Receptionist resume example & writing guide

A great receptionist is personable, organized, and capable of juggling multiple tasks at once. If you’re looking for a receptionist job, a strong resume can show an employer you have the right skills for the role. Our receptionist resume example and guide will show you how to position yourself as an ideal candidate.

This guide and example will provide some inspiration for your receptionist resume. We’ll discuss the following:

• What should a receptionist resume include

• Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education)

• Adding relevant key skills to your resume

• Choosing the right resume template for a receptionist

What should your receptionist resume include?

A receptionist often handles multiple tasks for a business, such as greeting customers, managing calendars, scheduling invoices, and planning events. On your resume, show an employer you can meet the demands of this role. Highlight your key skills for a receptionist job, including customer service, data entry, organization, and multitasking.

Make sure your receptionist resume includes the following elements:

• The resume header with your contact information

• The resume summary 

• The employment history section

• The resume skills section

• The education section

How can you create a professional summary?

In your professional summary, catch the hiring manager’s attention by describing how your skills and experience align with the role. Explain the achievements you’ve had in other positions. For instance, our example resume highlights the candidate’s success with creating new administrative procedures to improve office efficiency.

Your summary is also a great place to discuss your core skills. Review the job description so you can include skills-based keywords in your summary. Depending on the role, these skills may include phone etiquette, scheduling, vendor relations, or event planning.

How should you describe your work experience as a receptionist?

Your work experience section should connect your past jobs to the new role. Expand on each role you’ve held and describe how your work contributed to an office. List some achievements you’ve had in your career, such as implementing new administrative processes or winning an employee of the month award.

List your previous office experience in reverse-chronological order. Provide your job title, employer’s name, and dates of employment. Include a brief description of your primary duties, followed by a bulleted list of accomplishments. Emphasize measurable outcomes when possible, but as illustrated by our example, your bullet points don’t need to contain quantifiable results. Use them to showcase key projects or contributions you’ve made in other roles.

Here’s an example of a bullet point showing positive results without quantifiable data:

• Provided exceptional service as the company’s first point of contact, making customers feel welcome and comfortable

Include a fitting receptionist resume education and certifications section

While some employers hire receptionists without a degree, certain industries, such as law and healthcare, prefer candidates with a certificate or associate degree. Make sure you meet the employer’s educational requirements and include a section on your resume to describe your academic background.

When writing your education section, consider these tips:

• Focus on the essential details. Provide the name of your degree or diploma and your school.

• Note in-progress education. If you’re currently in school, note this on your resume by listing “in progress” after your degree, like we’ve done in the example. You can also include your expected graduation date.

• Highlight certifications. Earning a certification can improve your chances of getting a job. Mention certifications you’ve earned in relevant areas, such as computer software or administrative support.

Which key skills are relevant for a receptionist resume?

In the skills section, you can show a hiring manager your areas of expertise. If you have professional experience as a receptionist, focus on the hard skills you have, such as a knowledge of multi-line phone systems and familiarity with specific software. New receptionists can emphasize their transferable skills, like communication and multitasking.

Don’t forget to include skills that an employer mentions in the job description. Adding these skills to your resume can help you get noticed by both the hiring manager and an applicant tracking system (ATS). An employer may use an ATS to scan, rank, and approve resumes based on keywords. (To learn more about the ATS, check out our article on resume ATS optimization). 

Here are some skills you may want to add to your resume:

• Customer service

• Expense Reporting 

• Calendar management

• Vendor relations

• Data entry and reporting

• Appointment scheduling

• Event planning

How to select the most impactful receptionist resume template

Select a clean, professional template for your receptionist resume. Use bold headings to segment your resume into sections, so a hiring manager can read it quickly. Other formatting elements, like white space and standard margins, can also improve the readability of your resume.

Write concisely to keep your resume to one page. If you’ve worked as a receptionist for many years, you can add a second page, but only if you focus on your relevant experience.

To find the perfect template for your resume, check out the options available in our resume builder. You can also get additional ideas by browsing over 100 resume examples we offer.

Copyable receptionist resume example

Key takeaways for writing a receptionist resume

1. A good receptionist resume shows your ability to handle multiple tasks, manage office operations, and improve efficiency.

2. Align your experience with the new position by emphasizing similar duties you’ve had or skills you’ve gained in other roles.

3. Review the job description so you can include job-specific keywords to pass an applicant tracking system.