short cover letter receptionist

Receptionist Cover Letter Example & How-To Guide in 2024

You're the first face people see when they walk in, and you've got multitasking skills to rival a Swiss Army knife.

You’re a receptionist, and you’re ready to greet any challenge with a smile and a solution.

But when it comes to describing all your skills and qualifications in a cover letter, you suddenly feel like you've hit a wall.

All the professionalism and charm you have in person just don’t translate into words.

But don't sweat it—this article is your all-in-one tool kit for writing the best receptionist cover letter and getting your foot in the door for an interview.

Here's what we're going to cover:

A Top-Notch Receptionist Cover Letter Example
5 Steps to Writing a Receptionist Cover Letter

3 Essential Receptionist Cover Letter Tips

Let's dive in!

Receptionist Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Receptionist Cover Letter

Now that you've just seen what a great receptionist cover letter looks like, it’s time to start your own.

And it’s time for us to show you how to write a cover letter !

Just follow these steps:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Start your receptionist cover letter with your key contact information.

Place them at the top, just like you would on your resume . Here’s what to include:

First and Last Name. Always start with your full name.
Job Title. Be specific about the job you're applying for, like "Front Desk Receptionist." It helps the hiring manager sort through applications faster since they’re probably hiring for several job openings.
Email Address. Use a simple, professional email. An old quirky email won't work, so swap "[email protected]" for "[email protected]."
Phone Number. Double-check that your phone number is correct. If you're applying outside your country, make sure to add the dial code in front.
Location. Just the city and state or country are fine. But if you're willing to move for the job, be sure to mention that somewhere on your resume and cover letter.
Relevant Links (optional). If you’ve got a LinkedIn profile , you can add a link.

Now, time for the hiring manager’s contact information :

Company Name. Write down the company's name. If it belongs to a larger company, such as a hotel that’s part of a conglomerate, you can just write the hotel’s name.
Hiring Manager’s Name. Try to find out the name of the person who’ll be reading your cover letter. Check the job ad, the company website, or LinkedIn for a head start.
Location. If the business you’re applying to has more than one location in the same city, like a gym that’s part of a franchise, specify the exact location, such as the street address.
Date of Writing (Optional). You can add the exact date of writing to give your receptionist cover letter a professional touch.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've got your contact information sorted, aim to address your cover letter to the person who's going to actually read it.

And skip the old "To Whom It May Concern" line while you’re at it.

The trick here is to do a bit of digging. Look through the job ad, company website, or LinkedIn job post to find the hiring manager for the receptionist role you’re eyeing. That way, you can find their name and address them in your cover letter.

Use formal titles like Mr. or Ms., followed by their last name. If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, go with their full name. Like this:

Dear Ms. Thompson,
Dear Jamie Thompson,

If you hit a dead end in finding the hiring manager's details, don't stress. You can address the letter to the department or the company at large. Here’s an example:

Dear Front Desk Team,
Dear Reception Hiring Group,
Dear HR Recruitment Staff,
Dear Office Manager,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers often spend just a few seconds scanning each application. So, catching their eye right away is critical to getting them to read the rest of your receptionist cover letter.

Start your first paragraph with who you are and why you're keen on the job. Your enthusiasm for the role or the company can make the hiring manager want to read more about you.

Researching the company can also really pay off. The more you know about them, the better you can show why you'd fit right in. It sends the message that you're not just firing off applications everywhere—you're genuinely interested in this particular receptionist role.

If you've got some solid receptionist experience, consider kicking off your cover letter with an experience or skill that sets you apart from other candidates.

But remember to keep it short and sweet. The goal is to spark the hiring manager’s interest and encourage them to read more.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The core part of your receptionist cover letter is where you can really dig deep into why you're the ideal pick for the job.

But don't just repeat everything from your receptionist resume . The hiring manager isn’t interested in the same information. Your cover letter is your chance to really flex your professional skills and qualifications in a way that makes you look like a better fit than every other candidate.

To do this, read through the job ad and mention any of your relevant achievements in the reception or admin fields. For example, you can make your cover letter stand out by emphasizing the specific skills mentioned in the job ad. If the position requires top-notch organization skills or multitasking skills, focus on those—not your unrelated pizza delivery skills from years ago.

Knowing more about the company can also give you an edge over other candidates. If you're familiar with their work culture or the type of clients they handle, say so in your cover letter. This shows you've done your homework and can present yourself as a good fit for their team.

Last but not least, try to give off some energetic vibes. Make it clear how eager you are for the role and how you're sure you can make a real difference with your skills and experience.

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

How you end your receptionist cover letter is arguably the most important part.

The goal is to leave the hiring manager with a strong, positive impression that confirms everything you’ve told them so far. So, your conclusion should briefly restate why you're the right fit for the job or sum up the key skills that prove it.

To wrap it all nicely, add a call to action to your cover letter. For example, encourage the hiring manager to take the next step, like discussing your application in more detail or arranging an interview. This proactive approach can stick with them and boost your chances of getting a call.

Finally, keep it professional with a closing line and sign your full name at the bottom. Here's an example:

Please feel free to reach out to me at the contact details provided to arrange an interview. I'm keen to discuss my application further when it suits you.

Warm regards,

If "Warm regards" doesn't resonate with you, here are some other polished options:

Kind regards,
Respectfully,
Thank you for considering my application,

You've got the basics of how to write a cover letter.

Now, let's take your receptionist cover letter to the next level with some great cover letter tips :

#1. Match Your Resume

Regardless of your field, it’s essential for your cover letter and resume to reflect the professionalism you'll bring to the front desk.

Make sure your cover letter matches your resume like a uniform would match you with the rest of your team. This basically means keeping the contact information organized neatly on the page, with the same font style and size throughout your cover letter.

And just like juggling calls and visitors, you need to keep an eye on the spacing and margins to make sure your cover letter is at the right length .

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Feeling overwhelmed?

Here’s a shortcut—our cover letter templates .

Crafted with input from hiring managers around the globe, they're on-point with industry standards and look stunning. You can create your receptionist resume using our free resume templates , and then you’ll have a sleek cover letter for it in no time.

#2. Mention Skills and Keywords

Even the most well-written cover letter can fall flat if it doesn’t contain enough job-related keywords .

The truth is, that hiring managers have a checklist of what they want a candidate to bring to the table, and it’s these essential skills and qualifications that they’re looking for in your cover letter. When writing your receptionist cover letter, make sure you use enough keywords from the job ad.

But don’t just randomly throw in words you recognize. You want your cover letter to convey a story about how you’re the best candidate for the job. If the employer is looking for excellent customer service skills, you need to prove it. Mention how you developed your customer service skills and how they can help you excel at the job you’re applying for.

#3. Proofread the Final Draft

You've already put in hard work to make your cover letter shine, so don’t let typos or grammar errors ruin your chance. Nothing screams "unprofessional" louder than sloppy writing.

In fact, most hiring managers will throw out an application over minor mistakes .

Avoid this by giving your cover letter a careful read and paying close attention to your text. It might sound obvious at first, but far too many candidates think they can skip it and end up in the hiring manager’s “no” pile.

Once you’ve done your part, try using a handy spell-checking tool like Grammarly . This can scan your text, catch errors you missed, and even suggest style improvements. Once you’re done, you can even hand your cover letter over to a friend. Having a fresh set of eyes check your cover letter can help spot mistakes both you and your spell-checking tool missed.

Key Takeaways

There you have it!

Now, you’re ready to write the perfect receptionist cover letter and land that job you have your sights set on.

But to make sure you’ve got it down, let’s recap our main points:

Making sure your receptionist cover letter matches your resume gives your application a neat, professional look. Just use a resume and cover letter builder so you can create both documents easily.
Structure your cover letter so that you have an intriguing first paragraph and then give the details afterwards. Use the body of your cover letter to expand on your skills, experiences, and how they make you right for the job.
Check the job ad for relevant skills and keywords the employer is looking for. This way, you can easily match what the hiring manager wants to see and leave a great impression.
Always proofread your cover letter before sending it. Even a tiny mistake can cost you a job opportunity, and it isn’t worth the risk.