What Does an H&R Block Receptionist Do?

H&R Block is a tax preparation and financial services company that provides services to individuals and businesses. They have over 12,000 offices in the United States and Canada.

A receptionist at H&R Block is responsible for providing excellent customer service to clients. This includes greeting clients, answering phones, scheduling appointments, and providing general information about the company and its services. They also help to maintain the office environment by keeping it clean and organized. Additionally, they may be responsible for other administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, and other clerical duties.

H&R Block Receptionist Job Duties

An H&R Block Receptionist typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Greet and welcome clients in a professional, friendly manner
• Answer incoming calls, take messages, and direct callers to the appropriate staff member
• Schedule appointments for clients, ensuring that all necessary information is collected
• Maintain client records, including filing documents and updating databases
• Assist with administrative tasks such as photocopying, faxing, scanning, and mailing
• Monitor office supplies and order new items when needed
• Ensure reception area is clean and organized at all times
• Provide support to other departments as needed
• Process payments from clients and ensure accuracy of financial transactions
• Respond to inquiries from clients regarding their accounts or services
• Follow up with clients after their visits to ensure satisfaction
• Assist with special projects as assigned by management

H&R Block Receptionist Salary

The salary for a receptionist at H&R Block is determined by a variety of factors, including the size of the office, the number of hours worked, the level of experience, and the geographic location. Additionally, the company may consider the applicant’s education and qualifications, as well as the current market rate for the position.

• Median Annual Salary: $37,186 ($17.88/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $44,940 ($21.61/hour)

H&R Block Receptionist Job Requirements

To be hired as a receptionist at H&R Block, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in customer service or a related field is preferred, but not required. Applicants must also have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask. Additionally, applicants must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be comfortable using computers and other office equipment. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are also required. Finally, applicants must be able to pass a background check and drug test.

H&R Block Receptionist Skills

H&R Block Receptionist employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Multi-line Phone Operation: As a receptionist, you may be responsible for answering multiple phone lines at once. This requires you to be able to handle multiple phone calls at once and direct callers to the appropriate department. You may also be responsible for taking messages and transferring calls to the appropriate person.

Customer Service: Customer service skills are a necessary part of the job of a receptionist. They are the first point of contact for customers and often the only person a customer interacts with during their visit. Customer service skills include things like active listening, empathy and patience. They are also responsible for answering questions about the company, its services and products and providing information about the company’s products and services.

Problem Solving: As a receptionist, you may be the first point of contact for customers and clients. You may be responsible for answering questions, directing people to the right person or department and resolving issues. Your ability to solve problems quickly and effectively can help you provide excellent customer service and build trust with clients.

Time Management: As a receptionist, you may be responsible for scheduling appointments, answering phones, taking messages and other tasks. Time management skills can help you complete your tasks in a timely manner. This can help you provide excellent customer service and keep your office running smoothly.

Computer Literacy: Computer literacy is the ability to use a computer and its associated software. Employers often require varying levels of computer literacy, so it’s important to understand what your potential employer requires. H&R Block receptionists often need to be familiar with computer programs like Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

H&R Block Receptionist Work Environment

H&R Block receptionists typically work in a fast-paced office environment. They are responsible for greeting customers, answering phones, scheduling appointments, and providing general customer service. Receptionists must be able to multitask and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously. They must also be able to work well under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations. Receptionists typically work a 40-hour week, but may be required to work additional hours during tax season. They may also be required to work evenings and weekends to accommodate customer needs.

H&R Block Receptionist Trends

Here are three trends influencing how H&R Block Receptionist employees work.

Concierge Services

Concierge services are becoming increasingly popular in the workplace, and H&R Block receptionists are no exception. As a receptionist, you will be responsible for providing customers with personalized service that goes beyond just answering phones and scheduling appointments. You may also be asked to provide additional services such as helping customers fill out forms, researching tax laws, or even offering advice on financial planning.

The trend of concierge services is important to understand because it allows businesses to offer more value to their customers. By providing these extra services, companies can build customer loyalty and increase customer satisfaction. Additionally, by having a knowledgeable receptionist who can answer questions and provide helpful advice, customers will feel more comfortable and confident when dealing with the company.

Automation

Automation is becoming increasingly important in the workplace, and H&R Block receptionists are no exception. Automated systems can help streamline processes such as scheduling appointments, managing customer data, and handling payments. This technology can also be used to automate mundane tasks like filing paperwork or answering basic questions.

Automation can free up time for receptionists to focus on more complex tasks that require human interaction, such as providing personalized advice or helping customers with their taxes. By understanding how automation works and its potential benefits, receptionists can better prepare themselves for the future of work.

Call Centers

Call centers are becoming increasingly popular for H&R Block receptionists. Call centers allow customers to contact the company quickly and easily, without having to physically visit a location. This is beneficial for both the customer and the business, as it saves time and money.

Call centers also provide an opportunity for H&R Block receptionists to interact with customers in a more personal way. They can answer questions, provide advice, and help customers find the best solution for their needs. Additionally, call centers enable H&R Block receptionists to track customer interactions and use data to improve customer service.

Advancement Prospects

Receptionists at H&R Block may be able to advance their careers by taking on additional responsibilities. For example, they may be able to take on more administrative tasks, such as filing, data entry, and customer service. With additional experience, they may be able to move up to a position as a tax preparer or a customer service representative. With further experience, they may be able to move up to a managerial position, such as a branch manager or a regional manager.

Interview Questions

Here are five common H&R Block Receptionist interview questions and answers.

1. We’re looking for someone who will take initiative. Can you give me an example of a time where you took initiative on a project or task?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to take initiative and complete tasks independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the task you completed and how it helped your team or company.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our customer service representatives were receiving a lot of calls from customers who had questions about their tax returns. I decided to create a FAQ page on our website so that we could direct customers to the information they needed more quickly. This saved our customer service representatives time and allowed us to better serve our customers.”

2. Do you have experience working in an office setting?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in an office setting and how that experience may be similar or different from their company. If you don’t have prior experience, you can explain what you’ve learned about office work through your education or other experiences.

Example: “I worked as a receptionist at my college’s student union for two years while I was earning my bachelor’s degree. My job included answering phones, greeting visitors and helping students with questions they had about campus events, financial aid and more. This role helped me learn valuable communication skills and customer service techniques.”

3. Give me an example of a time where you had to work under pressure to meet a deadline.

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the specific situation and how you handled it.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant for a small business, my manager asked me to complete a large project by the end of the week. At first, I thought that it would be easy to complete the task in time, but then I realized that there were many other tasks I needed to do before completing the larger one. I decided to prioritize the smaller tasks so I could get them out of the way and focus on the larger one. By the end of the day on Friday, I had completed all of the smaller tasks and started working on the larger one. I stayed up late into the night to finish the project, and I submitted it to my manager early the next morning.”

4. What is your preferred way to communicate with coworkers, team members, and customers?

H&R Block is a large company with many locations. The interviewer wants to know how you would communicate with your coworkers and other employees in the office, as well as customers who call or visit the branch. Your answer should show that you are comfortable using technology and can adapt to different communication methods.

Example: “I prefer communicating through email because it’s easy to reference later and I don’t have to worry about misplacing important documents. However, I am also comfortable making phone calls and sending text messages when necessary. In my last position, we used an online messaging system where everyone could see each other’s status updates. This helped me get to know my coworkers better and learn more about their personalities.”

5. Describe an experience when you had to deal with an upset or unhappy customer. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle stressful situations and your ability to resolve conflicts. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to deal with an upset customer or client, but also highlight how you resolved the situation in a positive way.

Example: “In my last role as a receptionist at a law firm, I had a client who was very unhappy about their case. They were frustrated and wanted to speak with the lawyer immediately. I explained that the attorney was unavailable due to another meeting, but I would be happy to take notes on what they needed and relay them to the attorney later. The client agreed and calmed down enough to give me all of the details of their case.”