Receptionist Cover Letter Samples

Receptionist Cover Letter Template

Average receptionist salaries in the US

The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data is presented based on the top states by downloads in the USA.

How to write a receptionist cover letter

Show employers you can handle the needs of a busy office by showcasing your professionalism in a well-written receptionist cover letter.

Here are three tips for writing a strong receptionist cover letter that’ll ensure you stand out for all the right reasons:

1. Highlight your receptionist skills

As a representative of a company, you need a good mix of customer service skills and technical skills.

Unsure which receptionist skills to include in your cover letter? Here are some soft skills that are essential for a successful receptionist:

• People skills 
• Communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to work under pressure
• Organizational skills
• Multitasking
• Prioritization
• Time management skills
• Attention to detail
• Initiative
• Decision making
• Problem solving abilities
• Teamwork
• Telephone etiquette

Additionally, here’s a list of technical skills that are useful to have:

• Familiarity with Google Drive and Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Billing or bookkeeping software (Intuit Quickbooks)
• Customer relationship management software (Microsoft Dynamics)
• Office equipment operation

Incorporate these throughout your cover letter to demonstrate your suitability for a receptionist role.

2. Add words and phrases employers want to see

Job listings are the best source for identifying the key words and phrases to include in your cover letter. Using these terms shows you’ve tailored your application and highlights the skills, qualifications, and experience employers are looking for in a receptionist.

To make things easier, we analyzed hundreds of receptionist job ads and identified the most commonly used phrases. Including them in your cover letter can help show employers you’re a great match for the role.

3. Open with a strong introduction

Crafting a strong cover letter introduction is the best way to spark an employer’s interest. No matter how impressive your qualifications are, a weak introduction that doesn’t sell them undermines your application.

For receptionists, a strong cover letter introduction helps show employers you’re personable and able to take on tasks like welcoming clients to the office each day.

Here’s how to write an effective receptionist cover letter introduction:

1. Review the job posting to identify the receptionist skills the employer is seeking, and lead with an impressive accomplishment that proves you have them.
2. Show your passion by conveying enthusiasm for the particular receptionist role or company.
3. Mention how many years of experience you have working as a receptionist

When writing your cover letter introduction, focus on what you can contribute to the organization. One way to do this is to use numbers so employers can visualize what you can accomplish:

In my last role, I researched and implemented a new, streamlined document management system that reduced document retrieval time and ensured accurate record-keeping for over 1,000 files. I’m confident my ambition to improve efficiency while providing excellent customer service will me make me a great addition to your team.

This example shows that the candidate is driven and eager to take initiative when they identify an area of improvement.

4. Emphasize any specialized industry knowledge

Receptionist duties tend to be similar regardless of where you work, so it can be difficult to set yourself apart from other applicants. However, one thing you can do is to emphasize any specialized industry knowledge you have.

For example, if you worked in a law firm before and are applying for a job at another firm, make sure you highlight your legal knowledge:

Having worked in a law firm previously, I possess a solid understanding of legal terminology, document organization, and the importance of confidentiality. I’m adept at managing appointments and maintaining calendars, ensuring that attorneys and clients are well-prepared for meetings and court appearances. Additionally, my knowledge of legal procedures allows me to provide informed responses to general inquiries and direct clients to the appropriate legal resources.

A paragraph like this that is tailored to the business you want to work at is more likely to impress hiring managers. It shows that you already understand the company’s needs, meaning the learning curve won’t be as steep.