As an administrative assistant, the more skills you have, the more likely you are to be employed.
Therefore, your administrative assistant cover letter must reflect the diversity of your clerical, secretarial, and organizational abilities, as well as your experience.
Don’t be too concerned if you look at what you have done in the past and find your range to be fairly limited.
Even an office junior covers a surprising assortment of tasks in an average day, and it’s just a question of interpreting the terminology used in the advertisements.
Filing and photocopying are information storage and retrieval, while answering the telephone and handling mail are managing office communications.
If you made or picked up the coffee you were organizing the catering.
Every piece of software you have ever used is another notch in your professional belt, so don’t hesitate to mention them.
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and any desktop publishing or bookkeeping programs you have used are valuable assets, and should be mentioned.
If you have had experience as a front desk receptionist, say so, because every office needs someone to relieve the receptionist for breaks, personal days, and vacations.
Remember that an administrative assistant’s role is to support managers and specialists in the execution of their own roles, so your cover letter also needs to emphasize your social adeptness, empathy, flexibility, and willingness to please.
There are usually no specific educational or licensing requirements for an administrative assistant beyond a high school diploma, but if you have completed a college degree or other training courses, be sure to refer to this.
An Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example
XX Deer Hollow Dr
Hurst, TX 73054
(000) 008-0000
william@example.com
October 7, 2014
Mr. Peter Wood
Office Manager
Acme Inc.
XX Deer Street
Hurst, TX 73054
Dear Mr. Wood,
Advertised position for Administrative Assistant
I enclose my resume and references to support my application for the position of Administrative Assistant at Acme Inc.
Your advertisement mentioned that applicants must have a minimum of three years’ experience in office administration.
I have been in my current role as full-time Clerical Assistant at Brown’s Electrical for two years, but while still at high school I volunteered to assist with clerical duties associated with my local Church Youth Group.
I helped Mr. Adams, the youth leader, with preparing newsletters, mailing, and record-keeping for a period of three years. Mr. Adams has kindly supplied me with a reference.
During my time at Brown’s Electrical I trained in both Word and Excel.
I can touch type quickly, set up basic spreadsheets, and maintain the data in more complex spreadsheets.
My other experiences include answering all incoming phone calls, scheduling customer appointments, maintaining paper and computer records, and organizing catering for weekly staff meetings.
I enjoy interacting with other people and making their problems my problems, until they are solved.
My phone number is (000) 008-0000, and I can come for an interview at any time that suits you.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
William Johnson
Enclosures: Resume; Reference(s)
Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Screenshot
