How to Write a Cover Letter for Any Job in 8 Steps (2023)
You need to write a cover letter, but what is a cover letter, exactly? And what’s the best way to write it? Learn how to write a cover letter the best way with tips from experts.
This receptionist cover letter example stands out from the crowd.
Most hiring managers won’t read a cover letter for receptionist jobs.
Why not?
Because most cover letters are generic.
They say, “Hi, here’s my resume, please hire me.”
Don’t do that.
Instead, use your cover letter to show you rule the action items.
This guide will show you:
- Receptionist cover letter examples better than 9 out of 10 others.
- A cover letter for receptionist jobs that proves bandwidth.
- How to write a front desk cover letter in three steps (even with no experience).
- Why achievements make receptionist covering letters shine.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Just make sure to attach your front desk receptionist cover letter to a winning receptionist resume. Check out our dedicated guide: Receptionist Resume: Sample & Complete Guide
Considering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples in your industry:
- Medical Receptionist Cover Letter
- Front Desk Cover Letter
- Secretary Cover Letter
- Office Manager Cover Letter
- Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
- USPS Cover Letter
- Hospitality Cover Letter
- Waitress Cover Letter
- Technical Support Cover Letter
- Law Firm Cover Letter
Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Professional Cover Letter Templates
Check out this receptionist cover letter example:
Sample Cover Letter for a Receptionist Position
Your Name
Title
Current Company (If Any)
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Title
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
Damon Furst, manager of Ripple Medical Clinic, called me "the most efficient, helpful receptionist on five planets.” When he asked repeatedly how I did it, I said being helpful and efficient gives me a lot of personal pleasure. That's why I'm so excited about the receptionist opening at Tulsa Health Clinic.
Your ad said you need an efficient, helpful receptionist with 5+ years of experience. I've got 6 years, plus these achievements to back up Mr. Furst's nice compliment:
- Sourced a new patient portal that lets clients schedule their own appointments online. Reduced staff phone time 45%.
- Recovered $15,000 in past due accounts by setting up new automated email and text reminders system.
- Slashed office supply costs 20% by working with vendor for better deals. Also put office supplies in a Kanban system, reducing waste and spending.
I'm excited to find out what I can do for you. Can we schedule a call to discuss how I can help create a more efficient front office at the Tulsa Health Clinic?
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
PS—I'd love to show you how I helped raise patient retention 22%.
That’s best in breed. Those good cover letter examples for receptionist jobs bring your A-game.
Now let me show you how to write a receptionist cover letter like that.
1
Choose the Best Receptionist Cover Letter Template
You know how a neat and well-organized schedule can make your job easier?
Same works with a cover letter for receptionists—
An orderly format is what hiring managers love.
So here’s what to include in your cover letter:
Cover Letter Receptionist Examples—Checklist
- your contact details
- the company’s details
- a greeting/salutation (find out the hiring manager’s name!)
- an opening statement that catches their eye
- a short paragraph on why the receptionist position is perfect for you (filled with achievements)
- a closing statement that works as a call to action
- complimentary close (e.g., Regards,) and your name
- a postscript (P.S.)
If you need more information about different cover letter formats, check out this guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide
Pro Tip: Relevant and measurable achievements make a receptionist cover letter shout: I’m efficient! So don’t forget to add them!
In an email cover letter for receptionist jobs, ditch the contact info at the start. Then put your email address and phone number at the end.
How long should a cover letter for a receptionist be? See our guide: How Long Should A Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
2
Start Your Receptionist Cover Letter Right
The hiring manager will try to skim your cover letter for receptionist jobs.
Don’t let her.
There’s an easy way to keep her reading.
Start with a home-run fact.
Your first sentence has to make it pop.
See these medical receptionist cover letters examples:
Receptionist Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
| wrong |
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| I have six years of experience as a receptionist. I noticed your job ad on Indeed and I’ve attached my resume. |
That’s as bland as last Tuesday’s frozen pizza.
Do it like this medical receptionist cover letter sample:
| right |
|---|
| Damon Furst, manager of Ripple Medical Clinic, called me "the most efficient, helpful receptionist on five planets.” When he asked repeatedly how I did it, I said being helpful and efficient gives me a lot of personal pleasure. That's why I'm so excited about the opening at Tulsa Health Clinic. |
That’s outside the box. The hiring manager will boil the ocean to keep reading.
Writing a receptionist cover letter with no experience?
Pick your best accomplishment that demonstrates key skills.
Maybe you improved a filing system in a non-receptionist job? Worked two years as a waitress without a sick day? Used MS Excel to make a pivot table that saved $3,000?
Those all work on a cover letter for receptionist jobs.
Pro Tip: Can’t find the hiring manager’s name? It’s okay to use “Dear Office Hiring Manager” in a cover letter for a receptionist.
Need the bottom line on starting your front office cover letter? Not sure how to begin a front desk cover letter? See our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide
3
Write a Great Receptionist Cover Letter Middle
Your first sentence is important.
But the middle makes them want to read your resume.
Don’t blow it.
Add more accomplishments to your cover letter for receptionist jobs.
Match them to the job ad’s needs like brick to mortar.
Look at the difference in these veterinary receptionist cover letter examples:
Receptionist Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
This example cover letter for a receptionist has deliverables:
Your ad said you need a veterinary receptionist with 5+ years of experience and skills in digital record keeping, retail, and accounts collection. I've got 6 years, plus these achievements:
- Had the idea to offer retail products like toys, treats, and t-shirts. Got approval, set it up in the office & system, and added $50,000 in annual revenue.
- Assisted with digitization of all clinic record keeping. Saved 20% on office costs.
- Recovered $17,000 in past due accounts by setting up automated text and email reminders system.
That’s leverage. It’s candy to a hiring manager.
Not so this next front desk receptionist cover letter sample:
| wrong |
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| I’m highly skilled at all the duties and responsibilities of working in a veterinary office. I handled all key aspects of that job at Fluffy Friends Veterinary. That included answering phones, patient intake, data entry, and cashier duties. |
Ouch. That drops the ball right in the dog food.
Yes, you did those things. But were you good at it or terrible?
Add achievements like that first cover letter sample for receptionist jobs. That’s the only way to stand out from the pile.
Pro Tip: Should you use Ms. or Miss or Mrs. in a cover letter for receptionist jobs? Mrs. means you know she’s married. Miss means she’s not. Ms. works for either. Use it.
Are you writing an entry-level receptionist cover letter? Our internships article doubles as an entry-level cover letter guide: How to Write a Cover Letter For an Internship
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
4
Nail the Ending of Your Cover Letter for Receptionist Jobs
You can’t just leave them hanging.
Your letter’s ending has to ask for something.
(But I hate asking for things!)
You’re not alone.
So—
Offer more than you ask.
Do it like the first of these two dental receptionist cover letter examples.
Front Desk Cover Letter Examples [Ending]
The first of these receptionist cover letter samples makes a promise:
| right |
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I'm excited to find out what I can do for you. Can we schedule a call to discuss how I can help create a more efficient front office at the OK Dental Clinic?
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
PS—I'd love to explain how I helped raise patient retention at my last job by 22%. |
Shiny. A receptionist cover letter ending like that hits the ground running.
That “PS” reaches off the page to sing your praises.
Don’t do it like this example cover letter for receptionist jobs:
| wrong |
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I’m really enthusiastic about this job.
Thank you for reading this. |
That’s off the shelf. It offers nothing anybody wants.
Pro Tip: Receptionists must pay attention to detail. Have a friend or three proofread your cover letter for a receptionist job. Don’t let a typo sink your job search hopes.
Want your receptionist cover letter to light a fire under the recruiter? See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [+20 Examples]
Key Takeaway
Summary: How to write a receptionist cover letter:
- Choose a format. The 3-paragraph method is the best receptionist cover letter format.
- Start off with a big achievement. It’s the only way to get the hiring manager to read your cover letter for receptionist jobs.
- In your letter’s middle, prove your skills. Match them to the skills shown in the job description.
- End with a promise. Offer something the hiring manager can’t live without.
Got questions about how to write a cover letter for a receptionist position? Still not sure what to write in a receptionist job cover letter? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
