What was your application process like at Schulmeister?
I had originally applied for a position that Schulmeister had posted on behalf of a client. Since that role required relevant professional experience—which I didn’t have as a career changer—it didn’t work out. But since Schulmeister was looking for a receptionist at the time, they asked me if I might be interested in that job. They sent me the job posting; it immediately caught my attention, and shortly afterward I was invited to a personal interview with the company founder Matthias Schulmeister. Just one day later, I received a call offering me the position, which made me very happy.
The entire application process was incredibly pleasant and efficient. My onboarding was also very well-structured and clearly planned.
Why did you decide to take this job?
As soon as I arrived at the office in the Haus am Schottentor for my initial interview, I was immediately drawn in by the atmosphere of the office space. Throughout the entire application process, everyone treated me with openness and friendliness—almost like family. Even before I was hired, I could see the friendly rapport among the staff, which was ultimately the deciding factor for me in accepting the job.
What does your typical workday at Schulmeister look like?
My day at the front desk begins with all sorts of preparations. These include managing the mail, cleaning the coffee machine, and setting up the meeting rooms. After that, I go through my emails and respond to inquiries from applicants and clients that came in after the end of the previous day’s shift. A large part of our work involves entering applications into our database and performing an initial check of applicant data to ensure that all information from the resumes is correctly transferred to our database. This step is an important preparatory task for our consultants’ review. In principle, only the start of our day is predictable, since various tasks arise daily that come our way throughout the day.
Since the receptionist role is an all-around position, we come into contact with all areas of the company. Our responsibilities include not only handling phone calls but also preparing quotes, scheduling appointments, issuing invoices, and much more.
What’s great about your job?
The combination of structure and the uncertainty of what lies ahead is exciting and, at the same time, very enjoyable, since both are well balanced.
It’s not just the contact with clients and candidates that’s rewarding, but also the interactions with colleagues. You realize how important teamwork is, since our services can only run smoothly through good communication.
What challenges does your job bring?
In the front office, it sometimes happens that several things happen at once. For example: You’re just about to get water or coffee for a candidate who has an appointment with us shortly. But at the same time, the mail carrier walks into the office and needs a signature. Suddenly, the screen goes out during a meeting in the conference room, the doorbell rings, and at the exact same moment, the phone rings. Moments like these can get very stressful. However, since there are almost always two of us at the front desk, we quickly get these situations under control, and everyone is satisfied.
What makes your team special?
I already consider my teammates more like friends than just coworkers. I can think back on many conversations that have personally helped me grow. The family-like atmosphere makes you feel valued, and you get to experience that anew every day.
Why is Schulmeister a good fit for you as an employer?
The mutual support within the team, as well as the friendly and family-like relationships with my colleagues, are reasons why Schulmeister is a good fit for me—because here, you can always count on each other. The humanity you encounter here certainly isn’t something you’d find at every employer.
What moment at Schulmeister has stuck with you the most?
I wouldn’t single out any one moment that has left the deepest impression on me. What’s more memorable are the shared lunch breaks and the casual conversations with coworkers.
What surprised you the most during your first few months?
Since I had very little experience with human resources management and consulting before my job at Schulmeister, I was surprised by how much really goes into the placement process—that is, how much effort is put into finding the right candidate for our client.
What skill or trait is more important in your job than people on the outside might think?
Keeping track of everything is probably the most important thing. Even though it sounds simple from the outside, it’s quite common to have to handle many tasks at the same time, which means things can be forgotten or overlooked very quickly. This should be avoided as much as possible, because even a small detail can slow down other processes.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Receptionist Position
The responsibilities are varied and often extend far beyond traditional reception duties. Depending on the company, they may include assisting visitors, coordinating appointments, handling mail and emails, maintaining data, preparing for meetings, and performing administrative tasks such as preparing quotes or invoices.
In addition to a friendly and professional demeanor, organizational skills, strong communication skills, and a structured approach to work are crucial. Since you’ll often have to handle multiple tasks at once, the ability to handle stress, flexibility, and the ability to set priorities are also particularly important.
The workday is varied and combines scheduled tasks with spontaneous requests. In addition to organizational duties, the focus is on interacting with applicants, clients, and colleagues, as well as supporting the team. No two days are exactly alike.
Receptionists shape the first impression of a company while also ensuring that many organizational processes run efficiently. As the central point of contact between internal teams, job applicants, and customers, they play a key role in ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly and that information reaches the right people quickly.
