Admin cover letter example

You’re a whiz when it comes to organisation, mastering your workflow is a breeze, and no one (yes, no one!) can manage a calendar quite like you can. If that description fits you perfectly, chances are you’re an admin professional. These are the unsung office heroes — the workers who toil tirelessly to make sure that everything runs like clockwork.  

With more than 60,000 admin and support job vacancies in the United Kingdom, there’s never been a better time to get into this sector. Whether you have years of experience or you’re new to the field, there’s sure to be an opening that has your name on it. But, to help you get your foot in the door, you need to have a well-written admin cover letter. 

Here at Resume.io, we have the answers you’ve been searching for. We offer a wide range of resources to help support your career progression at every turn. Our site features expert-backed articles, tons of helpful advice, and cover letter examples to help you out. In the following writing guide and accompanying cover letter example, we will touch upon: 

• How to choose the right format for your admin cover letter
• The different sections you should include (and what to write in them)
• What to do if you’re writing a cover letter and have no experience
• The common mistakes that you should avoid when writing your cover letter.

Best format for an admin cover letter

Before you start working on your next application, let’s kick things off with some ground rules. You need to use a standardised structure when you are writing this letter. The format of an admin cover letter should contain the following sections: 

• The cover letter header
• The greeting / salutation
• The cover letter intro
• The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
• The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)

This cover letter format is what hiring managers expect to see. The reader doesn’t have long to review your entire application. For that reason, you need to make it simple for them to gain all the relevant information that they need. By sticking to the above structure, you leave nothing to chance. At a glance, the hiring manager gets the information they need.

Admin professionals are expected to be just that — professional. When you’re writing your cover letter, keep that in mind. The tone that you use needs to be formal and polite. Take the chance to show the hiring manager that you are a conscientious and astute worker. If you’re looking for some more general writing advice, read our full cover letter guide.

Before you rush off to start writing your admin cover letter, it may be helpful to see how it should look. Take a peek at our well-written cover letter example below: 

Cover letter header

The first thing that the hiring manager will see is your cover letter header. This section includes your contact details: your name, location, email address, and phone number. If your application does the trick, the reader will want to get in touch with you pronto. To make things easy for them, use a clear font and space this information out well. You want to make sure that the hiring manager can quickly find your contact details. 

Cover letter greeting

Now that you’ve dealt with that admin task, it’s time to get down to the good stuff. Your cover letter greeting is short but plays a major role. Now, you may have been taught to use “To whom it may concern.” While this approach sounds professional, it lacks authenticity and can be a real turn-off for readers. Instead, go with “Dear ____ team/department”. 

Of course, you may already know who the reader is. If you have the hiring manager’s name to hand, you can address your letter to them directly. In that case, use a formal structure, such as “Dear Mr. Smith”. This approach is both friendly and conventional. 

Cover letter introduction

The first few sentences of your admin cover letter matter more than you might imagine. The hiring manager may only take a customary glance at this letter. For that reason, you need to pull out all the stops to grab their attention. Consider what your strongest talent is and take things from there. For example, should you “have a 70 WPM type speed,” say so. 

Wait, that sounds a tad dull… If you want to liven up your writing, use catchy and punchy adjectives. For instance, you may say you are an “exceptionally efficient worker with a 70 WPM type speed.” Do you see how that second line sounds more appealing? 

Cover letter middle part (body)

So, you’ve managed to hook the reader. Next up, the middle paragraphs of cover letters are where you seal the deal. You only have a few paragraphs to play with so you should be selective about what you include. While you may have countless attributes and years of experience, you need to condense that into a single-page document. Rather than trying to write a short memoir, focus on a couple of factors that make you right for the position. 

You may want to draw upon your past experience here. Was there a time when you exceeded your manager’s expectations? Did your idea help to streamline the whole team’s workload? Were there any awards or special commendations that you received? These are just a few of the things that you can talk about when writing your cover letter.

How to close an admin cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

When you’ve done all of the above, the final step is to sign off. You don’t need to write an essay here. Instead, keep things short and sweet. The final lines of your admin cover letter should be optimistic and approachable. You may choose to include a call to action (CTA) encouraging the hiring manager to get in touch if they would like any further details. 

Admin cover letter with no experience

Are you hoping to land your first job? If you’re new to the world of work or you’re a career changer, writing an engaging cover letter is the way to go. Here are some tips for you: 

• Focus on your skills. What unique set of talents are you bringing to the table? Do you have any transferable skills that you want to brag about? Have you undertaken any specific training courses? Talk about these feats in your cover letter.
• Showcase your personality. Interpersonal skills are vital for admin workers. You will be liaising between coworkers and departments. When you’re writing your cover letter, make sure you allow your friendly personality to shine through.
• Talk about your goals. Where do you see yourself in the future? When you’re writing a cover letter and have no experience, it’s clever to look forward instead. You may want to delve into your long-term professional plan, for example.

Basic mistakes to avoid in an admin application letter 

If you’ve read the rest of our guide, you should be in a good position to write your admin cover letter. But before you do, you need to make sure that you don’t make any silly mistakes. We’ve got your back. Here are a few mistakes that you should avoid: 

• Using colloquial language. Trying to be a “man of the people” can backfire. The language you use in your admin cover letter should not be the same as the language you use down at the local pub. Keep things above board at all times.
• Trying to cram too much on the page. Do you have a load to say? That’s great! However, the hiring manager doesn’t have endless time to read your cover letter. Stick to a few key points when you are writing this part of your application.
• Not proofreading your cover letter. Even the most minor of spelling errors and grammar problems can destroy your chances. As an admin worker, you will often have to write and send emails. If you can’t create clear, concise writing, it’s a no-go.

Key takeaways 

1. If you’re an admin pro, now is the time to get job-hunting. There are thousands of vacancies around the country to which you can apply.
2. Stick to a solid structure when you are writing your admin cover letter.
3. As a golden rule, you should adopt a formal and professional written tone.
4. Always proofread your cover letter before you hit that “send” button!

Want to take all of the hassle out of designing your cover letter? We have the answer. Use one of our field-tested cover letter templates now.