MockQuestions

Receptionist Mock Interview

To help you prepare for your Receptionist interview, here are 32 interview questions and answer examples.

First Question

32 Receptionist Interview Questions

15 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   Give me three reasons why you would be the best fit for the job?

How to Answer

Use this opportunity to reiterate your strengths, tailored to fit the job requirements. Your 3 reasons can include a combination of your technical skills, soft skills, past accomplishments, awards and recognition, and previous experience. A sample answer would be, "I believe that I am the best for this position because of my extensive customer service experience and my ability to adapt to any situation. I always go the extra mile and am highly dedicated to my work. In all that I do I would strive to advance the company and I feel that my previous work experience proves that."

Answer Example

"I believe that I am the best for this position because of my extensive customer service experience and my ability to adapt to any situation. I always go the extra mile and am highly dedicated to my work. In all that I do I would strive to advance the company and I feel that my previous work experience proves that."

2.   Are you an organized person? Give me an example that demonstrates this.

How to Answer

Show the interviewer that you know how to allocate your time and resources wisely. Mention that you try to plan ahead as much as possible, but when things come up last minute, you make sure you adjust and respond quickly, integrating new priorities into your current role.

Answer Example

"I'm a very organized person and this has definitely come in handy in my past jobs. At the beginning of each week I review my calendar and outline the key things I need to accomplish.Then I set up reminders, blocks of time, and to do lists so I have clear steps and time allocated to meet those goals."

3.   Would you consider yourself a friendly person?

How to Answer

As a receptionist, you'll be interacting with various people everyday. Respond to this question positively; mention that you've made a lot of friends due to your warm and open personality and that you're looking forward to a job that capitalizes on your attribute.

"I would consider myself to be a friendly person, I like people and I can demonstrate that by the amount of friends I have inside and outside work."

Answer Example

"I would consider myself to be a friendly person, I like people and I can demonstrate that by the amount of friends I have inside and outside work."

4.   Do you enjoy socializing with customers?

How to Answer

Yes, you do! As a receptionist, you enjoy interacting with customers through friendly conversations. Be sure to mention that this is a great way for your organization to retain its customers, and you look forward to providing the friendly environment through socializing with the customers.

5.   Have you ever been yelled at by a customer before? How did you handle the situation?

How to Answer

If you haven't experienced this yet, treat the question as a hypothetical situation. Let the interviewer know that you're good at dealing with difficult people and you believe that by staying calm and responding politely, the customer's anger will subside.

Answer Example

"At my previous job, customer interactions would occur daily. Unfortunately, customers do get upset and will yell at the employees. When this happens I remain calm and patient and try my best to resolve the issue the customer has."

6.   How do you prioritize when you have three phone calls on hold, and a customer waiting in front of your desk?

How to Answer

This is your chance to show the recruiter that you're able to effectively analyze situations, multitask, and prioritize accordingly.

"My first priority is whoever has the most urgent concern. I also consider the nature of the request of the callers. If a caller's request requires more of my time, then he/she can be handled last.

Regardless of who I accommodate first, I always acknowledge the customer in front of me before going back to my calls."

Answer Example

"My first priority is whoever has the most urgent concern. I also consider the nature of the request of the callers. If a caller's request requires more of my time, then he/she can be handled last.

Regardless of who I accommodate first, I always acknowledge the customer in front of me before going back to my calls."

7.   Have you ever been in a stressful situation at work? How did you handle it?

How to Answer

Reassure the interviewer that you can handle stress at work like a pro by learning how to prioritize, organize, and determine what needs your focus and attention first. Give a relevant example of how you got out of a sticky situation by being quick to respond and adjust. An answer like this will do, "I find it best do concentrate on remaining calm. When I run into a customer who's upset, it helps them to calm down if I'm calm and we can work together to resolve the situation."

Answer Example

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8.   Tell me about your last job. How does it relate to working for my office as a receptionist?

How to Answer

If you've come from a different industry, then it's best to focus on the skills and experience relevant to the job you're currently applying for.

Answer Example

"As a customer representative, I have experience in handling a high volume workload and dealing with angry customers. I believe that my communication skills and knowledge on customer service can bring a new perspective to this job and your organization."

9.   What is the most important task about being a receptionist?

How to Answer

By asking this question, the recruiter wants to know how passionate you are about the role since this could be a strong indicator of your commitment and future performance. Your answer should reflect a deep understanding of your role.

"Receptionists are the front line of the office so it's very important they do their best in representing the business. A receptionist's appearance, manners, knowledge and helpfulness reflect on the entire company. The ability to communicate clearly and address issues in an organized manner is what makes a receptionist an ace at his/her job."

Answer Example

"Receptionists are the front line of the office so it's very important they do their best in representing the business. A receptionist's appearance, manners, knowledge and helpfulness reflect on the entire company. The ability to communicate clearly and address issues in an organized manner is what makes a receptionist an ace at his/her job."

10.   Tell me what working habits you have that set you apart from everyone else?

How to Answer

This is an opportunity to bring up your strengths and experiences that other candidates may not have.

Answer Example

"

11.   Are you proficient in Microsoft Office?

How to Answer

It's better to be honest than to regret your answer later. It will reflect very poorly on you if you don't really have the skills you claim to possess. Mention the skills you possess then add that you're quick at learning new programs.

Answer Example

"I'm proficient with Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, and Power Point. I'm very comfortable using these programs and have a lot of experience doing so. If there's something I'm not familiar with, I'm willing to put in effort to acquire and master new knowledge."

12.   What are you trying to accomplish when answering the phone?

How to Answer

Convey your readiness for the job by providing an answer that'd show you know what your role entails and it's purpose.

Answer Example

"My job is to figure out what the customer's concern is and to help them get a solution. If it's not something I can solve on my own, then I reassure the customer that I'll be relaying it to whomever's responsible and that his/her concern will be given attention."

13.   How well have you gotten along with coworkers in the past?

How to Answer

You have no plans of being a potential headache for your future boss and teammates. Let the recruiter know that you've always gotten along great with people at work and that you're good at keeping things professional.

"I have always been a great team player, and I love working with others. Everyone has something different to offer which is why I've made a lot of friends at my previous job."

Answer Example

"I have always been a great team player, and I love working with others. Everyone has something different to offer which is why I've made a lot of friends at my previous job."

14.   How long are you looking to stay at this position if you were hired?

How to Answer

Recruiters hate wasting their time, effort, and resources on hiring people who leave the organization immediately. Don't mention plans of starting a business or of going abroad as such could raise a red flag for the recruiter.

An ideal response would go like this:

"I would prefer to stay long term, if possible. I think this role is a great match for my skills and experience and offers me a chance to grow professionally. I expect to be here for as long as I have the opportunity to make contributions."

Answer Example

"I would prefer to stay long term, if possible. I think this role is a great match for my skills and experience and offers me a chance to grow professionally. I expect to be here for as long as I have the opportunity to make contributions."

15.   Why are you the best fit for this job?

How to Answer

This is a great time to match the qualities that you have with the qualities they have requested in their job posting. Show your readiness to take the job on by describing how your experience, career progression, qualities and achievements make you an asset to the organization.

Answer Example

"I feel that I am the strongest candidate for the job because I bring everything that you are looking for in your next receptionist. In addition to possessing these qualities, I have experience as a customer service representative which gives me an edge at dealing with different types of customers."

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