National
| Median wages (2008) |
$11.80 hourly, $24,550 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
1,173,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
489,000 additional employees |
43-4171.00 - Receptionists and Information Clerks
Answer inquiries and obtain information for general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties. Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization.
Sample of reported job titles:
Receptionist, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Secretary, Community Liaison, Member Service Representative, Office Assistant, File Clerk, Front Desk Receptionist, Greeter
Tasks
- Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen and forward calls, providing information, taking messages and scheduling appointments.
- Receive payment and record receipts for services.
- Perform administrative support tasks such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, and operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets and other documents.
- Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
- Hear and resolve complaints from customers and public.
- File and maintain records.
- Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
- Schedule appointments, and maintain and update appointment calendars.
- Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
- Provide information about establishment such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Photocopiers — Photocopying equipment |
| Premise branch exchange PBX systems — Multi-line switchboards; Switchboards |
| Scanners — Data input scanners |
| Special purpose telephones — Multiline telephone systems |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Bookkeeping software |
| Desktop publishing software — Microsoft Publisher |
| Electronic mail software — Email software; IBM Lotus Notes; Microsoft Outlook |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Microsoft Word |
