How to perfect your receptionist CV

Receptionists are the initial point of contact for any company, so they must represent and promote their employer brand exceptionally well. There's no better way to get your customer service, administration, and communication skills across than crafting an effective receptionist CV. Therefore, it is essential to convey clear communication skills and a dedication to service in your CV.

Firstly, to impact recruiters, you must conduct comprehensive research on job targets to impact recruiters and carefully consider your career goals. Next, you must market yourself well on a CV and show recruiters you are an ideal candidate. To do this successfully, you must be familiar with the automated software called Applicant Tracking System (ATS). When writing any CV, you must ensure it’s scannable and easy to read by both a human and a machine. Deciding if you’re the perfect candidate for a role only takes a few seconds, so make your receptionist CV count.

Are you interested in a career as a receptionist or considering a career change in that direction? Then this article is for you regardless of background. See our latest industry tips and step-by-step guidance on how to craft a winning CV for your job.

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The CV writing process: Where to start?

Regardless of the role, the CV writing process is nearly the same. You still have to think of ways to display the key information for your career goals as a receptionist. Writing a CV without knowing where to start can be daunting. That’s why creating a well-crafted, concise, and tailored CV is crucial.

To effectively communicate your career goals on a receptionist CV, getting familiar with the company culture and brand personality is essential. Firstly, you must create a master CV and then a job-specific CV to tailor your application to specific job targets. By doing so, you can include relevant information and increase your chances of landing a job interview.

As remote video interviews are more prevalent in today’s job market, you must know how to prepare for them and what to expect. Refer to the article for more inspiration and tips for your next interview.

Master CV for a receptionist

A master CV is the foundation of any job-specific CV. This career document compiles all your experiences, skills, and achievements into one easy-to-access location, such as Google Drive. So don't let the initial effort scare you - trust us, it's worth it! Furthermore, once you have completed your master CV, you won't have to re-do it.

Job-specific CV for a receptionist

Perhaps you’re wondering whether creating a job-specific CV for a receptionist role is worthwhile. Taking the extra time and effort to research and adjust your CV sections to a job post can help you stand out and increase the chances of your application being shortlisted. Avoid being vague and generic to attract the best attention. If you’re still stuck for ideas, check out our article on how to create a good CV.

To create a well-tailored CV, optimise the document for ATS, research the company thoroughly, and include all the keywords from the job post. Reviewing and editing your receptionist CV carefully is also of utmost importance to ensure it’s error-free and gives the best impression. For more ideas for your receptionist CV, refer to this article on how to improve your CV.

Receptionist CV example

Download this receptionist CV example as PDF

Looking at this receptionist CV template, you can see Ava’s relevant experience and skills in the manufacturing industry. She emphasises her ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Ava mentions customer service and administrative skills several times, indicating where her focus lies. She has opted for the professional Stanford template in corporate blue due to its simple yet widely-accepted format.

What should you include in a receptionist CV? Tips and examples

As a receptionist, you should be well-organised and have strong project management skills. CVMaker suggests doing the same for your CV. When structuring a CV, align it with the automated software, as it can guide you in selecting the right sections. Remember to keep your CV as clear and concise as possible.

Highlight your unique strengths and measurable achievements. Focus less on aesthetics, such as the design of your receptionist CV template, and spend more time writing an engaging and unique persuasive summary. Remember, the main goal is to show employers and recruiters how your skills and experience can help their company. Highlight your essential skills, experience, and achievements to discuss them further during the interview.  Keep your CV brief and engaging because they only scan it for details. Below, you can find recommended sections to incorporate into your receptionist CV. Once you have included the essential information, consider adding optional sections such as awards or references.

Are you wondering whether to add a references section to your receptionist CV? If so, read this article to learn how and when to include references.

How to write a personal profile on a receptionist CV

A personal profile, also known as a personal statement, is a section on a receptionist CV that aims to reflect one’s career aspirations and background. This statement provides a glimpse into what the applicant can offer before delving into experience and expertise. It’s also the first impression recruiters will get. Your personal profile summary helps differentiate your receptionist CV from others with similar qualifications and experiences.

Below are examples of personal profiles at different skills and competency levels. For more inspiration or guidance, refer to our guide to learn how to write your personal statement for a receptionist.

Examples of personal profiles for a receptionist CV

A well-structured and compelling personal profile on a CV can increase your chances of being invited to an interview. Find out how to write a personal profile and discover proven strategies.

How to write skills on a receptionist CV

When writing a receptionist CV, it's essential to list an equal amount of hard and soft skills. Soft skills such as communication, listening, or empathy may not be so apparent and difficult to measure, but they are still essential to your receptionist CV.

Think of your personality traits, attributes and qualities that make you a professional and employable candidate. Even if you only used some of these skills briefly or have switched careers before, highlighting the ones that are consistent and relevant to your job target is worth highlighting. For inspiration, refer to the examples below or our guide on what skills to put on your CV.

Examples of hard skills on a receptionist CV

Also known as professional skills, hard skills are capabilities that are easy to quantify. You can obtain them through practical experience, educational training, or courses.

• Computer

• Administration

• Microsoft Office

• Technology

• Writing

Examples of soft skills on a receptionist CV

Also known as personal skills, soft skills are natural abilities honed in your daily life. They help define your relationship with others in both professional and personal settings.

• Effective listening

• Communication

• Organisation

• Multi-tasking

• Patience

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How to write work experience on a receptionist CV

When including work experience on a receptionist CV, listing all relevant job responsibilities and tasks highlighting your proficiency in the role is essential. Start each entry with the job title, employer name, and employment dates.

Include any awards or achievements received during your tenure as a receptionist or another relatable customer service role, if applicable. Describe all customer service responsibilities in detail, such as providing information on the company and its services, taking payments or fielding customer inquiries.

Examples of work experience on a receptionist CV

• Greeted visitors and provided front desk support in a busy insurance office

• Answered telephone calls and routed them to the correct department promptly

• Ensured the lobby was tidy and prepared for customers

How to write additional experience on a receptionist CV

Have you completed any volunteer opportunities, internships or short-term experiences relevant to this role? Showcase what you have done in an additional experience section and emphasise your key achievements. Save the details of your work experience or any related career documents, such as awards or certificates, with your master CV to show your recruiter during interviews!

Including an additional experience section on your CV is optional, but it can significantly enhance its appeal and uniqueness, particularly if you have limited work experience or have changed careers.

Enhancing your CV by incorporating languages, hobbies and interests into your receptionist CV can increase appeal. Ensuring that these details are pertinent to the position and contribute value to your application is crucial.

Examples of additional experience on a receptionist CV

• Completed volunteer experience as an administrative assistant during a work experience placement in secondary school.

• Completed an internship as an office assistant.

• Attended a professional ‘insight event’ for the IT and customer service industry.

How to write education on a receptionist CV

While a higher education degree is not required for a receptionist position, having secondary or tertiary education and GCSEs can be advantageous. Recruiters tend to prioritise practical experience and seek individuals with the necessary skills and qualities.

When formatting the education section of a receptionist CV, we recommend presenting the information clearly and concisely for the convenience of recruiters. To do this, include the name and location of the school, dates of attendance, and the degree, diploma, or certificate earned.

Key takeaways

After reading this article, you're in full gear to kickstart your career documents and send applications. We hope this article has shed some light onto what makes a superb receptionist CV, and how to list the fundamental information. The key to obtaining a desired receptionist job is planning and creating an eye-catching CV. Remember that using the 'working smarter not harder' approach can give you more leads and eventually help land that job you want.

Here are additional tips for writing a receptionist CV

• Dedicate time to crafting a comprehensive master CV.

• Save your master and accompanying documents in a secure file that's easily accessible.

• Read job posts carefully and pick up keywords.

• Compile a job-specific CV from your master CV using only relevant information.

• Write an upbeat personal profile in the CV focusing on the job requirements.

Next steps?

Do you need a CV template? CVMaker has over 20 professional templates to choose from. They are HR approved, giving you plenty of customisation options. CVMaker’s professional writing service can also help you save time and effort on your next application.

FAQ

What is the best format for a receptionist CV?

When writing your CV, using a professional and transparent format is essential. A receptionist CV will look different for everyone, depending on their situation and career goals. However, you should follow the most common format of writing a CV in reverse chronological order, with the most recent work experience listed first. If you have gained work experience, CVMaker advises creating a skills-based CV to showcase your capabilities.

What are the top qualities of a receptionist?

The top qualities of a receptionist include strong communication skills, excellent customer service abilities, the ability to multitask and prioritise tasks, a professional attitude, problem-solving skills, organisation skills, and the ability to work independently. To reach a maximum impact, incorporate these qualities, skills, and attributes organically throughout your CV to make a lasting impression.

What does a receptionist do?

The responsibilities and duties of a receptionist are multifaceted; however, typically, they represent the first point of contact for visitors to a business, providing welcoming services and helping to direct customers if they require any assistance.

Receptionists are often responsible for answering incoming calls, taking messages, and transferring calls to the appropriate party. Receptionists’ office duties include filing documents, sorting mail and scheduling appointments. Lastly, receptionists often act as administrative assistants, taking notes and communicating with other departments in the business.

What qualifications do you need to become a receptionist?

To become a successful receptionist in the UK, you need to have a combination of qualifications, knowledge and skills. Qualifications-wise, it is beneficial to have at least five GCSEs or equivalent – ideally including English language, maths and IT – although some employers may accept lower grades depending on the role. A-Level qualifications can be helpful but are not essential.

In addition to showcasing your qualifications, it is essential to highlight any relevant experience or volunteer work you have completed related to a receptionist role. Also, include any continuing professional development activities you have undertaken, such as training courses and seminars. Finally, demonstrate your strong communication and interpersonal skills, which are essential for a successful career as a receptionist.

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