Switchboard Receptionist Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What does it mean when an employer wants an employee to have switchboard experience for a receptionist job? I am trying to get a receptionist job at an security company, but I dont know what they mean having switchboard experience.

Answer: If you know how to talk on a phone, you will probably be able to learn a switchboard. It's just a phone system with multiple lines. Each one is different, but pretty easy to learn.

Question: Is there anything a Receptionist / Switchboard operator needs to know to handle a EPABX? Where can I learn it?

Answer: The basics are pretty simple, in most cases most of the specifics you need to know are dependent on the company, how they work, and how they have the system installed. Usually about an hour or two of training on the job is all it really takes, and most of that training will be specific to that company.

Question: I need help making my receptionist job sound better on my resume? I am rewriting my resume and i am trying to make my receptionist job sound a little bit better. Any idea on how to make answering phones, scheduling appointments and accepting applications sound any better. i am basically the company's hostess with a switchboard. Any suggestions would be great.

Answer: You can add things such as, "handled clientele and processed paperwork, worked with a multi line switchboard while maintaining company calendar" Obviously, you might want to word it a little bit better but there are definitely ways to make job descriptions a lot more "involved". Also, throw in things that you KNOW you can do. Let's say they never asked you to write a memo, however you are a genius with WORD...put it in there. Just be prepared that they might ask you about. Everyone fibs on their resume. Good luck!

Question: i have 5 years experience as reception can i go for vacancy thats looking for a head receptionist? would i be accepted? just i wanted a salary rise so i thought try to get myself promoted as noone else will. So im looking for a different job. I am 22 years of age, i have admin experience as lots of receptionist aswell including switchboard, administration, changing toner cartridges, faxing, filing, photocopying, VAT returns for overseas customers and other general office duties sorting out post etc. thank u xx i meant receptionist sorry.

Answer: I think you just need to build up your confidence. Might not be as high as needed because you're asking the question. You should be getting those application forms filled out and in the interviews telling them why you're the person for the role. You can do it and you need the opportunity to show them. Just go for it.

Question: Are you nice to switchboard operators? When you call a place of business and ask to speak to someone and the switchboard operator says that person is not in or is unavailable, what do you do? Do you believe them and say "thank you" and hang up, or do you fight your way to talking to that person? Do you go ahead and introduce yourself and say where you're calling from? Do you think the person who answered is the person you're calling and immediately say their name? Do you state your problem as soon as that person answers or do you ask who you would talk to about the problem? Because I've been a switchboard operator/receptionist for going on three years now and people just don't seem to believe me when I say someone is not in or they are unavailable, we don't announce your call before you're transfered, there are other people in the place you're calling and we would like it if you ASKED for the person you're trying to call instead of ASSUMING we're that person, and contrary to popular belief, we don't know all the answers. I just got reminded of another one: when you're told someone is not in don't ask where he/she is, don't ask if they'll call in to check their messages, don't ask if he/she is on vacation, etc. I don't know! I'm not a freakin' fortune teller! And is it REALLY any of your business? NO! And on a side note: Jin_Jur has the right idea!

Answer: Don't you love the ones who call and say "someone called me from this number" like you have any idea who, out of the 400 people in the building, called them? Or how bout the ones who get voice mail then hit zero and say "I asked to be put through to Joe Blow and YOU gave me his voice mail!" Like you can force people to pick up their phones! It never occurs to them that maybe, just maybe Joe Blow doesn't want to talk to them. Oh nooo it's always the evil operator preventing them from getting through. Or when you say "I'm sorry, so and so isn't in" and they say "But I NEED TO TALK TO THEM!" Well sorry, but they still AREN'T HERE! People are soooo rude and ignorant it truly boggles the mind. I am always polite and friendly to people on the phone because I've worked as a switchboard operator myself and as a result of that, I am fully aware of how infuritating it is to be ragged on for something you have absolutely no control over. I remember getting calls where people would get snarky with me because they didn't know who they were calling for! They'd just ramble off their problem and assume I would know. It's one thing to be an idiot, but don't get mad at me for your lack of intelligence.

Question: Which Community College program is better for Office work? I am weighing my schooling options here (both have equal amount of insane debt): Which do office professionals prefer for receptionist/switchboard/office secretary/registrar/data entry professions? Office Assistant Diploma (one year program) Administrative Assistant Degree (2 year program) Office Assistant Diploma(one year program) + Human Resources Certificate (1 semester of 8 courses) The Administrative Assistant Degree would be my school's equivalent to a Business Administrative Associate. Office Assistant Diploma (which I will have this December): Business Professionalism Intro to Computer Bus Apps Business Editing Electronic Records Systems Business Math Intro to Word Processing Document Formatting Advanced Word Processing Information Processing (learned dictation & transcription) Intro to Accounting Office Procedures & Concepts Intermediate Computer Bus Apps Human Relations in Mgmt General Psychology Integrated Computer Bus Apps Business Communications Human Resources Certificate Courses: Principles of Mgmt Work Habits & Absenteeism Human Relations in Mgmt Training & Employee Development Human Resource Mgmt Wage & Salary Administration Business Law I Administrative Assistant Degree: (Office Diploma + these courses): Admin Office Applications Desktop Publishing Office Mgmt PowerPoint Multimedia Internship

Answer: Can you provide links to the actual courses being offered? Sometimes the titles sound good but the content is poor. (I work in an office and have done entry level work before). Addition: The one that is the equivalent to the Business Administrative Associate is far more thorough. It never hurts to know MS Excel either these days. I was really surprised at how many entry level jobs require it.

Question: Is severe coughing a side effect to a blood pressure pill called Triamterene? I recently started taking this drug for high blood pressure and I have started severe coughing and can not stop. I work as a receptionist and switchboard so this is not cool at all. It always feels like my throat is scratchy and if I don't cough this stuff up it just gets worse. I guess I want to know if this could be an allergic reaction to this medicine or something else?

Answer: It is hard to say whether the coughing is due to triamterene. Although coughing isn't stated as a side effect of triamterene it may possibly be the cause. The possible side effects of triamterene are: Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: numbness or tingly feeling; muscle pain or weakness; slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat; feeling drowsy, restless, or light-headed; urinating less than usual or not at all; shallow breathing; tremors, confusion; or nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Continue using triamterene and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects: mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; dizziness, headache; dry mouth; or skin rash. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor if the coughing persists and is bothersome.

Question: Is there a wireless office headset that gives you the ability to transfer calls and place calls on hold? I basically need all the functions of a main switchboard phone. I am shopping for our receptionist and am finding NOTHING that comes close to what I need!

Answer: yes, this place has everything for the professional...!if you cant find it....they have it!.....also hard to find stuff....call there 800 number....I did! http://www.hellodirect.com/hellodirect/S… 1-800-Hello34 (1-800-435-5634

Question: I have a question for all phone operators, or switchboard operators?? people who work as receptionists, who answer the phone for multiple companies, multiple phone calls, up to 200 to 500 a day? How is thejob like? is it extremely stressfull? is it ok after you get used to it? how long does it take to get used to..and is it something you enjoy, or can atleast stand for over more than a few years??

Answer: I was a receptionist for a marketing company and had to transfer calls around the counrty. I was stressful. You get yelled at and you have to be nice. I loved it. You erally have to get the hang of it and have knowledge of the company that you work for as well. The second most stressfull job ( other than an air traffic controller) is a receptionist. Good Luck!

Question: Office Receptionist Question? How do you use a switchboard phone system? Like how do you work the switchboard? How do you transfer calls and do extensions and all that stuff?

Answer: every system is different and they should train you on the one you'll be using. write down the directions and you'll be fine