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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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14101.01 – Receptionists

Receptionists greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other establishments, direct visitors to appropriate persons and services, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and perform other clerical duties.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Business receptionist
  • Office receptionist
  • Receptionist

Core competencies

  • Social Perceptiveness to gauge the emotional states and preferences of individuals, allowing for a more personalized and empathetic service
  • Reading Comprehension to interpret documents, messages, appointment schedules or instructions, reducing errors and improving the efficiency of the work environment
  • Selective Attention to concentrate on the specific details provided by the caller, ensuring accuracy even in noisy or chaotic settings
  • Speech Recognition and Verbal Ability to interpret spoken information while providing comprehensive information, whether when giving directions, answering questions or conveying messages
  • Speech Clarity to ensure accurate communication and a professional demeanor while handling speaking tasks like directing visitors, managing appointments and answering calls
  • Collaboration to help coordinate with others to direct visitors, manage appointments and handle inquiries, making sure visitors and callers receive the assistance they need in a timely manner
  • Knowledge in Clerical to manage clerical duties, such as phone systems, scheduling appointments and correspondence

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Greet people coming into offices and other establishments, direct them to the appropriate contacts or services, provide general information in person and by phone, and may perform clerical duties and maintain front desk security and security access lists
  • Schedule appointments, using manual or computerized systems
  • Record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts.

Additional information

  • Some receptionists are required to be bilingual or multilingual to perform their duties.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Hotel front desk clerks (64314)
  • Other customer and information services representatives (64409)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

1 – Business, finance and administration occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

14 – Administrative and financial support and supply chain logistics occupations

Sub-major group

141 – Office, court, and data support occupations

Minor group

1410 – Office support and court services occupations

Unit group

14101 – Receptionists

Occupational profile

14101.01 – Receptionists

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.