Executive Assistant cover letter example

The way technology has made executives ever more accessible has created unprecedented demands on their time and attention, meaning executive assistants remain in demand.

It takes someone special to be a great executive assistant, but it is an even greater challenge to distill that promise into a comprehensive cover letter. By leveraging your cover letter to tell the story of your administrative talents, you allow your future boss to sense that you’ll be in control of important matters from day one. 

Executive Assistant full text-only cover letter example

Sections of an executive assistant cover letter

Choosing the right format for an executive assistant cover letter is a vital part of an effective application. Not only does the structure of your cover letter need to be clear, the application letter itself must flow well and every paragraph/element should perform a certain function. Take a look at the following sections: 

1. Cover letter header. This is where you will list your contact details and the date.
2. Greeting. Make a personal connection by addressing your letter to the hiring manager or recruiter by name. It shows you’ve done your homework and sets things off on the right foot.
3. Introduction. Open your letter and grab the reader’s attention briefly introducing yourself and sharing your enthusiasm.
4. Body. This is the heart of your letter, and where you’ll delve into past experiences, skills, and notable achievements. Show how you’ve enabled other executives to succeed and achieve business objectives.
5. Conclusion. Wrap up your letter with a summary of your qualifications and interest in the role. Remember to include a call to action that inspires the reader to reach out
6. Signature. Sign off with a professional goodbye, including your name.

Don’t forget that while some sections will be wordier than others, each section of your cover letter is a critical part of the story of your professional success as an executive assistant. 

Shoot for a one-page cover letter that doesn't just list your skills and experience, but displays them in a compelling story that also aligns with the goals of the executive and company you’re applying to. You want to create a connection that makes it obvious why you’re the ideal executive assistant hire.

View our article on how to write a cover letter to learn more about each segment. 

Once you’ve crafted your header and addressed the hiring manager, grab their attention with a compelling introduction.

Introduction of an executive assistant cover letter

An executive assistant needs to make an immediate connection with the hiring manager, so when you start your cover letter it’s imperative to paint a picture of who you are and what you’ve achieved. 

Put yourself in their position. What characteristics would they be looking for first and foremost? What adjectives would they use to describe their perfect hire? Take a few hints from the job description and craft an introductory story that paints you in exactly that light.

Try to stay away from the cliched examples of being well-organized and dedicated. Top-notch executive assistants certainly possess those basic skills, so don’t waste valuable cover letter real estate on them. Look a level deeper and think about what problems your future boss will come up against every day—and, more importantly, how you can help solve them.

Provide specific examples where you can. If you enabled your executive to achieve a major initiative, save millions of dollars in the budget, or something else equally impactful, tell that story. The more specific, the better, as concrete data adds credibility. 

Consider this executive assistant cover letter example and how it showcases the candidate’s strongest achievements right away:

Executive assistant cover letter body

Follow this template to make the most of your cover letter body: 

• Highlight your related skills and experience
• Show how you're a perfect fit for the company's culture; this is important whether you’re applying to a startup, a nonprofit, or a massive enterprise
• Wrap up with a compelling conclusion
• Close out with a call to action that leaves the hiring manager excited to get in touch

First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)

Kick things off by detailing how your administrative and coordination skills make you a perfect match for the executive assistant job. Consider the following to weave a compelling narrative:

1. Emphasize administrative skills. Outline your ability to handle a large volume of work. Be sure to quantify your experiences. For example, share how quickly you can type, how many calls you answer, or how much money your last project managed to save.
2. Highlight your education. ​​If you have a degree in business or a similar field, you might call this out to reflect your strong candidacy.
3. Technology and trend awareness. If the job posting details any technology or software you would use in this role, explain how you’ve used it already. Executive assistants are expected to be efficient and work quickly, so technology is a major benefit.
4. Flexibility and multitasking. Executive assistants are expected to be all-around multitasking experts, so provide examples of how you’ve done this successfully.
5. Collaboration and teamwork skills. Mention how you work closely with others and describe how you value effective communication.
6. Relevant industry experience. The hiring manager must feel you will be able to solve their problems, so include any industry experience to show that you can leverage past experience to do this. Even the mention of the industry or specific functional expertise can give you an advantage over others who do not think to mention it.

Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organization

It’s crucial to tailor your cover letter to the culture and mission of the company. Start by researching the organization to understand their goals and strategies, then show how your values and experience align.  

In this example of mc Public Relations, their website states a commitment to:

• Being a leading service provider in the industry
• Global expansion and growth
• Prior success in industries include sports and politics

You can integrate specifics from the company’s mission or goals into your cover letter, weaving them with personal details to show your alignment. 

Call to action & conclusion: finish off strong

Sum up your cover letter with a reiteration of your key points and your enthusiasm for the job. Reinforce the personal connection that you hinted at during the introduction.

At the end of your cover letter, their gut feeling should compel the reader to pick up the phone and arrange an interview, so include an inviting call to action.

Last, to end on a positive note, thank them and let them know that you look forward to the opportunity of meeting them at an interview. 

Close your letter by signing off with your name. 

How to write an executive assistant cover letter with no experience 

If you lack direct experience as an executive assistant—whether because you’re a student or making a major career pivot—there’s still hope for landing the job! You just need to focus your cover letter on transferable skills and your enthusiasm for the field. 

Consider the following: 

• Highlight transferable skills. While you may not have supported an executive, perhaps you’ve held previous administrative assistant or coordinator roles. Discuss how this administrative work honed your skills. Don’t forget to document your communication and interpersonal skills as well.
• Showcase organizational abilities. If you’ve held roles that require multitasking and keeping a lot of balls in the air, that’s great practice for life as an executive assistant.
• Document technological proficiency. Regardless of your past roles, now is the time to showcase your technology skills, whether working with databases for data entry, tracking budgets in Excel, or using various AI tools.
• Include academic background. If you’ve got a relevant degree, such as a bachelors in business administration, add that in. If you have certifications that set you apart, be sure they’re reflected as well.

These points help balance out the lack of direct experience in your cover letter and illustrate your potential as an executive assistant, giving you the best chance to win the job.

Key takeaways

Executive assistants need a keen eye for details and strong communication skills, which are also important factors in writing an excellent cover letter. Your cover letter should highlight your relevant skills, past experiences, and passion for the company to which you’re applying. 

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