Receptionist Training course

Emmaaar22

I am thinking of doing a receptionist training course in order to enhance my skills. I have no experience in reception/front of house work and I would REALLY like to become a receptionist, but unfortunately with no experience I have no way in to the industry.

Hence why I am looking at a training courses, i was looking last night and they all seemed reasonable. I just wanted to make sure what my options were and what the best deal is. Also wanted to see if it`s worth it. So any help and feedback is much appreciated

BrassicWoman

I would just do some temping, there are often 1/2 weeks receptionist holiday cover, and get some on the job training.

Neil_Jones

Realistically all being a receptionist boils down to is saying "Good morning sir/madam, how can I help you today?", standing/sitting behind a desk, using the telephone, directing people to Room 3 and other occasional duties - appointments, etc.

I'm not being funny when I say this but realistically can you do all of the above now? If you can use a telephone and be polite for 37hrs a week in the face of all the crap that can get thrown at you, what do you need a course for?

You may do better to rather focus on "receptionist" open it up a bit - going for customer service skills may be a viable option, which these days is pretty much the same thing as a receptionist in different packaging. Food for thought: pretty much all companies need customer service representatives but not all of them need receptionists as such.

hcb42

I work in hospitality management and wouldnt spend money on a receptionist course. It's about personality and customer service skills ultimately. If anything a hospitality degree is one way of getting into the industry, or get some experience in hotel banqueting something like that and you can always move internally then once you have demonstrated your skill set

robatwork

Emmaaar22 wrote: »

Also wanted to see if it`s worth it. So any help and feedback is much appreciated

It's not worth it.

We take on receptionists we no experience - it's one of the few jobs where you really can start with few qualifications and no experience. As long as you come across really well in an interview, it's not a difficult job.

As others have said, some temping will really help bolster your CV.

Most receptionist jobs will require some basic PC skills too - being able to use MS Office or a call logging package. Do you have any training in them? That's where I would invest in myself if you want to get some qualifications.

Emmaaar22

hcb42 wrote: »

I work in hospitality management and wouldnt spend money on a receptionist course. It's about personality and customer service skills ultimately. If anything a hospitality degree is one way of getting into the industry, or get some experience in hotel banqueting something like that and you can always move internally then once you have demonstrated your skill set

robatwork wrote: »

It's not worth it.

We take on receptionists we no experience - it's one of the few jobs where you really can start with few qualifications and no experience. As long as you come across really well in an interview, it's not a difficult job.

As others have said, some temping will really help bolster your CV.

Most receptionist jobs will require some basic PC skills too - being able to use MS Office or a call logging package. Do you have any training in them? That's where I would invest in myself if you want to get some qualifications.

I do have previous hospitality experience, just not as a receptionist. Therefore i`m finding it hard to find a way in.

Interesting, I have applied for some receptionist jobs but they always say EXPERIENCED needed and I have none of that which is why i`m looking into this training course. For the ones I have applied for, I never get a response back or it always seem hard to get into one or even get a interview.

As for computer programming I do have some knowledge in that, powerpoint, spreadsheet. But not the booking system or MS office. Telephone manner and face to face is also fine.

iammumtoone

I would not pay for training, can you try volunteering in that type of role.


Experience is not the same as training I am not sure having been 'trained' would actually help if they are looking for experience.

[Deleted User]

No one needs a Receptionist anymore unless it is hotel receptionist, dental receptionist, doctors, vets or car dealership or some large head office/managing space serviced office.

3 years ago I sat in an accounts office where we'd be answering the 'switchboard', dealing with couriers coming in and getting visitors drinks and signing them in. Alongside the accounts duties as the role doesn't exist much nowadays so save your money. This could also explain why there are no interviews because the role of receptionist probably gets knocked back in house. Employers are free to advertise and actually interview no body.

xapprenticex

training to be a receptionist? Snake oil

Sncjw

What about going for nhs receptionist work. You don!!!8217;t need much experience they train you on the job

Emmaaar22

Sncjw wrote: »

What about going for nhs receptionist work. You don!!!8217;t need much experience they train you on the job

Lots of those come through on the website but I can`t apply for any. Where I live, without a car it will take you a train, a walk and a bus just to get to the hospital as it`s on the other side of the city. So I think it takes about two hours just to get to it.

Well thank you everyone for your input and suggestions, bit stumped as what to do now. It has left me feeling a bit downbeat as it feels I can`t get anywhere or do anything or theirs not enough opportunities anymore. I hope something will turn up.