Administrative Assistant Cover Letter: Examples for 2024

So, you've found the administrative assistant job that makes your heart race faster than a copier on double-sided mode. But before you can unleash your organizational superpowers, you need an administrative assistant cover letter to impress even the toughest hiring manager.

Our trusty sample and expert advice will help you craft a letter that'll have employers calling your name like it's the office intercom.

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.
• Tips on how to grab the recruiter’s attention with a cover letter for admin assistant jobs.
• How to sell yourself on an administrative assistant cover letter to get the job you want.

Your future depends on your professionalism. Make your letter of administrative assistant look better than a prom dress. Just pick one of our cover letter templates and adjust it to your needs.

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Sample letter of administrative assistant made with our builder—See more cover letter examples here.

Considering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:

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• Collection of 100+ Cover Letter Examples

Now, before we see how to write a cover letter for administrative assistants, let’s take a look at a great example of such a document:

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

Now that’s one of the perfect administrative assistant cover letter examples. Let’s see how to make one that’s just as great:

1. Use the Right Format for a Cover Letter for Administrative Assistant Jobs 

Administrative assistants perform a wide variety of clerical work spanning almost every industry. Admin assistant jobs include recordkeeping, documentation, planning events, bookkeeping, and scheduling meetings, among other tasks.

You're applying to be the backbone of their company. As such, you'll need to format your cover letter for administrative jobs correctly, just as you did on your administrative assistant resume. Especially, since 83% of recruiters say that a cover letter is an important part of your application process. You want to write a perfect one!

Here’s what to include in a cover letter for an admin assistant:

• Your name and contact information.
• The date of writing.
• The company’s address details.
• A starting greeting/salutation.
• An opening, introductory statement that grabs their attention.
• A short paragraph on why you’re the perfect admin assistant.
• A quick paragraph on why the administrative position is perfect for you.
• A closing statement that seals the deal with a call to action.
• A complimentary close and your name.
• A postscript (P.S.), optionally.

Use our office administrative resume guide to make sure you’ll ace it. Learn more: Administrative Assistant Resume Sample & Complete Guide

2. Start Your Admin Assistant Cover Letter Strongly

Did you know that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of administrative assistants is projected to decline 8 percent from 2021 to 2031? That means competition on that field might be fiercer than a line to the coffee machine on Monday morning. But the right cover letter might help you get ahead of many other candidates. So let’s start figuring out how to write a cover letter from the top. Let’s start with the perfect intro to your cover letter for administrative assistant.

How to start a cover letter for administrative assistant jobs:

• Write a professional admin assistant cover letter header. Include your name, job title, phone number, and email address. Optional items are your mailing address, branding statement, and LinkedIn profile URL.
• Write a date underneath your information. 
• Add the addressee’s info. For admin assistant jobs, it’s the office or agency you are applying to. However, locate the specific name of the hiring manager or HR director to insert at the top of the company address. This makes it more personalized and compelling.
• Begin your cover letter with a personal greeting. That’s how you engage with your reader from the start!
• Write an introductory statement. The opening paragraph on a cover letter for administrative assistant jobs should hook the reader immediately in a way that makes them want to read further. There are many ways to go about this, but you won’t go wrong if it grabs the hiring manager’s attention and makes them want to read on.
• Add the information about the company you're applying to, and tell them what position you're interested in. That way, your reader will immediately know what will follow.
• Express your excitement. Remember, your recruiter wants to see that you’re not interested in any job on the market—you’re interested in that very job. Including a compliment here might be a good idea and a great start for your relationship!

Now that you know all the rules, let’s take a look at some good and bad examples of cover letters for administrative assistants:

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples [Opening Lines]

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 her name, mentions the company name, and the reason he wants to work there.

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, other than an opening. An opening like that is a huge red flag for many hiring managers.

Okay, but what if you don’t have the experience like the candidate in the first example?

You still can 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.
• Consider what the company is searching for. Think of some soft skills useful for an administrative assistant, such as communication, problem-solving, time management, or 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.
• Address your passion for the company or for the job itself. Visit the “About us” section on their website to ace it.

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter [No Experience Sample]

This candidate has not worked as an administrative assistant yet. But the skills, the knowledge, the willingness to learn and develop—it’s all there. And that makes a great entry-level candidate.

That’s the beginning. Now let’s move on to the middle part of your cover letter.

Pro Tip: Don’t add the rest of your social links, profile URLs, and portfolio information with your contact details as you did on your resume, unless the administrative assistant cover letter template you choose includes an area for them.

3. Highlight Your Admin Assistant Skills and Experience in the Middle Part

You’ve hooked them with your introduction. Now, reel them in with your admin assistant cover letter by showing them how you are the perfect fit for the office and team.

How to write a great middle for your cover letter?

• Explain why you’re the perfect fit for them and why they are the perfect fit for you. Address strictly what’s in the job opening and answer those requirements.
• Show your achievements and highlight your skills. That’s the best way of proving you’re the perfect candidate they’re looking for. Revisit your resume skills and experience sections to find some inspiration.
• Quantify. Nothing shows your achievements better than precise numbers. And being able to show it is great for any administrative assistant position!

Let’s take a look at two more administrative assistant cover letter examples.

Cover Letter for Administrative Assistant: Example of Second Paragraph

And again, it's pretty clear which cover letter is written perfectly and which has a lot of improvement. The first one delivers precise examples of the achievements, backed with numbers. The author mentions some of his skills and keeps mentioning the company name, which continues to keep it personal, which recruiters love.

The second example is still generic. And it doesn’t give any details regarding the achievements. So why would the reader believe in the mentioned skills?

Pro Tip: Tell a joke. Be sincere. Use an exclamation point! Display your wit. Convey your enthusiasm. Make sure that your honest interest in the position is immediately apparent. These are some main tips and advice for a successful cover letter you should follow.

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4. Create a Strong and Compelling Finish for the Admin Assistant Cover Letter

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 birthday party you’ll help to organize next year in the company of your dreams. It needs an incredible ending.

How to end a cover letter for an administrative assistant?

• Thank them for considering your application and express your excitement about the possibility of working for this specific company.
• Repeat how your experience, skills, and passion might help the company.
• Offer a precise time and place for an interview. What seems like a bold move is indeed an important part of your cover letter. Ace it by adding a PS section with a promise of bringing something to the table

Let’s look at the difference between these cover letter endings:

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples: Ending

As you can see, it’s not always about the length of your cover letter. The first example says exactly what a cover letter should say at the end: it thanks, it offers a precise meeting date and place, and gives a promise in the post scriptum. 

The second example not only doesn’t deliver those things but also doesn’t say anything specific. Such promises won’t land you an interview.

Pro Tip: You can be creative in your cover letter’s content, but just as with the formal header, where you addressed your cover letter, keep the closing sentiment more formal, as well.

Key Takeaway

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.

Remember to follow these key points for a successful AA cover letter:

• Start with a bang—Your opening statement on your cover letter is important because it’ll determine if the office hiring manager reads on.
• Show you belong together—Use the majority of the body area to show that you’re a perfect fit for the office or agency and that they’re the ideal workplace for you.
• Finish strongly—You held their attention to the end, but use a strong ending so they’ll be sure to move on to your admin assistant resume and grant you that all-important interview.

Now just make sure you email your resume properly and prepare for your big day with some helpful interview tips!

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!

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Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm