A front desk receptionist greets visitors as they arrive at a company, and is frequently the first voice people hear when they phone the company. He or she usually does a number of administrative tasks as well, including distributing mail and filing. Depending on the workplace, a person in this position may specialize in things like billing, making reservations, or helping with security. He or she can work anywhere that has a welcoming area, from a manufacturing plant to a hotel.
Duties
The main duties of a front desk receptionist are to make people feel welcome, answer questions, and direct them to other parts of the building. In addition to this, most do office work. They handle written correspondence, schedule appointments, send and forward e-mails, compile reports and keep the office running smoothly. Preparing letters and parcels for shipping is a regular task, as is developing good relationships with shipping and courier services.
Front desk receptionists who have been in the job a while may have additional duties, like light bookkeeping and researching potential vendors. This is particularly common in companies that don't have other administrative staff, like a secretary. He or she may also generate reports and spreadsheets and help organize meetings. Some businesses also have receptionists maintain files on other employees, including information about their attendance and performance reviews.