How do I get a receptionist job with no prior experience

[sunshineandstarsgirl]

All the receptionist jobs that I saw are asking for prior experience as a receptionist which I don't have.

Apply anyway but demonstrate your transferrable skills in your CV.

Apply and emphasise transferable skills.

Have you done any customer facing roles? Highlight how they have given you skills that you would be able to apply to being a receptionist

Any particular reason you're chasing reception work? In my experience it's the worst of the office roles - high potential for abuse and low pay.

If you have zero office experience you'd be best applying for basic admin roles I think, then you'd likely get some phone handling experience to add to cv alongside other skills.

If you're applying at huge companies where it'll be more like switchboard call handling, then it saves them time training you if you have prior experience. If you've not done the work before it can be overwhelming.

I'm an EA. I actively avoid any roles that include covering reception.

Highlight your learnt skills instead of on the job experience.
There are plenty of free customer service courses that you can complete online and get digital certificates for, that you could then include on your CV.

How do I search for basic admin roles? Are you talking about administrative assistant jobs? Even those are asking for prior experience.

Get in via temping is my advice. If you can prove you have good basic computing and admin skills, you're presentable and polite, then you have a good shot at temp admin and reception work which gives you experience. Temp jobs can also turn perm.

Thank you 😊 x

Office junior/junior office assistant is probably what you want to be looking for.

Be clear on any transferable skills you have.

Are you a school leaver, or getting back into work/career change?

Definitely temping. Gain some solid skills and you'll be offered full time.

Pretty much every temp job I did I was offered a position. They know you, you know them. I think its by far the easiest way to get a job.

https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/junior-office-assistant/50362729 this sort of thing.

Thanks for replying. Both getting back into work and career change.

Would an apprenticeship be any good for you to get experience and a foot on the door? Look for business administration apprenticeships.

Ditto re temping. What are your skills and how long ago did you last work?

I applied for apprenticeships and waiting to hear back from them. I feel really scared thinking about going for an apprenticeship. I keep thinking I will fail it. I applied for business admin apprenticeship. I read online there is an observation at the end of the apprenticeship- this is what worries me. What if I invest 18 months into the apprenticeship and I fail it? 🤔

And what if you pass it? You will know long before 18 months has passed if you are suitable and if you like the work. An apprenticeship will mean you are shown the basics, mentored and given feedback as you go. You may well shine! Chin up and think positively.

Are you generally bubbly person and smile at people? If so you’re perfect!

ive seen many and worked with customer facing roles whom are miserable fuckers, and I wonder who employed them

go for it and good luck!

Can you offer any of the following from previous work experience?

Face to face customer service
Meeting and greeting the public
Problem solving
Good telephone manner
Clear speaking voice
Speak other languages
Patience
Unflappable under pressure

Those are transferable skills to receptionist.

If you haven't got that kind of work experience, look for voluntary jobs that would develop some of the above. Work in a charity shop, food bank, lunch club, care home, helpline.

Band 2 roles within hospitals are excellent stepping stones to an admin career. They will be looking for basic computer skills and customer service experience/skills

I feel really scared thinking about going for an apprenticeship. I keep thinking I will fail it. I read online there is an observation at the end of the apprenticeship- this is what worries me.

A receptionist requires calm self confidence and is constantly under observation and assessment all day long from the people they meet and greet. Because they represent a business at the front line, their performance will be carefully watched by the boss.

Is that kind of scrutiny and public performance job for you?

How do I search for basic admin roles? Are you talking about administrative assistant jobs? Even those are asking for prior experience.

Can you do a course online? From your first sentence I see you have little experience. Your grammar is good which will see you in good stead.

The learning is all on the job, but you need the basics. Good luck!

Do you have computer skills and a confident telephone manner? You could look for part time jobs in estate agency - they find it hard to get people to man the office whilst the full time staff go out on valuations and viewings? They particularly need extra staff on weekends?

In fairness, they probably started off being lovely, bubbly people and were worn down to being the miserable fuckers you've encountered by years of experiencing rude or abusive customers and/or ignorant co-workers.

OP what roles have you done before?

I haven't worked much. Did some volunteering. Worked in a library,as a supply teaching assistant, exam invigilator. That's about it. Applied for lots of retail jobs- didn't get a job.