Receptionist

Receptionist interview questions:

Receptionists play a crucial role in creating positive first impressions with external contacts, making them a valuable asset to your organization. These operational and situational interview questions are designed to help you evaluate the skills and experience of your receptionist candidates.

Exceptional receptionists possess outstanding customer service and multitasking abilities. They are knowledgeable about the hierarchy within their company and can assist colleagues in determining the appropriate channels of communication for various matters. These professionals control access to your employees and exercise good judgment when screening calls and welcoming guests.

When hiring a receptionist, consider whether you need an experienced candidate or if you are open to training a newcomer for the role. Pairing a less experienced receptionist with a more seasoned colleague for training may be an option. It’s important to convey that the job may involve a fast-paced environment with a high volume of tasks, some of which can be repetitive. Ask candidates about how they structure their workday and what motivates them to excel in their role.

These questions can serve as a starting point, but you should also incorporate inquiries tailored to the specific needs and responsibilities of your organization. The role of a receptionist in a hotel, for instance, differs from that in a doctor’s office, and your questions should reflect those distinctions.

Operational and Situational questions:

• Have you held a receptionist role in the past? If not, please share details of your relevant work experience.
• Can you provide a typical day’s overview of your responsibilities at your previous company?
• On a daily basis, how many individuals did you interact with in your previous role?
• This type of work can be repetitive at times. What drives your motivation to consistently perform at your best?
• What methods do you employ to structure and manage your work schedule?
• Describe a situation where you had to multitask to accomplish your responsibilities.
• Please outline the software programs you have experience using and specify the projects for which you used them.
• What safety and security protocols did you adhere to in your previous role?
• Discuss the process you followed for accepting deliveries at your previous company.
• Describe a situation in which you were faced with the decision of sharing confidential information.
• Can you recount an instance where you interacted with an irate caller and how you managed the situation?
• If an employee at your company were running late for an appointment with a guest who had already arrived, what steps would you take to address this situation? How would you handle it?
• When faced with multiple ringing phone lines on your switchboard and a guest standing in front of you, which individual would you attend to first? How would you prioritize these situations?