Interview Questions to Ask a Receptionist / Front Desk Candidate
Questions that surface real evidence of the first impression a company makes, backed by real reliability — plus what to actually listen for in the answer, not just whether they say the right buzzwords.
1. A visitor arrives without an appointment and insists on seeing a director. How do you manage it?
What to listen for: Expect polite verification of identity and purpose, checking with the host, following the visitor policy, and offering alternatives without being rude.
2. The phone is ringing, a courier is waiting and a guest needs directions. What happens first?
What to listen for: Look for acknowledging everyone, quick prioritisation, short holds, asking colleagues to help, and keeping calm and courteous.
3. You notice an unfamiliar person following staff through a secured door. What do you do?
What to listen for: Strong answers approach politely, ask for badge or visitor sign-in, alert security if needed, and never ignore a possible breach.
4. You booked a meeting room twice by mistake. How do you fix it?
What to listen for: Good answers own the error, contact both parties early, offer alternatives, and update the booking system to prevent repeats.
5. What would you do in your first 30 days in this receptionist / front desk role?
What to listen for: Whether their plan is grounded in the role's actual must-haves (multi-line phone systems and visitor management) or generic ("get to know the team"). Specificity here signals real understanding of the job, not just interview prep.
6. Why are you leaving your current role, and why this one specifically?
What to listen for: Forward-looking motivation tied to something concrete about this role, versus badmouthing a past employer or vague dissatisfaction. Watch for whether their reasons actually match what this role offers.
A warning sign in this interview
Letting people through secure areas to avoid awkwardness, or being unable to keep composure and courtesy when several people need help at once.
What to look for on the CV before the interview
Visitor and call volume handled, and the systems used.
Confirm before you make an offer
Usually none. Confirm the phone system and visitor-management tools used.
People who may apply under another title
This job is also called Front Desk Receptionist, Front Office Associate, Reception Coordinator, Guest Services Associate. A candidate with one of those titles can be a strong match, so ask the same questions and judge the answers, not the title.
Frequently asked questions
How many of these questions should I ask in one interview?
3-4 is realistic for a 30-45 minute interview once you leave room for follow-ups and the candidate's own questions. Divide competencies across panel members rather than every interviewer asking all of them — see the Interview Scorecard tool for a structured version of this.
How is this different from the Interview Scorecard tool?
This page is a generic starting point for the receptionist / front desk role. The tool generates a full panel-ready kit — competency-grouped questions, a 1-5 rating rubric, and strong/weak answer examples — tailored to your actual job description and competencies.
What is a red flag when interviewing a receptionist / front desk?
Letting people through secure areas to avoid awkwardness, or being unable to keep composure and courtesy when several people need help at once.
What should I confirm before offering a receptionist / front desk the job?
Usually none. Confirm the phone system and visitor-management tools used.
Hiring a receptionist / front desk? The rest of the toolkit
- How to write the job description →
Titles, must-haves, credentials and a starting posting.
- Search strings to find candidates →
Five searches from broad to narrow, with exclusions.
- Run the whole hire in one place →
Jobs, CV review, interviews, offers and checks together.