At a Glance
- Tasks: Create a welcoming environment and provide top-notch customer service at our head office.
- Company: Join Friends of the Elderly, a charity dedicated to supporting older people for over 100 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension plan, wellbeing support, and retail discounts.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for a charity that makes a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Two years of experience in reception or administration and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for learning and career progression.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week - Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m)
The Role
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Receptionist/Administrator for our head office in Woking to create a welcoming environment for visitors and staff and provide a high level of customer service to people making enquiries by telephone or email. You will be responsible for the smooth running of the switchboard, reception, meeting rooms/bookings, post, couriers, office supplies and kitchen facilities. You will also be a member of a small but busy secretariat team providing administration and secretarial support to the Executive Assistant of the Senior Leadership Team and head office staff. Main administrative duties include inbox and diary management, meeting support including diarising, distributing papers, note-taking and following-up actions, assisting with ongoing work streams such as projects and vehicle administration, research, maintaining accurate records, databases and filing systems, and ensuring invoices and expenses are processed accurately and on time. In this role you will be an ambassador for FotE and pivotal to the successful running of our head office.
About you
- Our ideal candidate will have at least two years experience in a receptionist, secretarial or administration role working with senior managers, and a proven high standard of oral and written communication.
- Be educated to A Level standard or equivalent.
- Be confident, friendly and welcoming, an excellent communicator, and highly organised with the ability to prioritise tasks.
- Be experienced at dealing with members of the public, professionals, suppliers, Board members and staff at all levels with tact and discretion.
If you would like to gain experience working for a charity or in the care sector or already have this experience and have a positive, flexible, and can-do attitude, we would love to hear from you!
About us
Friends of the Elderly is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing excellent care with a family feel, we have been supporting older people for over 100 years. We aspire to a society where all older people have the opportunity to live fulfilled lives. We do this by delivering services personalised to individual needs and integrated with local communities. The charity provides care home and day care services for older people, as well as grants for older people in financial difficulty.
Our values are that we will always:
- Promote wellbeing.
- Strive for excellence.
- Treat people with respect.
- Keep everyone safe.
Why work for us?
We are committed to investing in our teams and their wellbeing, which is why we offer a great list of employee benefits. These include:
- Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
- Learning, development, and progression.
- Wellbeing support through various initiatives including an employee assistance programme offering up to 10 counselling, 4 life, 4 leadership, 3 financial coaching sessions per person, per issue, per year.
- Retail discount schemes to make your salary go further.
- Access to loans at affordable rates, saving directly from salary and advance pay already earnt.
- Health cash plans for you and your family.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Long service awards, that increase with length of service.
- Refer a friend to work for us and receive a £200 bonus.
- Free DBS checks.
To apply for the role
We currently do not provide sponsorship, but we welcome applications from those who have a right to work in the UK. Don’t delay in sending your application as we may need to close the vacancy early if we manage to appoint before the advertising closing date. We interview applicants as they apply.
Safeguarding
Keeping everyone safe is one of the charity's core values, and is central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and, if they see or suspect abuse, we expect staff to report it straight away.
Criminal record checks
As our core services deal with vulnerable adults, successful applicants will undertake a basic DBS check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:
Friends of the Elderly strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other's differences. A charity where everyone is equal but definitely not the same! Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, all working together to create an inclusive workplace, which attracts and retains the best people. People that care and can make a difference.
Receptionist/Administrator in Woking employer: Friends of the Elderly
Contact Detail:
Friends of the Elderly Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Receptionist/Administrator in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to research Friends of the Elderly before your interview. Knowing about our values and services will help you connect with us and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a Receptionist/Administrator, you'll be the first point of contact. Role-play with a friend to nail down how you’d handle different scenarios, from phone calls to welcoming visitors.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some questions to ask during your interview. This shows us that you're engaged and eager to learn more about the team and the role. Think about what you want to know about our work culture or the secretariat team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to jump into the digital side of things.
We think you need these skills to ace Receptionist/Administrator in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in reception and administration roles. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant experience!
Craft a Personal Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express why you’re excited about the role and how you align with our values at Friends of the Elderly. Keep it friendly and professional – we love a personal touch!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of communication, make sure your written application reflects your strong oral and written skills. Clear, concise, and friendly language will go a long way in making a great impression on us!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Friends of the Elderly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Friends of the Elderly
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Receptionist/Administrator. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as managing the switchboard and supporting the Senior Leadership Team. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Receptionist/Administrator, excellent communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with various stakeholders in previous roles. Whether it's handling inquiries or liaising with senior managers, be ready to discuss specific situations where your communication made a positive impact.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
This role requires strong organisational abilities, so come prepared to discuss how you prioritise tasks and manage your time. You might want to share a story about a busy day where you successfully juggled multiple responsibilities, like managing meeting bookings while ensuring the reception area runs smoothly.
✨Emphasise Your Customer Service Experience
Since you'll be the first point of contact for visitors and callers, highlight your customer service experience. Think of examples where you went above and beyond to assist someone or resolve an issue. This will show that you have the friendly and welcoming attitude they’re looking for.