If you’re a young person hoping to work as a receptionist, or the parent of a teenager with such aspirations, you may be wondering how old you need to be to be a receptionist.
The good news is that in general, there is no specific legal minimum age for receptionist work nor any particular qualification requirements.
Of course, you must be old enough to legally leave school and get a job, but beyond that basic requirement, you can start your career as a receptionist as soon as you leave school.
Well, that’s how it goes in theory, but in reality, securing a position as a receptionist can be very difficult as a teenager straight out of school. When you apply for a job, you’re competing against all the other applicants, and among those applicants will be people with a range of certifications, experience and skills that you may not yet possess.
But don’t let any of that put you off. If you’re determined and motivated, you can score that dream job, and we’re here to suggest some tips that could give you an advantage.
Read the job descriptions so you don’t apply to jobs you’ll never get
We don’t like to start on a negative note, but there’s really no point wasting your time and efforts applying for positions that require someone to be older than you are.
There may not be many roles like this, but it’s worth reading the small print so you don’t spend time applying for a job that specifies you must be over 21 when you’re only 18.
It may be tempting to apply anyway, because of course you’re as capable as any 21-year-old, but it is likely that the age restriction is in place for a valid reason, for example, the job may involve the handling of alcohol.
Gain some extra qualifications
Qualifications and receptionist-specific certifications are highly regarded and show dedication to your career path.
While you may not have the experience, by taking a course that covers the skills needed to become a receptionist, a potential employer will know you are capable of doing the job, even though you haven’t actually worked as a receptionist before.
Taking on someone inexperienced but who has earned a receptionist’s certificate feels like much less of a gamble than simply hiring someone with no experience and no relevant qualifications.
This proof of your abilities is so important when you’re starting out in your career, and it could help you to get that first step into your chosen industry.
Learn new skills
Being young, you need to prove yourself more than someone who has been working as a receptionist for years, and one good way to do this is to have unique skills that could benefit any potential employer.
There are some common skills that you’ll need, so you’ll want to be proficient with office software and equipment, have excellent communication skills, and have a good attention to detail, but you can make your resume stand out from the crowd even more if you have skills that may be a little more rare.
The work of a receptionist is very varied, and it’s not unusual for a receptionist to help out in other areas of an establishment at busy times, so think about your skills and experiences, and highlight anything that could be useful.
Perhaps you speak several languages. This could be a huge plus point when applying for a job as a receptionist in a hotel.
Maybe you worked in a restaurant or a store while in college. Being great with customers, and capable of taking payments are two strong aspects of working as a receptionist.
Or perhaps you’re a whizz with social media and could help with marketing.
Don’t forget to mention any experience or unique talents on your resume.
Find experience wherever you can
When we’re young, we can end up stuck in a loop. You can’t get the job you want because you don’t have any experience, and you can’t get the experience you need because you can’t get a job!
This can be so disheartening, but if you’re savvy, you can find the experience you require to make your resume look impressive, without having to score a full-time job as a receptionist.
Think outside the box. Experience doesn’t have to equate to paid employment. Do you know anyone who runs a business who could let you work on their reception desk, even if it’s just for a couple of hours a week?
Are there any charitable organizations in your area looking for volunteers?
Obviously, you’re far more likely to get work as a receptionist if you’re not charging for your time, and while this isn’t ideal in the long run, the experience you’ll gain will be invaluable for your resume.
In addition, you’ll learn on the job, and so when you’re eventually hired as a paid receptionist, you’ll be super-efficient and less likely to make mistakes.
Spend time polishing your resume
For someone with decades of experience as a receptionist, their experience speaks for itself, but when you don’t have that work history, you need to spend more time on your resume, to ensure it shows your skills and abilities in the best possible light.
We often recommend keeping your resume short, but when you’re starting out in your career, it could be that you feel you don’t have enough content.
The key is to list everything that is relevant. Think back to every part-time job you had during your school years, and every course you’ve taken or skill you’ve learnt.
Resumes may only be glanced at, so if it appears you have a decent amount of experience and related skills, it could get your application a second look.
Keep the layout modern and simple and don’t go out of your way to highlight your youth or lack of experience.
Focus on the positives and never make excuses. Don’t start your cover letter with ‘Despite my young age’ – that puts doubt in the mind of the employer. Instead, make sure your resume and cover letter come across as professional and mature.
It must be totally free from errors and not too informal in tone. We always recommend you ask at least one other person to carefully read through your application and accompanying documentation before you submit it.
Make a great first impression
When you get the chance to attend an interview, this is where you have the opportunity to show that you’re capable of doing an amazing job, regardless of how old you are.
You’ve got one chance to do this, so get it right. Be confident, and arrive on time. Dress smart and businesslike. Listen carefully and communicate clearly. Try not to be nervous. Relax, smile, and don’t fidget.
Remember, you’re conveying the impression that you’re mature and capable enough to handle anything that a busy job on a reception desk can throw at you.
Keep trying – your goals are within reach
Being turned down for a job can be disheartening, but don’t let it get you down.
Keep working on your skills, try and find more experience, and keep applying. Remember, you’re competing for jobs with others who may have been working as receptionists for years, so you can’t expect to get the first job you apply for, or indeed the second or even the third, but eventually, with persistence, you will get there, and when you’ve got that first job, finding another down the line becomes much easier.
A positive outlook will get you where you want to be, it just may take a little time.
