What Does a Greeter Do?

Greeter jobs are some of the most coveted positions in retail. As a greeter, you’re responsible for welcoming customers as they enter your store or business and making them feel welcome and valued. You may also be tasked with providing information about upcoming sales or promotions, answering questions about products or services, or even helping customers find what they’re looking for.

Greeter Job Duties

A greeter typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Welcoming customers by greeting them at the entrance with a smile and a handshake or with a friendly “welcome!”
• Ensuring that the building is clean, tidy, and safe for patrons by observing conditions throughout the facility
• Providing assistance to patrons by answering questions about the business or facility
• Determining whether memberships are valid or expired, and processing membership renewals as needed
• Ensuring that the front desk has adequate staffing during peak hours to answer questions and greet members
• Providing customer service by answering phones and responding to customer inquiries during non-peak hours
• Explaining club rules and procedures to new members or visitors
• Greet guests at the door with a smile and offer assistance with coats, bags, and other items if needed
• Assisting with special events such as weddings and birthday parties by helping coordinate with other staff members

Greeter Salary & Outlook

Greeter salaries vary depending on their level of experience, the company size and geographic location. Some greeters are members of labor unions that negotiate wages on their behalf.

• Median Annual Salary: $32,500 ($15.63/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $54,500 ($26.2/hour)

The employment of greeters is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Growth in retail establishments will lead to demand for more greeters, who will be needed to direct customers to different departments and answer questions about store policies and services.

In addition, the need to improve customer service will encourage retailers to provide better training for their greeters.

Related: 25 Greeter Interview Questions and Answers

Greeter Job Requirements

A greeter may be required to have the following:

Education: Most greeters have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a hospitality program or certificate. These programs teach candidates how to interact with customers, how to handle common customer complaints and how to handle difficult situations.

Training & Experience: Many greeters receive on-the-job training from their employers. This training may include learning the store’s layout, how to use the cash register and how to interact with customers. Some greeters may have previous experience working in customer service or retail.

Certifications & Licenses: Greeters typically don’t need any certifications to earn their position. However, some companies may require sales, customer service or industry-specific certifications to earn advancement opportunities or to be considered for a higher earning potential.

Greeter Skills

Greeter need the following skills in order to be successful:

Friendliness: Greeters are often the first point of contact for customers entering a business. They should be friendly and welcoming to everyone who enters the establishment. A greeter should be able to make everyone feel comfortable and valued.

Communication skills: Greeters often communicate with customers in a variety of ways, including verbally, nonverbally and through written forms. Effective communication skills can help you interact with customers and answer their questions. You can also use your communication skills to relay messages to other employees.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. As a greeter, you may encounter people who are in a bad mood or who are having a stressful day. Empathy can help you relate to these customers and make them feel more welcome. You can also use empathy to help customers who are confused or unsure about where to go.

Active listening: Active listening is the ability to hear what someone is saying and respond to them accordingly. As a greeter, you may be asked questions about the business or the location of a certain area. It’s important to listen to the person’s question and answer them thoroughly. This can help build trust with customers and make them feel welcome.

Positivity: A greeter should be friendly and welcoming to all customers. They should greet everyone with a smile and make them feel comfortable. Greeters should also be able to make customers feel special by remembering their names and details about their lives.

Greeter Work Environment

The work environment for a greeter is usually the lobby or entrance of a building, such as a hotel, office, or store. They may also work outdoors in all weather conditions, such as at a stadium or amusement park. They typically work a regular 40-hour week, although they may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Overtime is often available during busy periods, such as the holiday season. The job is generally low-stress, and the ability to interact with the public is more important than previous experience.

Greeter Trends

Here are three trends influencing how greeters work. Greeters will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Rise of the Digital Greeter

The rise of the digital greeter is a trend that is quickly gaining popularity in the retail industry. This trend involves using technology to greet customers as they enter a store, which can help to create a more welcoming environment and improve customer service.

As this trend becomes more popular, businesses will need to find ways to integrate it into their operations. This may include hiring staff who are skilled in using technology to greet customers or developing systems that allow customers to self-check-in when they enter the store.

More Focus on Customer Experience

As customers become more demanding, businesses are beginning to focus more on providing a great customer experience. This means that greeters will need to be able to provide excellent customer service and be well-versed in the products and services that the business offers.

In order to be successful in this new environment, greeters will need to be able to understand what customers want and how to meet their needs. They will also need to be comfortable with new technologies that can help them communicate with customers more effectively.

Greater Use of Technology in the Workplace

The use of technology in the workplace is becoming increasingly common, as businesses look for ways to make their operations more efficient. This trend is leading to an increased demand for greeters who are familiar with technology and can help customers navigate the company’s website or call center.

As technology becomes more important in the workplace, greeters who are able to use it effectively will be in high demand. They will be able to provide valuable assistance to customers and help them get the information they need quickly and easily.

How to Become a Greeter

A greeter career can be a great way to get started in the hospitality industry. As a greeter, you’ll be responsible for welcoming customers and providing them with information about the business. This is a customer service-oriented role, so it’s important that you have excellent communication skills and are able to put customers at ease.

To become a greeter, you should have a friendly personality and be comfortable interacting with people. You should also be able to stand for long periods of time and have good vision and hearing.

Advancement Prospects

There are many opportunities for advancement for those in the customer service industry. For those who excel at their jobs, management and supervisory positions are often available. With experience, some customer service representatives may move into related fields such as sales, marketing, or public relations. Some may open their own customer service consulting businesses.

Greeter Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we pride ourselves on providing a warm and welcoming environment for our employees, customers, and guests. We’re looking for a professional and friendly greeter to join our team and help create this experience. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. He or she will be responsible for greeting customers and guests, answering questions, and directing them to the appropriate person or department. The greeter will also be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the lobby and reception area.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Greet customers and visitors in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner
• Answer customer questions and address concerns with knowledge of company policies and procedures
• Assist customers with directions or referrals to other company personnel as needed
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the lobby and public areas
• Monitor and control access to the facility, ensuring that only authorized personnel are allowed entry
• Provide administrative support as needed, including but not limited to data entry, filing, and telephone coverage
• Notify appropriate personnel of visitor arrival, escort visitors to their destination, and announce visitors to staff members
• Receive and distribute incoming mail and deliveries
• Schedule appointments and maintain calendars as needed
• Perform light housekeeping duties as needed, such as tidying up the lobby and public areas
• Adhere to all safety and security protocols
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Outgoing, personable personality
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to stand for long periods of time
• Flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays
• Ability to pass a background check

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-2 years customer service experience
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment
• Multi-lingual