cover letter administrative assistant canada

12 Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples

Administrative Assistants are the backbone of any organization, adept at juggling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Similarly, your cover letter serves as the backbone of your job application, skillfully balancing your professional narrative, showcasing your ability to handle diverse responsibilities, and demonstrating your commitment to efficiency. In this guide, we'll explore the best cover letter examples for Administrative Assistants to help you to present a compelling case for your next role.

Cover Letter Examples

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The best way to start an Administrative Assistant cover letter is by grabbing the reader's attention immediately. Begin by addressing the hiring manager by name, if it's known. Then, introduce yourself and briefly mention the position you're applying for. You can also mention a notable achievement or experience that aligns with the job requirements. For example, "As an Administrative Assistant with over five years of experience in managing complex schedules and coordinating travel, I was excited to see your job posting for an Administrative Assistant." This approach shows that you're professional, experienced, and enthusiastic about the role.

Administrative Assistants should end a cover letter with a strong closing statement that reiterates their interest in the position and the value they can bring to the company. This could be something like, "I am excited about the opportunity to bring my unique skills and experience to your team and am confident that I can contribute significantly to your operations." Following this, it's important to express gratitude for the reader's time and consideration, such as, "Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my candidacy further." Lastly, end with a professional closing and your full name. "Sincerely" or "Best regards" are commonly used closings. If you're submitting a digital copy, include your contact information below your name. This ending leaves a positive, professional impression and opens the door for further communication.

An Administrative Assistant's cover letter should ideally be about one page in length. This is a standard length that allows you to succinctly present your skills, experiences, and qualifications without overwhelming the reader. It's important to remember that hiring managers often have to go through a large number of applications, so keeping your cover letter concise and to the point can increase the chances of it being read thoroughly. In terms of word count, aim for around 250 to 400 words. This should give you enough space to introduce yourself, explain why you're interested in the role and the company, and highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.

Writing a cover letter with no direct experience as an Administrative Assistant can seem challenging, but it's absolutely possible. Here's how you can approach it: 1. **Understand the role**: Research the role of an Administrative Assistant thoroughly. Understand the skills and qualities required for the job. This could include organizational skills, communication skills, proficiency in certain software, etc. 2. **Highlight transferable skills**: Even if you haven't worked as an Administrative Assistant before, you likely have skills from other jobs or experiences that are relevant. For example, if you've worked in customer service, you've likely developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. If you've worked in a fast-paced retail environment, you've likely honed your ability to multitask. Highlight these transferable skills in your cover letter. 3. **Show enthusiasm for the role**: Employers value candidates who are enthusiastic about the job. Express your interest in the role and the company, and explain why you're interested. This can help make up for a lack of direct experience. 4. **Provide examples**: Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills. For instance, if you're claiming to have strong organizational skills, provide an example of a time when you used these skills to achieve a positive outcome. 5. **Express willingness to learn**: If you don't have direct experience, showing a willingness to learn can be very appealing to employers. Make it clear that you're eager to learn and grow in the role. 6. **Keep it concise and professional**: Your cover letter should be no more than one page. Keep the tone professional, and proofread carefully to avoid any errors. 7. **Use the right format**: Start with a formal salutation, introduce yourself, explain why you're interested in the role and the company, highlight your relevant skills and experiences, and conclude with a strong closing statement. Remember, everyone starts somewhere. Even if you don't have direct experience, your unique combination of skills, experiences, and enthusiasm can make you a strong candidate for an Administrative Assistant role.

Related Cover Letters for Administrative Assistants

Executive assistant cover letter.

Office Administrator Cover Letter

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Virtual Assistant Cover Letter

Secretary Cover Letter

Receptionist Cover Letter

Administrative Aide Cover Letter

Administrative Assistant Intern Cover Letter

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Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Sample

Review this administrative assistant cover letter example. The success of this cover letter allowed Linda to choose where she wanted to work instead of being limited to very few responses. The beginning cover letter sample paragraph states that she is in career transition—Linda had nothing to hide. We explained that she had achieved a great deal as an accountant, which increased her credibility. All bulleted statements used in the administrative assistant cover letter sample are specifically relevant to an office/administrative position.

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Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example (W/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

Maybe, your career as an administrative assistant started back when you organized your classmates' desks.

Jokes aside — you always had a knack for efficiency and organization, and now you’ve turned those skills into a profession.

It's a dream come true, but there's just one hurdle standing in your way — the cover letter.

Staring at that blank page, trying to convey your skills and experience, feels a lot like being stuck in a loop. It's like experiencing writer’s block, and you just can't seem to find the right words to paint yourself in the best light.

Don’t worry though!

In this article, we're here to assist you in crafting the perfect administrative assistant cover letter, step by step.

We'll guide you through:

• An Outstanding Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example
• 5 Simple Steps to Craft the Best Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
• 3 Essential Tips for a Successful Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

Let’s dive in!

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

You've just seen what a job-winning cover letter looks like. 

Now, it's your turn to write one . Just follow the steps we're about to share, and you'll be on your way to crafting a standout cover letter that gets results. 

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

When creating your administrative assistant cover letter, it all begins with your contact information, just like on your resume . Here's what you should include:

• Full Name: Your complete name should be at the top of the page.
• Job Title: Tailor your job title to match the specific administrative assistant role you're applying for. Clarity here helps streamline the hiring process.
• Email Address: Opt for a professional and straightforward email address, typically a combination of your first and last name.
• Phone Number: Ensure your phone number is accurate, including the dialing code if applying for positions abroad.
• Location: Mention your city and state or country. If you're open to remote work or relocating, make that clear on your administrative assistant resume.
• Relevant Links (Optional): Include any pertinent websites or social media profiles, such as LinkedIn.

Next, it's time to provide the receiver’s info. That includes: :

• Company Name: Specify the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name: Whenever possible, identify the hiring manager for the department you're interested in. Research the job ad, the company's website, or LinkedIn for this information.
• Hiring Manager's Title: If you ascertain that the hiring manager for this specific job ad holds a department head role, use that title instead of just "Hiring Manager."
• Location: Include the city and state or country, particularly for globally operating companies. 
• Email Address (Optional): If available, include the hiring manager's email address.
• Date of Writing (Optional): Consider adding the date you composed your cover letter for that extra touch of professionalism. Now you're ready to start crafting your winning cover letter for the administrative assistant role you desire. Good luck!

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've included all the necessary contact information for your administrative assistant's cover letter, make sure to address the hiring manager the right way.

Addressing your cover letter correctly can make a positive impression on the hiring manager. 

Start by conducting some research. Check the job posting, the company's website, or LinkedIn profiles to find the hiring manager for the position you're interested in. This way, you can find their name and email address.

Next, address them formally. Consider using "Ms." or "Mr." followed by their last name. If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, you can simply use their full name. For example:

• Dear Mr. Smith,
• Dear Alex Johnson,

In cases where you can't find specific information about the hiring manager or the head of the administrative department, you can address your letter to the department or the company in general:

• Dear Administrative Department,
• Dear Administrative Hiring Team,
• Dear Human Resources Recruitment Team,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers typically spend about seven seconds reviewing a candidate's application before deciding whether to read it thoroughly. That’s why grabbing their attention from the get-go is crucial if you want them to read the rest of your cover letter. 

Formally introduce yourself in the opening statement and clearly state your interest in the role. Expressing your enthusiasm for the industry or the specific job can grab the hiring manager's attention.

Researching the company can help improve your opening statement even further. The more you know about the employer, the better you can emphasize how you fit in with their culture. 

This can show to the hiring manager that you're not just applying indiscriminately; you're interested in this particular position.

Depending on your experience level, you can also kick off your cover letter by highlighting a noteworthy achievement or the skills that make you an ideal fit for the role. Keep this paragraph concise, aiming to spark the hiring manager's curiosity and encourage them to explore your cover letter in more detail.

Check out some more cover letter examples to get inspired about writing your opening statement. 

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your cover letter is your opportunity to dive deeper into your qualifications and professional skills.

Avoid the temptation to simply rehash your resume; that won't cut it here. Your objective is to demonstrate, beyond a doubt, that you're the standout candidate. To achieve this, focus on showcasing your achievements relevant to the administrative assistant field, drawing inspiration from the job listing.

Tailoring your cover letter to align with the job advertisement is key. Highlight the specific skills the company seeks and how you can contribute to their team. For instance, if you're vying for an administrative assistant role in a tech-centric environment, emphasize your tech-related skills rather than, for example, your experience in e-commerce.

Displaying knowledge about the company, its products, services, or industry can earn you extra brownie points. If you're well-acquainted with the company's offerings, be sure to mention it in your cover letter to illustrate your alignment with its mission and culture.

Lastly, be enthusiastic. Express your genuine excitement for the role and your unwavering confidence in how your unique skills and experience will be a valuable addition to their organization. This enthusiasm can be infectious and leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Also, make sure to avoid these common cover letter mistakes that can harm your chances of landing an interview. 

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Concluding on a professional note is the cherry on top of your administrative assistant cover letter.

Your goal here is to ensure you leave a positive impression on the hiring manager, reinforcing the confidence you’ve demonstrated throughout your letter.

So, wrap up by confidently reiterating why you're an ideal fit for the administrative assistant role or summarize the skills that set you apart from other candidates.

And don’t forget to include a call to action. Encouraging the hiring manager to take the next step, such as discussing your application further, can create a lasting impression and boost your chances of securing an interview.

To wrap it all up, select a professional sign-off. Choose an appropriate signature line, followed by your full name. Here's an example:

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at the provided email or phone number to arrange an interview. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail at your earliest convenience.

If you're looking for alternatives to "Sincerely," consider these options:

• Kind regards,
• Respectfully,
• Thank you for your consideration,

Choose the sign-off that best aligns with your personal style and the tone of your cover letter.

3 Essential Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Tips

You've got the basics down, and now it's time to fine-tune your administrative assistant cover letter with some essential cover letter tips that will make it shine. Let's dive into these valuable insights to help you create a standout cover letter.

#1. Match Your Resume

If you’re serious about landing a position, it's important that all the documents in your job application are fine-tuned with each other.

Ensure that your administrative assistant cover letter's formatting and layout match your administrative assistant resume to convey professionalism and attention to detail. Make sure your text and contact details are neatly aligned on the page, maintain consistent font styles and sizes, and set appropriate margins and line spacing to keep your cover letter concise on a single page. 

This consistency will show you’re professional and serious about the job.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Struggling to craft the perfect cover letter from scratch? Don't worry; we've got a time-saving trick up our sleeves. 

Try out our free resume builder to create the perfect administrative assistant resume.

Then, pick a cover letter template that matches it visually to save time and effort.

Our templates are created in collaboration with hiring managers around the world, which means they hit industry standards right on the mark. You save time and get a matching cover letter for your resume that looks absolutely professional. Sweet deal, isn’t it?

#2. Mention The Right Skills

Highlighting your skills in your administrative assistant cover letter is crucial. 

The trick here, however, is not just to list all your skills. Firstly, keep it relevant and only talk about the skills you have that are required for the job. If you’ve already listed them on your resume, this is your chance to actually explain in more detail how they make you the perfect fit for the job. 

This demonstrates to hiring managers that you understand the role's requirements and have what it takes to excel in it. So, make sure to weave your skills into your cover letter strategically, emphasizing how they align with the position's demands.

#3. Be Formal

Maintaining a formal tone in your administrative assistant cover letter is the way to go. 

Keeping things formal will reflect your professionalism and respect for the workplace environment. This formality sends the right message to potential employers, indicating that you’re serious about the application and can conduct yourself appropriately in a corporate setting.

That said, don’t go overboard with the formality. You can, for example, make the cover letter a bit more personal by addressing the hiring manager by their name or sign off using “Warm Regards.” 

Key Takeaways

And that sums up crafting an administrative assistant cover letter!

We hope our guide has equipped you with the tools to write a spot-on administrative assistant cover letter. 

Before you head off, let's quickly review:

• Ensure your administrative assistant's cover letter provides any relevant links or attachments so the hiring manager can easily access additional information related to your experience.
• Ideally, your cover letter should be addressed directly to the hiring manager. A little research on the job posting might help you discover their name.
• Use your cover letter to elaborate on the administrative skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate. Highlight expertise that aligns with the job requirements.

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Administrative Assistant III - Office Administrator - Equity Office

Requisition ID:  42309 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities . Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Office Administrator – Equity Office provides an extensive range of confidential and sensitive administrative support to the Equity Office, including the Workplace Restoration Program. Led by the Chief Equity Officer, the Equity Office includes a small team (4-8 individuals) of JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) specialists and support staff. The Equity Office is an expertise hub, and drives strategic change initiatives to shift the City’s internal structures and workplace culture in the direction of equity.

This position reports to the Chief Equity Officer and works closely with the team at the Equity Office and the Administration team in the City Manager’s Office. Other Key contacts include the City Manager’s Office senior leadership team; City Leadership Team; Equity Council; Employee Resource Groups and Communities of Practice; and staff from all levels of the organization and every department.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Equity Office

• Provides complex, detailed clerical and administrative support related to all aspects of the work of the Equity Office, including the Workplace Restoration Program, and embodies the values of equity and inclusion in all interactions;
• Manages the calendar for the Chief Equity Officer, and schedules and organizes online and in-person meetings on behalf of the Chief Equity Officer;
• Assists team members in the Equity Office with complex, non-routine scheduling tasks involving large groups or involving sensitive meetings for which scheduling through a third party may be more appropriate (such as mediation meetings);
• Monitors the Equity Office email inbox and phone line and directs inquiries and requests to the Equity Office team with discretion and judgment;
• Organizes event logistics, including room booking, catering, supplies, invitations, RVSPs, technology and other logistics with careful consideration of accessibility needs, and from time to time assists with meeting set-up and implementation including note taking or otherwise recording information from key events;
• Administers the Equity Council (a group of 40 staff from across the organization who have an advisory and oversight role to the Equity Office), including keeping up-to-date email distribution lists, maintaining the Equity Council SharePoint site, managing meeting notes and posting relevant information to the City’s internal communication channels;
• Administers the Employee Resource Groups and Communities of Practice (over 15 different groups of staff who come together over a shared aspect of identity or interest), including keeping an updated list of conveners, assisting with scheduling and meeting logistics, tracking spending and reimbursements;
• Coordinates Equity Office Council reports and memos, ensures proper formatting of documents and timely communication with concurring departments, Clerks and the City Manager’s Office;
• Manages a tracking sheet of requests made or sensitive issues raised to the Equity Office, status of addressing, and whether/how they have been resolved;
• Coordinates travel and accommodation arrangements; for approved travel for Chief Equity Officer, ensuring travel policies and third party reimbursements are completed;
• Completes Equity Office Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process; creates project shopping carts, processes invoices for payment, orders office supplies, reconciles monthly P-Card statements for Chief Equity Officer, process JVs as required;
• Maintains a remote work schedule and equitable access to shared desk space within the Equity Office; books additional spaces in City Hall when the team needs to be onsite;
• Maintains the Equity Office’s filing and file sharing systems (VanDocs folders, SharePoint sites); logs and transfers records to off-site storage provider as per City retention schedules;
• Performs a variety of Front Office duties including coordinating incoming and outgoing courier and confidential shredding pickups; coordinating service calls for maintenance and repair of office equipment; sending RSVPs to event invitations on behalf of the Chief Equity Officer; keeps Equity Office in order and replenishes supplies when necessary; orders catering and/or prepares refreshments for meetings as required;

Workplace Restoration Program

• Provides confidential support to Workplace Restoration Consultants in administratively managing restoration or mediation files arising from the Respect in the Workplace Policy complaint process and/or Human Rights files that may intersect with the work in Human Resources and Labour Relations;
• Opens and maintains internal confidential restoration and facilitation files and coordinates management of files, schedules facilitation meetings, and documents outcomes, recommendations and solutions;
• Assists in gathering data where complaints involve reference to and work related to grievance procedures if required.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned;

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Grade twelve (12) education supplemented by business courses, typing, word processing and two years’ related administrative experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of office methods and procedures and in routine filing
• Knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, including a pleasant, inclusive and professional attitude
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive information
• Good knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar and arithmetic
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to work well with continuous interruptions
• Ability to organize and prioritize work including a high level of attention to detail
• Ability to participate and work within a team environment
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff and the general public
• Ability to use related office equipment, including computers and related software packages
• Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and technology

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department:  Office of the City Manager (1010) 

Affiliation:  Exempt 

Employment Type:  Temporary Full Time 

Position Start Date:  November 2024 

Position End Date:  October 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-030: $56567 to $70714 per annum

Application Close: September 26, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve . Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders  and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.   Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.   Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion . 

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.

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