Formatting your cover letter
If you're a receptionist looking to advance your career potential, cvapp.nz is here to help you transform your job-search. We've designed our career tools and resources to help professionals just like you secure their next job-role, and in this guide, we'll help you create a compelling cover letter that gets you hired faster.
Generally speaking, your cover letter should have the following components:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body Paragraphs
- Conclusion
So what are you waiting for? Let's dive in and kick-start your journey to professional success: starting with the cover letter header.
Cover letter header
To help set you apart from other candidates, you'll need a great header. The purpose of your header is to provide employers with important contact details. Typically, this will include your full name, phone number, email address, and sometimes your mailing address. In your header, you should also add your current job title, and you can also add any links to professional websites you may have, such as LinkedIn. It's important that all the contact information you provide is up-to-date and accurate: no one wants to miss an email or call from a potential employer because of a typo — boo! To make it even easier, we have a wide range of cover letter templates and headers for you to choose from on the cvapp.nz website: simply browse our cover letter library, choose your header and customise to your liking. Easy as that!
Cover letter greeting
Cover letter greetings can be easy to overlook, but the right cover letter greeting sets the tone for the rest of your cover letter. It’s important to choose a greeting that is respectful, warm and polite. In the same way that a good cover letter greeting can get your foot in the door, a bad greeting can threaten or destroy your chances of employers reaching out to you. Eeek – not good!
We recommend a friendly greeting such as “Dear Mr. Smith,” or “Dear Miss Wiki.” If you believe that you can opt for a less formal greeting, you can also use a greeting such as “Kia ora, Mr. Jameson” or “Hello, Mrs. Roberts.” Check out our example below:
Dear Mr. McCrae,
Cover letter Introduction
Cover letter introductions are one of the most important parts of your cover letter. In this section, you'll want to introduce your professional background, express your enthusiasm for the position, and highlight your relevant qualifications and skills. As a receptionist, you could mention your outstanding organisation skills or your aptitude for adaptability! Don’t worry about trying to condense all the details into your introduction: you can expand and elaborate on your career background in your body paragraphs. The main goal of an introduction is to encourage employers to read more about you. Check out a great example of a receptionist introduction below:
With a strong background in customer service and over nine years working as a receptionist, I'm excited to submit my application for a receptionist position at McCrae Consulting. With a strong passion for providing exceptional client experiences and working with clients and colleagues to achieve client goals, I believe I would be a valuable asset to your team.
Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs are where you make the strongest case for why you're the ideal candidate for the receptionist role you’re applying for. In this section, you'll want to expand on the skills, experiences, and achievements you have mentioned in your CV and showcase the professional value you can bring to the table. To do this effectively, we always recommend reading over the job description a few times to gain a good understanding of what potential employers are looking for. It can also be helpful to do additional research on the company: what type of values do they prioritise? Where do you think you can help the company drive the most impact? Not only does this allow you to write better body paragraphs, but it can also help prepare you for an interview with your potential employers! By the end of it, your body paragraphs should look a little something like this:
My name is Luke Parsons -- I'm based in Auckland, but I have significant receptionist experience in both London and Singapore. Having recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland, I'm eager to use my skills to deliver value to the McCrae Consulting team During my studies and previous job roles, I've developed strong interpersonal and communication skills which have played a significant role in my professional success. I'm all about taking care of both clients and the company.
My previous professional experiences have equipped me with the ability to establish rapport with clients, anticipate their needs, and ensure that their requests are met promptly and efficiently. Whether it is in-person, over the phone, or via email, I always strive to provide a welcoming and courteous first point of contact for visitors and clients.
I believe that my attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and ability to multitask have proven to be invaluable in managing daily administrative duties. Whether it be managing calendars and coordinating meetings to handling a high volume of calls and managing office supplies, I am adept at balancing various responsibilities with ease. Furthermore, I'm proficient in an array of office software--and I have a quick learning ability when it comes to computer systems and other technological tools.
I am particularly drawn to McCrae Consulting due to its strong reputation for excellence and commitment to delivering superior client service. The company's values--particularly McCrae Consulting's commitment to community-- align with my own, and I'm eager to contribute to the overall success of the McCrae Consulting team.
Cover letter conclusion
Your conclusion is a critically important part of your cover letter. It's your last chance to leave a positive impression on employers and reinforce the professional value you can deliver to the team if you're hired. In this section, you'll want to summarise any key details and reiterate why you're a strong fit for the role. Additionally, it's always a good idea to thank employers for reviewing your application. Gratitude goes a long way!
To bring your cover letter to a close, we recommend using a strong call-to-action statement and a warm sign-off, such as “ngā mihi nui,” or “yours sincerely.” Call-to-action statements are prompts that encourage employers to reach out to you. For example, “I would love to discuss this opportunity with you at your earliest convenience. Would it be possible to meet with you next week?” Call-to-action statements can increase the likelihood that employers will reach out.
And just like that, you’ve completed a pretty convincing cover letter. Check out the cvapp.nz website for more career tools and resources, and remember: you’ve got this!
Thank you for considering my application. I would love the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications and how I can contribute to McCrae Consulting's continued growth and success. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.
Warm regards,
Luke Parsons
