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Thread: How to find a good receptionist???

  1. #1
    OptiBoard Professional Eddie G's's Avatar
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    How to find a good receptionist???

    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

  2. #2
    Bad address email on file fvc2020's Avatar
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    When you figure it out let me know. We have tried to no sucess.


    christina

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    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.

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    OptiBoard Professional Ory's Avatar
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    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!

  5. #5
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    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.

  6. #6
    OptiBoard Professional Eddie G's's Avatar
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    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:

  7. #7
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    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!

  8. #8
    Master OptiBoarder Cindy K's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by EyeFitWell View Post
    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.

  9. #9
    C-10
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    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.

  10. #10
    Underemployed Genius Jacqui's Avatar
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    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.

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    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.

  12. #12
    C-10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jacqui View Post
    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

  13. #13
    OptiBoard Professional Eddie G's's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone.

    I'll let you know what happens...

    :cheers:

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    Master OptiBoarder Snitgirl's Avatar
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    www.craigslist.com

    in case u r still looking.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by C-10 View Post
    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!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie G's View Post
    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

    Good questions. Posting an ad in the local newspaper and on online sites targeting your area (i.e. Craigslist) is a good way to go. For starters, you may find it helpful to look at ads for receptionist jobs to get a sense of how to craft an ad. Then you can take a look at receptionist salaries to do some benchmarking for bringing in a new employee who may not have nearly the experience and expertise of the one who is retiring. Hope this helps! :D

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    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    An old post but a constant problem; good employees. My suggestions are probably illegal, immoral and will subject you to a huge fine perhaps even jail time.

    1, An older woman who is not does not have any minor children under her care. You will need her on the job 40 hours a week - every week.

    2, Someone with a good work record. Does she show up every day, on time and ready to work.

    3, She must be literate and have basic arithmetic skills.

    3, If she chews gum, smokes, has piercings (or chronic rashes) or texts you really don't need her.

    4, She must be laid back and have a really good sense of humor.

    5, You must feel that you are grateful to have her as an employee considering the crappy wages and benefits that you offer.

    All the rest will follow.

    If you are having difficulty finding someone that meets your needs perhaps you should take a good look at your business processes. A sound, successful business always has a drawer full of applications particularly in these times of 20% unemployment.

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    Quote Originally Posted by For-Life View Post
    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.
    WestJet employees are owners - big differences over the snotty Air Canada old hags.

  19. #19
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rbaker View Post
    An old post but a constant problem; good employees. My suggestions are probably illegal, immoral and will subject you to a huge fine perhaps even jail time.

    1, An older woman who is not does not have any minor children under her care. You will need her on the job 40 hours a week - every week.

    2, Someone with a good work record. Does she show up every day, on time and ready to work.

    3, She must be literate and have basic arithmetic skills.

    3, If she chews gum, smokes, has piercings (or chronic rashes) or texts you really don't need her.

    4, She must be laid back and have a really good sense of humor.

    5, You must feel that you are grateful to have her as an employee considering the crappy wages and benefits that you offer.

    All the rest will follow.

    If you are having difficulty finding someone that meets your needs perhaps you should take a good look at your business processes. A sound, successful business always has a drawer full of applications particularly in these times of 20% unemployment.
    Must she be a "she" or would "he" refuse to work for crappy wages and benefits?

  20. #20
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    Right now, we are lucky. We have the best receptionist in the world. She is in at 8am, even though her job starts at 8:30am. She leaves at 5:00pm, even though her job ends at 4:30pm. She takes no lunch break. She is cheerful. She is extremely helpful. When we have a meeting, there is always coffee in the room. She shops for work supplies after work. She does a bunch of little things that are not on her job description. Oh, and she is appreciates the opportunity she has in work.

    Honestly though, I do not think I could find a replacement half as good. She has an attitude that she developed growing up.

    So the answer would be, steal her away from us. Though, it would probably cost you $50k.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by rbaker View Post
    An old post but a constant problem; good employees. My suggestions are probably illegal, immoral and will subject you to a huge fine perhaps even jail time.

    1, An older woman who is not does not have any minor children under her care. You will need her on the job 40 hours a week - every week.

    2, Someone with a good work record. Does she show up every day, on time and ready to work.

    3, She must be literate and have basic arithmetic skills.

    3, If she chews gum, smokes, has piercings (or chronic rashes) or texts you really don't need her.

    4, She must be laid back and have a really good sense of humor.

    5, You must feel that you are grateful to have her as an employee considering the crappy wages and benefits that you offer.

    All the rest will follow.

    If you are having difficulty finding someone that meets your needs perhaps you should take a good look at your business processes. A sound, successful business always has a drawer full of applications particularly in these times of 20% unemployment.
    The best successes we have found in secretaries are hiring young. Kids right out of University. They come in without the baggage of past environments, actually are familiar with the computers they use, and want to prove themselves as effective.

  22. #22
    Underemployed Genius Jacqui's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by For-Life View Post
    Right now, we are lucky. We have the best receptionist in the world. She is in at 8am, even though her job starts at 8:30am. She leaves at 5:00pm, even though her job ends at 4:30pm. She takes no lunch break. She is cheerful. She is extremely helpful. When we have a meeting, there is always coffee in the room. She shops for work supplies after work. She does a bunch of little things that are not on her job description. Oh, and she is appreciates the opportunity she has in work.

    Honestly though, I do not think I could find a replacement half as good. She has an attitude that she developed growing up.

    So the answer would be, steal her away from us. Though, it would probably cost you $50k.
    Someone like that is worth $50k, just think of how much business she's brining in.

  23. #23
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    Go Craigslist as suggested earlier. You'll receive about 100 resumes in 2 days. Hire someone young whom you can train and has no baggage. Look for personality, salesmanship, etc. Start at around $14 per hour.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie G's View Post

    I'll let you know what happens...

    :cheers:
    This is a very old thread but he never came back and told us what happened. :(

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    Quote Originally Posted by optical maven View Post
    Go Craigslist as suggested earlier. You'll receive about 100 resumes in 2 days. Hire someone young whom you can train and has no baggage. Look for personality, salesmanship, etc. Start at around $14 per hour.
    START at $14 per hour?? Holy cow, I'm severely underpaid!!!!

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