What the role actually covers
A receptionist is the first person your visitors and callers deal with, which makes it one of the few junior roles where a poor hire is immediately visible to clients. The work is interrupt-driven by nature, which is why bundling it with focused administrative work rarely succeeds.
- Greeting visitors and managing the visitor log
- Answering and routing calls across lines or extensions
- Courier and document dispatch
- Meeting room coordination and basic office upkeep
What has to be true on day one
Separate these from what a good candidate can learn in a few weeks — over-specifying is the fastest way to a brief that returns nobody.
- Clear telephone manner in the languages your callers use
- Composure with difficult or impatient visitors
- Basic computer literacy for logs, email and scheduling
How to assess the shortlist
Run a mock phone call where the caller is mildly annoyed, and ask them to draft a reply to a client email requesting a meeting. Ten minutes of this tells you more than the CV.
The mistake employers make most often
Combining reception with back-office administration and expecting both done well. Reception is interruption-driven; administration needs uninterrupted focus. If you need both, say so and accept slower admin throughput.
Salary in the twin cities
PKR 35,000 – PKR 60,000 / month is the typical range for this role in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Treat this as a starting benchmark, not a fixed figure. Actual rates move with experience, the specific brief and how competitive the skill is at the time of hiring.
Hiring by city
Frequently asked questions
What does a receptionist do?
A receptionist is the first person your visitors and callers deal with, which makes it one of the few junior roles where a poor hire is immediately visible to clients. The work is interrupt-driven by nature, which is why bundling it with focused administrative work rarely succeeds.
What should we look for when hiring a receptionist?
Clear telephone manner in the languages your callers use. Composure with difficult or impatient visitors. Basic computer literacy for logs, email and scheduling.
How do we assess a receptionist?
Run a mock phone call where the caller is mildly annoyed, and ask them to draft a reply to a client email requesting a meeting. Ten minutes of this tells you more than the CV.
What is the most common mistake hiring this role?
Combining reception with back-office administration and expecting both done well. Reception is interruption-driven; administration needs uninterrupted focus. If you need both, say so and accept slower admin throughput.
What salary should we budget for a receptionist in Islamabad or Rawalpindi?
PKR 35,000 – PKR 60,000 / month is the typical range for this role in the twin cities. Confirm the current market rate against your specific brief rather than treating this as a fixed figure.
What does Staffly charge?
The standard direct-placement fee is one month of the agreed salary, payable when you hire. Your business pays the salary separately and employs the person directly. Every placement carries a written 6-month replacement guarantee, subject to its conditions.