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Receptionist CV Template & Example

A receptionist CV is your first impression on paper, just like you are the first impression in the lobby. Employers scan for warmth, reliability, and the ability to handle a ringing phone, a queue of visitors, and a full inbox all at once without dropping the ball.

Receptionist CV template example, created with WhizCV

Receptionist CV professional summary example

Open with two or three lines covering what you do, how long you have done it, and one measurable result.

Friendly front-desk receptionist who handled 120+ calls a day and greeted 80+ daily visitors while maintaining a 98% positive feedback score on visitor surveys.

Core skills for a Receptionist CV

The skills worth naming in your skills section. Different from the ATS keywords below, which are the terms a parser scans for.

  • Multi-line phone handling
  • Visitor management
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Front-desk administration
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Customer service

How to write a standout Receptionist CV

Three things hiring managers and applicant tracking systems look for — get these right and you clear the first screen.

01

Put numbers on your front desk

Reception is high volume. State call and visitor figures like 'Managed a busy switchboard of 100+ calls daily' so employers see you can handle the pace.

02

Lead with people skills

Phrases like 'greeted', 'reassured', and 'resolved' show you handle people warmly. Pair them with a result such as a visitor satisfaction score or reduced complaints.

03

List your booking and phone systems

ATS scans look for specific tools. Name the systems you used, such as a visitor sign-in app, a switchboard, or Outlook calendar, to match the posting.

ATS keywords for Receptionist CVs

Applicant tracking systems scan for role-specific terms before a human reads your CV. Weave the ones that genuinely apply to you into your summary, skills, and bullets.

front deskswitchboardappointment schedulingvisitor managementcustomer servicedata entryms outlookdiary management

Receptionist CV bullet point examples

Achievement-led bullets that show impact with numbers — concrete beats vague. Adapt them to your own results.

  • Managed a multi-line switchboard handling 120+ calls daily, routing every call within an average of 15 seconds.
  • Greeted and signed in over 80 visitors per day while keeping the lobby calm during peak morning arrivals.
  • Reorganised the meeting-room booking system, cutting double-bookings from 6 per week to nearly zero.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about writing a Receptionist CV.

What skills should a receptionist list on a CV?

Highlight phone and switchboard handling, visitor management, appointment scheduling, customer service, and the booking or calendar tools you used, backed by call or visitor volumes.

How do I write a receptionist CV with no experience?

Lean on transferable skills from customer-facing or volunteer roles, such as handling enquiries and staying organised, and emphasise reliability, communication, and a friendly manner.

Should a receptionist CV include a photo?

In the UK and US it is generally better to leave the photo off to avoid bias and keep the focus on your skills, unless the employer specifically asks for one.

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