Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example and Template

Administrative assistants can work in various industries, including health care, manufacturing, hospitality and finance. If you're applying for a position as an administrative assistant, customizing your cover letter to fit the job description can improve your chances of being hired. You can also craft a well-written resume to accompany your cover letter by reviewing resume samples from professional administrative assistants. In this article, we highlight some important information to include in your administrative assistant cover letter, provide five tips to help you craft one successfully and share an example of an effective cover letter for this position. When you're ready to apply for administrative assistant jobs, upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume to connect with potential employers and hiring managers online. Natalie Perkins
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natalie.perkins@email.com May 11, 2023 Dear Hiring Manager, I'm writing to discuss the position you have available at Maryville Tech for an Administrative Assistant. As an organized and detail-oriented professional with more than six years of administrative experience, I believe I could provide valuable support to your team and help Maryville Tech achieve its business objectives. In the job description that I found for the Administrative Assistant position on Maryville Tech's careers page, you mentioned that you're looking for a candidate who has worked in the technology industry and who has a strong understanding of popular file management and scheduling software programs and who excels at working in a fast-paced environment. Throughout my career as an Administrative Assistant, I've proven my ability to meet these requirements by:

Working as an Administrative Assistant for Jones Technology Group for five years, where I learned about concepts ranging from web design to advanced IT solutions
Scheduling meetings and managing calendars for up to seven executive leaders at the same time using software programs like Calendly to streamline processes
Introducing a new file management system to Jones Technology Group, which improved remote access to data and increased productivity by 12%

As you can tell from the accomplishments I've highlighted, I'm very passionate about improving systems and efficiencies while producing accurate, high-quality work. I also pride myself on my excellent phone etiquette and professionalism when meeting with clients. Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter, resume and application materials. I look forward to hearing from you about the Administrative Assistant position and learning more about this opportunity. If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Sincerely,
Natalie Perkins To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

Administrative assistant cover letter components

While every cover letter features unique details about the professional who writes it, there are some key pieces of information hiring managers often look for when reviewing application materials from administrative assistant candidates. Referencing a simple checklist that highlights these details can help you make sure to include them. Here are a few items to incorporate in your cover letter:

Full name and primary contact information
Your desired administrative assistant job title
Reasons you're applying for the position
Relevant skills and qualifications
Administrative assistant certifications
Previous work experience
Specific examples and achievements

Administrative assistant cover letter tips

Here are five tips to help you craft a professional assistant cover letter that impresses hiring managers:

1. Research the organization

Before you start writing your administrative assistant cover letter, research the organization you're applying for and take notes. Start by reviewing the organization's official website to learn about the types of products or services it provides, its core values and its work culture. You can also review the organization's social media pages to find out more about the type of work employees do every day. Taking a few minutes to research the company you're applying for can help you understand what types of qualities the employer looks for when hiring new people to join their team. Read more: How To Start a Research Company

2. Personalize each cover letter

While you can use some of the same information in each administrative assistant cover letter you craft, personalizing key details can help you appeal to the hiring manager. Start by using the correct name of the organization you're applying for and mention the job title you desire, as it's listed in the hiring post. If possible, address the recipient of your cover letter by name. Try to match your cover letter to the job description by using similar phrases and language to describe why you're the best candidate for the position. Then review the notes you took while researching the company to incorporate a few facts you uncovered. Hiring managers often appreciate when candidates take the initiative to craft cover letters designed specifically for their organization. Read more: How To Write a Personalized Cover Letter

3. Mention your administrative assistant skills

Throughout your cover letter, mention your specific administrative assistant skills and provide examples of how you've applied them in the workplace. You can read through the job description of the role you're applying for again to identify what qualifications and capabilities the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Incorporating these skills can help you make it through the applicant tracking system (ATS) many employers use to screen application materials for specific keywords before reviewing them in person. Some skills hiring managers often look for when reviewing candidates for administrative assistant roles include:

Data entry
Billing and record-keeping
Phone etiquette
Customer service
Inventory management
Knowledge of accounting software
Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) software
Project management
Scheduling
Time management
Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software

4. End with a positive call to action

Use the last few sentences of your cover letter to end your message with a positive call to action. Thank the hiring manager for taking the time to review your application materials and let them know you look forward to hearing from them to learn more about the administrative assistant position soon. Then share how they can reach you if they have any questions or require additional information. Closing your cover letter with a positive call to action can show hiring managers you're confident in your abilities and you understand the professional etiquette required to be a successful administrative assistant. Read more: How To Write a Call-To-Action in Your Cover Letter

5. Proofread your cover letter

Proofread your cover letter carefully before you submit your application materials to make sure your spelling and grammar are accurate throughout the document. Reading your cover letter out loud can also help you make sure the language you use sounds professional. Consider asking a trusted friend, colleague or family member to review your application materials and provide their feedback as well. Finally, verify that you used the correct spelling of the hiring manager's name and the organization. Paying attention to these small details can help you craft a polished cover letter that's free from errors. Read more: Cover Letter Checklist: What To Review Before You Submit A cover letter helps reflect your capabilities and enhances your resume by expanding on skills and professional experience. You can include a variety of skills in your admin assistant cover letter, but ensure you're not including the same skills on your resume or that you provide specific context for those skills. Here are some examples of what you can include:

Organizational skills: As an administrative assistant, you may manage schedules, files and other information. Highlight your ability to keep things organized and manage multiple tasks at once.
Communication skills: Strong communication skills are usually essential in this role, as you work with clients, customers and colleagues on a regular basis. Highlight your ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
Technical skills: Proficiency in common office software and other related tools is typically essential for administrative assistants. Be sure to highlight your proficiency in these areas and any other relevant technical skills you possess.
Time management: Administrative assistants prioritize tasks and must manage their time effectively. Highlight your ability to meet deadlines and manage your time.

Even if you have no direct experience, you can still write a cover letter to highlight your skills and ambition to succeed in the role. Consider these steps for writing a strong letter with no experience:

Begin with a strong opening. Start your cover letter with a sentence that grabs the reader's attention and explains why you're interested in the position. This can be something like, "I'm excited to apply for the administrative assistant position at [company name], as I believe my skills and personality make me a great fit for the role."
Focus on transferable skills. Although you may not have direct administrative experience, there are likely skills you've developed in other jobs or through your education that are transferable to an administrative assistant position. These might include organizational skills, communication skills, attention to detail and time management.
Highlight relevant coursework. If you've recently completed a degree or coursework related to administrative work, you can highlight this in your cover letter. It can demonstrate your commitment to the field and show that you have relevant knowledge and skills.

While many positions don't directly require a cover letter, it can still be helpful to include one. A cover letter is a professional introduction to you as a job candidate and can quickly summarize your qualifications for the position before the reader looks at your application and resume. A well-written cover letter can showcase important admin assistant skills, like organization and communication, and may help differentiate you from other candidates. Your cover letter also allows you to address any employment gaps or why you're transitioning to an admin assistant role. Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.