Receptionist CV Keywords: Skills & ATS Terms to Include

Receptionist roles attract many applicants, so CVs that name the systems and settings you've worked in (medical, hotel, corporate) stand out. Show the volume you handle and how you keep things running smoothly.

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Receptionist hard skills

Core competencies recruiters and ATS filters search for.

Front desk managementSwitchboard operationAppointment bookingVisitor managementMail handlingData entryDiary managementCash handlingRoom bookingsComplaint handlingSecurity proceduresPatient registration

Receptionist tools & software

Use the exact product names from the job ad.

Microsoft OutlookMicrosoft Word and ExcelOpera PMSEMIS / SystmOne (medical)Envoy visitor managementSwitchboard systemsGoogle Workspace

Receptionist certifications & qualifications

Write the full name and the acronym, with the year.

Level 2 Customer ServiceFirst Aid at WorkFire marshal trainingLevel 2/3 Business Administration

Receptionist soft skills

Show these through achievements rather than listing them alone.

Professional mannerMultitaskingFriendly communicationDiscretionOrganisationCalm under pressure

Receptionist action verbs

Start each bullet with one of these instead of "Responsible for".

GreetedManagedScheduledCoordinatedHandledMaintainedResolvedOrganisedProcessedSupported

Weak vs strong receptionist CV bullets

Answered phones and greeted visitors.

Handled 150+ calls and 60 visitors a day at a busy corporate reception with no missed appointments.

Booked appointments.

Managed bookings for 8 GPs in SystmOne and cut missed appointments by 15% with reminder calls.

Examples are illustrative. Only use figures you can back up in an interview.

ATS tip for receptionist CVs

Name the setting and system in the same line ("GP receptionist — SystmOne"). Employers search for both.

How to use these keywords

  1. Start from the job description, not this list. Keywords that appear in the ad matter most — paste it into the job description keyword extractor to pull them out.
  2. Only include skills you genuinely have. You will be asked about them.
  3. Put the most important keywords in both your Skills section and your experience bullets.
  4. Use the employer's exact wording (e.g. "Microsoft Outlook", not a synonym).
  5. Keep formatting simple: single column, standard headings, no text inside images.

See exactly which keywords your CV is missing

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