Receptionist cover letter example

As a receptionist looking for work, one of the first things to prepare is a catchy and convincing cover letter that will help you land a top receptionist job.

Cover letters tend to be relatively short, so it can be difficult to get the tone just right and fully represent who you are and why you’re applying for the receptionist role. 

How can you get your strengths and abilities across, in around 300 words? By succinctly communicating your career highlights, interest in the job, and compatibility with the company.

Receptionist full text-only cover letter example 

Sections of a receptionist cover letter

Although the content of your cover letter is important, you shouldn't overlook the format. The right format will ensure your receptionist cover letter is clear, concise, easy to read, and covers all of the important points.

Here are the main elements your cover letter should contain:

• Cover letter header. Select a clean and professional header for your receptionist cover letter that makes an impact. Include your name, contact details, and main job title. 
• Greeting. Build rapport by addressing the hiring manager by their name. Another option is to address the team, such as the ‘Recruitment Team’. Check the job posting for details.
• Introduction. Set the scene with an engaging introduction to your receptionist cover letter and share your strong interest in the role and company.  
• Body. The focus of the middle part, or body, of your cover letter should be your most important career history highlights. Make sure these are relevant to the specific receptionist job opening and show how they align with company's vision and values. 
• Conclusion. Sum up the key points covered in your receptionist cover letter, together with a call to action to encourage the employer to get in touch.
• Signature. End with a professional closing, including your full name.

Aim for a short and snappy cover letter. Hiring managers don’t want to spend a long time reading applications, after all, they usually have a number to get through. Cover all bases, but stick to the point.

You can also find more general information and fully explore each section of a cover letter in our article on how to write a cover letter.

After creating your header and addressing the hiring manager, it’s time to move on and hook the reader with an engaging introduction.

Introduction of a receptionist cover letter

You only have one opportunity to make an introduction, so you really want to grab the attention of the reader and make a positive first impression. 

The introduction is the soul of your receptionist cover letter. It should be a couple of sentences at the most and powerful enough to entice the hiring manager to want to read more.

Ultimately, the hiring manager wants to know what kind of receptionist experience you have and whether you’ll be able to positively represent their company. So, if you have ‘won several Receptionist of the Month awards for strong performance’ in your last role, you should place this type of achievement prominently in your introduction.

Aligning your receptionist skills and experience with the requirements of the role and company is the goal. If you can capture this in your cover letter introduction, you’re onto a winner.

Receptionist cover letter body

When preparing the main body of your cover letter for a receptionist role, always use a well-defined structure: 

• Highlight your skills and experience 
• Pinpoint what company values resonate with you
• Round up key points in a compelling conclusion
• Encourage the employer to get in touch via a call to action

First body paragraph:

This is the place to show who you are and what you can do. Don’t be afraid to be proud of your achievement and confident in your abilities, as this will show in the language you use in the body of your cover letter.

Here are some areas to focus on when digging deeper into your skills and experience:

1. Showcase achievements. ​​Every hiring manager wants to know what you have done, but more importantly, what you have achieved as a receptionist. Shine a light on your notable accomplishments.
2. Emphasise customer service skills. Reflect on your ability to deal with challenging situations. For instance, demanding visitors looking for information or a busy reception area. What do you do to meet and consistently exceed client expectations?
3. Communication. The ability to communicate effectively is the main aspect of a receptionist role, so it should be front and centre in the main section of your cover letter.
4. Training & certifications. Share details of any relevant training and certifications, such as office administration and professional receptionist skills training. This shows your commitment to continuing professional development.
5. Organisation and efficiency. Perfect receptionists possess these two traits in spades. Bring to life experiences that show these soft skills in action.  
6. Technology awareness. Detail your experience with various software systems, such as property management systems, booking platforms, and office productivity tools.

Second body paragraph

Tailoring your cover letter to each prospective employer will demonstrate your strong interest in the role and desire to work for the company. 

Perform some background research so that you have a full understanding of company's vision, values, and culture, then apply this information to show how you’ll be a great fit for the team. 

For example, if you were applying for a corporate receptionist role with BMW Group, a review of their culture and values would reveal:

• Core values of openness, transparency, responsibility, trust, and appreciation
• Modern approach to working, including remote working options, unique training, and work-life integration initiatives 
• Strong focus on CSR, including support of charities such as the CALM helpline and delivery of award-winning resources to UK schools on road safety and sustainability. 

Referencing how you thrive in a progressive culture that values openness and transparency, including a specific example of successful performance in this type of environment, is one way to show your alignment with company values and culture.

Call to action & conclusion

The conclusion is the round-up of your receptionist cover letter, and the chance to leave a final and lasting impression. What sets you apart from other candidates, and why would the hiring manager be crazy to ignore you? 

Reiterate what you believe is important about the role of a receptionist and reassure the hiring manager that you’re extremely interested in the job opening and company. 

You should also mention that you’re keen to hear back from the employer, without being presumptuous. That's where a call to action comes in, such as you look forward to hearing back from the employer or that you’re available for an interview at any time.

Your concluding paragraph is followed by a professional sign-off, such as ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Regards,’ closely followed by your name.

Key takeaways

A well-written cover letter highlights your top-level skills and experience as a receptionist and demonstrates your compatibility with the role and company.

Use every opportunity to showcase your strengths and abilities, leaving the reader curious to find out more about you by reading your CV.

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