Is it better to be a receptionist at the company you've always wanted to work at OR have a higher level job...
Asked by farmgirl101
(cont.) elsewhere? To get my foot in the door, I am considering taking a receptionist position just to be involved with a certain company that's involved in my 'dream career'...but I'm a college grad and a receptionist would be a step down for me (right now I have a higher level position at a company that is nice - but it's definitely not my 'dream job'). It's like - if you want to be an actress - do you become a receptionist at the biggest production company in the U.S. OR do work as an executive at a different/random company just to pay the bills?? Help! I need career advice!! Thanks.

Best Answer:
There are many ways to answer this question, but there is something to be said for getting your foot in the door. Obviously if you are, say, a college educated accountant, that might not be the best career path. But in many situations getting in to a great company is a good move. Where I work one of the lawyers joined the company as a receptionist. Worked several years and went to school at night on tuition reimbursement. Then left the company to finish law degree and clerk. Then came back. Everyone knew her and that early foot in the door got her a job later. There are a number of stories like that. In my area several of the analysts started out as clerks and worked their way up. So, I guess it depends on the company, your motivaton, and a little luck.

Work in a company that has excellent benefits with great transfers to any position. Sometimes you have to start in the bottom to get to the top. Work towards your dream and good luck.
Answered by Emily L

I'm going to say that you should take the receptionist job or apply for your dream job and hope you get it. However, if you do apply for the dream job and later down the road apply for the receptionist job, the potential employers will be confused on where precisely you want to be and you'll be overlooked for the dream job due to the fact you settled for receptionist. That being said, if you start at being a receptionist you can shine and get promotions which will show you a much better candidate than someone else. If you are a recent college grad, I'm going to assume you are young. While young do what makes you happy because once you become my age and stuck with kids, your "dream job" is retirement. lol.
Answered by GirlinNB

It's better to start at entry level position. That way it would give you an opportunity to move up in the company.
Answered by onelove198011

Being a receptionist will be OK for a while, but you will get bored. You need to make your brain work for job satisfaction and you need to advance. (human needs) Also, some times our dreams are realized, then we realize that the dream was just that ! A DREAM. If you really want to do this, try it and you will only lose some time, but your mind will be satisfied. You can always change again:-))
Answered by Tiger Beer

Being a big fish in a small pond limits the size to which you can grow. Being a small fish in a big pond, you are a small fish, but with time you have the opportunity to show what you can do. Our receptionist here just became human resources manager and I gave up a job of office manager to be an accounts payable clerk here. The opportunities were worth the lower position.
Answered by gaiasue

You need not have to be a Receptionist to gain excess to your dream job or company. You could be wasting precious time. Since you've got a college certificate, speak with the company of your dream and let them know that you're very interested to work for them and it would be a dream come through. They may not offer you a top post but at least you get to work in your dream company and if you're able to proof yourself, you may eventually fulfill your dream by being offered your dream job.
Answered by SG Elite