What does an office receptionist do on a daily basis?

I'm exploring potential jobs right out of high school, and being an office receptionist caught my eye. Can someone explain what a typical day involves and what skills are crucial for this position?

An office receptionist typically plays a frontline role in a company, being the first point of contact for clients, visitors, and even company employees. They provide administrative support across the organization, which can involve a variety of tasks. These may include, but are not limited to, answering and directing phone calls, greeting and directing visitors, sorting and distributing mail, scheduling appointments, and performing other administrative functions as needed.

A typical day for an office receptionist might start with checking the office's general email inbox and voicemail, responding or redirecting inquiries as necessary. Throughout the day, the receptionist would handle incoming phone calls and greet visitors, providing them with visitor badges and directing them to the proper location in the building. They would also set up meetings, coordinate the mail/courier deliveries and perform other administrative tasks like filing, photocopying, or data entry.

In terms of necessary skills, strong communication skills are crucial as an office receptionist will interact daily with different stakeholders such as clients, visitors, and company personnel. They must also be proficient in general administrative tasks, and familiarity with office equipment like fax machines, photocopiers, and telephone systems is a plus.

Being highly organized is another indispensable skill because receptionists often juggle multiple tasks and need to prioritize their time effectively. Lastly, the nature of the job requires receptionists to be adept in customer service, showing patience, professionalism, and courtesy at all times, particularly when handling difficult or frustrated visitors or callers.