A good receptionist can be invaluable. Ensuring the smooth running of your front-of-house and oftentimes the first point of contact for visitors, their ability to connect, listen and offer the right support creates a lasting impression of your company. 

So how can you ensure you’re making a good hire? 

1. Be clear on the role – When hiring a receptionist it’s important to decide what core skills the role requires. This might include strong communication skills, good time management and reliability, technical abilities and a friendly nature. Knowing exactly what you’re looking for helps speed up the hiring process.
2. Ensure a genuine interest – A candidate who’s truly interested in the role will have done their homework. Ask them what they already know about your company and their impressions of the business. What excites them most about becoming part of the company culture?
3. What’s their communication style – Active listening, empathy and compassion are as important as being a confident speaker. Spend some time asking each candidate to describe their communication style and give situational examples. 
4. Check their technical proficiency – An ability to manage the office technology, including phone systems, photocopiers, fax machines, and scheduling apps like Calendly and Zoom and standard word processing programs is likely essential for smooth operations. Bonus skills will include Microsoft Excel and social media platforms. 
5. Reliability and Confidentiality – Ensure the candidate has good time management skills and a dependable work ethic so that the front-on-house runs smoothly. Additionally, a good receptionist must respect confidentiality and maintain the privacy of sensitive information. 

Spending time hiring the right receptionist will not only enhance your day-to-day operations but it also helps to ensure a welcoming and professional atmosphere that reflects positively on your business.