Not everyone takes the college pathway. Many of us leave school with no advanced qualifications, and sometimes that can limit the options available to us. However, if you’re looking at pursuing a career as a receptionist, the good news is that there is a vast number of receptionist jobs available that don’t require you to have a degree.
And that’s certainly good to hear if you haven’t studied to degree level. So, you’re past the first hurdle on the path to becoming a receptionist, but you haven’t got a job yet.
While you fit all the criteria to apply for receptionist work, you must remember that you’re certainly not going to be the only applicant, and some of those applicants are likely to have taken a degree level course which could make their application stand out from the crowd, and that could mean they are chosen for a job instead of you.
But don’t give in. Being a receptionist is an excellent job and it’s certainly one worth putting in the effort for, to get your foot on the first rung of the career ladder. Whatever your disadvantages, you can still be positive, because there are plenty of ways to overcome any obstacles on your journey to becoming a receptionist, and we’re here to help…
Let’s take a look at some common obstacles to getting hired as a receptionist, and what you can do to ensure they don’t stop you getting your dream job…
You don’t have any experience of working as a receptionist
This is one of the most frustrating positions to be in when you’re starting out in the workforce or you’re hoping to change career.
The job advertisements require you to have experience, but you can’t get a job to get any experience! So how do you prevent yourself from getting stuck in this catch 22 situation?
The answer is to get that experience by any means possible, and this may involve thinking outside the box a little.
Without the experience, you can’t just walk into a job as a receptionist, but when a position asks for an experienced receptionist, or suggests that prior experience would give you a better chance of getting the job, it doesn’t necessarily have to be full-time paid employment.
It’s all about getting your resume noticed, and having something, anything, to list as relevant experience.
So look for opportunities that may not be your dream job, but could be useful for gaining experience.
Widen your job search and see if you can perhaps find something that is similar to the job you’d ultimately like to work in. Perhaps there is a role that involves working on a reception desk for at least part of the time? Are there any part-time vacancies or cover for busy times such as the holiday season? It may not be a job you really want, but anything that adds that all-important experience to your resume is a fantastic stepping stone to where you ultimately want to be.
If you’ve widened your job search and are still struggling to find any opportunities to gain the experience you need, don’t give up, there’s always something else you can try.
Do you know anyone who runs their own business? You could offer to help them out for a reduced rate, purely to gain the necessary experience.
Or perhaps you could offer your services for free to a charity or not-for-profit organization. You’d be doing something worthwhile, volunteer work always looks impressive on a resume, and you’ll be getting experience at the same time.
It could well be an excellent investment in your future.
You don’t have the skills required
There are a number of skills and traits required to be a good receptionist, and we won’t list them all here since we have already done that in the linked article, but to get a receptionist job without a degree you should focus on upskilling the the following areas in particular.
- People Skills & Enthusiasm – A great receptionist is naturally friendly, helpful, and enjoys working with people. A positive attitude is essential.
- Strong Communication Skills – Clear and professional verbal and written communication is key, including phone etiquette and error-free emails.
- Exceptional Organization & Multitasking – Receptionists must juggle multiple tasks without getting overwhelmed, handling interruptions calmly.
- IT Proficiency – Strong computer skills are necessary for managing emails, bookings, and troubleshooting office technology.
- Knowledge & Preparedness – Understanding the business and its services is crucial, and training courses can help develop essential skills.
- Professional Appearance – A receptionist represents the company, so a neat, polished look is important.
- Adaptability & Willingness to Learn – The role evolves with technology and new procedures, requiring an open mind and continuous skill development.
- Confidence & Composure – A good receptionist remains calm under pressure, making quick decisions and maintaining professionalism in all situations.
We teach many of these skills here at the Receptionist Institute, and even have practical hands-on tasks that you can complete at home to upskill in these areas.
Here’s what you could expect to make as a receptionist in each state as of 2025. Senior roles held by people with experience tend to earn approximately $6,000 more than entry level roles, so it pays to upskill and get experience when you can!
| State | Entry Level Roles | Senior Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,557 | $43,000 |
| Alaska | $44,504 | $51,000 |
| Arizona | $39,804 | $45,500 |
| Arkansas | $37,230 | $42,500 |
| California | $45,076 | $51,700 |
| Colorado | $41,684 | $47,800 |
| Connecticut | $43,891 | $50,400 |
| Delaware | $41,480 | $47,500 |
| Florida | $38,823 | $44,400 |
| Georgia | $39,518 | $45,200 |
| Hawaii | $42,706 | $49,000 |
| Idaho | $38,129 | $43,600 |
| Illinois | $41,807 | $47,900 |
| Indiana | $39,641 | $45,300 |
| Iowa | $39,110 | $44,700 |
| Kansas | $38,905 | $44,500 |
| Kentucky | $38,456 | $43,900 |
| Louisiana | $38,864 | $44,400 |
| Maine | $39,763 | $45,500 |
| Maryland | $42,134 | $48,300 |
| Massachusetts | $44,463 | $51,000 |
| Michigan | $40,336 | $46,200 |
| Minnesota | $41,807 | $47,900 |
| Mississippi | $36,453 | $41,800 |
| Missouri | $38,946 | $44,500 |
| Montana | $38,170 | $43,600 |
| Nebraska | $38,497 | $44,000 |
| Nevada | $41,030 | $47,000 |
| New Hampshire | $41,562 | $47,600 |
| New Jersey | $44,790 | $51,400 |
| New Mexico | $37,679 | $43,200 |
| New York | $43,564 | $50,000 |
| North Carolina | $39,232 | $44,800 |
| North Dakota | $40,458 | $46,400 |
| Ohio | $39,968 | $45,600 |
| Oklahoma | $37,802 | $43,300 |
| Oregon | $41,521 | $47,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,785 | $46,600 |
| Rhode Island | $42,665 | $48,300 |
| South Carolina | $38,578 | $44,100 |
| South Dakota | $36,739 | $42,000 |
| Tennessee | $37,843 | $43,400 |
| Texas | $40,009 | $45,700 |
| Utah | $38,864 | $44,400 |
| Vermont | $40,090 | $45,800 |
| Virginia | $40,989 | $46,900 |
| Washington | $44,054 | $50,600 |
| West Virginia | $36,780 | $42,100 |
| Wisconsin | $40,376 | $46,300 |
| Wyoming | $37,500 | $43,000 |
Note: These figures are approximate and intended for general guidance. Actual earnings can vary based on specific qualifications, experience, demand, and regional economic conditions.
You haven’t got a college degree
So, even though most receptionist work doesn’t require you to have a college degree, when it comes to shortlisting applicants, qualifications & certifications can help a candidate to stand out from the crowd.
Most of us can’t simply take a few years out to study for a degree, nor can we afford to do so. You want to apply for a job now, not years down the line, so trying to match up to the credentials of the applicants with a college degree is pretty tricky.
However, there are receptionist courses out there that teach you the specific tasks involved in working as a receptionist, giving you highly relevant experience and targeted knowledge.
Don’t dismiss further education out of hand because you have time commitments, or you feel you can’t afford it. If you look into it, you’ll discover courses that are short, budget-friendly, and flexible, meaning you can study at your own pace, at times to suit your lifestyle.
Now here’s where it gets even better. If you choose a course that offers a receptionist certification, you could even find yourself at an advantage over some of those applicants with a college degree, because not all college graduates will have a qualification that is actually relevant to the work of a receptionist.
A potential employer is likely to think more highly of a candidate with a certificate in reception work than someone with a degree in sports science or veterinary studies!
Your resume doesn’t stand out from the crowd
Do you feel your resume is letting you down? Then it’s time to put some extra work into it, and get help with it if you need to.
Firstly, look at the overall appearance. Is it easy to read, does it look modern, but not too complex? Using an arty font or an offbeat layout may seem cool, but you need to bear in mind that many resumes will only get a cursory glance. If yours seems like too much trouble to read, then the employer may not bother with it. The same applies to resumes that are overly long. Keep it succinct and to the point.
Now that you have a clean, crisp layout and all your relevant experience and skills neatly listed, it’s time to send it off to every job you can find.
Hang on – wait a minute! There are still two things to think about.
One – Are you simply sending out the same resume regardless of whether you’re applying to be a receptionist, a personal assistant or a barista? Then you’re not making the most of the opportunity.
Tailor your resume for each position you apply for, and you’ll boost your chances of success. Emphasise the experience most relevant to the particular job and make pertinent skills stand out.
And two – Is your resume absolutely perfect and free from errors? When you’re applying for a job that relies on attention to detail, a simple typo can make all the difference.
Don’t miss out on your big chance because of a spelling error. Check your resume carefully, and have others read over it too.
Only when you’re 100% certain your resume is perfect, should you send it off.
