At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the friendly face of our college, providing top-notch customer service and support.
- Company: Join The Bedford College Group, a leading education provider in the South East Midlands.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 27 days annual leave, and discounts on retail and leisure.
- Other info: Flexible hours, part-time role, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: GCSE English and Maths with experience in customer service or reception roles.
The predicted salary is between 24522 - 26754 £ per year.
Location: Tresham Campus
Salary: £24,522 - £26,754 Per Annum DOE and Qualifications
Contract Type: Permanent - Part-Time
This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.
About The Role
- Customer Service & Front of House Operations: Delivers a professional, welcoming and customer-focused reception service, acting as the first point of contact for students, staff, visitors and customers while ensuring a positive experience and promoting the College’s reputation.
- Reception & Administrative Support: Manages front desk operations including visitor management, telephone enquiries, ID cards, parking permits, lost property, post distribution, inbox management and maintaining accurate records on CRM systems.
- Student & Visitor Support: Provides guidance and information to students and visitors, supporting enrolment-related activities, classroom directions, visitor procedures and ensuring compliance with safeguarding, GDPR and health & safety requirements.
- Organisation & Team Contribution: Supports wider Advice & Admissions administration, including stock monitoring, welcome pack preparation, cash handling, event support and contributing effectively to team objectives and service standards.
- Professional Standards & College Responsibilities: Participates in Open Days, enrolment and college events while upholding safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, health & safety requirements and ongoing professional development commitments.
About You
- Qualifications & Customer Service Experience: GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) with proven experience in customer service, reception or front-of-house environments, including managing enquiries, handling challenging situations and delivering excellent customer care.
- Communication & Administrative Skills: Strong verbal, written and telephone communication skills, with the ability to maintain accurate manual and electronic records, use email and digital systems effectively, and provide professional support to customers and colleagues.
- Customer Focus & Teamwork: Friendly, approachable and professional, with the ability to build positive relationships, work collaboratively within a team and create a welcoming environment for students, visitors and stakeholders.
- Organisation & Professionalism: Highly organised and able to prioritise workload, manage busy periods calmly and efficiently, follow policies and procedures, and always maintain the College’s professional reputation.
- Flexibility & Safeguarding Commitment: Committed to safeguarding, health & safety and continuous development, with a flexible approach to working patterns, willingness to travel between campuses and ability to work evenings or occasional Saturdays as required.
For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.
Interviews To Be Held: TBC
Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:
- Valuing Teamwork: We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
- Improving Continuously: We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
- Student Centred: At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
- Inclusive: We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
- Open and Caring: We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
- Nurturing Education Excellence: We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.
About The Bedford College Group: The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.
Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.
Safeguarding our Students: The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.
Receptionist employer: Central Bedfordshire College
Central Bedfordshire College is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and employee growth. Located at the Wellingborough Campus, staff benefit from a collaborative environment where they can make a meaningful impact in education while enjoying competitive salaries and job security.
Contact Details:
Central Bedfordshire College Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Receptionist
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Central Bedfordshire College. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Central Bedfordshire College before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Receptionist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Central Bedfordshire College:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Central Bedfordshire College specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Central Bedfordshire College!
How to prepare for a job interview at Central Bedfordshire College
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.