When you work in an administrative function, your role is about far more than just keeping the admin organised. You possess amazing people skills and the place to share them in your job search is your administrative cover letter.
In this blog, we will explore how to use the content and structure of the letter to your advantage. It is the start of a conversation that will continue during an interview, so what do you want to say?
Administrative full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr. Stevens,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Administrative position at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). With over five years of experience in providing high-level administrative support and a proven track record of optimising office operations, I am confident that my skills and expertise make me an exceptional candidate for this role.
Throughout my career, I have developed a keen ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, prioritise effectively, and maintain a high level of attention to detail. My strong organisational skills, coupled with my proficiency in various office management software, have enabled me to consistently deliver results and contribute to the smooth running of fast-paced office environments.
In my current role as an Executive Assistant at Barclays, I have been instrumental in providing comprehensive administrative support to senior executives. My responsibilities include managing complex calendars, coordinating travel arrangements, preparing reports and presentations, and serving as a primary point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders. Through my proactive approach and ability to anticipate needs, I have consistently exceeded expectations and have been commended for my professionalism and reliability.
One of my notable achievements was the successful implementation of a new digital filing system that streamlined document management and increased efficiency across the department. By collaborating with IT and other administrative staff, I helped to design and execute a user-friendly system that has reduced paper waste and improved information accessibility.
I am particularly drawn to GSK's commitment to innovation and its mission to improve the quality of human life. I believe that my administrative expertise, combined with my enthusiasm for supporting the work of a world-leading healthcare company, would make me a valuable asset to your team.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can contribute to the success of GSK's administrative operations.
Sincerely,
Daniel Clearwater
Sections of an administrative cover letter
If you are an admin person, getting organised is just what you do. Process flows through your veins, and you always know how to communicate a message simply and effectively.
- Cover Letter Header: Share your full name, email and mobile number. These details should be on your cover letter as well as your CV.
- Greeting: There is no excuse for an admin professional not to spell the recipient’s name correctly. It should be right there on the job description, but it is still worth checking.
- Introduction: Share an admin story that is somewhat out of the ordinary – but still hugely relevant. Employers know your responsibilities – they really want to understand how you cope with outlier situations.
- Body: Decide on where your value lies. How will you elevate your application above the other candidates? Start the stories that will make a hiring manager curious to find out more.
- Conclusion: Say just how much you are looking forward to finding out about the role during an interview. Passion is so important in a stressful administrative role.
- Signature: Sign off with your full name – you are not on first name terms yet.
Aim for a concise, one-page cover letter you should be able to pack plenty of motivation and personality into those lines. Get someone to proofread it – does it sound like you?
Need more inspiration? View our other related cover letter examples from the office work sector:
For more inspiration, view our article on how to write a cover letter.
Introduction of an administrative cover letter
When you start a cover letter for an administrative role, begin with the pain points of your boss (and frankly, their whole team). Think about the sort of organisation that you are joining and how your experience will transform how they run their business.
There should be an air of efficiency from the first sentence. You know what you have to do and you have worked out various strategies to bring a serene calmness to the madness of daily office life. It is also worth mentioning your creative approach to problem solving early on in the administrative cover letter – you never know what challenge might pop up next.
Dear Mr. Giles,
I am excited to submit my application for the Administrative Assistant position at Treed. With over five years of experience in office management, I have successfully increased office efficiency by 40% through streamlined processes. My proficiency with AI has led to a 30% reduction in paperwork handling time. Additionally, my customer service skills have consistently achieved a 95% satisfaction rate in client feedback surveys.
Hi, I like my admin work because it means I am always in the middle of what is going on. People trust me with their problems, and I love it when I can help out. I am good at administrative stuff, but I’d like to move on to another role soon.
What will the hiring manager feel after they have read your introduction? Will they want to read on? Will they feel that there is much more to come if they invite you to an interview?
If you get the tone of those first few lines right, the reader will already process what is to come in a different light. A cover letter isn’t all about what you say – how you say it is equally important. Back up those stories with quantifiable and credible numbers.
Dear Mr. Stevens,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Administrative position at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). With over five years of experience in providing high-level administrative support and a proven track record of optimising office operations, I am confident that my skills and expertise make me an exceptional candidate for this role.
Administrative cover letter body
In the body of your cover letter, follow this formula:
- Highlight the behavioural skills that aid your admin work
- Show how you're a perfect fit for the administrative role
- Tell the hiring manager why they should hire you – be clear about this
- Share enough personality that they can get a sense of who you are
First body paragraph - Your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
The most important question for the first paragraph is: how do your behaviours at work impact your efficiency? Tell the hiring manager not just what you do, but how you go about it.
Here are a few ideas of what you might choose to mention:
- Highlight your organisational skills: How do you keep those plates spinning?
- Emphasise your focus on quality: You might get a lot done, but how do you ensure that it is of a suitable standard?
- Teamwork skills: You will be at the centre of so many teams – facilitating success through others is your superpower.
- Proactive: When problems appear on the horizon, are you the sort of person to nip them in the bud before they become bigger?
Check out the LinkedIn profiles of the team. This will give you an excellent oversight into the capabilities of your potential future colleagues. Where have they worked before? How experienced are they? Who has been there the longest? What is the staff turnover like in the various areas of the business? You can do plenty of snooping.
Second body paragraph(s) - Alignment with the organisation
Culture fit is essential when you work in an administrative role. You need to be able to get on with everyone and slot into the team from day one. Watch any corporate videos that are available online. How would you describe the company vibe? Do the employees sound and act like you would in the workplace?
Having said this, ask a friend to read the administrative cover letter and say whether it sounds like you. You should not come across as someone that you are not – you will be found out during an interview if you try to put on any kind of act.
Throughout my career, I have developed a keen ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, prioritise effectively, and maintain a high level of attention to detail. My strong organisational skills, coupled with my proficiency in various office management software, have enabled me to consistently deliver results and contribute to the smooth running of fast-paced office environments.
In my current role as an Executive Assistant at Barclays, I have been instrumental in providing comprehensive administrative support to senior executives. My responsibilities include managing complex calendars, coordinating travel arrangements, preparing reports and presentations, and serving as a primary point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders. Through my proactive approach and ability to anticipate needs, I have consistently exceeded expectations and have been commended for my professionalism and reliability.
One of my notable achievements was the successful implementation of a new digital filing system that streamlined document management and increased efficiency across the department. By collaborating with IT and other administrative staff, I helped to design and execute a user-friendly system that has reduced paper waste and improved information accessibility.
I am particularly drawn to GSK's commitment to innovation and its mission to improve the quality of human life. I believe that my administrative expertise, combined with my enthusiasm for supporting the work of a world-leading healthcare company, would make me a valuable asset to your team.
Call to action & conclusion – Finish off strong
Finish the administrative cover letter with one last example of your ruthless efficiency. The hiring manager will likely be ready to send over an invite to an interview by now, so finish by letting them know just how keen you are to find out more.
Sign off with an electronic signature if possible – this gives a professional look to the (PDF) cover letter that few candidates will match.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can contribute to the success of GSK's administrative operations.
Sincerely,
Daniel Clearwater
How to write an administrative cover letter with no experience
Securing an administrative position is achievable even for those without direct experience. A background in areas like customer service, clerical work, or any role requiring meticulous attention to detail can provide a solid foundation for administrative duties. Consider these points if you’re starting with no formal experience:
- Highlight transferable skills: Assess your abilities such as communication, time management, or technical proficiency, and relate how these can contribute to the administrative tasks at hand.
- Demonstrate your adaptability: The ability to adapt to new environments and systems is vital in administration. Illustrate instances where you successfully adapted to new tools or workflows.
- Articulate your enthusiasm and learning capacity: Explain your genuine interest in administration and your eagerness to learn and grow within the role. Convey how your proactive approach to learning new skills can benefit the organisation.
Incorporating even slightly related experiences in your resume and expressing a strong desire to learn are key to unlocking opportunities for further discussions in interviews. A positive and adaptable attitude is essential when you are beginning from a position with no direct administrative experience.
Key takeaway
Having created a cover letter that covers your behavioural attributes and motivations, as well as your relevant skills and experiences, it is now time to wait for that interview invite to drop. Your administrative cover letter should provide the perfect platform for a great interview.
Try our cover letter builder to see which format works best for you.
