Administrative assistants perform vital roles in organizations of all sizes. When landing a position, your resume can only tell so much of your previous successes. That’s where a cover letter comes in.
An outstanding cover letter can make the difference between a so-so candidate and someone a hiring manager can’t wait to interview. Administrative assistant positions can be competitive, but with this guide and Resume.io’s professionally designed tools, you can pass with flying colors.
Administrative assistant full text-only cover letter example
Dear Ms. Woods,
Since my childhood, I have experienced a deep pleasure in keeping every plate spinning.
When a Spike employee requests administrative assistance, they need to know that you will not only complete what they ask, but also do it to the very highest standard. This requires practiced organizational skills, mental agility and a singular focus on tasks. In my five years of admin experience, I have never missed a deadline and always received the best appraisals for quality of work. Admin assistants need to get things done and do them well.
You expect your administrative assistants to be familiar with the latest technology, utilize the most cutting-edge communication methods and organize their time so that they can be of the most use to the most people. My weekly productivity blog has 5,500 subscribers, so the latest thinking and practice is not foreign to me.
Five years of administration experience make me the perfect candidate:
- Exclusive experience in consumer fashion. I know the demands of the industry.
- Work ethic – complete 80-100 individual tasks a day – I just love ticking them off.
- Ambitions to grow. Am about to complete a distance learning business degree.
Busy days put a smile on my face. When tasks are coming at me thick and fast, I don’t let anything drop off the table unless I know that I have done my best. In my role as an administrative assistant, adopting a service-first attitude with all those I work with helps me to make their working days more successful by filling in the gaps.
If I have the skills to do a great job, there is no task that I would not take on. If I don’t possess the skills, I will learn them or ask someone else to help me.
If it sounds like I might be able to make a difference to your Spike family, I would be grateful if you would consider my application. I hope to be a value-added and reliable addition to your administrative team.
Sincerely,
Daniel Murray
Sections of an administrative assistant cover letter
Crafting a cover letter for an administrative assistant position is like telling your professional story, where each part plays a crucial role in showcasing why you're the ideal candidate:
- Cover letter header. Start by neatly listing your contact details and the date. It's like saying hello before you've even begun.
- Greeting. Here’s your chance to make a personal connection. Address the company hiring manager or recruiter by name—it shows you’ve done your homework.
- Introduction. This is your opening scene. Grab their attention by introducing yourself and sharing your enthusiasm for the administrative assistant role.
- Body. Think of this as the heart of your story. Dive into your relevant experiences, skills, and achievements. Show how they align with the company’s needs and values, adding color to your professional narrative.
- Conclusion. Wrap up your story by summarizing your qualifications and reiterating your interest in the role. Don’t forget a call to action.
- Signature. End with a professional goodbye, including your name.
Sometimes called an application letter or letter of motivation, a cover letter is a 400- to 500-word document meant to summarize your skills, experience and perspectives in a positive and convincing way.
That’s why a cover letter is one of the most requested application materials. It’s the best chance for an employer to get to know you. Think of it as a pre-interview.
Need more inspiration? View our other related cover letter examples from the administrative field including:
For more general information and details that cover every section, view our article on how to write a cover letter.
Introduction of an administrative assistant cover letter
As an administrative assistant, some of your main skills should be great communication and efficient customer service. You can demonstrate those traits right from the top of your letter by introducing yourself in a friendly and attention-grabbing way.
The aim of the cover letter introduction is to capture the reader’s attention with a strong and interesting lead sentence that flows into the body of the letter. See how this is accomplished in our adaptable administrative assistant cover letter sample.
Dear Mr. Keystone,
With over a decade of experience streamlining administrative operations and providing excellent service standards, I’m enthusiastic about the possibility of joining J&B Industries as the lead administrative assistant.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my interest in the administrative assistant position at [Company Name]. With a proven track record of providing exceptional administrative support and a genuine passion for organization and efficiency, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.
By starting with a strong opening, you grab the reader's attention and express your enthusiasm for the position. Tailor your content to the specific job and company by researching their values, mission, and culture.
Use clear and concise language to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements, and include numbers and statistics whenever possible.
Dear Ms. Woods,
Since my childhood, I have experienced a deep pleasure in keeping every plate spinning.
Administrative assistant cover letter body
In the body of your cover letter, follow a clear template:
- Highlight your administrative skills and experience
- Show how you're a perfect fit for the administrative assistant role
- Wrap up with a conclusion that packs a punch
- End with a compelling call to action that leaves the hiring manager eager to contact you
First body paragraph: Your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
Begin with a flourish by showcasing the key skills and experiences that make you a perfect match for the job. It’s like setting the stage for your professional story.
Here’s how you can weave your qualifications into an engaging narrative:
- Emphasize public service & customer experience skills. Bring to life your experiences working with the public and internal team members. Share stories that highlight your adaptability and stellar communication skills.
- Technology awareness. New programs and software allow administrative assistants to schedule and manage time more efficiently. Show how you’re up-to-date on the latest technologies, computer skills, or any platforms mentioned in the job description.
- Flexibility and multitasking. Recall times when you juggled multiple tasks on a busy day as expert multi-tasking is essential for admin assistants.
- Accuracy and attention to detail. Administrative assistants can’t afford to make mistakes. Showcase your commitment to accuracy using numbers to back up your claims.
- Going above and beyond. Mention times you went out of your way to help customers or team members, or successfully took on bigger responsibilities.
Second body paragraph(s): Alignment with the organization
Tailoring your cover letter to the company's culture and mission is key. Research the company on sites like LinkedIn and read the job description again to fully understand what the organization is looking for in a candidate.
The body is the main substance of your letter. This is your chance to dive into your biggest accomplishments, motivations and skills. Your goal should be to illustrate your successes through quick examples that explain the situation at hand, the action you took and the positive change it resulted in.
In this example of Siemens Energy, a few key points can be taken from their company overview, including:
- Lasting value for future generations
- Make the difference
- Reduce emissions across the energy landscape
Expound on areas of your resume that don’t fully capture your determination or abilities. Just remember to keep things moving and include just the right amount of information so that the hiring manager has an interest in talking to you to learn more.
When a Spike employee requests administrative assistance, they need to know that you will not only complete what they ask, but also do it to the very highest standard. This requires practiced organizational skills, mental agility and a singular focus on tasks. In my five years of admin experience, I have never missed a deadline and always received the best appraisals for quality of work. Admin assistants need to get things done and do them well.
You expect your administrative assistants to be familiar with the latest technology, utilize the most cutting-edge communication methods and organize their time so that they can be of the most use to the most people. My weekly productivity blog has 5,500 subscribers, so the latest thinking and practice is not foreign to me.
Five years of administration experience make me the perfect candidate:
- Exclusive experience in consumer fashion. I know the demands of the industry.
- Work ethic – complete 80-100 individual tasks a day – I just love ticking them off.
- Ambitions to grow. Am about to complete a distance learning business degree.
Busy days put a smile on my face. When tasks are coming at me thick and fast, I don’t let anything drop off the table unless I know that I have done my best. In my role as an administrative assistant, adopting a service-first attitude with all those I work with helps me to make their working days more successful by filling in the gaps.
If I have the skills to do a great job, there is no task that I would not take on. If I don’t possess the skills, I will learn them or ask someone else to help me.
Call to action & conclusion: Finish off strong
Sum up your cover letter by reiterating your key points and your enthusiasm for the administrative assistant position.
You’ll want to wrap up your letter on a positive note that effectively answers the reader’s question, “What value does this person bring to my company?”
One very important aspect of the conclusion is the call to action. This statement invites the hiring manager to get in touch and may even include your contact info if you’d like. You’ll want to come across as upbeat and confident without sounding pushy.
Then, close out the letter with a professional goodbye. “Sincerely,” “Best” and “Best Regards” can work well for a variety of industries.
If it sounds like I might be able to make a difference to your Spike family, I would be grateful if you would consider my application. I hope to be a value-added and reliable addition to your administrative team.
Sincerely,
Daniel Murray
Conclude by signing off with your name. This isn’t just a formality; it’s your final touch that leaves a professional and memorable impression.
How to write an administrative assistant cover letter with no experience
You’ve never worked as an admin assistant before, so what now? We’ve told you to use anecdotes and connections in your cover letter and that still holds true.
If you’ve held any job before, you have transferable skills, or skills that apply to an administrative role. Here are a few tips to help:
- Highlight transferable skills. Demonstrate how skills from other roles are relevant to an admin assistant position. Do you have customer service experience? Discuss how this has sharpened your communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for engaging with staff and customers.
- Showcase organizational abilities. If you have experience organizing events or managing projects, mention these to illustrate your ability to organize company resources, inventory, or data.
- Emphasize technological proficiency. Showcase your tech skills, whether it's database management or AI tool knowledge, to demonstrate your ability to handle evolving digital resources.
Key takeaways
Personality is a key trait that hiring managers look for, especially in a supporting role like this one. Conveying responsibility, a positive attitude and efficiency can go a long way. Ensure your formatting is spot-on or you’ll risk a negative first impression.
Professional tools can help you get the tone just right. A well-crafted administrative assistant cover letter highlights your relevant skills.
In every part, from the introduction to the conclusion, showcase your unique strengths and zeal for librarianship. Lacking direct experience? Focus on your transferable skills and eagerness to learn.
Try our cover letter builder for an easy way to assemble a polished, professional administrative assistant cover letter, boosting your interview prospects!
