• Receiving clients or patients, noting inquiries and providing relevant information.



• Making appointments for clients or patients, and attending to their record cards.



• Dealing with telephone requests for information or appointments.



• Ensuring that clients and customers are referred to the correct staff members who can take care of their specific problems.



• Making reservations and arranging registration for hotel guests or patients, as well as keeping records or presenting bills on departure.



• Supplying information pamphlets, brochures or forms on request.



• Typing, and doing basic office-administration work.

Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of a HIGCSE or outstanding IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, is required to be accepted by South African technikons.

For studies at the Polytechnic of Namibia, candidates must have at least passed five subjects on IGCSE/HIGCSE level and have obtained minimum score of 25 points on the Polytechnic’s point evaluation scale.

Recommended subject
Typing (South Africa)

Tertiary Education
Various technikons in South Africa offer the following National Diplomas: Office Administration, Executive Secretary, Hotel Management and Public Relations. The Polytechnic offers similar courses.
A career diploma can also be obtained at private colleges.

This type of training should rather be regarded as career development than as essential tertiary qualification to become a receptionist, as many companies offer in-service training to potentially suitable candidates.

Personality
The prospective receptionist should have a charming personality and be physically presentable. The person should also be friendly, tactful and able to deal comfortably with strangers.

Work Opportunities
Receptionists are employed by most organizations. Job prospects seem to be favourable.

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