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Admin Professional Martina Uhlirova: More Than Just a Typical ''Receptionist''

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Take a peek into what life as a receptionist means to an administrative professional. Find out why a common administrative job symbolizes more to this young woman than what people may assume.

“Some people think that I’m just the person that sits up front and says hello and offers coffee — how hard of a job can that be? Well, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye,” Martina Uhlirova says. “My regional managing director calls me the ‘director of first impressions,’ which, frankly, is a much more accurate job title than ‘receptionist.’”

Uhlirova was born in Kyjov, Czech Republic. Her family moved to the United States when she was only eight years old. For her undergraduate studies Uhlirova went to the University of California — Santa Barbara, where she earned her communications degree.



Uhlirova worked in various administrative settings in her early 20s and now works in the administrative arena as a receptionist for Lee Hecht Harrison, a talent solutions company. She plans to attend grad school someday in the future to study journalism, but for now she is content with her position at Lee Hecht Harrison.

Uhlirova says that she has a sincere respect for full-time receptionists because they work hard in every aspect of the admin sector. She knows firsthand what it takes to be a skilled administrative worker.

“The job requires me to stay sharp, both socially and technically with using computer applications all day long,” Uhlirova says. “Therefore, I keep up to date my knowledge of current software skills, as well as human interaction in a professional atmosphere.”

Although Uhlirova works part-time at her current firm, she has worked full-time in the past at a medical office and knows what makes for a good receptionist. She feels that maintaining symbiotic relationships with the company’s clients is essential.

“I love my job because it’s a great balance between people interaction and administrative tasks. I think I would get bored doing just either all day long, so this way, I get administrative tasks that keep me busy in between helping clients,” she admits. “Currently, I interact with mostly CEOs and executives, so it is very important for me to know exactly how to make the right impression for both myself and the company I represent.”

Being in the admin sector, Uhlirova realizes how important it is to be a receptionist people can respect. At 24 years of age, she understands the importance of being technically savvy, but she also knows that she needs to portray the best image for her and her company.

“I have to step outside of the way I interact with friends and family, always keeping in mind that I serve as the first impression for Lee Hecht Harrison, both in person and over the phone,” Uhlirova explains. “We frequently have ‘shoppers’ visit our office to get a feel for our company before deciding whether or not to use us for our services, so that makes my job all the more significant.”

As an admin professional, Uhlirova says that people in her industry don’t exactly get the recognition they have earned and deserve.

“Besides the title, I think that my position is a lot more glamorous than people may consider,” she says. “If you think about the number of times you have walked into any type of business and based your experience there upon the warm welcome or perhaps a smug one from the person sitting at the front desk, you realize just how important a person like me is for a business. I know that I have done it — walked into a place, and if I don’t feel properly acknowledged or welcomed, I will take my business elsewhere.”

As a receptionist for a professional company, Uhlirova says that she will carry with her the skills she’s learned. She also emphasizes that her job plays an important part in her life.

“I enjoy my job because it’s a two-way street of responsibility,” Uhlirova adds. “Not only do I work hard at making a good impression on our clients, but if a client does not make a good impression upon me, it can also affect our professional relationship.”

Uhlirova knows her fellow receptionists understand their value; it’s the companies that need to respect their employees, and their jobs’ importance.

“A piece of advice from someone who has been the ‘storefront’ of many a company: don’t underestimate the value of a receptionist at any type of business because they can truly make your experience a pleasant one or a miserable one if you rub them the wrong way.”

So a note to employers from Uhlirova: make sure you know the value of your administrative employees; they give your company a good name and a good look!

Q. What do you do for fun?
A. I like to spend most of my free time surrounded by my fabulous friends, either going out shopping or just catching up over dinner. On the weekends you can find me outside, either at the park or beach, laying out and tanning. I enjoy sports, although I don’t play them much anymore. Oh, and the gym, of course!

Q. What CD is in your CD player right now?
A. Right now Jordin Sparks’s CD is in my CD player, but I wish it wasn’t because it’s not very good.

Q. What is the last magazine you read?
A. Cosmopolitan, of course!

Q. What is your favorite TV show?
A. My favorite reality TV shows right now are Bachelor, Flavor of Love, Real World…non-reality is Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives.

Q. What is your favorite ice-cream flavor?
A. I love ice cream. My favorite flavor is from Baskin-Robbins, and it’s called Oreo Mocha Fudge. Yum!

Q. What is something most people don’t know about you?
A. Most people don’t know that I have veneers for my two front teeth because I knocked them out when I was little.

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