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A receptionist is a person employed to answer the telephones and perform other routine office tasks (such as faxing) in a business, or to greet visitors, patients, or clients. Receptionists may also provide security for an organization by providing access control, issuing visitor passes, and verifying employee identification. As a receptionist is representing the company that employs them, he or she must always remain calm and professional at all times regardless of the customer's behavior. A receptionist who is skilled in courtesy, tact and diplomacy is an asset to a company's image as she or he is usually the first contact a client will meet. Some companies refer to their receptionists as a "Director of First Impressions."
A receptionist position is generally considered to be fairly low-ranking, but some people may use this kind of entry-level job as a way to familiarize oneself with office works. A few famous people were receptionists in the beginning, such as Betty Williams, a co-recipient of the 1976 Nobel Prize for Peace. Other famous people who began their careers as receptionists or worked in the field include civil rights activist Rosa Parks and Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina.
The advancement of office automation has eliminated many receptionists' jobs. For example, a telephone caller could be answered by a computer.
The occupation has been the traditional domain of women, but more men today have been involved in receptionist duties, possibly under different names of employ.
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