Requirements for secretary/receptionist positions vary depending on the company. Duties include administrative support, answering calls, greeting guests, and operating office equipment. Formal training and a business degree may be preferred, but on-the-job training is also common. Industry-specific procedures may also need to be learned.
The requirements for becoming a secretary/receptionist vary, largely due to the type of company the position is found in. Most companies require a minimal amount of education with little or no training. Due to the roles associated with this position, however, other companies may require a certain level of education. Still others may expect you to have an undergraduate degree and a few years of work experience.
Typically, a secretary/receptionist is responsible for administrative support tasks within a company. Secretarial duties may entail office support responsibilities. You can support a departmental manager or provide general office support for the entire company.
There are several roles often associated with fulfilling the receptionist role. A primary duty is answering and forwarding calls to the appropriate department. Greeting customers and guests in the waiting area is another duty commonly associated with being a receptionist.
Other tasks may be required depending on the functions supporting office activities. In some companies, you may need to prepare mail for delivery services. In addition, you can also distribute incoming emails to company staff.
To become a secretary/receptionist you will need a variety of knowledge, skills and abilities. Most companies expect you to have a comprehensive understanding of office procedures. Since a main duty in this position is answering the phone, having pleasant verbal skills is often an added benefit. The ability to operate office equipment is also desirable for most businesses.
Some technical schools offer courses in business and office administration to help you develop the skills you need to become a secretary/receptionist. Typical courses might include training in the use of word processing and spreadsheet applications. Writing business correspondence and office etiquette are additional courses offered at most schools.
Also, some companies may prefer to hire a person with an undergraduate business degree. Obtaining a business degree or a four-year academic institution can help you meet this requirement. This type of degree can also prepare you for promotion within the company.
In addition to the formal training required to become a secretary/receptionist, you may also need the time to learn a company’s standard operating procedures. Typically, you receive training in industry-specific procedures that affect your role variation after you are hired. For example, working in a medical facility might involve scheduling patient office visits. Prior to the patient’s arrival, office procedures may include verifying health insurance and creating a medical file.
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