Receptionist interview questions

A receptionist is the first person many visitors and callers meet. A short video interview shows exactly what you need to judge in the first round: how they come across, how they speak and how they would handle a busy, unpredictable desk.

10 questions for a receptionist first round

Pick three to five that fit your role, rather than all ten: a short first round gets more finished interviews. All ten together take about 17 minutes to record. The time limits suit a one-way video interview, where each answer is recorded once.

  1. 1

    Imagine a visitor arrives just as the phone rings and someone is waiting with a delivery. What do you do?

    Listen for: A sensible order, acknowledging everyone and staying calm.

    2 min to answer
  2. 2

    Tell us about a time you dealt with an upset customer or visitor.

    Listen for: Listening, staying polite and finding someone who could help.

    2 min to answer
  3. 3

    How do you make a good first impression on someone visiting for the first time?

    Listen for: Warmth, clear directions and making them feel expected.

    2 min to answer
  4. 4

    How do you keep track of messages, bookings and visitors during a busy day?

    Listen for: A reliable system and checking nothing has been missed.

    2 min to answer
  5. 5

    Describe a time you had to keep information private.

    Listen for: Discretion and a sensible understanding of what not to share.

    2 min to answer
  6. 6

    What would you do if someone you didn’t recognise asked to go into the building?

    Listen for: Following the security process politely and firmly.

    2 min to answer
  7. 7

    Which office tools and systems have you used?

    Listen for: Basic comfort with phones, email and booking systems, and willingness to learn.

    1 min to answer
  8. 8

    Tell us about a time you went beyond your job to help someone.

    Listen for: Genuine care, within sensible limits.

    2 min to answer
  9. 9

    How do you stay positive on a long or difficult day?

    Listen for: Realistic habits and resilience.

    1 min to answer
  10. 10

    Why would you like to work at our front desk?

    Listen for: Interest in people and in your organisation.

    1 min to answer
Scoring

Signs of a strong candidate

  • Warm and clear on camera
  • Calm when several things happen at once
  • Organised with messages and bookings
  • Discreet and security-minded

Agree what a 3 and a 5 look like for each question before anyone watches, and save your own rating before reading your colleagues’.

Use them

Run these as a video interview

  1. Save your chosen questions as a question set in AsyncView, with the minutes for each.
  2. Create an interview for the role, import the set and pick a deadline.
  3. Paste your candidates’ names and emails. Each gets a private link.
  4. Watch, rate and compare answers with your team, then shortlist.
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Send these questions to your receptionist candidates today.

Candidates record their answers in their own time; your team reviews together. The Free plan includes 5 interviews and needs no card.

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