a big impression- positive or negative- on customers. Since Im one of the first people customers see, afrustrating or poor interaction can really sour their opinion on the company or overall experience they had. To me, its similar to when the host greets you at a restaurant. If they seem frantic or act rudely, then it can feel later like your food just doesnt taste as delicious. Thats why I always make sure to greet people with a smile on my face and make sure all customers feel like theyve got my full attention. Expand4. Tell me about a time you had to deal with an angry customer or guest, either on the phone or in person. How did you handle the situation? What They Want to Know This is one of several questions you may be asked involving how you handle stressf ul and difficult conditions. You could also be asked how you responded to criminal or unethical activity. Be honest. Dont exaggerate and also dont sell yourself short. As a doctors office receptionist, I often dealt with frustrated patients on the phone. One time, a woman was so furious the billing department hadnt called her back the same day, that she started screaming at me on the phone. It was unpleasant What I try to do in these situations is think about how stressed the person must feel to behave this way. After a minute of her yelling, I said, You must be really frustrated. Can you tell me mora about whats going on? That helped slow down the conversation and reduce her volume. She explained the whole situation, and I reassured her that our billing person was just out for the day and would be in touch. I also told her Id place a note on the billing persons desk, asking her to call the woman back as her first task. By the end of the call, she was much calmer, and apologized for her earlier harsh words. Expand5. Are you willing to work overtime? What They Want to Know If you are not willing to work overtime, say so. If you are willing to work overtime but only within certain limits, say that as well. Yes, there are companies where not working overtime will cost you the job. But making a commitment that you cannot keep, or put yourself in a position where you have to sacrifice your welfare or that of your family for your job, is not an acceptable option. You need a job that matches your availability. Im comfortable working overtime a few times a month, so long as I have a days notice beforehand. Having a heads-up makes it easier for me to rearrange my plans. In a pinch, I can very likely do same-day overtime, too, but Id really prefer to have a days notice. Expand6. How many employees worked in your last office? What They Want to Know The interviewer wants to know what type of environment you worked in, how it compares with the company you are interviewing with, and whether you are comfortable working in small and/or big workplaces. In my last office, there were five employees. Thats small enough that we started to feel a bit like a family. You know, everyone knew Martha in the billing department needed two cups of coffee before you could ask complicated questions. Before that, though, my office was fairly large- 60 employees. I felt comfortable in both environments, although the first month in the large office was a bit challenging since I had to figure out who did what, and where to direct calls with a lot of options available. Expand7. Describe your previous duties as an administrative assistant, secretary, or receptionist. What They Want to Know The interviewer wants to go over the responsibilities that you listed on your resume, and confirm that they fit in with the position that is being offered. This is also a good opportunity to expand on the points highlighted in your work experience. As the receptionist at ABC Financials, I was the first person for customers. I answered the general phone line, as well as answering the phones for the companys five VPs. I was also in dienstgrad of receiving packages and distributing mail, greeting and escorting customers and vendors to meeting rooms, and keeping up with the companys general information email address. I also had a lot of administrative responsibilities I managed the calendars of those VPs, arranged their business travel, and helped create and refine PowerPoint presentations and other materials to distribute at events. Expand8. How do you prioritize calls, clients, deliveries, and other issues that must be addressed immediately? What They Want to Know The interviewer wants to know how good you are at multitasking, organizing time, and prioritizing tasks. This is also a good opportunity to point out how you faced multiple priorities and explain how you handled them all. Multitasking is essential when the office is busy. Whenever its not rude, I try to perfo rm a few tasks at the same time. For instance, I can easily answer a phone call while signing for a package from the delivery person. When multitasking isnt possible, I put my focus on clients and customers as the number one priority. If necessary, Ill ask if they can give me a minute to do another task first- and, if things are really busy, I try to call in a fellow employee to provide me with coverage. Expand9. How strong are your computer skills? What They Want to Know The interviewer wants you to confirm which computer skills you have, whether your skill level is compatible with company expectations, and which programs you are most comfortable using. If possible, it is a good idea to research which programs the company is using before the interview. I have very strong computer skills. As well as being familiar with Microsoft Office, I also used to make updates to the company website in my last role, so Im comfortable using WordPress as well. When I start using a new program or a pplication, I usually find that most of my questions can be answered with an online search, although I do appreciate getting a tutorial from a co-worker, too. Expand10. Tell me about your customer tafelgeschirr experience. What They Want to Know The interviewer wants an overview of your customer service experience- how many years, specific examples, and which skills you are comfortable using to resolve problems. Ive been working in customer service since I was a teenager. My first job was working at a bookstore, where I helped customers find books and sometimes covered the cash register. During college, I had a part-time retail job as well, this time, selling clothing. Then, of course, as a receptionist at ABC Company, I also dealt with customers, although in this role, I was not directly making any sales. I feel really comfortable interacting with customers and solving their problems, whether its finding the book theyre looking for or changing their meeting time with an executive. Expand Tips for Answering Receptionist Questions The best receptionists are detail-oriented, organized, and excellent communicators. Therefore, candidates should show up prepared to answer open-ended interview questions that will evaluate experience, familiarity with workplace tools, process, and skill set- including working with customer service, multitasking, and the ability to make quick judgment calls. In this case, interviewers arent necessarily looking for yes or no answers. Instead they are expecting candidates to answer with specific examples that describe how they handled past workplace situations, and ask carefully researched questions about company priorities, expectations, goals, and challenges. Because of ever-increasing technological advancements in the workplace, receptionists must also have strong technical skills. You should have experience using phone systems and office machines like printers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines (yes, still), in addition to comp uter applications like MS Office and industry-specific software. 7 Questions to Ask the Interviewer Interviewers will expect you to ask questions. Heres a list of questions that you can ask during or at the end of your interview Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities for this job?Which qualities are you looking for in a person you want to hire for the company?What are your expectations for this job, and how do you measure success?Why did the last person who held this job leave?Who does this position report to?What are the opportunities for career advancement with the company?Does the company offer any training opportunities for employees? How to Make the Best Impression A receptionist position may be considered entry-level, but it can also be the first step up the corporate ladder. A prospective employer will be drawn to a confident, self-assured person. Often you will be the first person their clients or patients will meet when walking into the office fo r the first time. Be sure your first impression is the best it can be. Hereshow to prepare for an interview. Along with a standout resume, take the time to dress the part when you interview. If you get the job, youre going to be the frontline person and its important to show the employer your professional image. If you arent sure about what to wear to your interview, check out these tips onhow to dress for an interview. If both your resume and yourprofessional attire are on point, and you are prepared to answer likely questions, you will be successful in obtaining the position you are interviewing for.

How to Use Help Wanted Ads to Job Search

How to Use Help Wanted Ads to Job SearchHow to Use Help Wanted Ads to Job SearchDo you use the help wanted ads in newspapers to aid you in your job search? If not, you should. Local and regional employers dont always post on major jobs sites like Monster and Indeed. Instead, they might advertise in the local newspaper to avoid being overwhelmed with too many applicants. Employers also post jobs in local newspapers when they dont plan on paying for relocation costsandwant to hire only local applicants. If youre looking for a job in your local area, the help wanted ads are a great place to begin your job search. Similarly, if youre planning to relocate, you can check out the help wanted ads in a newspaper in the area where youd like to live and work. How to Find the Right Newspaper If youre looking for a job in a specific town, state, or region, check out that areas local newspapers. You can find directories of newspapers, both national and international, available online, which wi ll help you save time searching for newspapers in locations that interest you. For example, you can search for free on theLibrary of Congress websitefor both historic and current newspapers. Search by state, county, and/or city, depending on how narrow you want your search to be. You can also check your local library for either a newspaper directory (which lists newspaper titles by region) or an online collection of newspapers. Your local library is a great resource for getting newspapers without paying for each copy, and most papers have help wanted ads online. In addition,CareerBuilder.comlists the classifieds for many newspapers. Many other job search sites similarly draw on classifieds when listing job openings. How to Find Help Wanted Ads To check out help wanted ads, you can read the printed paper and look for the Classified or Help Wanted section. However, you dont need to zustrom to the store to buy the latest edition of your local paper if you dont want to. Most newspap ers have online editions of each issue. These online editions should contain the classified ads. These ads are typically searchable by date, category, keyword, and location. You may also be able to upload yourresumeand apply directly online for jobs that interest you. Some papers include even more extensive job search information for readers, such as local salary information and local career resources. Other newspapers conduct live job fairs attended by the employers who advertise with them. Check in your newspaper for upcoming fairs or look on the newspapers website. You may also be able to set upa job search agentto notify you when new listings that meet your criteria appear. A job search agent is a common resource on many online job sites. All you have to do is to provide information on the font of job youre looking for, and you will receive regular emails (typically daily, weekly, or monthly) with information on all the new job listings that fit your interests. Tips for Using Local Job Ads in Your Job Search Check regularly.Be sure to check out the help wanted ads on a daily, or at least weekly, basis to ensure you are applying for every potential job available. With every new issue of the paper comes new job listings, so stay on top of your reading. Use multiple newspapers.Look at more than one newspaper from the region to increase your chances of finding all the job listings that fit your interests. This isespecially so if youre not from the region, as you might not know which newspapers are the most popular and therefore the most likely to have more classifieds. Do further research, if needed.Often, help wanted ads are very short, in large part because newspapers often charge employers by the word or the amount of space their ad takes up. Therefore, there may not be a lot of information about the job or company in the listing. If you want more information, check out the company website. If theres a contact for the listing, reach out to him or her wi th any specific questions you have about the job. Continue your online search. These days, so many jobs are listed onjob engines,job boards, andcompany websites such that you dont need to rely solely on newspaper help wanted ads. Dont stop checking those other websites while you read the classifieds. A mix of help wanted ads and online listings will help you get a sense of what jobs are out there for you. Use Local / rtlich Job Sites Local and regional job sites can be effective in finding a job in a specific location. Again, many of these sites include listings from local employers who may not be inclined to post on major job sites. For example, check out this list from theNational Labor Exchangeofavailable jobs organized by state. Click on the state where youre searching and use the search bar to find jobs within that state. You can search for jobs throughout the state, or in a specific city. The site also contains links to other sites that provide more information about job s earching in that area.

The most important skill for interacting with people

The most important skill for interacting with peopleThe most important skill for interacting with peopleWhen you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serioustrouble and you will be rightmore than halfthe time.- Henry EyringEvery partie you meet, no matter how happy they appear on the outside, is dealing with serious challenges in their life.Life is freaking hard.Some of the people you meet are going through bitter and bone-chilling challenges. And for the most part, you have no clue. You just pass them at work, in the grocery store, or even at family gatherings.In the book,The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Dr. Stephen Covey tells the story of being on a train one day. While on the train, there were two very noisy kids causing a disturbance to everyone around them. Covey noticed that the father was doing nothing about it, and after a period of restraint he approached the father. Heres Coveys account of the situationSir, your children are really disturbing a lot of people . I wonder if you couldnt control them a little more?The man lifted his gaze as if to come to a consciousness of the situation for the first time and said softly,Oh, youre right. I guess I should do something about it. We just came from the hospital where their mother died about an hour ago. I dont know what to think, and I guess they dont know how to handle it either.Can you imagine what I felt at that moment? My paradigm shifted. Suddenly I saw things differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didnt have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior my heart was filled with the mans pain. Feelings of sympathy and compassion flowed freely. Everything changed in an instant.Living more compassionatelyIf you treat every partie you meet like they are dealing with a serious challenge, youll be right more than half the time. If you entreat people with love, kindness, empathy, and discernment, they will appreciate you so much.Sharing a few ki nd words to our loved ones make refreshes them like cool water in the middle of the desert. Small gestures can bring hope and motivation.Even better, ask people how they arereallydoing in their life. Tell them that you know they are going through a lot right now, and that its probably really tough.How do you think theyll respond?You might just see some tears.Very few people are compassionate and considerate. For instance, my mom works like an absolute workhorse in her job. She is one of the most caring and loving and hardworking people I know. Yet, day in-and-out, she takes constantly crap from people who dont appreciate what she does.Its crazy how a small and thoughtful compliment can put her in tears. She works so hard.There are people in your life that havent been thanked for all of efforts in far too long.ConclusionHarriet Beecher Stowe once said,The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.You have no idea what the people in your world ar e currently dealing with. If you treat them like they are going through a crises, youll be right more often than not. But even more importantly, you can be a balm of peace and understanding for them.A few words can be a release-valve for pent-up pain and sadness.You could change someones life today. You could potentially save someones life today. You could also indirectly change countless other lives through the ripple effects of making just one person felt heard and seen.Send the text to a friend.Make that call to a loved one.Apologize to a co-worker or employee.Send a loving note of appreciation to your spouse/lover.Say I love you more.Wrote William Shakespeare,They do not love that do not show their love.Ready toupgrade?Ive created a cheat sheet for putting yourself into a PEAK-STATE, immediately. You follow this daily, your life will change quickly.Get the cheat sheet hereThis article first appeared on Medium.