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 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.