How To Write a Receptionist CV (With Template and Example)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated 7 November 2022

Published 19 July 2021

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Receptionist roles can be rewarding career paths for individuals interested in customer service, administrative tasks and communication. There are several important considerations when writing an effective receptionist CV. Understanding the components of an impressive CV can help you be more successful when seeking employment in this field. In this article, we define a receptionist CV and offer steps and additional tips to help you write a receptionist CV.

What is a receptionist CV?

A curriculum vitae (CV) for a receptionist is a document that outlines an individual's education, skills, training and experience in receptionist roles or similar positions. CVs for this profession often include a detailed outline of an individual's work experience, academic history, professional achievements, certifications and noteworthy skills. They may also include a professional summary or objective statement as an introduction to the upcoming content. CVs are often one to two pages in length and also include personal information, such as the individual's full name, phone number and email address.

How to write a receptionist CV

Understanding the steps necessary to write an effective receptionist CV can help you make informed decisions when writing your own document. Consider the following five steps to help you write an impressive CV:

1. Provide your contact information

It's important to begin your CV with your personal contact information so that hiring managers and interested parties can communicate with you regarding interviews and the next steps. Be sure to include your first and last name, your phone number and email address clearly at the top of your CV. Try to use an email address that is professional and that you check regularly so you can respond promptly to interview requests.

2. Write a professional summary

You may begin the body of your CV with a professional summary. A professional summary is a good way to summarise your experience and qualifications as a receptionist, create a memorable first impression on your reader and determine the tone for the remaining content of your CV. In three to five sentences, you may describe your skills, talents, achievements and experiences as a receptionist. You may also include your career objectives in this profession and your interest in the company for which you're applying.

3. Detail your work experience

After writing your professional summary, you may create the work experience section of your CV. A work history section is an important way to provide proof of your qualifications as a receptionist. Be sure to list your previous receptionist positions in reverse chronological order, beginning with the current or most recent title. It's important to include the name and location of the company, your position or job title and dates of your employment. Then, in four to six bullet points, you may describe your daily duties and responsibilities of each role.

You may also include accomplishments in the descriptions of your duties. Be sure to include measurable and specific achievements with numbers, data and percentages wherever possible. Specific accomplishments may be more memorable than general ones and could help hiring managers visualise your success in a future receptionist role.

4. Include your education

It's important to include your relevant education to highlight the specialised training you may have received during your studies. When listing your academic history, be sure to list your degrees or diplomas in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent. You may list the name of the school or university, the type of degree or diploma, the area of study and the year in which you graduated.

You may also include any certifications and academic accomplishments in this section of your CV.

5. Highlight your skills and achievements

You may include a separate highlights section of your CV to detail impressive skills, talents and achievements during your experience as a receptionist. To do this, consider listing four to eight bullet points that briefly describe your most impressive contributions during your career. A highlights section is a good way to positively conclude your CV and leave a lasting impression on hiring managers.

Tips for writing an impressive receptionist CV

Below are some additional tips to help you write an impressive CV as a receptionist:

Tailor your skills: A powerful way to increase your chances of securing an interview is by tailoring your skills to match the desired qualifications mentioned in the job posting of each position. Try to look for recurring skills and traits mentioned in the job description. These are important keywords to integrate into your CV that may help get you noticed by hiring managers.
Emphasise customer service: Customer service is an important part of a receptionist position. If you're seeking entry-level receptionist jobs without prior experience, a CV that highlights positions you've held that required extensive customer service can help hiring managers understand your relevant experience. Be sure to include any positions in which you assisted customers or clients in your receptionist CV.
Use proper formatting: When creating a CV, it's important to use formatting that is professional and easy to read. Be sure to use clear, bold text that is free of any intricate designs, complex lettering or special characters, You can separate large blocks of text with bullet points, numbered lists or paragraph breaks to enhance readability. Proofreading your CV upon completion is another good way to ensure it is free of errors and easily read by hiring managers.
Offer references: Offering to provide references is an effective addition to your CV if you want to provide additional proof of your value as a receptionist. Consider including a simple, one-sentence statement at the end of your CV such as, "References available upon request" so that interested parties and potential employers can receive testimonials from your professional network about your contributions to previous receptionist roles.

Template of a receptionist CV

Consider adding your own information to this template of a CV for a receptionist:

[Your name]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

Professional summary

[A brief description of your experience, skills and objectives as a receptionist]

Work history

[Company name] | [Location]
[Job title #1] | [Dates of employment]

[Description of your duties or accomplishments]
[Description of your duties or accomplishments]
[Description of your duties or accomplishments]
[Description of your duties or accomplishments]

[Company name] | [Location]
[Job title #2] | [Dates of employment]

[Description of your duties or accomplishments]
[Description of your duties or accomplishments]
[Description of your duties or accomplishments]
[Description of your duties or accomplishments]

Education

[School name] | [Location]
[Degree #1] | [Year of graduation]

[Academic achievement]
[Academic achievement]

[School name] | [Location]
[Degree #2] | [Year of graduation]

[Academic achievement]
[Academic achievement]

Highlights

[Description of your skills, awards or achievements as a receptionist]
[Description of your skills, awards or achievements as a receptionist]
[Description of your skills, awards or achievements as a receptionist]
[Description of your skills, awards or achievements as a receptionist]
[Description of your skills, awards or achievements as a receptionist]

Receptionist CV example

Below is an example of a successful CV for a receptionist:

Martha Jones
(44) 1234-56789
marthajones@email.com

Professional summary
An organised and dedicated spa/salon receptionist with over ten years of experience in administrative and customer service positions. Dedicated to providing exquisite guest service while improving administrative functions. Passionate about acting as the first point of contact between businesses and their clients and contributing to the positive reputation of brands and businesses.