Receptionists and Information Clerks
In the Receptionists and Information Clerks occupation, workers answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization. One core duty is to operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments. On the six-type interest model it reads CES, meaning orderly work with data, records and clear procedures comes first, followed by leading, persuading and making business decisions. Plan on a few months to a year of learning on the job; O*NET labels this some preparation. Strength in speaking, active listening, and service orientation helps most here. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.
What they do
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
Main tasks
- Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
- Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
- Receive payment and record receipts for services.
- Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
- Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
- Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
Skills
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You like taking the lead and making the call.
- You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
- You are comfortable relying on speaking and active listening.
May not suit you if
- You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
- You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
- You want a career built on years of advanced study.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CES takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.
Preparation
Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Clerk Specialist
- Front Desk Receptionist
- Greeter
- Information Assistant (Info Assistant)
- Medical Receptionist
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.