Secretary vs. Receptionist — What's the Difference?

A title for certain officials in organizations or government.

An individual who greets and directs visitors.

An individual who manages administrative tasks for others.

A person at the front desk answering calls.

An assistant who handles clerical tasks.

An employee managing appointments and inquiries.

A person responsible for managing communication.

The initial contact point in an organization.

A secretary, administrative professional, or personal assistant is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication, or organizational skills. However this role should not be confused with the role of an executive secretary, who differs from a personal assistant.

Someone who facilitates smooth office operations.

A person employed by an individual or in an office to assist with correspondence, make appointments, and carry out administrative tasks

A receptionist is an employee taking an office or administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office desk of an organization or business.

A person employed to handle correspondence, keep files, and do clerical work for another person or an organization.

A person who greets and deals with clients and visitors to a surgery, office, etc.

An officer who keeps records, takes minutes of the meetings, and answers correspondence, as for a company.

An office worker employed chiefly to receive visitors and answer the telephone.

An official who presides over an administrative department of state.

An employee (such as a secretary) who works in reception (receiving visitors and/or calls) for a person or business, especially an office.

A desk with a small bookcase on top.

(theology) A proponent of receptionism.

(obsolete) Someone entrusted with a secret; a confidant.

A secretary whose main duty is to answer the telephone and receive visitors

(obsolete) Someone employed as a scribe for personal correspondence.

A person who keeps records, takes notes and handles general clerical work.

The head of a department of government.

A managerial or leading position in certain non-profit organizations, such as political parties, trade unions, international organizations.

(US) A type of desk, secretary desk; a secretaire.

A secretary bird, a bird of the species Sagittarius serpentarius.

(transitive) To serve as a secretary of.

One who keeps, or is intrusted with, secrets.

A person employed to write orders, letters, dispatches, public or private papers, records, and the like; an official scribe, amanuensis, or writer; one who attends to correspondence, and transacts other business, for an association, a public body, or an individual.

An officer of state whose business is to superintend and manage the affairs of a particular department of government, and who is usually a member of the cabinet or advisory council of the chief executive; as, the secretary of state, who conducts the correspondence and attends to the relations of a government with foreign courts; the secretary of the treasury, who manages the department of finance; the secretary of war, etc.

A piece of furniture, with conveniences for writing and for the arrangement of papers; an escritoire.

The secretary bird.

A person who is head of an administrative department of government

An assistant who handles correspondence and clerical work for a boss or an organization

A person to whom a secret is entrusted

A desk used for writing

A person in charge of records and correspondence.

While there can be overlap, they have distinct primary responsibilities.

While not always mandatory, some secretarial roles may require industry-specific knowledge or training.

Absolutely, as they're often the first impression of an organization.

Yes, depending on the organization's size and structure, a receptionist might also handle some secretarial tasks.

Secretaries can be found across industries, but their specific tasks might vary based on the industry.

Yes, technologies like automated phone systems and visitor management software can influence the receptionist's tasks.

Yes, they can move into roles like office management or specialized administrative positions.

Yes, in some cases, the roles might overlap, with secretaries taking on responsibilities typical of executive assistants.

Typically yes, as their main role is to greet and direct visitors.

With technological advancements, tasks like typing have decreased, but organizational and communication tasks remain essential.

Often, they should be familiar with phone systems, scheduling software, and basic office programs.

Some organizations offer certifications, but they're not always required.

Yes, as they might handle sensitive information or correspondence.

Extremely important, as they're the face of the company and interact with visitors regularly.

A secretary primarily offers administrative support, while a receptionist greets and directs visitors.