Receptionist CV example

A Receptionist CV for South African employers: what to write, the duties and skills to list, a cover letter and tips.

Updated 29 October 2026 · By Tumelo Vincent Tau

1. An example profile

A short profile at the top of your CV says who you are and what work you want. Change it to fit your own experience:

2. Duties to list

Under each job like this in your work experience, list three to five of the duties you really did:

• Welcome visitors and direct them to the right person
• Answer and transfer calls on the switchboard
• Take messages and pass them on accurately
• Book appointments and manage the visitors register
• Receive and send deliveries and post
• Keep the reception area neat

3. Skills and certificates

Skills employers look for in this job:

• Telephone etiquette
• Customer service
• Computer literate (MS Office)
• Professional appearance

Also list, if you have them:

• Switchboard or booking systems you used
• Languages you speak
• MS Office skills

4. Tips for Receptionist jobs

• A receptionist is the first person visitors meet. Show your people skills and your phone manner in your profile.
• List every language you speak and the systems you used for bookings or the switchboard.
• A neat, well-presented CV matters for this job: it is a sample of your work.

5. An example cover letter

Send a short cover letter with your CV, naming the post and the reference number from the advert:

More help: how to write a cover letter, a CV with no work experience and job interview tips.