Format
There are various ways of formatting a CV. While there are traditional and standard ways, there are also more creative and original CV formats that prove effective when applying for a job. You can use an online CV builder that takes care of the format as well, enabling you to focus on the content of your receptionist CV.
Organising your CV is a key part of writing a receptionist CV. Not just because it is important when writing any type of CV, but also because you are applying for a job that involves administration and organisation. Hence, you need to be able to reflect your ability to organise and present a document clearly.
There are three official CV formats that you can consider when starting your receptionist CV. The first and most common CV format is a chronological CV which lists work experience first and also enables recruiters to see your progressive work history in a reverse chronological order.
For a receptionist CV without experience, it could be a good choice to adopt the skills-based CV format which prioritises skills and professional strengths as opposed to work experience. This is ideal if you are applying for your first job or haven’t had a steady job for a while.
If you feel that both CV formats could work for you, you could opt for the combination CV and list your work experience in reverse chronological order, at the same time as listing your skills, qualifications and giving examples of times you had to use them.
Design
A great receptionist CV has a great design. Receptionist applicants should bear in mind the company style and what recruiters will be expecting, as the CV design can be changed accordingly to suit the type of job for which you are applying. For example, a legal receptionist CV may have a more traditional design with a clear layout and simple design.
You can use a receptionist CV template download to create your job application quickly without worrying about the design and build your CV online. CV templates are commonly used nowadays, as online CV makers allow you to choose from multiple designs and formats.
Photo
In the UK it is unusual to include a photo in your CV. Therefore, receptionist CVs need not include a photo. In many countries in Europe, it is necessary to include a photo in a CV, such as a French CV.
Sections of a Receptionist CV
The ideal CV sections to include when writing a receptionist CV are:
- Contact: name, email and phone number
- Work experience
- Academic background
- Qualifications
- Skills
- Languages
You may consider other sections of a CV more important than those listed above. This is a personal decision and depends on the type of job and company, as well as where you choose to work. For example, a bilingual receptionist CV may be of interest to recruiters and would be an adequate hotel receptionist CV example. Other sections to consider include:
- Achievements
- Hobbies & interests
- References
The suggestions above are recommendations for writing a receptionist CV. Jobseekers should consider the sections of a CV that they consider important read the job listing to make sure they have covered all topics and requirements mentioned.
CV Length
The average length of a CV is 1-2 A4 pages. It is always better to compact your CV information than to writes pages and pages. The number one reason for this is because recruiters do not have time to read page-long CVs. Writing a one-page CV can also be an effective job application technique. Compact your CV information and present the best receptionist CV on a single page.
Receptionist CV Section Headings
Use the following section guide to learn how to write these sections of your receptionist CV. Work experience, academic background, qualifications, skills and language skills are all recommended sections that jobseekers can include when writing a receptionist CV:
Work experience
If you’re looking to get your first job as a receptionist, it might be a good idea to read about entry-level CVs or how a skills-based CV can help you with a more suitable receptionist CV format.
For those who have experience in a similar job or years of experience, the work experience section is a strength and focal point of your CV. Here are some tips for listing your work history on a CV:
- Aim to write in reverse chronological order to strengthen your work history and highlight any promotions
- Give two or three examples or responsibilities or achievements with action verbs and specialised terminology
Education
Depending on the type of receptionist job, you may only need to include the highest academic achievement or qualification and focus on other sections of your CV, such as the qualifications or skills section. However, there are CVs that may require more academic background to be included. E.g. medical receptionist CV example
Qualifications
Any relevant qualifications which you possess should be listed on your receptionist CV to further prove your eligibility and that you are qualified for the job. The requirements of the job may include certain qualifications, so if you have them, be sure to prioritise them on the list of qualifications.
Try not to get confused between academic qualifications and professional qualifications or courses which you may have taken to widen your professional knowledge or become more employable. It is important to list both and separate them accordingly so recruiters can see that you have gone out of your way to train for the job or improve professional skills.
Skills
The best way to write the skills of a receptionist CV is to analyse the job description and requirements carefully and decide which skills you possess link most closely to the job requirements. Keep these skills a priority and demonstrate them with examples. There are different types of skills and ways of writing them on a CV so it’s important to make sure you know what recruiters are expecting and how to highlight them well.
Languages
Depending on the type of receptionist job, you might be reqired to speak more than one language or it could be a useful skill that boosts your job application and makes you stand out. A bilingual receptionist CV is impressive even if it is not strictly necessary for the job.
Last modified on 22 October 2020
