At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors, manage reception duties, and provide excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Bournemouth University's dynamic Reception Team in a vibrant campus environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and a range of employee perks.
- Other info: Great opportunity to develop communication and administrative skills in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Be the friendly face of the university and make a positive impact on campus life.
- Qualifications: Friendly, organised, and passionate about customer service.
The predicted salary is between 18900 - 23100 £ per year.
Are you friendly, organised and passionate about delivering excellent customer service? Bournemouth University has an exciting opportunity for you to join our welcoming and dynamic Reception Team. We are currently recruiting a Part-Time Receptionist on a 12-month fixed-term contract, working 22 hours per week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
You will work across three busy reception points on our Talbot and Lansdowne Campuses, based in some of the University’s flagship modern buildings. No two days are the same, and you will be at the heart of campus life, meeting staff, students, visitors and guests from around the world. As one of the first people visitors meet, you will play a key role in creating a warm, professional and positive first impression.
You will help people find their way around our campuses, answer a wide range of enquiries and ensure everyone receives a friendly and efficient service. Your responsibilities will include:
- Welcoming and assisting visitors
- Managing front-of-house reception and switchboard duties
- Responding to access control enquiries
- Reporting security, maintenance and safety concerns
- Working closely with colleagues across the University
This is a fantastic opportunity to build your communication, customer service and administrative skills in a varied and rewarding role. You will be part of a supportive team and work in a lively environment where strong teamwork, problem-solving and multitasking skills are highly valued. This is a uniformed role, and branded clothing will be provided.
The successful candidate will rotate between reception points across the Talbot and Lansdowne Campuses. Working hours will vary depending on the reception point allocated for that week. On Mondays and Tuesdays, shifts will be either 08:00–16:30 or 08:30–17:00. On Fridays, shifts will be either 08:00–16:00 or 08:30–16:30. All shifts include a one-hour lunch break.
This position does not meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route within the UK Visa and Immigration service’s Points Based System. Therefore, BU will not be able to sponsor individuals who require permission to work to carry out this position.
About the department: Our Estates & Facilities team are a multi-disciplinary department that create inspirational and sustainable environments in which teaching, research, sport, enterprise and living can thrive. We offer a range of diverse roles as we continue to develop our sites and help to drive BU’s Climate & Ecological Crisis Action Plan.
At BU, sustainability is a key component when undergoing works to improve our estate. This involves increasing biodiversity around our campuses and taking inspiration from the non-human world to live in harmony with nature.
About us: Bournemouth University’s vision is worldwide recognition as a leading university for inspiring learning, advancing knowledge and enriching society through the fusion of education, research and practice. Our highly skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross-section of the globe, who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives and experiences that help to build our global learning community. BU values and is committed to an inclusive working environment.
We seek a diverse community through attracting, developing and retaining staff from different backgrounds to contribute to inspirational learning, advancing knowledge and enriching society. To support and enable our staff to achieve a balance between work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
More than just a job! Working for BU provides you with access to a fantastic range of benefits:
- PAY – a competitive salary with opportunities for pay progression
- PENSION – a valuable defined benefit pension with generous employer contributions
- HOLIDAY – Annual leave entitlement of 30 days plus bank holidays and winter closure (pro rata if part time)
- WORK LIFE BALANCE – flexible working arrangements including opportunities for hybrid working and flexitime (role dependant)
You will also have access to a wide range of voluntary benefits:
- Health & Wellbeing: Employee assistance programme, dental care scheme, health cash plan
- Financial & Discounts: Discounts including a reduction of fees for family members who study at BU
- Travel: Cycle to work scheme, secure bike stores, showers and lockers, free bus travel between campuses, discounted bus travel
- Sports & Activities: Sport BU has a wide range of activities which staff can access
- Family: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, on-site nursery with discounts for BU staff
- Modern, vibrant campus locations: Bright and flexible work and meeting spaces, with on-site food outlets and coffee shops
If you require this in a different format, please contact us at [email protected].
Receptionist (Fixed-term, Part-time) in Poole employer: Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities while contributing to impactful projects that enhance the university's operations. The vibrant culture and commitment to continuous improvement make this a rewarding place to advance your career in the heart of Bournemouth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Receptionist (Fixed-term, Part-time) in Poole
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like Bournemouth University and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at Bournemouth University and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Receptionist (Fixed-term, Part-time) in Poole
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and Bournemouth University.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about Bournemouth University and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bournemouth University
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress Bournemouth University.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which Bournemouth University will surely appreciate.
