ExamopotamiaWhy test receptionist skills before you hire?
Reception looks calm from the outside, but the job is constant interruption: a call comes in as a courier arrives, a visitor's host can't be found, someone without an appointment wants to see the director. A good receptionist handles all of it politely and still follows security procedure. A poor one gives out a mobile number to a stranger or waves an unknown visitor upstairs. A short scenario test shows how candidates would handle these moments before they are sitting at your desk.
What this template covers
- Visitors: greeting, waiting for a host, and unannounced arrivals.
- Phones and messages: professional greetings and what a complete message must include.
- Security and safety: sign-in, parcels and the receptionist's role in an evacuation.
- Confidentiality: personal contact details and conversations in a public area.
- Scams and admin: spotting an impersonation email and sorting out a double-booked room.
How to run it well
All twelve questions fit comfortably into 12 minutes. A pass mark of 70% suits most front-desk roles. Shuffle the options, because in situational questions the most polite-sounding answer is not always the correct one, and you want candidates to read every choice.
The template is mostly single-choice scenarios, with one multiple-select question on phone messages and a true/false on confidentiality. In results, look closely at the three hard questions: the unannounced visitor, the fire alarm and the gift-card email. They separate people who are merely friendly from those who will also keep the building and the company safe.
Who this test is for
Use it for office and corporate receptionists, medical and dental front desks, hotel and gym reception, switchboard operators and front-of-house staff in agencies and law firms. It also suits temp agencies that place receptionists with different clients. Because candidates can take it on a phone or laptop before they visit, you only invite people to sit at the desk for a trial shift once they have shown sound judgement.
Make it yours
Add your own sign-in rules, the name of your room booking system and your evacuation steps. If your receptionist also handles post, petty cash or deliveries, add questions on those. A healthcare front desk might add questions on checking patient identity and keeping records private. A hotel could add check-in, key cards and late arrivals instead.