When writing your office assistant cover letter, focus on how you can help coordinate daily operations for the company that posted the job. Also, emphasize your related skills like data entry, customer service, or process streamlining. This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as an office assistant.
Office Assistant Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write an Office Assistant Cover Letter
Your office assistant cover letter should usually have five sections, in this order:
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
- Your name and contact information
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, company, and contact information (when available)
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your signature.)
Example
Emma Brown
Office Assistant | [email protected] | (987) 654-3210 | 555 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 09876
February 1, 2024
Jane Lopez
Office Manager
DHL Supplies
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
2. Salutation
If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Examples
Dear Mr. Barber,
Dear Wood PLC Recruitment Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key qualification the company is looking for.
Example
Managing and processing payroll for 120 employees at my current position while providing administrative support and coordinating daily operations has prepared me for a role in a busy office environment. I hope to bring my level of success with me to Brooks Design as an office assistant.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Explain why the job, workplace, or employer interests you. Then, cite a few more of your key achievements or qualifications, possibly using bullet points.
Example
I believe I can play a key role in helping your organization attain its mission of providing excellent customer service and quality products. Your job opening stated you’re looking for an employee to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude. I believe I am well-suited to this position. Some of my past achievements include:
- Supporting over 150 office staff with administrative tasks
- Answering a high volume of phone calls, directing callers to the correct departments and responding to questions
- Using advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Word and Excel, to organize company files and data
5. Closing
Finally, request an interview for the position.
Example
I hope to further explain how my excellent organizational skills and flexible working style make me the ideal candidate. Please get in touch to schedule an interview.
Sincerely,
Patricia Martinez
Office Assistant Cover Letter Tips
1. Show you excel at office support
Start your letter with an example of your success as an office assistant. (Consult your resume bullet points for ideas.) Choose an example that shows you can streamline procedures, take on new duties, or support daily communications.
Example
My organized nature and attention to detail helped me become a valued member of the Teller’s Manufacturing administrative team. One of my most significant accomplishments was increasing office efficiency by leading the project to go digital, reducing almost all paperwork. I hope to bring my resourcefulness and flexibility to DHL supplies as an office assistant.
2. Explain why you’re drawn to the opportunity
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this job or employer interests you. Most office assistant roles are varied, but read each job posting closely and highlight any core duties or focus areas that emerge. How do they compare to your background or goals? For instance, maybe the job requires a lot of phone-based interaction with clients, an area in which you excel. Or maybe the office is described as dynamic and fast-paced, and you’re eager to return to that kind of work environment.
When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening. By adding these to your cover letter, you can show hiring managers you read their job posting and are responding to it directly.
Example
As a driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced working environment, I would relish the challenge of providing high-quality administrative support for multiple offices at Wood PLC. My recent accomplishments demonstrate I have the strategic skills and drive to excel in such a role.
3. Highlight your other administrative strengths
Add a short list of bullet points to show your success in other office support areas like data accuracy, documentation, or process streamlining. For each area, spell out how your work helped the business run more quickly or cost-effectively. Also consider using this section to name relevant hardware equipment or software programs you’re versed in.
Example
My past accomplishments illustrate how I can contribute to your company in the future:
- Streamlined administrative processes to improve accuracy and efficiency
- Used Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, to maintain detailed records, generate reports, and coordinate meetings for staff
- Led the smooth transition to move from paper invoices to QuickBooks software
Office Assistant Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Patricia Martinez
Office Assistant | [email protected] | (765) 432-1098 | 55 Address Road, Portland, ME 45678
February 9, 2024
Landon Barber
Senior Recruitment Manager
Wood PLC
(765) 432-1098
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Barber,
Streamlining the employee onboarding process to increase completion speed by 70% was my most significant achievement in 2020. I believe that I can offer the same initiative and excellent problem-solving skills as an office assistant at Wood PLC.
As a driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced working environment, I would relish the challenge of providing high-quality administrative support for multiple offices at Wood PLC. My recent accomplishments demonstrate that I have the strategic skills and drive to excel in such a role. These include:
- Receiving recognition as Employee of the Month in January for independently managing a large project load and meeting 100% of deadlines.
- Leading a small team to overhaul the office scheduling system, reducing booking errors by 56%.
- Training five new administrative team members to use Microsoft Office software proficiently.
I hope to further explain how my excellent organizational skills and flexible working style make me the ideal candidate. Please get in touch to schedule an interview.
Sincerely,
Patricia Martinez
P.S. I would love to tell you why my manager nominated me for an OfficeNinjas All-Star Award last year!
Office Assistant Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
What traits are useful to highlight in my cover letter? -
Desired qualities in office assistants include precision, efficiency, flexibility, organization, and a service mindset. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
Should I say “My name is…” on a cover letter?-
No. As long as your name appears in the letter’s closing section, you don’t need to state it directly.
What’s the most important part of a cover letter?-
Any explanation you give for why the specific job opening or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials and can help you get past applicant tracking systems. They also set the stage for a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and the office’s work culture.
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