Best Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
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Your heart races faster than a copier on double-sided mode because you’ve just found a perfect administrative assistant opening. But before you can unleash your organizational superpowers, there’s one thing you should do. You need to write an administrative assistant cover letter.
My guide will help you craft a letter with employers calling your name like it's the office intercom. Let’s get right to it!
This admin assistant cover letter guide will show you:
- Administrative assistant cover letter examples better than 9 out of 10 other cover letters.
- How to write a cover letter for administrative assistants to land more interviews.
- What to do to grab the recruiter’s attention with a cover letter for admin assistant jobs.
- How to sell yourself on an administrative assistant cover letter: tips & tricks.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Looking for something different than an administrative assistant cover letter? See our other guides:
- Executive Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Administrative Cover Letter Sample
- Receptionist Cover Letter Sample
- Office Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Personal Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Secretary Cover Letter Sample
- Front Desk Cover Letter Sample
- Receptionist Cover Letter Sample
- Legal Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Collection of 100+ Cover Letter Examples
Now, before I teach you how to ace it, let’s see a great cover letter for an administrative assistant sample:
Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example
James E. Garcia
Administrative Assistant
1165 Dancing Dove Lane
Washington, DC: 20005
545-513-1221
j.e.garcia@gmail.com
linkedin.com/JEGarcia
April 7, 2024
Mikaela Polier
CEO
Acme
2132 Lake Forest Drive
Washington, DC 20005
Dear Mikaela,
As a longtime fan of Acme’s company culture and products, I was excited to see the opening for an administrative assistant. With my 5+ years of experience as an administrative assistant, resulting in reducing processing time by over 25% by developing new office procedures, I know I can become a valuable member of the Acme team.
I believe I would make a smooth and quick transition from my current position with Fancy Malls, which has a similar business structure and product lineup to those at Acme. On top of that, my excellent communication skills, invoice management, and directory maintenance were leading performance boosters for the company, and I’m sure that I could achieve similar results at Acme, such as:
- After negotiating a new deal with the current supplier, I saved $3,000 a year in office supplies.
- I increased sales by 7% after implementing an automatic follow-up approach using a CRM program.
Obtaining the administrative assistant position at Acme would be my dream come true. I’ve long been a fan and personal user of several of your products.
In fact, Acme’s unique company culture is what prompted me to seek more challenging work. Though I love being in charge of a company’s multifaceted office support, no other office would make me as happy to work for.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to meeting you in person and learning more about what you expect from your future administrative assistant. Can we schedule a meeting next week in Acme’s HQ to discuss how I can relocate my communication, problem-solving, time-management, and data-entry skills to Acme?
Best regards,
James E. Garcia
Administrative Assistant
545-513-1221
j.e.garcia@gmail.com
PS, I would also love to talk more about the CRM solution I’ve mentioned because I believe that, with the right management, it might increase sales even further than 7%.
Now, that’s a perfect sample cover letter for an administrative assistant. Let’s see how to make one that’s just as great!
1. Format Your Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Properly
Your job includes documentation, planning events, scheduling meetings, and many other tasks. In other words: you’re the backbone of the company. To prove you’ll be the perfect one, you need to take care of the backbone of your document. And that’s cover letter formatting.
Here’s how should a cover letter be formatted to impress the recruiter:
- Cover letter header, including your name and contact information
- The date
- Your recipient’s information
- Professional greeting
- An opening paragraph that grabs readers’ attention with your qualifications
- A middle paragraph on why you’re the perfect admin assistant for this specific job
- A closing statement that seals the deal with an offer of an interview date
- Professional signature
- A postscript (P.S.), optionally
You know how to structure a cover letter well. But organizing it is only the beginning. Let’s see how to write a cover letter that wins an interview.
No cover letter goes alone. Add an impressive resume. Learn how to ace it: Administrative Assistant Resume Sample
2. Start Your Admin Assistant Cover Letter Strongly
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of administrative assistants is projected to decline by 10% by 2031. It means the competition might be fiercer than a line to the coffee machine on Monday morning. However, the right cover letter will help you get ahead of it.
Here’s how to write a perfect cover letter introduction:
- Write a professional admin assistant cover letter header. Add a date underneath it and follow it with the addressee’s info. Locate the specific name of the hiring manager or HR director to make it more personalized and compelling.
- Begin your cover letter with a personal greeting. That’s how you engage with your reader from the start! And don’t use the “To Whom It May Concern” cliché line. Replace it with the “Dear + Name of Your Recipient” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”
- Open your cover letter with a hook to make the reader read further. Start with your impressive work achievement, as it works almost every time.
- Mention the company name. Making it personal at each step might only boost your chances of impressing the reader.
- Express your excitement and drop a compliment regarding the company. Remember, your recruiter wants to see that you’re not interested in any job on the market—you’re interested in that very job.
Let’s take a look at some good and bad examples of cover letters for administrative assistants:
Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples [Opening Lines]
| Right |
|---|
James E. Garcia Administrative Assistant 1165 Dancing Dove Lane Washington, DC: 20005 545-513-1221 j.e.garcia@gmail.com linkedin.com/JEGarcia April 7, 2024 Mikaela Polier CEO Acme 2132 Lake Forest Drive Washington, DC 20005 Dear Mikaela, As a longtime fan of Acme’s company culture and products, I was excited to see the opening for an administrative assistant. With my 5+ years of experience as an administrative assistant, resulting in reducing processing time by over 25% by developing new office procedures, I know I can become a valuable member of the Acme team. |
| Wrong |
|---|
James E, Garcia j.e.garcia@gmail.com Hi, My name is James, and I am looking for a job as an administrative assistant. I saw there’s an opening in your company and would love to apply. |
The first example opens with a proper header containing all the writer’s and addressee’s information. It is followed by a personalized intro, in which the candidate addresses the reader by name, mentions the company name, and drops an impressive accomplishment. Well done!
The second example is just a copy-paste. There’s no name of the addressee, no company name, and no real reason he wants to work there. An opening like that is a huge red flag for many hiring managers, implying that this cover letter has been sent to many other companies.
Okay, but what if you don’t have the experience like the candidate in the first example? You can still impress the recruiter and get invited for an interview. Here’s how to do it:
- Use the achievements from your previous jobs. They might be relevant for the opening and can prove the skills required for the job.
- Search for the skills in the job ad. Try to include them in your cover letter, but don’t lie about them!
- Consider what the company is searching for. Think of some soft skills useful for an administrative assistant. These include your communication skills, problem-solving skills, time management, and attention to detail.
- Add some hard skills such as inventory management, data entry, and Microsoft Office Suite. Visit the job ad and try to pinpoint what can be useful for your entry-level administrative assistant cover letter.
- Think about transferable skills that might work well in the new workplace.
- Address your passion for the company or for the job itself.
Let’s take a look at a cover letter with no experience example.
Administrative Assistant Cover Letter [No Experience Sample]
| Right |
|---|
| I’ve heard a lot about Acme's unique company culture, how open and precise you are about company goals, and how your employees can work on their personal development plans and career goals. That made me, a junior administrative assistant, realize I want to work with a superior who will help me grow. Such a manager will help me better my customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills, while I learn more about office products I’m already familiar with, such as MS Office or SalesForce. I’d love to make my next career move at Acme. |
This candidate has not worked as an administrative assistant yet. But the skills, knowledge, and willingness to learn and develop are all there. And that makes a great entry-level candidate.
Let’s move on to the middle part of your cover letter.
By this time, you definitely know what goes well with an entry-level cover letter for an administrative assistant. Read our guide: Entry-Level Administrative Assistant Resume
3. Highlight Your Qualifications in the Middle Part of Your Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
You’ve hooked your readers with a perfect introduction. Now, keep them interested. Best way to do it? Prove that you’re as perfect for each other as a karaoke machine is for an integration party.
How to write a great middle for your cover letter?
- Address strictly what’s in the job opening and answer those requirements by backing them up with your qualifications. That’s how you prove you’re perfect for each other.
- Showcase some more achievements and administrative skills to sell yourself in your cover letter effectively. Revisit your resume skills and work experience sections to find some inspiration.
- Use numbers to quantify your achievements. Nothing proves their impact better than percentages.
Let’s take a look at two more administrative assistant cover letter examples:
Cover Letter for Administrative Assistant: Example of Middle Paragraphs
| Right |
|---|
I believe I would make a smooth and quick transition in my current position with Fancy Malls, which has a similar business structure and product lineup to those at Acme. On top of that, my excellent communication skills, invoice management, and directory maintenance were leading performance boosters for the company, and I’m sure that I could achieve similar results at Acme, such as:
Obtaining the administrative assistant position at Acme would be my dream come true. I’ve long been a fan and personal user of several of your products. In fact, Acme’s unique company culture is what prompted me to seek more challenging work. Though I love being in charge of a company’s multifaceted office support, no other office would make me as happy to work for. |
| Wrong |
|---|
| I’ve been working at Fancy Malls for a while now, helping save a lot of money on office supplies and increasing sales at the same time. I am communicative, excellent at invoice management and directory maintenance. I think that makes me a great candidate for your company! I’d love to become your next administrative assistant! |
The first example delivers precise examples of the achievements, backed with numbers. The author mentions some of their skills and keeps mentioning the company name, which continues to keep it personal, which recruiters love.
The second example is still generic. There are no details regarding the achievements. And that’s why there’s no reason why the reader would believe in mentioned skills.
There are many skills you can choose from in your profession. Read our guide and see the most important ones: Best Administrative Assistant Skills
Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.
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4. Finish Cover Letter for Admin Assistant Flawlessly
Soon enough, you’ll have a perfect cover letter on your hands. But it requires one more thing to be as amazing as a CEO’s birthday party you’ll help to organize next year in the company of your dreams. It’s time to write an incredible cover letter ending.
Here’s how to end a cover letter for an administrative assistant:
- Thank them for considering your application.
- Express your excitement about the possibility of working for this specific company.
- Offer a precise time for an interview. It may seem bold, but it puts the ball in their corner.
- Ace it by adding a PS section with the promise of explaining one of your most impressive accomplishments. Tell them you know how to transfer this success to their company.
Let’s look at the difference between these administrative assistant cover letter endings:
Cover Letter Examples for Administrative Assistant: Ending
| Right |
|---|
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to meeting you in person and learning more about what you expect from your future administrative assistant. Can we schedule a meeting next week in Acme’s HQ to discuss how I can relocate my communication, problem-solving, time-management, and data-entry skills to Acme? Best regards, James E. Garcia Administrative Assistant 545-513-1221 j.e.garcia@gmail.com PS, I would also love to talk more about the CRM solution I’ve mentioned because I believe that, with the right management, it might increase sales even further than 7%. |
| Wrong |
|---|
Thank you for reading my cover letter. I firmly believe that my experience and skills will make a fine addition to your company. Furthermore, I believe that together we will be able to boost sales of your company by many percent to outrun all your competitors and become the #1 industry leader in both our state and the entire United States of America. As your very own administrative assistant, I will be honored to be able to devote my time and put all my skills to use in order to achieve this goal in no time! Best regards, James PS, I also believe that with the right leadership, I can improve all my skills, both soft and hard and become an even better administrative assistant for your company for years to come! |
The first example says exactly what a cover letter should say at the end: it thanks, offers a precise meeting date and place, and gives a promise in the postscriptum.
The second example is just dull and uninspiring. This candidate won’t be remembered. And that’s a big minus, since an average job opening attracts over 250 candidates.
That’s it. You’re ready to write a perfect cover letter. Let’s summarize it all briefly before you go!
Now it’s time to send your cover letter. But first, name your file correctly. Learn how to do it right with our guide: How to Name a Cover Letter
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Remember to follow these key points for a successful cover letter for an administrative assistant position:
- Start with a great opening statement. It’s vital because it will determine if the office hiring manager reads on.
- Use the majority of the body area to show that you’re a perfect fit for the company and that they’re the ideal workplace for you.
- Conclude your cover letter strongly, so they’ll be sure to move on to your admin assistant resume and grant you that all-important interview.
As you can see, writing a cover letter for administrative assistants is not as tough as you thought—and nowhere near as complicated as the constant juggling you’ll perform once you get the job. You got this. Good luck!
Do you have any questions about writing an admin assistant cover letter? Not sure how to address a cover letter, start your body paragraphs, or end your cover letter in a strong way? Get at us in the comments below, and we’ll answer your question. Thanks for reading!
About Zety’s Editorial Process
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Glassdoor: 50 HR and Recruiting Stats That Make You Think
Frequently Asked Questions About Administrative Assistant Cover Letters
How to write a cover letter for an administrative assistant?
To write a great cover letter for an administrative assistant, tailor it to the job and company, citing specific skills and examples that meet the job requirements. Keep a professional tone and end with a compelling call to action.
How do I write a cover letter for an administrative assistant job with no experience?
To write a cover letter for an administrative assistant with no experience:
- Use a Strong Opening—beginning your cover letter with an attention-grabbing paragraph is crucial, especially if you lack direct experience working as an administrative assistant. Catch the recruiter's attention by highlighting your skills and experience that will be useful for an administrative assistant position.
- Focus on Your Soft Skills—mention that you possess various soft skills that are needed for the position. These can include skills such as attention to detail, customer service abilities, and adaptability skills.
- Present Your Transferable Skills—most likely, you've acquired various skills needed for admin assistant positions during your education, internships, or volunteer work. Organizational skills,problem-solving capabilities, and time management skills are just a few of the examples of skills you can take inspiration from.
- Show Your Enthusiasm—express your enthusiasm for the role and show that you've done your homework and researched the company. You can do that by referring to the company's culture, mission, or any recent developments.
What are the top 3 skills of an administrative assistant that you should include on an admin assistant cover letter?
The top 3 skills of an administrative assistant that you should include in your cover letter are:
- Communication Skills—strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for any administrative assistant. If you can, provide examples of how your communication capabilities have yielded positive results in the past.
- Organizational Skills—staying organized is one of the key requirements of almost all admin assistant jobs. Highlight how you're able to juggle multiple tasks and manage files, schedules, and events in an efficient manner.
- Technical Skills—bring the recruiter's attention to the relevant technical skills that you have. These can include proficiency in CRM software or database systems.
What is the best way to start an administrative assistant cover letter?
The best way to start an administrative assistant cover letter is to use a strong hook, which will immediately grab the recruiter's attention. You can do this, for example, by using a strong statement or a compelling anecdote related to the job or your qualifications.
Also, don't forget to address your cover letter to a specific person whenever possible. Using "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name]" instead of generic cover letter salutations is much more effective.
Do I need a cover letter for an admin assistant position?
Yes, even when the job ad doesn't explicitly ask you to attach a cover letter, it's still a good idea to send one. You should always send a cover letter unless the job ad clearly states that the employer doesn't wish to receive one.
You need a cover letter as it not only proves your writing skills, which are crucial for administrative assistant jobs but also gives you a chance to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates. A good cover letter allows you to sell yourself well and can significantly increase your chances of getting invited to an interview.
