All organizations want to make a good first impression, and this is often the responsibility of the receptionist, who may be the first representative of the organization a visitor encounters.
Receptionists answer questions from the public and provide information about the organization.
In addition to traditional duties such as answering telephones, routing calls, and greeting visitors, a receptionist may serve a security function within an organization, such as monitoring the access of visitors. Receptionists in hospitals and doctors' offices may obtain personal and financial information and direct patients to the proper waiting rooms. At beauty or hair salons, they arrange appointments, direct customers to the hairstylist, and also may serve as cashier. In factories, large corporations, and government offices, they may provide identification cards and arrange for escorts to take visitors to the proper office. Those working for bus and train companies respond to inquiries about departures, arrivals, stops, and related matters.