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29 Thoughts You Inevitably Have While Working As A Receptionist

It's all fun and games until the printer breaks down and you've got 3 calls lining up.

Genevieve Palabrica

Aug 16, 2017

Chicago, Illinois

103

29 Thoughts You Inevitably Have While Working As A Receptionist

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1. I have to pee but I can’t leave my desk in case an important phone call comes through

2. I’ve tested out the various heights for this swiveling chair and only two levels are appropriate for this job

3. Act like you know what you’re doing and I THINK you’ll be alright.

4. Take note: sticky notes are in the third drawer to the right. Manila envelopes? No clue.

5. This is the third time this person has called and I'm not sure if I wanna pick up or ignore it and call it a day

6. If I randomly dial a bunch of numbers, what would the odds be of me contacting a celebrity

7. Remember: the next person that asks for a calling card, the cards are in the same drawer as your snacks.

8. Not sure if she asked for fifteen or fifty copies… I'll just make it 30 and see

9. This is the third batch of coffee that I’ve made and it’s only 9:00 am, I have no idea how people can handle their caffeine like this

10. I swear if the next call is an automated message I’m just gonna act like it’s a real call.

11. I didn’t hear what the person on the other side of my desk said so I'll just smile and nod, we got this.

12. Not sure if I should say my name when I answer a call. I don’t think it matters...

13. If we run out of calling cards does that mean I won't have a job?

14. Did that nurse ask for batteries or cranberries?

15. Boss walking by? Smile and wave. Act like you didn’t just redirect the last call to the wrong person.

16. If I fax this right I should get a confirmation in 10 seconds. 10 seconds pass by I tried.

17. This is the third time that person has walked in and out of the building and each time he’s with a different colleague.

18. Phone between my ear and shoulder? Check. Pen and paper on one hand? Check. I’m so qualified for this job.

19. So if I have 45 mins for lunch and it takes 10 mins to drive home and 15 mins to eat I'm not sure where I’m going with this.

20. Did the manager just ask for my name or do I want to play a game?

21. I’ll just re-direct the next call to a manager, hopefully, they pick up.

22. Acting like I’m busy? Got it. Typing a bunch of random words? Killin it.

23. Did the doctor ask for a list of his patients or did he ask for a gist of the building I'm so confused?

24. Type type type backspace a couple times.... Type type pause. Type rapidly. Hopefully, this looks busy enough.

25. Not sure if I want to spend my lunch in the parking lot or in the actual break room.

26. This is the second call I wrongly redirected I need a cheat sheet

27. Not sure if this person just asked me if I could page someone or take some gum?

28. Don’t make too much eye contact just act busy. Keep your head down.

29. Type type.. pause.. slide chair from one table to the other.. type type... This is great.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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29 Thoughts You Inevitably Have While Working As A Receptionist

It's all fun and games until the printer breaks down and you've got 3 calls lining up.

1. I have to pee but I can’t leave my desk in case an important phone call comes through

2. I’ve tested out the various heights for this swiveling chair and only two levels are appropriate for this job

3. Act like you know what you’re doing and I THINK you’ll be alright.

4. Take note: sticky notes are in the third drawer to the right. Manila envelopes? No clue.

5. This is the third time this person has called and I'm not sure if I wanna pick up or ignore it and call it a day

6. If I randomly dial a bunch of numbers, what would the odds be of me contacting a celebrity

7. Remember: the next person that asks for a calling card, the cards are in the same drawer as your snacks.

8. Not sure if she asked for fifteen or fifty copies… I'll just make it 30 and see

9. This is the third batch of coffee that I’ve made and it’s only 9:00 am, I have no idea how people can handle their caffeine like this

10. I swear if the next call is an automated message I’m just gonna act like it’s a real call.

11. I didn’t hear what the person on the other side of my desk said so I'll just smile and nod, we got this.

12. Not sure if I should say my name when I answer a call. I don’t think it matters...

13. If we run out of calling cards does that mean I won't have a job?

14. Did that nurse ask for batteries or cranberries?

15. Boss walking by? Smile and wave. Act like you didn’t just redirect the last call to the wrong person.

16. If I fax this right I should get a confirmation in 10 seconds. *10 seconds pass by* I tried.

17. This is the third time that person has walked in and out of the building and each time he’s with a different colleague.

18. Phone between my ear and shoulder? Check. Pen and paper on one hand? Check. I’m so qualified for this job.

19. So if I have 45 mins for lunch and it takes 10 mins to drive home and 15 mins to eat I'm not sure where I’m going with this.

20. Did the manager just ask for my name or do I want to play a game?

21. I’ll just re-direct the next call to a manager, hopefully, they pick up.

22. Acting like I’m busy? Got it. Typing a bunch of random words? Killin it.

23. Did the doctor ask for a list of his patients or did he ask for a gist of the building I'm so confused?

24. Type type type backspace a couple times.... Type type pause. Type rapidly. Hopefully, this looks busy enough.

25. Not sure if I want to spend my lunch in the parking lot or in the actual break room.

26. This is the second call I wrongly redirected I need a cheat sheet

27. Not sure if this person just asked me if I could page someone or take some gum?

28. Don’t make too much eye contact just act busy. Keep your head down.

29. Type type.. pause.. slide chair from one table to the other.. type type... This is great.

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

'tis the season to be jolly!

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16. If I fax this right I should get a confirmation in 10 seconds. 10 seconds pass by I tried.

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