MightyRecruiterReceptionist Sample Interview Questions
As you no doubt know, receptionists are the lifeblood of any organization. They often are the first faces customers see, and they keep offices operating smoothly by answering phones, providing information and performing administrative tasks such as filing and handling mail. Job growth for these folks is expected to be 10 percent through 2024, so take a look at the following receptionist sample interview questions.
Give Me a Rundown of Your Previous Work as a Receptionist.
This question serves two purposes. First, it identifies the industries in which the receptionists you’re interviewing have worked. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that many receptionists work in health care, veterinary care and personal care services. It’s helpful if a receptionist can bring experience in the same industry or in a similar industry to a new job. Second, this question lends insight into the specific tasks a receptionist performed. Some receptionists order supplies, for example, and if you run a vet practice, it’s helpful to know if your receptionist candidates have experience ordering pet supplies. Follow-up questions to ask may include:
-Tell me about your main responsibilities.
-What was your favorite responsibility Least favorite
-How many customers and clients did you interact with every day
What Do You Like About Interacting with the Public
Many receptionist sample interview questions have no ïrightï or ïwrongï answer, and this is one of them. Whether the answer the candidate gives is something like, ïI never know who I get to meet next,ï or something like, ïI enjoy helping solve people’s problems,ï you’re looking for body language and words that convey enthusiasm and friendliness. In other words, you’re checking that candidates actually do enjoy interacting with the public. Also ask them what they like least about interacting with the public.
What Qualities Should a Good Receptionist Have
This question lends insight into how well a candidate knows the job of a receptionist, which can be especially important for applicants who have little to no experience. Potential answers include communications skills, customer-service skills, organizational and planning skills, and a sense of integrity. Always ask candidates to clarify what they mean by terms such as ïcommunications skillsï if they do not elaborate on their own.
What Software Programs Are You Familiar With
If you are like many employers, you want your receptionists to have a great degree of familiarity with word processing programs such as Microsoft Word as well as spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel. To test their competence, you may want to include a small test in necessary programs at the end of the interview: for example, giving applicants five minutes to type a practice email to a client.
What Role Does a Receptionist Play in a Customer’s Impression of a Company
The importance of this query among receptionist sample interview questions is self-explanatory, and as a result, it’s easy to skip or forget about. However, you should ask it to ensure that candidates are aware of their responsibilities. You also get an idea of how applicants see themselves fitting into the company.
What Kind of Work Environment Do You Prefer
This question tests compatibility; someone who thrives in a fast-paced office may not do too well in an office with a laid-back vibe, and vice versa. Many candidates might answer that they like all kinds of environments and adapt easily, so follow up with questions such as:
-What are the challenges of working in a fast-paced office
-If you work in a slower-paced office, what tasks might you prioritize or do more of
-How do you balance your duties on especially busy days
-Do you like or hate stress
Tell Me about a Situation in Which You Made a Mistake.
Everyone makes mistakes, and there is no use pretending otherwise in your receptionist sample interview questions. This question gets to the heart of how candidates learned from and recovered from mistakes, rather than focusing on the mistake itself. It also tells you about a receptionist’s ability to accept responsibility. When you ask this question, pair it with a follow-up question like, ïAnd tell me about a situation in which you really shone as a receptionist.ï
Which Security Protocols Should a Receptionist Follow
Hopefully, your candidates have some experience with security protocols such as keeping an eye out for employee name tags, signing in visitors and asking for photo ID. You may also want to ask specifically about online security protocols.
Tell Me What You Know about This Company and What We Do.
This is a must-ask among receptionist sample interview questions. It gauges how well a candidate prepared for the interview and how motivated he or she is to work for your business. In the meanwhile, as you bring quality receptionists on board and make other all-star hires, turn to the resources here at Mighty Recruiter for assistance.