A receptionist is a person whose job is to greet visitors, answer phone calls, and help direct people to where they need to go in an office, hotel, doctor's office, or other business. The receptionist is usually the first person you see when you walk through the door, sitting at a desk near the entrance.

When you arrive at the dentist's office, the receptionist checks you in, asks you to fill out forms if needed, and lets the dentist know you've arrived. At a busy company, the receptionist might answer dozens of phone calls each day, transferring them to the right person or taking messages. A hotel receptionist helps guests check in, gives them their room keys, and answers questions about the hotel or local area.

A good receptionist needs to be organized, friendly, and able to handle multiple tasks at once, like greeting someone walking in the door while answering a ringing phone and keeping track of appointments. They're like the air traffic controllers of an office, making sure everyone gets to the right place at the right time.