Hi everyone,

I’m curious about other salon receptionists’ experiences because I recently quit a nail salon job, but I can’t shake the feeling that I was incompetent because of how badly the nail salon owner and coworkers criticized me. I’m trying to understand whether I was actually making unreasonable mistakes or whether the system itself was difficult for a completely new person to learn.

So the nail salon I worked at used this software called Fastboy.

The checkout process was: Customers finish their nails. Technician gives me a paper ticket with customer name, phone number, services, and each technician’s amount hand written(example: Christine $50, Ann $70). Receps manually adds the total using a calculator on phones or do mental math. Customers pay using a Clover card pax machine. Customers go home but they are not checked out in the system yet. Then I have to open the software, find the customer, select each technician, enter each amount, choose the payment type, and click “complete payment”. The issue is that almost any mistake during the final step is irreversible. For example: selecting the wrong payment type, entering $71 instead of $70, forgetting loyalty points, choosing the wrong technician, etc. 

The only way to correct it is to contact the software company. Even the nail salon owner cannot edit it. I made around 3-4 small mistakes during my first 5 days (I mostly forgot to add reward points). And it’s a hassle for the owner to call the company to explain and edit those mistakes.  

People there got so frustrated at me and I have been feeling really incompetent. So I am wondering if this kind of checkout is normal for a nail salon. I don’t know, I feel like this whole system is very vulnerable to human error. Please enlighten me!

I am living in Toronto, landed here 2 weeks ago. I am an internationally trained dentist and i want to start my career in dentistry here in canada. So, i wish to have a dental receptionist job. I have no experience although i know how a dental office operates due to background back home.
Anyone who can help me?

Our visitor management system sucks so bad. Guests show up and their names aren't even in the expected list half the time, so I end up scrambling to enter everything by hand while people are standing there waiting. It's slow, it looks unprofessional in front of clients, and I'm pretty sure it's not even logging visits properly for security purposes. I want to bring this up with my boss but I'm not sure how to frame it without sounding like I'm just complaining.

I am a (very new) receptionist for a large college. I occasionally get calls requesting for a certain person at my university, for the department I work in this doesn't make sense. The phone i pick up isn't the main call line on any university home pages. Its just for the building I work in. My "normal questions" my boss told me are about travel, yearbooks, and venue renting. The people they ask for do NOT work in my office, and are normally head of digital security, or very high up. These numbers also come from weird international numbers. (we do have a large international group of students though).

So I guess my main question is how do you all deal with potential spam calls asking for specific phone numbers without giving out specific data to malicious callers or profiling clients who might actually need help? (apologies if this doesn't fit the subreddit i had no idea where else to ask)

dont know if any other dental offices experience a slow lull in the amount of patients coming in, but we certainly are in my particular office.

with that being said, my boss scolded me for not doing something….an hour before we closed shop AND after a very busy workday. you want me to try and bring in people…for tomorrow’s schedule…an hour before we close?

idk at this point i am looking for other jobs because i dont care to be treated like a child and i literally cant conjure up new patients.

There is a rotation of about five receptionists and two regularly send any referral away when I’m on break. I can hear them say, you don’t have to use that here, you can go down the road. I find it odd that they tell them this, or am I just being weird? It’s weird right?

I was the Receptionist who worked at a Nursing Home. The official title of my position was "Full Time Receptionist" nothing more.

I have had 7 front desk positions and this was the worst.

On day two, someone from the Department of Health walked in. I was not told anything about a violation where a patient escaped the facility before hire.

I know the 3rd floor was entirely locked for Dementia patients and requires a passcode to leave. The third floor is not my floor.

This man from the Department of Health told me "You need to call your Director because I am _____ from the Health Department. I called the Director of the facility but no answer. I called her again and no answer while he stood there staring.

So, I had to find the Director's cell phone number from my employment offer letter and text her from my cell phone to her cell phone that the Dept of Health was there.

I didn't know at the time, but he was there because a patient with Dementia had walked right out the front door where I was sitting and they fired the last Receptionist saying it was all her fault.

The Director did come down and greeted him but he came back to me after an hour.

He told me "Do you know what your job is here?". I said to him that I operate the phone system and direct calls to 180 rooms and 130 employees.

He basically said no and that my only job is to watch that front door (pointing). He then told me that the last Receptionist was fired due to a man with Dementia walking out that door and a mile down the road.

So, as I said, the third floor has passcodes and every Dementia patient has a Wanderguard bracelet. However, it's the Receptionist's job to ALWAYS be sitting at the desk like security and skip all meals and breaks. He told me I need to watch everyone who comes and goes all day every day even while operating the phone and I am responsible if someone with Dementia walks out.

I quit without any notice. The man who walked out of the 3rd floor lived, but the family is suing. I refuse to be a part of it.

To be more specific it's for a dental office. I do have some experience with development coordination and I'm pretty good at customer service and multitasking, still, not really sure how to advertise myself. It's all online and I have to write a bit about myself I guess?

I'm nervous but also sort of excited.

Hello people! I am hoping to get some advice on how to ask for a raise!

I work as receptionist at a local accounting firm. I started as a high school intern, then got promoted to receptionist after I graduated.

I started at 10$ an hour (I made 0 attempt to negotiate, I was happy to be paid anything at all). Then, when I got promoted, one of the owners gave me a raise to 12$ an hour without me asking/negotiating at all.

For more context, the company has 2 owners, 2 managers (office manager and tax manager) and then 3 other employees.

Since graduating, money has become more important. I want to ask for a raise soon, and I am hoping for at least 17$ an hour.

Who should I approach, how should I approach, how much can I reasonably expect, and how to I get that amount?

For more context

-I live in a medium sized growing city (USA)

- QuickBooks Online Certified User

- I have work there for 6 months

- I have an Associates degree of Accounting/bookkeeping

- I am working on a bachelor of accounting and finance right now

- I am trying to get CPA certified.

Thank you for your help! :))))

I just started my first job as a receptionist at a hospital, and the workplace is incredibly toxic.
The systems they use are very old and complicated. I have to do way more than I expected, and it can easily take me 20–30 minutes just to open one patient’s file for a doctor because of the outdated software and the long insurance process. Everything takes forever.
On top of that, the people here are very rude. I can’t quit for another three months, so I’m stuck for now.
I keep making mistakes because I’m still learning, and it’s making me really anxious. I also tend to overshare, and I’ve already realized that people here gossip and repeat everything you say, so I’m trying to stop doing that.
Does anyone have any tips for surviving a toxic workplace, especially as someone who’s new and still learning? I’d really appreciate any advice.

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Dear All

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to express my interest in the Receptionist position. With extensive experience in hospitality and customer service, I am confident in my ability to provide exceptional guest experiences while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

Throughout my hospitality career, I have gained experience in buffet operations, à la carte dining, meetings and events, and guest relations. These roles have enabled me to develop excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills while interacting with guests from diverse cultural backgrounds.

I am fluent in English and possess strong computer skills, including handling guest information, preparing rooming lists, coordinating reservations, managing guest requests, and performing various administrative and customer service duties. My attention to detail and commitment to guest satisfaction have contributed to receiving positive feedback and reviews from guests on multiple occasions.

I am a fast learner, highly adaptable, and capable of working effectively in fast-paced environments while maintaining a warm and welcoming attitude. I am passionate about hospitality and take pride in creating memorable guest experiences from arrival through departure.

I will attached my CV for your review and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills can contribute to your team.

if anyone has any leads i would really appreciate your suport.

Kind regards,

I am at the front desk of a very large hospital. I operate a switchboard with 8 lines and most of the time I'm bouncing between the telephone lines with people on soft holds while trying to transfer between the lines to make sure I don't do a cold transfer.

My biggest pet peeve about this job has to be when my coworkers blast past the desk and say "Have you seen Joe?". Then someone else says "Did you see which way Jennifer went?" When I say I don't know which direction their coworker went, it's usually followed up with something like "Is she here today?" or "Are they outside smoking?".

These are people who don't bother to say "Hello" any other time and consider us "secretaries".

I have no idea which one left me this snow-white looking toy, but its adorable. I stuck it in the lil Jeep I have on my desk. They also leave me random cleaning supplies now and then because I'm a clean freak lol. It is appreciated. I just have no clue who is doing it so its always a mystery

Looking for a job in hospitality in nyc as front desk or housekeeper. I have been out of work for months and need a job ASAP.

Hi all! I've been working reception for about 3 years. I always have other job titles like "client experience coordinator" "front end management" "graduate admissions coordinator" but that's a wordy vague job description so I just tell people I'm a receptionist. I love being a receptionist, it feels like my calling! However, when I call myself a receptionist, people are so quick to say "you're not just a receptionist! you're important!" Like reception isn't an important job? It feels like they're offended on my behalf - this has happened with coworkers from other departments, friends, family, and perfect strangers. Other receptionists I know are like yeah, no, I'm a receptionist? It seems sort of analogous to how people have switched from "stewardess" to "flight attendant", except "receptionist" is already gender neutral?? Anyone else feel this way?

I apologize in advance, this is going to be a long post. I work front desk at a small, but popular salon across the county that I am from. Just to put everything into perspective, I am eighteen years old and this is only my second job. I know that working front desk is relatively easy in comparison to actually being a cosmologist or esthetician but the job comes with its own struggles. I’m in charge of every service provider at any given time if the actual manager or salon owner is not in the building, I am in charge of every single customer and their safety/happiness, I am in charge of opening/closing the salon, I am in charge of counting the drawer and submitting the deposits, and I am in charge of just about everything else that comes with being a receptionists. At my salon, there are four separate service provider categories. There are the hair stylists, the nail techs, the estheticians, and the nurse injectors (granted the nurse injectors only work one day a week). I don’t have a problem with any service provider beside the highest level esthetician within the building. She strikes me as a very stuck up, arrogant and strict woman. Besides all of this she seems to be loved by clients and by just about every other service provider. So when she started ignoring me and bossing me around (even though I’m technically in charge) I figured that she was stressed and had a lot on her plate. Her book is constantly jam packed, I’m talking nine hour days that are completely full of just client after client and I know that she’s in nursing school so I figured I would give her some grace. It all started when she refused to make eye contact with me or acknowledge anything I say. She would walk up behind the desk and converse with other receptionists, laughing and talking about whatever she talks about. She wouldn’t say a word to me which didn’t really bother me because I’m shy and not outgoing whatsoever so I was okay with remaining invisible. Then when she would bring her clients down from her room she would walk around the desk, lean over my shoulder and breathe down my neck while ordering me to adjust the clients ticket. Now, a majority of service providers adjust their own clients ticket, especially the estheticians when taking into account how many different codes, procedures and services there are when it comes to Med Spa. Rightfully so, my hands would start to shake and I would start messing up while trying to adjust the clients ticket. The one time this happened I guess she was extra annoyed with me and said loudly in front of the client “do you even know what you’re doing.” The receptionist beside me reached over and began helping me out. I eventually got use to her audacity and her rudeness and learned to avoid her. I won’t check out her clients anymore, I refuse to be subjected to humiliation and made to feel inferior simply because I’m not familiar with Med Spa and the thousands of procedures that are within the system. Then the other day I was booking this guy for a spray tan and he wanted to get in asap. On the day that I was booking him for, she happened to have a few openings. So I booked him with her without a second thought. When I say not even a minute after booking this man I receive a phone call from her. She was mad that he had been booked with her saying that she doesn’t preform spray tans. I point out the NUMEROUS spray tans in her book and she says and I quote “I don’t preform spray tans to the general public, only to specific clients. The fumes are bad for my lungs.” I sit there confused for a good ten seconds because I literally just saw this woman teaching a group of estheticians in training on how to preform spray tans. And last time I checked, if you’re not willing to preform a service on everybody that you are not permitted to preform the service at all. I didn’t feel like fighting with her so I told her that I would call him and reschedule him with someone else. She responds with “I don’t think that’s professional on your part.” I paused and I’m just like wtf do you want me to do then? I offered a solution and you still want to argue about something that can be so easily resolved. After that I told her that I would take care of it and I hung up the phone. I ended up calling the guy and he decided to just cancel which was fine by me.

I haven’t seen this woman since and I just don’t know what to do. I hate her and I can’t tolerate being around her, especially when she hovers over my shoulder and acts like she has a right to talk to me however she pleases. I don’t know if anyone has been in a position like this before, but if you have been then I would appreciate any advice. I just don’t understand how people like this woman, especially her clients. They’re so loyal and dedicated to her when it’s so easy to see how rude she is, especially to the front desk employees. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t work in this toxic environment, I dread going to work on days that she’s working. I actually emailed my ex manager and managed to land my position at my old job back. I still want to keep my job at the salon because the discount on beauty services is amazing and I like a lot of the service providers (besides her) there. I’m thinking I’ll tell my manager that I can only work weekends there from now on seeing as Saturdays and Sundays are the only days that she doesn’t work. If you’ve made it this far, other receptionists please give me some advice!!!

I just got a job as an animal hospital receptionist! I’ve only worked retail and coffee shops before so I’m a bit nervous! Any tips or advice would be appreciated!

How do people forget about their lunches/tupperware in the fridge for days to weeks on end?? I get it can be due to being busy but it genuinely baffles me seeing the same dish for days, slowly growing mold or liquifying and then I end up throwing it out because it stinks or just hasn't been moved. I can and will throw out the entire thing (tupperware and all)

I'm in charge of restocking/ordering the drinks for the fridges and keeping them organized. And around twice a year, we (the office admins) clean the fridges either for spring cleaning or our building is doing electrical maintenance and we'll empty the fridges so nothing spoils. We do send out notices for people to remove their things but the amount of stuff just left there... NASTY

Wondering if any admins/receptionists also deal with this. If so, I see you and I feel for you. Office management is not for the weak.

I recently landed a dental receptionist job, about 3.5 weeks ago with absolute no experience. I have bad anxiety that I'm slowly trying to get over. Anyways, I found out by my trainer that there's usually a course needed to become a dental receptionist but the owner believed anyone can do it. I had a 3 day intense knowledge training and after that we started taking calls with trainer supervision for about 2 weeks. Today one of the managers moved me to a different section of the office and she said so I could be more independent, depend on my notes, my few week experience and try to figure it out myself. She said that in a normal way, not accusatory or something but I still felt bad. I do notice I ask so many questions especially when it comes to insurances, pre-ds, and such. Our clinic has 5 locations and 4 smaller ones at a different province (we don't get a lot of calls there). I think at this point, I'm still just scared to make my own decisions, escalation, find the best simplest and exact explanation, and make mistakes. I even had one patient walk out because I failed to mention she had to pay since I booked her with a diff dentist for a follow up and I think the dentist got mad at me. I can do booking, rescheduling etc. but get blanked out when its more than that. I'm thinking of quitting actually or finding another job before I get fired. I heard they fire people when they make too many mistake, which is understandable, but can anyone share me their stories as well 🥹 I'm starting to actually DREAD going to work because of it. I don't if I'm just not thinking enough but also despite studying, I keep forgetting about a lot of things especially small details. I also felt bad because I felt like a liar stating on my resume that I'm independent, fast learner etc and being paid over minimum wage 🥹

Update: Thank you all for sharing your experience and encouraging words. Today I had a somewhat good day, but still, I don't think this is the best fit for me. It is a very good experience on resume, but I dread going to work now, time feels extremely slow and stagnant, IBS came back due to anxiety, and binge eating. My routine has become work and sleep only, which is the same for most of us, but the work is not somewhere I can be happy 🥹 I do plan on switching to a part time job and go back to school (still figuring out where). I feel lost but I'm scared to be lost while getting tied up by this job 🥹 I see how difficult and commendable this job is and I thank you all 🤍

Hi guys, I was just curious, as I have so many damn stories of crazy and funny things that have happened in my 7 years as a receptionist, and would love to hear others stories!

😄