Overview
A well-established civil engineering firm, operating within the supply chain and manufacturing environment, is currently seeking a professional Receptionist / Front Desk Administrator for its Centurion, Gauteng offices. The position is offered on a permanent basis and is ideal for an organised, well-presented individual who thrives in a structured, professional office environment.
As the first point of contact for the business, the Receptionist plays a vital role in shaping the organisation’s professional image. This role extends beyond traditional front-desk duties and includes a wide range of administrative and coordination responsibilities that support daily operations, staff efficiency, and client engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
This opportunity is particularly well-suited to candidates with prior reception or front-office experience who are looking to grow their administrative career within a reputable engineering and technical environment. Strong communication skills, organisational ability, and a proactive mindset are essential to succeed in this role.
Minimum Requirements
- Matric / Grade 12 qualification (essential)
- Previous experience in a receptionist or front-desk administrative role
- Proficiency in verbal and written communication
- Strong organisational and multitasking abilities
- Professional appearance and conduct
Key Competencies and Skills
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
- Switchboard and front-office management experience
- Strong written communication and basic graphic design ability
- High attention to detail and confidentiality awareness
- Time management and task prioritisation
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Administrative accuracy and record-keeping skills
Responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for visitors, clients, and internal staff
- Manage reception area and switchboard operations professionally
- Coordinate boardroom bookings, meetings, and refreshments
- Handle courier services, collections, deliveries, and tender documentation
- Administer office access control and assist with basic security systems
- Manage stationery supplies, pool vehicle bookings, and Gautrain cards
- Maintain internal staff databases, telephone lists, and contact information
- Monitor office hygiene standards and report maintenance issues
- Track staff movements and office logistics where required
- Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
- Support compliance with internal procedures and the Quality Management System
Important Notes
This is a permanent position based in Centurion, Gauteng Only suitable candidates will be contacted within three working days Unsuccessful applicants’ CVs will be retained for future opportunities The role requires professionalism, discretion, and strong administrative skills
🧾 ATS-Friendly CV Guide
In today’s digital job market, most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs before human eyes ever see them. These systems are designed to scan documents for keywords, structure, and formatting that align with the job description. An ATS-friendly CV improves your chance of getting past automated filters and landing an interview. Whether you are applying for the Receptionist Job Centurion Gauteng position at RPO Recruitment or another opportunity, your CV must speak both to machines and people. This guide walks you through proven strategies to optimize your CV from top to bottom, offering practical examples, formatting tips, and best practices to maximize your success.
1. ✅ CV Structure
- Header: Example — Thabo Khumalo | 0612 74 1234 | [email protected] | Randburg, South Africa.
- Professional Summary: Tailored to the role. E.g., “Motivated customer service agent with 3+ years’ experience in retail and a track record of increasing client satisfaction scores by 25%.”
- Key Skills: Include 6–10 bullet points. E.g., Point of Sale (POS) systems, Inventory control, Conflict resolution, Merchandising, SAP, Microsoft Excel.
- Work Experience: Reverse-chronological. Example:
- Retail Assistant | Bradlows | Jan 2022 – Present
- • Assisted 40+ daily customers with purchases and queries.
- • Maintained 98% shelf availability by overseeing stock rotation.
- Education: Highest level first. E.g., “Diploma in Business Management, UNISA, 2021.”
- Certifications: “Occupational Health and Safety, 2023 (SASSETA)”
- References: “Available upon request” unless stated otherwise in job ad.
2. 🖋️ Typography & Formatting
- Font Choice: Use clean fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica — ATS systems can misread decorative fonts.
- Font Size: Body text should be 10.5pt–12pt; Headings 14pt–16pt for readability and emphasis.
- Spacing & Margins: Use 1.15–1.5 line spacing. Keep margins at 0.75–1 inch. This ensures text isn’t cramped and is easy to scan.
- Avoid: Tables, columns, headers/footers, text boxes — most ATS software can't interpret them properly.
- File Format: Save your CV as a PDF or DOCX — PDF preserves formatting across devices, DOCX is often required by ATS platforms.
3. ✏️ Content Best Practices
- Mirror Job Language: If the ad says “inventory management,” use that term instead of synonyms like “stock control.”
- Quantify Achievements: Numbers give weight. E.g., “Managed R50,000 monthly inventory with < 2% loss.”
- Tailor for Each Job: Don't send the same CV to every employer. Highlight different skills depending on the job ad.
- Be Clear, Not Clever: Avoid vague buzzwords. Say what you did and how it helped your company.
- Proofread! ATS won't reject for spelling — but hiring managers will. Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway.
4. 📷 Photo?
- Photos are discouraged unless required. ATS software can’t read them and they can add bias.
- If required (e.g., acting, modeling), choose a neutral background, natural lighting, and professional attire.
- Ensure file size is small if embedded. Avoid image-heavy CVs as they increase loading time.
5. 🔍 ATS Keyword Optimization Tips
Copy the exact job description and extract nouns and verbs that repeat. For example, for a Retail Assistant post: “customer service,” “cash handling,” “inventory,” “POS,” “stocktaking,” “sales target,” “merchandising,” and “teamwork.”
6. ✅ Dos and ❌ Don’ts of ATS CVs
- ✅ Use job-relevant keywords
- ✅ Keep formatting simple and consistent
- ✅ Quantify wherever possible
- ❌ Don’t include tables or graphics
- ❌ Don’t submit images or logos
- ❌ Don’t use colored or stylized fonts
7. 💾 File Naming & Saving Tips
- Name format: YourName_Receptionist Job Centurion Gauteng_CV.pdf
- Save as PDF unless job ad specifies otherwise
- Avoid spaces in filenames: Use underscores instead
- Check file size — keep it under 2MB
8. 🧠 More about ATS
Your CV is the first impression recruiters and ATS software get of you. To pass the ATS filter, you must optimize your CV with clean formatting, appropriate keyword use, and targeted content. Focus on clearly structuring each section: headline, summary, skills, work experience, education, and certifications. Customize the content for every role by mirroring the terminology and phrasing used in the job advert. Quantify achievements wherever possible. Format with simplicity — avoid graphics and stick to standard fonts. Proofreading is non-negotiable: even small typos can disqualify you. Save and name your file properly to avoid compatibility issues. Remember, your CV must be easily readable by both algorithms and humans. By applying the principles in this guide, you will greatly improve your chances of being shortlisted for interviews and finding the right role for your skills.
Professional Summary Example
A professional and detail-oriented Receptionist with proven experience in front-desk administration within structured office environments. Skilled in managing high-volume reception duties, coordinating meetings, handling switchboard operations, and providing excellent first-line customer service. Demonstrates strong communication skills, a polished professional presence, and the ability to create a welcoming and efficient front-office environment for clients, visitors, and internal stakeholders.
Highly organised and reliable, with hands-on experience in administrative coordination, office logistics, and records management. Adept at handling confidential information, maintaining internal databases, and supporting operational compliance. Known for multitasking effectively, prioritising tasks under pressure, and contributing positively to team efficiency. A proactive administrative professional committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism, accuracy, and service delivery.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV through RPO Recruitment using one of the following methods:
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Visit the RPO Recruitment website: rporecruitment.us
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Email your CV to: [email protected]
Candidates who meet the requirements will be contacted telephonically within three days. If no contact is made, applications will be retained on file for future vacancies.
