Reception supervisors handle a wide array of clerical tasks.
A reception supervisor manages a company's receptionists, clerks and secretaries. Supervisors interview, hire and train receptionists and perform many clerical duties themselves. That includes typing reports, filing documents, answering and forwarding phone calls, handling incoming and outgoing mail and reminding superiors of their appointments. On top of that, reception supervisors must schedule, organize and monitor their own staff.
Basics
Reception supervisors work in a wide array of industries, from medical practices to law firms to insurance agencies. They make certain all clerical duties are being handled accurately and in a timely fashion. They often perform tasks that some may consider to be mundane, but are critical to their company's success. Some receptionists handle bookkeeping and accounting for their firm or office, while others must greet customers or clients and point them in the right direction.
Skills
A reception supervisor needs to possess strong written and verbal communication skills, as she often deals with upper management, employees and customers on a daily basis. She should be highly organized, motivated and a skilled problem solver. She also needs to feel comfortable delegating and managing a staff, and work well alone or as a member of a team. Reception supervisors typically need to have at least a basic understanding of math, typing and filing procedures.
Background
There are no set requirements for someone to become a reception supervisor, although most employers seek candidates with at least a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many reception supervisors receive a license or certificate, with licensure varying by state. Areas of study typically include business, administration, communications and finance. But education isn't always as important as displaying a knowledge of clerical and managerial skills, and what it takes to succeed on the job.
Prospects
Jobs for receptionists were expected to decrease 15 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is a faster rate than the average for all other occupations. While there is information specific to reception supervisors, it is assumed their jobs fall into the category of general receptionists. The BLS speculated that growth from other industries "such as offices of physicians and in other health practitioners, legal services, personal care services, construction and management and technical consulting" will result in more jobs for receptionists.
Earnings
Receptionists earned a median salary of anywhere from $23,000 to more than $39,000 per year in February 2010, according to PayScale.com. Reception supervisors are likely at the higher end of that scale, depending on their experience and size of the company for which they are employed.
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