Yours is a career in which a cover letter is an absolute must. What better way to show your writing style, perfect grammar, and attention to detail than 400 carefully chosen words that explain your qualifications for the job? The most impressive editorial assistant cover letters combine a display of efficiency paired with a creative way with words.
Is all that possible in a few paragraphs? Definitely. But human resources personnel are experts at scanning cover letters and editors are experts at language. Give yourself the best chances at an invitation to interview, review the guide below, which covers the following topics:
- Presenting your information in a logical order
- The components of each paragraph of your editorial assistant cover letter
- Ideas for strengthening your message
- Ensuring you avoid common errors (even though we understand your writing is one of your highest level skills).
If you also want guidance on creating your CV, or it needs a refresh, check out our CV creation tools and guides as well.
If you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our related editorial cover letter samples:
Best format for an editorial assistant cover letter
Many writers begin with an outline. The format of your editorial assistant cover letter is just that: a structure in which you can develop the strongest argument for your employment. Before you jump into writing, you need to understand what elements your letter comprises.
The format of an editorial assistant cover letter should contain the following elements:
- 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)
Our comprehensive cover letter guide gives an overview of application writing and general advice for their development. Below, you will find information specifically designed to guide you in the creation of a letter that will net you an interview for the editorial assistant position you desire.
This editorial assistant cover letter example will give you a starting point for writing your own cover letter:
Dear Rebecca Lewis,
I am writing to express my deep interest in the editorial assistant position at Great Britain Publishing House, as advertised on your official website. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Liverpool, I am eager to start my career in the publishing industry, and I firmly believe that your esteemed company is the perfect place for me to learn and grow.
During my time at university, I had the privilege to work as an intern at a local publishing firm where I gained hands-on experience in manuscript editing, proofreading, and liaising with authors. I have acquired a keen eye for detail, and developed a deep understanding of the editorial process, which makes me confident in my ability to support your editorial team effectively.
Furthermore, I have honed my writing skills by contributing articles to the university's magazine and creating content for a personal blog where I discuss literature and book reviews. My experiences have nurtured a strong foundation in researching, drafting, and editing a variety of content, aligning well with the responsibilities of an editorial assistant.
I have always admired Great Britain Publishing House for its commitment to promoting diverse voices and fostering literary talent. I am particularly drawn to your recent initiative to support young and emerging authors from different backgrounds, an endeavour I am very excited to potentially contribute to. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to work under the mentorship of experienced editors and to play a part in bringing unique and compelling stories to a wider audience.
Moreover, I am proficient in using various software tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe InCopy, which would allow me to efficiently manage manuscripts and assist in coordinating various stages of the publishing process. I am ready to leverage these skills to facilitate smooth operations and maintain the high standards of work that Great Britain Publishing House is known for.
Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to possibly discuss how my academic background and burgeoning experience in the publishing sector can be an asset to your editorial team. I look forward to the opportunity to further demonstrate my passion for literature and my commitment to supporting the editorial processes that turn promising manuscripts into published works of art.
Yours sincerely,
James Turner
Cover letter header
Whilst your words make your case both in what they say and how they say it, a visual impression enhances the package. The header of your editorial assistant cover letter serves the dual purpose of adding a visual element whilst presenting your contact information in an easy-to-read format.
Include your name, the title of the job you want or have, your best contact email and phone number plus your address. If you have a writing portfolio, or any relevant social media accounts, include the URLs as well.
Cohesion matters
Your resume and editorial assistant cover letter compose a complete application package. To ensure that they are seen that way, and that they are easily recombined if they are separated, choose the same or complementary designs. That means similar fonts, colours (if indeed you use colour), and design aesthetic.
To make things easier, pick from amongst our expertly-designed cover letter templates and find its matching resume template.
Cover letter greeting
In your role, you may be the face of the department, ergo, you need a friendly yet professional demeanour. The same holds true of the greeting for your editorial assistant cover letter. Your goal is to get the attention of your reader with a personal address.
Stick with Dear Dr./Ms./Mr. and their surname being careful to use the correct honorific as well as the correct spelling of their name. There may be no better way to end up in the circular file than to get the HR person’s name wrong — especially in your career. If you cannot ascertain their honorific, use their first and last name. Finally, if a little digging does not reveal a name (or you will be vetted by a large committee), you may begin your letter with Dear Editorial Team or the like, but never Dear Sir or Madam or even worse To Whom It May Concern.
Cover letter introduction
Who are you and why are you the right person for the job? These are the questions the human resources person wants you to answer in your editorial assistant cover letter. Get started with an intro sentence that describes your career to date.
Your first paragraph should also tell the recruiter why you want the job and what makes you a good fit. Allude to the additional information they can expect in upcoming paragraphs, also known as the body of your letter. Leaving a teaser such as this will pique your reader’s interest and compel them to read on.
A great introduction does more than summarise, it smoothly leads into the details you want to highlight in your three body paragraphs.
Dear Rebecca Lewis,
I am writing to express my deep interest in the editorial assistant position at Great Britain Publishing House, as advertised on your official website. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Liverpool, I am eager to start my career in the publishing industry, and I firmly believe that your esteemed company is the perfect place for me to learn and grow.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs of cover letters are where you can get into the meat of your application. You’ve touted your best achievement and work qualities, now you have to back them up with more detail. The middle part of your editorial assistant cover letter is where you have the space to home in on your talents.
Never fear if you are looking for your first job. Instead of focusing on what you have done in an official job, take the opportunity to expound upon your passion for editorial content, excellent communication and organisational talent. Illustrate those attributes with examples from school, volunteer work or extracurricular activities.
If you have a body of work to draw from, describe in detail a project you shepherded, tell of how you handle different personalities on deadlines or write about another work situation that shows off how you support the editorial team.
- Highlight an achievement directly related to the skills mentioned in the job listing
- Use strong, positive language
- Neglect to give credit to the team if your achievement wasn’t solo
- Pat yourself on the back too hard
During my time at university, I had the privilege to work as an intern at a local publishing firm where I gained hands-on experience in manuscript editing, proofreading, and liaising with authors. I have acquired a keen eye for detail, and developed a deep understanding of the editorial process, which makes me confident in my ability to support your editorial team effectively.
Furthermore, I have honed my writing skills by contributing articles to the university's magazine and creating content for a personal blog where I discuss literature and book reviews. My experiences have nurtured a strong foundation in researching, drafting, and editing a variety of content, aligning well with the responsibilities of an editorial assistant.
I have always admired Great Britain Publishing House for its commitment to promoting diverse voices and fostering literary talent. I am particularly drawn to your recent initiative to support young and emerging authors from different backgrounds, an endeavour I am very excited to potentially contribute to. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to work under the mentorship of experienced editors and to play a part in bringing unique and compelling stories to a wider audience.
Moreover, I am proficient in using various software tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe InCopy, which would allow me to efficiently manage manuscripts and assist in coordinating various stages of the publishing process. I am ready to leverage these skills to facilitate smooth operations and maintain the high standards of work that Great Britain Publishing House is known for.
How to close an editorial assistant cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
If your reader is still with you, you’ve already achieved a lot since you are communicating with people who are picky about language. Design the end of your editorial assistant cover letter so that human resources will be itching to meet you.
Do that by reminding them of your main point and follow it up with a bit of intriguing information such as a related project you are working on in your spare time, offer up an anecdote about why you chose the field and what medium or message inspires you or explain you connection (if you have one) to the editorial content of your prospective employer.
Then, suggest that you are eager to discuss the opportunity further, either in person or via a call. Finally, sign off with Kindest regards, Sincerely or the like and your full name.
Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to possibly discuss how my academic background and burgeoning experience in the publishing sector can be an asset to your editorial team. I look forward to the opportunity to further demonstrate my passion for literature and my commitment to supporting the editorial processes that turn promising manuscripts into published works of art.
Yours sincerely,
James Turner
Basic mistakes in an editorial assistant application letter (and how to avoid them)
- Typos and other mistakes. We know you’re a word person, but in your eagerness to apply early, don’t neglect spellcheck and a grammar review. Sometimes your fingers type something your brain didn’t think.
- Overly flowery writing. You want to show off your poetic writing, but your editorial assistant cover letter is not the place. Keep it professional while maintaining your voice.
- Listing personal social media. This goes with keeping it professional. Even if you have some clever editorial content posted, it could be negated by the casual posts you made in college (or after).
Key takeaways
- The people you want to impress with your letter are all content creators of some kind, so make sure you take time to craft your sentences.
- The introduction of your editorial assistant cover letter is where you hook your reader in and entice them to continue.
- Use the middle part of your document to detail work accomplishments directly related to the job for which you are applying.
- Yes, you want to show off your writing skills, but stick to the point – you only have about 400 words.
