Medical Receptionist Cover Letter - Examples and Guidelines

Most job seekers focus on the resume and forget that the cover letter is equally important. It helps set you apart from your competitors and gives more information to the hiring manager about who you are and what you can do.

In this article, we'll help you create a medical receptionist cover letter that elevates your application. We'll cover topics that will give you insight into what you should have on your cover letter. These topics include:

• The right structure and layout for your cover letter.
• How to write the introduction of your cover letter.
• The best way to write your call to action.
• The dos and don'ts as you write the farewell section.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Medical Receptionists

A cover letter shows your personality and writing skills to the hiring manager. Usually, a resume only details your qualifications briefly, but a cover letter will enable you to give more information on your skills and experience.

Most hiring managers require a cover letter, but sometimes, they'll ask you not to send one. If that's the case, you'll only send your resume.

If you don't have experience, highlight the relevant courses that have prepared you for the job. Also, express your interest in the position and show the hiring manager that you're excited to work at the clinic.

The structure of your medical receptionist cover letter should have the following information:

• A header section
• A formal greeting
• An introduction of your cover letter
• The body of the cover letter(consists of relevant experience, skills, and other accomplishments)
• A conclusion
• The call to action
• A farewell to close the letter.

Start With The Header

The header will have your personal details, including your full name, street address, professional email address, and a link to your LinkedIn profile(This is optional).

Right after your details, you'll add your potential employer's details. Start with their name, job title, company name and street address.

This section is critical, and all the details must be accurate. Proofread to ensure that there are no errors before sending it to the recruiter.

Example 1

Example 2

Begin Your Cover Letter Introducing Yourself

Hiring managers have many cover letters to review, so ensure that yours stands out. Start with a catchy introduction that immediately draws them in and interests them in reading the rest of the letter. Also, remember that this is the first encounter with the hiring manager, so you want to make a good first impression.

Here are a few more tips to help you write the introduction.

• This section starts with a professional greeting and the name of the recipient. Avoid using generic phrases such as 'Dear Sir/madam' that lack a personal touch. However, if you've done your best to research the name of the recipient and still can't find it, you can use this greeting.
• The introduction should be brief but engaging to get the hiring manager's attention. You should also show that you're excited to work at the organization and mention how you found out about the job.
• Mention your experience level as a medical receptionist and highlight some of the good things you've heard about the company.

Correct example

CORRECT

Dear Jane,

I'm excited to learn there is a medical receptionist open position at Athena Clinic through LinkedIn. I have been working as a Front Desk receptionist for the past five years and have acquired skills that I believe will be useful in this new position. I have worked with physicians to give the best service to patients and staff members.

I achieved a lot in my previous role and was awarded the top customer service employee award, having improved customer satisfaction by 15%. While this has brought me a lot of joy and fulfillment, I believe it's time for a new challenge, and Athena Clinic is the right place to share my skills and grow in my career.

The introduction above starts with a greeting directed to a specific person, which should always be the case. It highlights the candidates' experience and achievements that will get the recruiter's attention and expresses their interest in working at the company.

Incorrect example

INCORRECT

To whom it may concern

I recently learnt that you have an open position for a medical receptionist, and I would love to join your company. My previous experience will help me do a great job as I cater to all your customer's needs.

The example above starts with an impersonal greeting, and most recruiters advice job seekers against using it. It also fails to give details about the candidate's achievements and experience that make them the perfect candidate for the job.

Reveal Why You're the Best for the Job

In the first part of this section, describe your responsibilities and achievements. Use figures and facts to quantify your achievements, as this helps to set you apart from the other applicants. Every job opportunity is different, so check the requirements listed and tailor your cover letter to match what the recruiter is looking for.

The second part of this section details how your previous experience and acquired skills have prepared you for this new job. If you won an award, you could also mention it in this paragraph. This is a great way to stand out in case the other applicants don't have an award/honor on their cover letters.

Correct example

CORRECT

In my previous role, my main tasks included scheduling patient appointments, answering phone calls, filing patient records and updating the patient database. I was also in charge of ordering office supplies and reduced costs by 20% after researching and getting cheaper suppliers.

My position also required me to collaborate with nurses and doctors and give them information about various patients. That allowed me to learn some medical terminology useful when communicating with patients and visiting doctors. I believe my skills and experience will allow me to be a great asset at Athena Clinic.

This example details the candidate's responsibilities and highlights a figure that shows the recruiter the value they could bring to the new position. Mentioning the duties is a great way to beat the ATS systems, as you can incorporate the keywords used in the job ad.

Incorrect example

INCORRECT

My duties included maintaining calendars for appointments, welcoming visitors, keeping the reception area clean and answering customer queries. My experience has prepared me for the position, and I believe I have what it takes to succeed in the new role.

This example lists the candidate's responsibilities but does not highlight an achievement that makes them stand out. In a competitive job market, listing job responsibilities without quantifying them to show your achievements could easily cause you to lose an opportunity.

Finish Your Cover Letter With a Call to Action (CTA)

A call to action is essential for every cover letter. It's a statement at the end of your cover letter that encourages the recruiter to get back to you. If you don't add one, you might not hear from the recruiter.

Also, thank the recruiter for taking the time to read your application and ask for the next steps of the interview.

Examples

This call to action opens a dialogue with the recruiter and encourages them to contact you.

The Farewell: Close Your Cover Letter Professionally

The sign-off, which is the last section of your cover letter, should be professional. Let's look at some examples.

How to finish your letter

• Yours sincerely
• Best regards
• Kind regards
• Sincerely yours
• Regards
• Most sincerely
• Yours truly
• Respectfully

What you have to avoid

• Take care
• Love
• Warm regards
• XOXO
• Yours faithfully
• Best wishes
• Take it easy
• Have a great day

Complement Your Cover Letter with a Powerful Resume

Your job application will be incomplete without a medical receptionist resume. The resume briefly details your experience, skills and other qualifications in a way that a cover letter cannot. Use our resume examples and resume templates to help you write a resume that gets you your next job.

Key takeaways

• A catchy introduction on your cover letter is key to ensuring the recruiter reads the rest of the resume.
• Proofread the header section and the rest of the resume to avoid grammatical and spelling errors.
• Use cover letter examples to give you some tips to help you write your own.
• Constantly personalize the greeting at the beginning of your cover letter and add the addressee's name.
• Include a call to action at the end of your cover letter to invite your potential employer to get back to you.
• Finish the cover letter with a professional sign-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a medical receptionist resume be?

A cover letter should be brief, so not more than one page.

How do you describe your medical receptionist skills on the cover letter?

Detail your job duties in your previous roles and the skills you gained that will allow you to excel in your new role. If you don't have much experience, detail the skills you gained at school or an internship.