Skills
Receptionist Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in receptionists, and how to build and show them.
What skills do receptionists need?
Receptionists need technical skills such as multi-line phone systems, scheduling software, and data entry, plus people skills like friendliness and professional communication. They also use tools such as Multi-line phone systems and Scheduling and visitor software.
Technical (hard) skills
- Multi-line phone systems
- Scheduling software
- Data entry
- Visitor management
- Basic office software
- Mail handling
People (soft) skills
- Friendliness
- Professional communication
- Multitasking
- Composure
Tools, equipment and technology
- Multi-line phone systems
- Scheduling and visitor software
- Email and calendar tools
- Copiers and scanners
- Badge printers
- CRM or appointment systems
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how receptionists put their skills to work:
- How to answer and transfer a business call
- How to check in a visitor
- How to take a complete phone message
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Multi-line phone systems” and “Scheduling software.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “friendliness,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as Microsoft Office Specialist near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our receptionist glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Receptionist training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.