Discover how to make your application for an Administrative Assistant position stand out. Use our example below to create an Administrative Assistant cover letter that employers will notice.
Written by Resume and Cover Letter Experts Updated on July 1, 2024
Crafting a compelling cover letter is a crucial step in landing any job, and even more so in a detail-oriented role like an Administrative Assistant.
As a support role that is often the backbone of an organization, an Administrative Assistant position requires a unique blend of skill, professionalism, and a touch of personality.
This article is your ultimate guide to standing out as an Administrative Assistant candidate:
Ready? Let’s begin!
For seasoned Administrative Assistants, showcasing your experience and accomplishments in your cover letter is crucial to landing that next great position. But how can you ensure that your cover letter stands out from the pile on the hiring manager’s desk?
Here is an example of a good cover letter for an Administrative Assistant that highlights key accomplishments, expertise, and why you are the perfect fit for the position:
Cover letter Copy to clipboardHiring Manager’s name
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms. [Hiring Manager Name]
I am writing to communicate my interest in the Administrative Assistant role being advertised by [company]. This position particularly caught my attention as I have extensive experience and a strong educational background in the office administration of small and medium-sized businesses. I think this knowledge and expertise could be highly valuable to [company].
During my 3 year career, I have attended to numerous types of office administrative tasks and worked extensively with Microsoft Office software. I have been responsible for maintaining and updating sensitive data, every step of meeting organization from planning to the recording of minutes as well as drafting essential internal communications in addition to 2 weekly reports.
In my current position, I was also put in charge of optimizing the efficiency of our office supply purchasing, the results of which saved the company over $2,000. I also expanded my formal writing skills greatly by assisting with the drafting and proofing of key executive correspondence.
I have attached my resume to this letter to add further information about my career history and hope that my credentials represent a good match for this role. I’m very keen to learn more about the position and would be eager to organize a meeting to discuss it in more detail.
In the meantime, I’d like to thank you for your consideration and to invite you to contact me at any time regarding the opportunity. I can be reached every evening from 5pm-9pm via my telephone number or at any time with my email address listed below.
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Breaking into the field of administration without much experience can be challenging, but a well-crafted cover letter can be your golden ticket.
For those at the starting line of their administrative careers, your cover letter must not only convey your skills but also showcase your potential.
Below is an example of an entry-level Administrative Assistant cover letter that packs a punch, designed to capture the hiring manager’s attention and open doors for you.
Cover letter Copy to clipboardHiring Manager’s name
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to apply for the Entry-Level Administrative Assistant position at [Company Name] as listed on your website. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification, I am eager to embark on a career in administration and am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the success of [Company Name].
While I have not held a formal Administrative Assistant role, my experience and skills gained from internships and part-time roles have prepared me for the responsibilities of this position. In a recent internship, I was responsible for organizing a series of departmental meetings, which involved coordinating schedules for over 30 staff members, preparing meeting materials, and managing follow-up communications. This experience, coupled with my MOS certification, has equipped me with the skills necessary to manage documents, data, and schedules efficiently.
I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] because of your commitment to [something specific about the company that you admire, e.g., innovation, community engagement, etc.]. I am confident that my educational background, certification, and experience align with the values and goals of [Company Name], and I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your team.
Enclosed is my resume, which provides additional details about my education and professional experience. I am eager to bring my unique skills to your esteemed team at [Company Name], and I am fully committed to contributing to your ongoing success. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience and look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of your team.
Thank you very much for considering my application.
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Standing out as an Administrative Assistant means more than just having a polished resume and cover letter. It means possessing unique skills that add value to the role and the company.
While basic administrative skills like organization and communication are essential, there are other, less known skills that can truly set you apart from the crowd. Take a look:
My technical skills include proficiency in office software, such as utilizing the mail merge feature in Word to streamline large-scale communications. In my previous role, I successfully used this feature to send personalized invitations to over 500 clients for a company event, saving the team approximately 10 hours of manual work and ensuring a professional and personalized approach.
In my previous role, I was responsible for coordinating a team of 10 to execute a large-scale marketing campaign. Utilizing Asana, I created a detailed project plan, assigned tasks to team members, set deadlines, and monitored progress to ensure the project stayed on track. This approach resulted in the successful completion of the campaign two days ahead of schedule and 15% under budget.
Beyond my administrative expertise, I have basic graphic design skills that I believe will benefit your team. I am adept at using Adobe Photoshop and Canva to create visually appealing and effective documents, presentations, and marketing materials. Recently, I designed a Canva presentation for an executive meeting, incorporating visuals and infographics that clarified complex information and received praise for its professionalism and visual appeal.
My language skills in Spanish have proven beneficial in previous roles for client communication, document translation, and interpreting during meetings, and I am confident they will be of great value to your team as well.
In my previous role, I integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into our customer service system, which handled 50% of routine inquiries, freeing the team for more complex tasks and improving response times.
What makes Administrative Assistants such valuable employees?
The reasons are many, but being a proactive problem solver ranks at the top of the list. Here is why:
To showcase “proactive problem-solving” in an Administrative Assistant cover letter, you should highlight instances where you independently identified a problem and took the initiative to find and implement a solution before it escalated or was brought up by someone else.
In my previous role, I noticed that the scheduling system we were using was causing double bookings and communication mix-ups. I took the initiative to research and propose a new scheduling software that better suited our needs. After receiving approval, I took the lead in implementing the new system and training the staff on how to use it. This not only eliminated the double booking issue but also improved overall efficiency and communication within the team.
This example shows that the candidate took the initiative to identify a problem, research and propose a solution, and then take the lead in implementing the solution.
It demonstrates proactive thinking, leadership, and the ability to manage and solve problems.
Who wouldn’t want someone like that on their team?
I realized that the office supply ordering process was inefficient and often resulted in either a surplus of supplies or a shortage at crucial times. I took the initiative to analyze our supply usage over a few months and created a more efficient ordering schedule and system, which reduced surplus waste by 30% and ensured that we always had the necessary supplies on hand.
The applicant identified an inefficiency, analyzed the situation, and created and implemented a system that resulted in tangible benefits for the company. By including a metric, their story becomes alive and is much more interesting and credible. Wouldn’t you say so?
If you’re looking to supercharge your career as an Administrative Assistant, gaining a certification is a power move that can skyrocket your career prospects.
But with so many options out there, which certifications are worth your time and investment?
Our research uncovered these 3 as highly sought-after by employers:
See how you could include one of these certifications in your cover letter:
While my formal work experience is limited, I have acquired key skills through completing the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification. This has equipped me with advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, ensuring my ability to efficiently manage essential tasks such as document creation, data management, and scheduling. I am confident that this certification, coupled with my strong organizational and communication abilities, prepares me well to provide solid administrative support to your team.
Reflect on the essential lessons that can make a difference in your job search. Remember, it’s not just about meeting the basic requirements but demonstrating that you bring unique value as an Administrative Assistant.
Let’s review the main points of this guide:
With these insights in your toolkit, you are now poised to not only apply for Administrative Assistant roles but to truly shine as the ideal candidate.
Each skill you hone and each certification you acquire is a stepping stone towards not just a job, but a fulfilling and rewarding career.
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