best cover letters for administrative assistant

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example (W/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

Maybe, your career as an administrative assistant started back when you organized your classmates' desks.

Jokes aside — you always had a knack for efficiency and organization, and now you’ve turned those skills into a profession.

It's a dream come true, but there's just one hurdle standing in your way — the cover letter.

Staring at that blank page, trying to convey your skills and experience, feels a lot like being stuck in a loop. It's like experiencing writer’s block, and you just can't seem to find the right words to paint yourself in the best light.

Don’t worry though!

In this article, we're here to assist you in crafting the perfect administrative assistant cover letter, step by step.

We'll guide you through:

• An Outstanding Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example
• 5 Simple Steps to Craft the Best Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
• 3 Essential Tips for a Successful Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

Let’s dive in!

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

You've just seen what a job-winning cover letter looks like. 

Now, it's your turn to write one . Just follow the steps we're about to share, and you'll be on your way to crafting a standout cover letter that gets results. 

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

When creating your administrative assistant cover letter, it all begins with your contact information, just like on your resume . Here's what you should include:

• Full Name: Your complete name should be at the top of the page.
• Job Title: Tailor your job title to match the specific administrative assistant role you're applying for. Clarity here helps streamline the hiring process.
• Email Address: Opt for a professional and straightforward email address, typically a combination of your first and last name.
• Phone Number: Ensure your phone number is accurate, including the dialing code if applying for positions abroad.
• Location: Mention your city and state or country. If you're open to remote work or relocating, make that clear on your administrative assistant resume.
• Relevant Links (Optional): Include any pertinent websites or social media profiles, such as LinkedIn.

Next, it's time to provide the receiver’s info. That includes: :

• Company Name: Specify the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name: Whenever possible, identify the hiring manager for the department you're interested in. Research the job ad, the company's website, or LinkedIn for this information.
• Hiring Manager's Title: If you ascertain that the hiring manager for this specific job ad holds a department head role, use that title instead of just "Hiring Manager."
• Location: Include the city and state or country, particularly for globally operating companies. 
• Email Address (Optional): If available, include the hiring manager's email address.
• Date of Writing (Optional): Consider adding the date you composed your cover letter for that extra touch of professionalism. Now you're ready to start crafting your winning cover letter for the administrative assistant role you desire. Good luck!

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've included all the necessary contact information for your administrative assistant's cover letter, make sure to address the hiring manager the right way.

Addressing your cover letter correctly can make a positive impression on the hiring manager. 

Start by conducting some research. Check the job posting, the company's website, or LinkedIn profiles to find the hiring manager for the position you're interested in. This way, you can find their name and email address.

Next, address them formally. Consider using "Ms." or "Mr." followed by their last name. If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, you can simply use their full name. For example:

• Dear Mr. Smith,
• Dear Alex Johnson,

In cases where you can't find specific information about the hiring manager or the head of the administrative department, you can address your letter to the department or the company in general:

• Dear Administrative Department,
• Dear Administrative Hiring Team,
• Dear Human Resources Recruitment Team,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers typically spend about seven seconds reviewing a candidate's application before deciding whether to read it thoroughly. That’s why grabbing their attention from the get-go is crucial if you want them to read the rest of your cover letter. 

Formally introduce yourself in the opening statement and clearly state your interest in the role. Expressing your enthusiasm for the industry or the specific job can grab the hiring manager's attention.

Researching the company can help improve your opening statement even further. The more you know about the employer, the better you can emphasize how you fit in with their culture. 

This can show to the hiring manager that you're not just applying indiscriminately; you're interested in this particular position.

Depending on your experience level, you can also kick off your cover letter by highlighting a noteworthy achievement or the skills that make you an ideal fit for the role. Keep this paragraph concise, aiming to spark the hiring manager's curiosity and encourage them to explore your cover letter in more detail.

Check out some more cover letter examples to get inspired about writing your opening statement. 

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your cover letter is your opportunity to dive deeper into your qualifications and professional skills.

Avoid the temptation to simply rehash your resume; that won't cut it here. Your objective is to demonstrate, beyond a doubt, that you're the standout candidate. To achieve this, focus on showcasing your achievements relevant to the administrative assistant field, drawing inspiration from the job listing.

Tailoring your cover letter to align with the job advertisement is key. Highlight the specific skills the company seeks and how you can contribute to their team. For instance, if you're vying for an administrative assistant role in a tech-centric environment, emphasize your tech-related skills rather than, for example, your experience in e-commerce.

Displaying knowledge about the company, its products, services, or industry can earn you extra brownie points. If you're well-acquainted with the company's offerings, be sure to mention it in your cover letter to illustrate your alignment with its mission and culture.

Lastly, be enthusiastic. Express your genuine excitement for the role and your unwavering confidence in how your unique skills and experience will be a valuable addition to their organization. This enthusiasm can be infectious and leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Also, make sure to avoid these common cover letter mistakes that can harm your chances of landing an interview. 

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Concluding on a professional note is the cherry on top of your administrative assistant cover letter.

Your goal here is to ensure you leave a positive impression on the hiring manager, reinforcing the confidence you’ve demonstrated throughout your letter.

So, wrap up by confidently reiterating why you're an ideal fit for the administrative assistant role or summarize the skills that set you apart from other candidates.

And don’t forget to include a call to action. Encouraging the hiring manager to take the next step, such as discussing your application further, can create a lasting impression and boost your chances of securing an interview.

To wrap it all up, select a professional sign-off. Choose an appropriate signature line, followed by your full name. Here's an example:

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at the provided email or phone number to arrange an interview. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail at your earliest convenience.

If you're looking for alternatives to "Sincerely," consider these options:

• Kind regards,
• Respectfully,
• Thank you for your consideration,

Choose the sign-off that best aligns with your personal style and the tone of your cover letter.

3 Essential Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Tips

You've got the basics down, and now it's time to fine-tune your administrative assistant cover letter with some essential cover letter tips that will make it shine. Let's dive into these valuable insights to help you create a standout cover letter.

#1. Match Your Resume

If you’re serious about landing a position, it's important that all the documents in your job application are fine-tuned with each other.

Ensure that your administrative assistant cover letter's formatting and layout match your administrative assistant resume to convey professionalism and attention to detail. Make sure your text and contact details are neatly aligned on the page, maintain consistent font styles and sizes, and set appropriate margins and line spacing to keep your cover letter concise on a single page. 

This consistency will show you’re professional and serious about the job.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Struggling to craft the perfect cover letter from scratch? Don't worry; we've got a time-saving trick up our sleeves. 

Try out our free resume builder to create the perfect administrative assistant resume.

Then, pick a cover letter template that matches it visually to save time and effort.

Our templates are created in collaboration with hiring managers around the world, which means they hit industry standards right on the mark. You save time and get a matching cover letter for your resume that looks absolutely professional. Sweet deal, isn’t it?

#2. Mention The Right Skills

Highlighting your skills in your administrative assistant cover letter is crucial. 

The trick here, however, is not just to list all your skills. Firstly, keep it relevant and only talk about the skills you have that are required for the job. If you’ve already listed them on your resume, this is your chance to actually explain in more detail how they make you the perfect fit for the job. 

This demonstrates to hiring managers that you understand the role's requirements and have what it takes to excel in it. So, make sure to weave your skills into your cover letter strategically, emphasizing how they align with the position's demands.

#3. Be Formal

Maintaining a formal tone in your administrative assistant cover letter is the way to go. 

Keeping things formal will reflect your professionalism and respect for the workplace environment. This formality sends the right message to potential employers, indicating that you’re serious about the application and can conduct yourself appropriately in a corporate setting.

That said, don’t go overboard with the formality. You can, for example, make the cover letter a bit more personal by addressing the hiring manager by their name or sign off using “Warm Regards.” 

Key Takeaways

And that sums up crafting an administrative assistant cover letter!

We hope our guide has equipped you with the tools to write a spot-on administrative assistant cover letter. 

Before you head off, let's quickly review:

• Ensure your administrative assistant's cover letter provides any relevant links or attachments so the hiring manager can easily access additional information related to your experience.
• Ideally, your cover letter should be addressed directly to the hiring manager. A little research on the job posting might help you discover their name.
• Use your cover letter to elaborate on the administrative skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate. Highlight expertise that aligns with the job requirements.

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