Top Receptionist Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Receptionist interview by going through these most asked Receptionist interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Receptionist Questions
Interview Practice

Search Receptionist Questions:


  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset/angry customer.

    • Question Overview: The goal is to see how the candidate deals with difficult customers.

    Sample Answer: One time, a customer was very upset about an order that had been delivered incorrectly. I was able to help him by listening to his concerns and then finding out what he needed from us to make him happy. I was able to get him the correct order and he was very happy with the outcome.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have a confident approach to the issue?
    • - Do they have good ideas about how to handle the situation?
    • - Do they demonstrate experience handling such a situation

  • Question: Have you worked with customers before?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to see if the candidate has experience with customers.

    Sample Answer: I have worked in customer service before. I have worked at a call center for a major insurance company. I have also worked at a small retail store as a cashier.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have experience with customers?
    • - Do they have positive experiences with customers?
    • - Do they have negative experiences with customers?

  • Question: Can you use Microsoft Office?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to find out if the candidate can use the basic Microsoft Office suite of programs.

    Sample Answer: Yes, I have used Microsoft Office for ten years. I am proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they know what the programs are?
    • - Do they know how to use them?
    • - Do they know how to use them well?

  • Question: Are you willing to do other tasks as asked if not in your job description?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to see how flexible the candidate is.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to do whatever is needed to help the company. I am very flexible and can adapt to any situation. I am willing to do whatever is needed to help the company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have a flexible attitude towards their job?
    • - Do they have a good attitude about doing extra work?
    • - Do they have good ideas about how to be flexible

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone.

    • Question Overview: The goal is to find out how the candidate works with others.

    Sample Answer: I had a coworker who was very quiet and did not like to be bothered. I noticed that she was having trouble with her work and I asked her if she needed help. She was very grateful for the help and we became friends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have good skills at working with others?
    • - Do they have good ideas about how to work with others?
    • - Do they have good ideas about how to resolve conflict

  • Question: What programming languages do you know?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to find out what programming languages the candidate is familiar with.

    Sample Answer: I have been using Microsoft Office software for my ten years as a receptionist. I am also proficient with Google and Microsoft calendaring software, Google Sheets and Docs, all common instant message platforms and Slack.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they demonstrate facility with the common programming languages used by receptionists?
    • - Do they know what those languages are?
    • - Do they show experience with programming

  • Question: Have you ever had a customer who was angry with you?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to see how the candidate deals with conflict.

    Sample Answer: I have had a customer who was upset with me. I apologized and explained that I had not been able to get in touch with my boss. I made sure to let him know that I would make sure that my boss called him back as soon as possible. He seemed satisfied with my response.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have a good attitude about conflict?
    • - Do they have a good approach to conflict?
    • - Do they have experience with conflict?

  • Question: Are you sure this is something you want to do?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to see how the candidate responds to a question that is not directly related to the job.

    Sample Answer: I am sure this is something I want to do. I have been a receptionist for ten years and I love it. I am looking for a new challenge and this job seems like it will be a great fit for me.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have a good response to the question?
    • - Do they demonstrate a sense of humor?
    • - Do they seem like they are sure about the job?

  • Question: What are your strengths and how will you leverage them to help us?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to find out how the candidate will leverage their strengths to help the company.

    Sample Answer: I am very good at multi-tasking and prioritizing. I am able to handle a lot of different tasks at once and get them done in a timely manner. I am also very good at communicating with people. I am able to talk with customers and coworkers in a professional manner, even when they are upset. I believe that these skills will help me be a great receptionist for your company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have a good understanding of their strengths?
    • - Do they know how to leverage them to help the company?
    • - Do they have a good understanding of what the company needs

  • Question: What was the worst customer you have ever had and how did you handle them?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to see how the candidate handles difficult customers.

    Sample Answer: The worst customer I ever had was a person who was very upset about a product that had been shipped to him. He was very angry and I could tell he was going to be difficult. I explained that I would be happy to help him, but that I needed to know what the problem was. He told me that he had ordered a product and it had not arrived. I asked him when he ordered the product and he said he had done so two weeks ago. I explained that we only ship products once a week and that he should have received it by now. He became very angry and started yelling at me. I remained calm and explained that I could not help him until he told me what the problem was. He calmed down and told me that he had not received the product yet. I apologized for the delay and told him that we would ship him another one right away.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have a good strategy for handling difficult customers?
    • - Do they have a good attitude about the situation?
    • - Do they demonstrate experience handling difficult customers

  • Question: How would you deal with an abusive patient?

    • Question Overview: The goal is to see how the candidate deals with difficult situations.

    Sample Answer: I would try to calm the patient down and ask them what was wrong. I would try to find out what the patient needed and help them get it. If the patient became abusive, I would ask them to leave and call security if they did not leave on their own.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Do they have a confident approach to the issue?
    • - Do they have experience dealing with such a situation?
    • - Do they have good ideas about how to handle such a situation