Free receptionist cover letter template

For receptionists in offices, GP surgeries, dental practices, hotels and salons. A full example for a move to a GP surgery, and what to mention in yours.

  • Free to copy
  • Matches your CV design
  • With your signature
Write yours free See the example
A receptionist cover letter in the Hampstead design, with a made-up name and a typed signature

Receptionist cover letter example

Natalie Brooks, Patient Services Receptionist, GP practice · three years on a hotel front desk

Dear Mrs Carter,

I am applying for the part-time Patient Services Receptionist role at Hollins Lane Surgery. I have spent three years on the front desk of a busy city-centre hotel, and I would now like to use those skills somewhere they make a real difference to people’s day.

At the hotel I check in up to 100 guests on a busy evening, answer the switchboard, take bookings by phone and email and deal with complaints face to face. I have learned to stay calm and kind when someone is upset, to listen properly and to explain clearly what I can and cannot do, which I know matters when patients are worried or unwell.

I am careful with personal information. I follow our data protection procedures every day, from checking identity before giving out details to keeping the booking screen out of sight of the queue. I pick up new systems quickly: I trained my colleagues when we moved to a new booking system last year, and I am keen to learn EMIS Web or SystmOne and to complete care navigation training. Between calls I am happy to help with scanning, post and the reception inbox.

I can work the morning and evening sessions on your rota, including one Saturday a month, and my notice period is two weeks. Thank you for considering my application.

Yours sincerely,
Natalie Brooks

Or write yours from the job advert

What to mention in a receptionist cover letter

Keep it to one page. Pick what the advert stresses most, and give an example for each point.

Writing the CV too? See the receptionist CV template and our receptionist CV example.

Invited to interview? Read our receptionist interview questions, with how to answer each one.

Tips for yours

  • Write in a warm, polite tone: the letter is your first chance to show the manner you would have on the phone.
  • Use the employer’s own word for the people you would help: patients, guests, clients or visitors.
  • If you are changing setting, explain why in one sentence and keep it positive.

  1. Your front desk

    Office, surgery, dental practice, hotel, salon or gym, and how busy it was.

  2. People skills, with an example

    One moment when you calmed an upset caller or visitor, or went out of your way to help someone.

  3. Phones, bookings and systems

    Switchboard, appointment or booking systems and Microsoft 365. For medical roles, EMIS Web or SystmOne if you know them.

  4. Confidentiality

    How you protect personal information day to day.

  5. Hours

    The sessions, shifts or days you can cover, as front desks need set cover.

Receptionist cover letters: your questions

What should a GP receptionist cover letter include?

How you handle busy phone lines and upset callers, your care with confidential information, any clinical systems you know (such as EMIS Web or SystmOne) and the sessions you can work. Care navigation training is worth mentioning if you have it.

How do I write a receptionist cover letter with no experience?

Use any job or volunteering where you dealt with the public: retail, hospitality, a call centre or a school office. Show you are friendly, organised and confident on the phone, with one example.

Should a receptionist cover letter be formal?

Yes, but warm. Use the manager’s name, short paragraphs and "Yours sincerely", and avoid slang and long sentences.

Keep going

Cover letters for other jobs: Nurse Healthcare assistant Care worker Teacher Teaching assistant Retail Customer service Hospitality Administrator Accountant Project manager Sales Marketing Software developer Electrician Warehouse School leaver Apprenticeship Part-time job Career change

Your turn. Write yours

Paste the job advert and make the draft your own. Download it in your CV’s design, with your signature.

Write yours freeSee the example