How to write a receptionist resume
Here are some guidelines you can follow to create a professional receptionist resume:1. Include your primary contact information
At the top of your receptionist resume, list your primary contact information so hiring managers can reach you to schedule interviews. Include your full name, phone number and professional email address. If you need to create an email address that isn't tied to your current employer, consider using a combination of your first and last name. For example, someone named Donna Boudel might use the email address donna.boudel@email.com or dboudel@email.com when applying for jobs. Similarly, ensure your recorded voicemail message is appropriate. If a hiring manager tries to contact you when you're unavailable, this can show them you have the necessary communication skills and professional demeanor to succeed as a receptionist. In addition to including your primary contact information, provide a link to your professional website or your handle from a professional social media platform. This can encourage hiring managers to learn more about you by reviewing your profile online for additional details. Read more: How To Write Contact Information That Gets Your Resume Noticed2. Craft a professional summary
Writing a captivating professional summary can make your resume more memorable and increase your chances of securing an interview. Craft two to three sentences to introduce yourself to hiring managers and highlight your most impressive skills. You might discuss how many years of experience you have working as a receptionist, mention your customer service and organization skills or mention your successful track record for improving office systems and workflows. Reviewing the job description can help you identify what types of skills and qualifications the hiring manager is looking for in candidates so you can include a few of them in this section. Related: How To Write a Resume Objective for a Receptionist Role (With Template and Examples)3. List your academic degrees
Provide a brief overview of your academic history by listing any degrees you've earned, beginning with the highest level of education you've completed. Underneath the academic degree, share which organization you attended. While hiring managers don't typically require this, you can include relevant academic achievements in this area. For example, you might list your status as the valedictorian of your graduating class to show hiring managers you're a hardworking individual who excels at learning new things. Read more: How To List Education on a Resume4. Discuss your work history
Organize your jobs by using the reverse chronological format, beginning with your current or most recent position. If you have an extensive work history, focus on including the roles that are the most relevant. For each position, provide your job title, the name of the company you worked for, the city and state and the dates of your employment. Underneath each job title, include a bulleted list of your most impressive job duties and quantifiable accomplishments. For example, you might share that a new system you implemented in the office improved workflows by a certain percentage. This demonstrates the positive impact your work as a receptionist has had in the past. Consider how your efforts have improved the organizations you've worked for and the lives of your colleagues. Related: How To Become a Receptionist With No Relevant Work Experience5. Highlight your skills
Read through the receptionist job description again and write down any skills the hiring manager mentions they're looking for in an ideal candidate. If there are skills you haven't mentioned in other areas of your resume yet, try to include them in the skills section by creating a brief list that highlights them. This can help you make the most out of the space you have and provide additional value to the hiring manager. Incorporate a combination of hard skills, such as knowledge of different technology programs, and soft skills, such as attention to detail and written communication. This can show hiring managers you're a well-rounded receptionist. Read more: Receptionist Skills: Definition and Examples6. Mention your certifications
Mentioning any certifications you've earned as a receptionist can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates who may have similar academic backgrounds and work experience. Consider including certificates that highlight your technology skills, professionalism and communication abilities. This can help hiring managers verify that you have the necessary skills to excel as a receptionist and show them you're committed to your career. Related: 10 In-Demand Career Certifications (And How To Achieve Them)Tips for creating a receptionist resume
Here are some additional tips to help you create a professional-looking receptionist resume:- Keep your resume brief. Focus on highlighting your most important skills and qualifications to create a one-page resume. You can include a link to your professional website or social media profile to provide more information to interested hiring managers.
- Choose a font that's easy to read. Select a popular, professional font like Times New Roman or Helvetica. Use an 11- to 12-point font size to make your resume reader-friendly.
- Include section headers and bullet points. These formatting techniques can help you guide the reader through your resume. They can also help you highlight key information to ensure hiring managers pay attention to the most important details.
- Save your document as a PDF file. This preserves your resume's formatting when hiring managers open it, regardless of what type of device or application they use. It also prevents the recipient from accidentally editing your resume while they review it.