How to find a good receptionist???

[Eddie G's]

Our receptionist for 20 years is retiring in March and I need to find a new one.
She's been with us since the beginning so I don't know where to look for a new one, any ideas?

We are just a small Optometrist Office with only 3 employee's.
Obviously taking care of the appointments, frame selecting and OHIP billing is a must!

Are there any optical classifieds?
Or should I be placing an ad in the newspaper?
How much would a person like this start off hourly $?
Please help, any input would be appreciated...

Thanks,
Ed

[fvc2020]

When you figure it out let me know. We have tried to no sucess.


christina

[Reinhardt]

How about a dropout .....?

How about a dropout from any optical type school in your area? The candidates would have some knowledge, probably needs a job and may then be motivated to finish school on a part time basis. It would be a plus-plus-plus. The school could be your source for applicants.

[Ory]

In Ontario both the associations of optometrists and opticians have classifieds on their websites. It may be worth posting there as in theory anyone with optical experience may look there.

Posting in the newspaper is a sure way to get many unqualified applicants. If you're willing to train it may be the way to go though!

[chip anderson]

In the old days it was one that came in to take dictation with a pencil, stenopad and a towel.

This business just isn't as much fun anymore.

[Eddie G's]

YIKES!!!
Now you gals/guys have me worried.

Thanks for the replies.
:cheers:

I'll definitely post on both associations, good one Ory.
Reinhardt, I'm not to sure if the local colleges will work but I'll give it a try.

Chip what's the TOWEL for???

Oh I checked out a local newspaper last night and there were 2 ads in there needing an optometric assistant too!!! :hammer:

[EyeFitWell]

Eddie-
I started in this field as a receptionist and then got involved in the Optician side of things.
I would highly recommend that you simply test your applicants. No one ever does this, but a simple task performed in front of you will tell you a LOT about how they are. It will tell you if they are a "figure it out themselves" type or "hold my hand a do it with me" type. You'll see if they can use the computer w/o having to be told every single little step. You'll see how they act when put on the spot.

You want someone who can type quickly and accurately, has a decent grasp on grammar, spelling, punctuation and the like, and can use a computer w/o much difficulty.

Maybe ask them to schedule an appointment on the computer or write a quick paragraph about something. No pressure, just a quick check!

Good luck!

[Cindy K]

Eddie-
I would highly recommend that you simply test your applicants. No one ever does this, but a simple task performed in front of you will tell you a LOT about how they are. It will tell you if they are a "figure it out themselves" type or "hold my hand a do it with me" type. You'll see if they can use the computer w/o having to be told every single little step. You'll see how they act when put on the spot.

You would not believe some of the applicants our office has had over the years, and believe me, its equally unbelievable how some applicants have gotten through the interview process and landed the receptionist position. One girl comes to mind (David will well remember this one as her name still comes up from time to time in discussion of how some people make it in life) who had to use the calculator to figure out what ten percent of a sum was. This same girl would be doing the filing and have to recite the alphabet to determine if N came after or before M (and she didn't always get it right). During her interview she appeared to be bright.

I realize that optometric offices operate somewhat differently than a retail dispensary does, but common sense would tell me that if you have an individual in the receptionist position who has an optical background, life would be so much easier for the entire dispensary. I would suggest you place an ad on the OAC website.

[C-10]

well qualified

Here’s one for the books I was out the other night and meet an old client that I haven’t seen in years he runs a business in insecurities stocks and mutual funds and we got on the topic of staff. He hires a young good-looking lady that came highly recommend and was well qualified. After she was employed for a few months and he and his partner notices that she was on the Internet quite a bit during the day. Been carious they went into her computer to find out what she was doing. Well she was selling porn pictures of herself on the net when confronted she said she was just trying to make ex money on the side.

[Jacqui]

We found ours working as a waitress in a cafe near here. I didn't consider at the time, but multi-tasking and customer service is second nature to waitresses, etc. One of the best things we ever did for the business.

[For-Life]

Okay, this is the Canadian Discussion Forum, so I hope we all understand and are familiar with the example. The example is that of two airline companies: Air Canada and WestJet Airlines.

We have Air Canada that offers many flights at comparable prices as WestJet, but yet I know people who will only fly with WestJet. Why? Because they are greeted with knowledgable, willing, friendly bottom line employees.

Why are these bottom line employees like that? WestJet offers then good pay, benefits, incredible training, and ownership. Not saying that you need to do the same, but maybe sometimes we pay too little and when we get junk we are ****** off. I can tell you that if you get a poor employee at $8.00 an our or a good employee at $10 an hour can mean substantial changes in your revenue and profit.

[C-10]

We found ours working as a waitress in a cafe near here. I didn't consider at the time, but multi-tasking and customer service is second nature to waitresses, etc. One of the best things we ever did for the business.

this is one of the best ways to find good people look for someone that has waited on you. If you know someone who does thier job real well maybe they would be good working for you

[Eddie G's]

Thanks everyone.

I'll let you know what happens...

:cheers:

[Snitgirl]

https://www.craigslist.com

in case u r still looking.

[Johns]

this is one of the best ways to find good people look for someone that has waited on you. If you know someone who does thier job real well maybe they would be good working for you

I agree, but lately, we've interviewed waitresses that are pulling down $45k+ a year ! Tough to start someone out at that!