Show a knack for organization and great customer service skills in your receptionist cover letter and stand out from all other candidates. Here’s how to do it right.
Your a black-belt in multitasking. You serve on the front lines of communication for your company. It makes sense the receptionist job opening you came across is perfect for you.
Only one more step to land on the interview pile—a receptionist cover letter. But, it can’t be a mediocre cover letter. You need a cover letter that helps you stand out from all other applications. You’re in luck—this cover letter guide will put you on the right track.
In this article, you’ll find:
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Let’s start by reading two receptionist cover letter examples. Try to think about what makes these receptionist cover letters so special.
Meet Jason, the seasoned receptionist with some years of relevant professional experience.
Jason is applying for a medical receptionist job requiring experience in managing phone lines and responding to email or fax inquiries.
Take a look at his medical receptionist cover letter showing how great of a candidate he is:
Jason V. Cross
Phone: +1-401-924-6107
Email: jason.cross@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-cross
Twitter: twitter.com/javcross
Portsmouth, August 1, 2019
Susan White
Head of Customer Experience
Charter CARE Health Partners
7 Waterman Ave
North Providence, RI 02911
Dear Susan,
As someone who recognizes Charter CARE Health Partners as the premier Health and Human Service Agency in the East Bay, I was thrilled to see an opening for a Medical Receptionist position with your company. With my 5+ years of experience as a receptionist, I am confident in my ability to provide accurate and timely communication to patients and visitors in a courteous and respectful manner for Charter CARE Health Partners.
In the job listing, you state that you’re looking for a skilled receptionist to be responsible for warmly greeting clients upon arrival, creating an inviting reception area, and entering data into your record system. In my current position with Lifespan, I ran the front desk of a 10 person primary care office and acted as a liaison between physician and patient walk-ins requiring immediate appointments. I also created an automated system to update how we schedule appointments and transportation for patients. My automation process cut down on missed visits and overbooking by 40%. I’m sure this experience will result in similar results for Charter CARE Health Partners.
I am impressed with the quality of the care you provide your patients and the atmosphere you create in your offices. Being part of your team and continuing to help with this mission would be a dream opportunity for my career development.
Can we schedule a meeting or a call to discuss solutions for optimizing reception processes at Charter CARE Health Partners while retaining your client satisfaction metrics?
Thank you,
Jason V. Cross
401-924-6107
jason.cross@gmail.com
Did this example dishearten you? Do you think you can’t get a receptionist job because you aren’t able to point to much experience?
Don’t worry. Even if you aren’t an experienced candidate for that industry, your receptionist cover letter will turn the hiring manager’s head. Make the hiring manager think:
“I like how this person wants to grow in their position. She seems like a go-getter. Go and get her an interview, stat!”
Let’s take a look at another great receptionist cover letter. Meet Megan. Megan is applying for an entry-level receptionist job that requires good organizational skills.
Megan hasn’t had a receptionist job before. Still—she’ll cruise to the next stage of the hiring process. Why? Because she shows how she has the necessary transferable skills to be a great employee in her receptionist cover letter.
Megan Kemp
837 Pinewood Drive
megan.kemp@google.com
linkedin.com/in/mkemp837
Chicago, 2 August 2019
Shirley Stanley
Head of Human Resources
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
2102 Monroe
Chicago, IL 60612
Dear Ms. Stanley:
As a highly-dedicated college senior with strong organizational skills, resourcefulness and attention to detail, I would like to apply for the position of Receptionist with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. I have been an active member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago for many years as a teenager and am committed to providing outstanding general office support.
In the job ad you posted on Indeed, you say you’re searching for candidates who demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills. During my studies, as a volunteer, I co-organized ten food drives for veterans at different venues around Chicago and was responsible for planning, organizing, and registering guests. It was an atmosphere where you needed to come up with quick solutions to difficult problems that would arise.
During my studies, as a volunteer, I co-organized five student conferences at external venues and was responsible for managing the accommodation and transportation, as well as registering guests. It was a very fast-paced work with a lot of unknowns to take into account. I am positive this experience has prepared me for working in a receptionist role at Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. I’m looking to use my communication and organizational skills that I developed through volunteering to help you improve your customer happiness scores.
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to further discuss your team’s objectives and demonstrate how my problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills, combined with my time as a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, can translate into excellence for your organization.
Yours sincerely,
Megan Kemp
773-986-3956
megan.kemp@google.com
There you have it. Two pitch-perfect examples of cover letters for receptionists.
Now is the time to make an equally great cover letter for you. Let’s do a step-by-step walkthrough on what needs to be done.
And don’t worry if you need to finish your cover letter in five minutes. You’ll get a fill-in-the-blank template for each part of your receptionist cover letter. Just enter your information and you’ll be good to go.
Don’t have a resume ready yet? Check out our guide here: Resume 101—How to Write a Resume [Templates and 25+ Examples]
Here’s how to write a job-winning receptionist cover letter:
You want to make a good first impression with your receptionist cover letter. Show how you’re detail-oriented, professional, organized, and, of course, your knowledge of the business etiquette.
Follow these the key rules for formatting your cover letter:
Expert Hint: According to this report by Glance, one negative customer experience is offset by 12 positive customer experiences. Your well-formatted job applications need to provide a perfect reader experience. One screw up is all it takes— you won’t get those 12 extra chances.
What’s the most important takeaway about your receptionist cover letter header? Make sure it’s identical to the one on your resume.
Your header should include: your full name, job title, and contact details—in that order. Right below the header on your receptionist cover letter, put the city, date and the inside address of the hiring manager. Also, left-align all the contents.
Use this template:
[ Your Full Name]
[ Your Job Title ] (Optional)
[ Phone Number ]
[ Email Address ]
[ LinkedIn Profile ]
[ City and Date ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Full Name ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Position, e.g. Customer Service Team Leader ]
[ Company Name ]
[ Company Street Address ]
[ City and Zip Code ]
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You need to do one thing with the first paragraph of a receptionist cover letter: Signal to the hiring manager your cover letter is relevant for the position.
Your greeting should begin by addressing the hiring manager by name in your greeting. Do your homework and figure out who the hiring manager is. Not sure if you found the right manager online? Show initiative and call the front desk to ask.
Start the cover letter by detailing the job you’re applying for and explain how your skills are transferable to ensure you’re a good fit.
Use this template as a reference. Just fill in the blanks with your information.
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]:
When I found the job listing for the position of Receptionist with [Target Company Name], I was thrilled. As a receptionist with [number of years] years of professional experience, highly skilled in [data analysis/critical thinking/problem solving/Jira Service Desk/MS Excel/other relevant skills you have] I’m sure I can help your team with the upcoming challenges.
Expert Hint: Want to validate your great customer service skills and become more valuable a hire? Get certified! The most prestigious industry certifications are offered by the National Association of Professional Receptionists. It signals how valuable you are and solid credibility.
The receptionist job you’re targeting has a set of requirements to meet. Show how you match with the second paragraph of your receptionist cover letter.
Specify how you will be successful at your new position. Select a few key requirements listed in the job description and link it to your past duties and achievements with examples to show how you’ll meet all new challenges.
See this fill-in-the-blank example.
In the job listing, you state that you need a Receptionist experienced in [refer to the requirements of the job]. In my most recent position with [Name of Your Current or Most Recent Company] I have succeeded in [responsibilities, duties, or projects you’ve successfully completed, supported by metrics, if possible]. I strongly believe my expertise will translate into similar results for [Target Company Name].
Expert Hint: Did you know U.S. companies lose more than $62 billion annually due to poor customer service? If you implemented any cost-saving solutions in your previous receptionist job, then make sure to mention them in your receptionist cover letter!
A compliment makes someone’s day. Drop one or two of them in the third paragraph of your receptionist cover letter.
Yes, they want an employee who manages their receptionist duties well. But they also want an employee who enjoys their job—it’s less of a risk for them to onboard you and hope you don’t leave.
Show them they are special. You are choosing this job more than any other job out there. Highlight this.
Need help? Use this template:
I love the fact that, at [Target Company Name], you focus all your customer service activities on [something you genuinely admire about the company]. Your values and mission perfectly reflect my professional beliefs. Joining your team would be a dream opportunity for me to grow and develop my key skills while providing customer service excellence for [Target Company Name].
To end your cover letter, propose a meeting in person or a call. Affirm your offer. Tell them you’d love the opportunity to meet and discuss how you’ll help make the team better.
Use this sample receptionist cover letter closing as a reference:
Can we schedule a call or a meeting to discuss how my skills can help [Target Company Name] achieve all your KPIs in the upcoming months?
Yours sincerely,
[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
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Do the following when writing a cover letter for reception jobs:
Got any questions? Need further help with writing your covering letter for receptionist jobs? Let me know in the comments, I’ll be more than happy to help!
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Roger is a career expert at ResumeLab. His goal is to promote the best job search strategies across online communities and publications. As a career advice writer, his goal is to help job candidates maximize their chances of landing the best jobs through expert knowledge driven by data. He also specializes in the psychological aspects of the workplace.
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