How To Become a Receptionist: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Top Colleges, Eligibility, Jobs, Skills, Salary

Steps to Become a Receptionist

The various steps to become a receptionist are mentioned below:

Make a decision

Firstly, candidates should know their interests and plan a strategy for career. They should know about what they like to do in their profession, how many courses and colleges are available for their career, companies available and job roles they want to do. Candidates should understand the deep meaning of their career.

Choice of the subject

Candidates who want to become a receptionist, don’t need any particular subject to pursue. They only need a 10+2 class or any diploma to become a receptionist. It should be recognized and should have some skills and little experience about what receptionists do.

Prepare for the entrance exam

For receptionists, there is no entrance exam. No entrance exam has been taken by college or university for the course. Only score marks in 10+2. The marks should be at least 45% marks.

College admission

Research properly about the colleges and universities before taking admission. Candidates should research the faculty, training, education, placement, internships, etc.

After qualifying for the exam

As there is no entrance exam, then there will be no personal interview or group discussion related to it. So just score the marks in 10+2 to get admission. 

Types of Receptionists

The different types of receptionists according to their job roles and area of expertise are mentioned below:

Front Desk Auditor

Front desk auditors manage the activities of the front desk, from checking the guest list, their check-in and check-outs, managing customer complaints/requests, and ensuring the concerned departments solve them in the given time period.

Hotel Front Desk Associate

Hotel front desk associates have similar responsibilities as front desk auditors; they record the check-ins of guests, familiarize them with the hotel amenities and facilities, give the guests the direction to their rooms and handle customer complaints or requests (if any).

Schedule Coordinator

The responsibility of the schedule coordinator is to manage and arrange the appointments of visitors. They manage the calendar's schedule. They arrange the meetings, venue, time, travel arrangements. They keep a record of time and deadlines.

How to Become a Receptionist in India?

The steps to becoming a receptionist in India start right from the school level, up to the postgraduate level.

School Level Preparation

• Candidates must think of their interests, profession. Also, candidates are not focused or think about it when they’re in 10+2. 
• They should prepare with their skills. 
• They should prepare for their examination to score high in the exams. The receptionist requires only marks to get admission. 
• Also, focus on communication skills. Candidates should be aware of some basic computer skills. Start researching about it through Google, books, etc.

How to Become a Receptionist After 12^th?

After school, candidates are eligible to pursue various courses and degrees to become a receptionist in India.

UG Preparation

• In UG preparation, there are diploma, certificate courses, and bachelor degrees in becoming a receptionist. 
• Candidates need at least 45% marks in 10+2 to get admission in bachelor. Choose any stream have an interest in as the receptionist needs no particular stream. 
• Diploma course takes 1 year to 2 years to complete.

PG Preparation

• After graduation, candidates can pursue the same course in master. They need to score well in bachelor’s and check eligibility criteria if more required by colleges. 
• Fill the forms on time and get a selection for the course. 
• Maybe some colleges accept entrance exams in post-graduation. There are many PG diplomas.

Courses to Become a Receptionist

One of the major advantages when it comes to becoming a receptionist is the eligibility criteria. Almost any student from any discipline can become a receptionist be it BBA, BCom, BSc, MBA, or BTech graduates. Diploma and certifications in the front office are a few of the courses that are dedicated solely to teach about the techniques involved in being a receptionist.

Diploma in Front Office

• Diploma in Front Office is a 6 months-1 year course for students who want to learn about front office management techniques, customer service, laws on tourism and hospitality.
• Diploma in front office admission process is generally merit-based or based on a first come first serve basis. Candidates need to pass class 10 or class 12 in order to be eligible for applying to various institutions that offer diploma in front office.
• Jagannath University, RIMT University, APEX University, GIMS Dehradun are some of the top colleges that offer diploma in front office.
• Students after graduation can get jobs in various hotels, resorts, restaurants, and travel agencies. The average salary that is offered for such job roles is INR 1-3 lakhs per annum. 

Certificate Course in Front Office Operation

• Certificate in Front Office Operation (CFO) is a popular certification for those who want to learn about front office operations and pursue a career as a receptionist.
• The course is offered by IGNOU, one of the premier institutes for distance education in India, for a duration of 6 months- 2 years.
• The average course fee is INR 3,000 and they need to pass only class 10+2 to be eligible for applying to the course.
• Apart from IGNOU, JBIHM, IES University are the popular colleges that offer Certificate in Front Office Operation.
• Students after graduation can get jobs in various hotels, resorts, restaurants, and travel agencies, similar to what they get after diploma in front office course. The average salary that is offered for such job roles is INR 1-3 lakhs per annum. 

How to Become a Receptionist Abroad

The top destinations to study related courses to become a receptionist abroad are UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Check out the sections below to find out the admission requirements, top colleges, and universities that offer receptionist-related courses abroad.

United Kingdom

• In the UK, there are 24 colleges and universities that offer courses and degrees for receptionist careers.
• The number of international students has increased by 5% to study in the UK. 3.42 lakhs students are non-EU out of total students that are 4.85 lakhs.
• There are many courses available in Canada for receptionists. The courses are Classical reception MRes, development administration and planning MSc, Reception of the classical world MA, business administration, etc.
• Candidates get £19,000 per year as an annual salary. The average salary is £ 21,600.

United States of America

• In the US, there are 100+ colleges and universities that offer courses and degrees for receptionist careers.
• There are many courses available in the USA for receptionists. The courses are office administration (associate of applied science), an associate of arts in administrative assistant, an associate in science degree in office administration, etc.
• Candidates got $37,650 per year as an annual salary. Also, $29.38 is a per-hour rate for the candidates. Also, experienced candidates receive a pay scale of $42,208.

Canada

• In Canada, there are 69 colleges and universities that offer courses and degrees for receptionist careers.
• There are many courses available in Canada for receptionists. The courses are a legal administrative assistant certificate, an international certificate in administrative assistant, an Ontario college certificate in reception and customer service, a diploma in office administration, etc.
• Candidates get $29,250 per year as an annual salary. Also, $15 is a per-hour rate for the candidates. Also, experienced candidates receive a pay scale of $38,868 annually.

Australia

• In Australia, there are 18 colleges and universities that offer courses and degrees for receptionist careers.
• The number of international students has been increased from 1.16 lakhs to 1.38 lakhs to study in Australia. It is now the world’s most popular destination for studying.
• There are many courses available in Australia for receptionists. The courses are graduate certificate of business administration, master of humanitarian assistance, graduate certificate of development administration, etc.
• Candidates get $57,281 per year as an annual salary. Also, $29.38 is a per-hour rate for the candidates. Also, experienced candidates receive a pay scale of $65,000 annually.

In Australia, there are many top colleges and universities. Here are the top college and universities with an average fee structure.

Benefits of Career as a Receptionist

Here are some benefits of a career as a receptionist:

• Students get a chance to interact with new people in society after becoming receptionists. Candidates will have communication with different kinds of people. Sometimes, they need to handle different mindsets. 
• There is a wide range of opportunities for Receptionists. Companies hire students who have creative thinking, bring new ideas, services, products, etc. and they can strengthen their creative skills.
• If candidates boost their skills and have experience, they can get a good amount of annual salary packages. They can grow faster from beginner to experienced candidates.
• This field required very little education. Candidates can qualify for a 10+2 class or high school diploma or any certification course related to office management to start their career. 
• Also, this field is very challenging and exciting for the candidate. It is challenging as a receptionist has to keep her or his eye on every little activity as an organization is controlled and directed from the reception room.
• The receptionist is the first and the last person they will visit. A person should have a personality and a calm attitude towards all.
• The receptionist can be the permanent career path for some candidates as they support full business, help everyone, and step into customer service positions if required. They have a lot of responsibilities.

Skills Required to Become Receptionist

As per the leading job posting site Indeed, the skills that recruiters look for when they want to hire a receptionist are good writing and communication skills, ability to manage customers, ability to multitask, and basic computer skills.

Salary of a Receptionist in India

The average salary of a receptionist in India is INR 1,84,433 as per PayScale. Check the sections below to know the salary specifications: specialization-wise, gender-wise, and experience-wise.

Average Annual Salary

Specialization Wise

Experience Wise