Receptionists & Information Clerks Description OES Code: 55305 Answer inquiries and obtain information for general public (e.g., customers, visitors, and other interested parties). Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization; or services in a hotel. May perform other clerical duties as assigned. Exclude Receptionists who operate switchboards. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $7.00 minimum – $11.51 New, experienced: $8.00 minimum – $13.12 3 yrs+ experience: $9.41 minimum – $15.34 Salaries for Receptionists and Information Clerks depend on experience, length of service, clerical skills, and degree of responsibility. Wages vary from one geographical area to another and from industry to industry. Employees who work in larger firms in metropolitan areas tend to earn the highest wages. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Most Receptionists work 40 hours weekly, Monday through Friday. Some work a 33- to 35-hour week; others may work irregular hours and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Overtime work is not common. Fringe benefits vary from one establishment to another. Most companies and all government agencies offer paid sick leave, vacation, holidays, retirement plans, and medical and dental benefits. Some employers provide life insurance and vision care plans. Employment Trends Employment 1996 146,800 Projected Employment 2006 204,610 Growth Rate 1996-2006 39.4% Openings due to Separations 32,590 Employment Trends by California County Employment in this group of workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations during the projection period. Many additional openings will result from workers leaving the occupation. People-oriented workers with excellent clerical skills, computer knowledge, versatility, and the ability to quickly understand business terminology will have the best job prospects. Advancement Promotional opportunities for Receptionists are often limited. With additional training and experience, they can advance to typist, secretary, or administrative assistant. Receptionists in dental or medical facilities can sometimes learn the duties of dental or medical assistant and move into these positions. Larger employers may offer more promotional opportunities. Getting the Job & Other Information Job Service offices of the California Employment Development Department are excellent places to start looking for a job. Persons interested in government employment should apply at federal, state, city and county personnel offices. Many schools operate placement centers for their graduates. Jobs may be found through registration with temporary employment agencies, direct contact with employers and through classified advertisements in newspapers and trade publications. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Receptionists & Information Clerks #21 Related Occupation: Typists & Word Processiing Technicians #20, General Office Clerks #295, Hospital Admitting Managers & Clerks #409 Training: California State Training Inventory

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Employers prefer applicants with at least a high school diploma. Applicants should be able to type 40 or more words per minute accurately, and be able to operate calculators, computers, and duplicating machines. Applicants need a pleasant personality and the ability to work well with others. A well-groomed, business-like appearance, clear speaking voice and good judgment are important. Receptionists and Information Clerks should be able to work independently and under pressure, and have good public contact skills and legible handwriting. Familiarity with word processors or personal computers is now almost always a job requirement. Normal or corrected hearing is essential. Many schools and colleges offer training in the skills required for clerical occupations. Some schools give certificates or diplomas to those who satisfactorily complete training programs. Students can sometimes gain experience by working part time as office Receptionists or Information Clerks. Cooperative work-study programs in high schools and community colleges provide excellent opportunities that may lead to full time jobs after graduation. Students should contact their school counselors to inquire about such programs. Receptionists and Information Clerks are given on-the-job training by employers regardless of educational preparation, because each business has its own policies and procedures to be followed in reception and clerical operations. Job training can last a few hours, days, or weeks. Skills & Other Requirements Knowledge of the company products or services and staff is of paramount importance. Receptionists and Information Clerks often have special references such as price lists or appointment schedules at hand. They can either answer simple questions about their company's products, or refer more complicated questions to other company personnel. Their tasks vary with the individual employer and the size and type of business. Receptionists and Information Clerks usually record the names of callers, time of call, nature of business and name of person visited, and may use a public address system to page employees. They may act as guides or furnish identification badges and security escorts to visitors at government agencies or businesses subject to internal security. Receptionists schedule future appointments and give information about services and products. They operate small telephone consoles to answer incoming calls and dial outgoing calls; they assist clients in completing difficult calls and in locating parties. They collect and distribute telephone messages. When not occupied with telephone calls and visitors, Receptionists and Information Clerks perform clerical duties. They may operate calculators or computers to figures pay records, invoices, balance sheets and other documents and perform statistical, financial and other record-keeping functions. They open, sort and distribute incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail. They may type letters and reports, address envelopes, cards and labels, file correspondence and documents and locate and remove materials from files. They may take orders for merchandise or materials and send them to the proper departments to be filled. © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.