What does a receptionist do?
There is only one role in the entire industry that guarantees a person the chance to impress everyone in a company – and that’s receptionist. A good receptionist enables everyone to do their job with the minimum amount of stress.
Many independent production companies and post-production companies use the receptionist role as one in which a new entrant can learn about the industry. It’s expected that new entrants will make contacts and find their way into their chosen career from the receptionist position. Many go on to work as researchers, talent assistants and production secretaries.
Receptionists are the first point of contact in every company. Their role involves taking calls and feeding them through to the right departments, monitoring general enquiry emails, greeting guests and making them feel welcome. They are responsible for making sure deliveries get to the correct person or department and that when parcels are sent out by the company, the courier picks up the right package.
It’s also the receptionist’s responsibility to ensure the smooth running of the office. This includes ensuring office safety, monitoring maintenance and cleaning, maintaining office supplies and making sure everyone’s specific needs are met – from their milk preferences to their favourite kind of pen. It’s an exhausting but not exhaustive list and offers a great way to learn how a company operates from the ground up.
What's a receptionist good at?
- Communication: have a friendly phone manner and personable attitude; you’re the first point of contact for the company
- Efficiency and time management: keep the office running smoothly, prioritise jobs, ensure a good working environment
- Flexibility: be able to react to and pre-empt everything; the demands of a company will not always be known in advance
- Patience: stay calm and polite
- Learning by watching and asking: observe what’s happening, take initiative, ask questions at the appropriate time
