- What should your executive assistant cover letter include?
- What can you write in the introduction of your cover letter?
- What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for an executive assistant vacancy?
- How to write a cover letter closing
Getting a new job as an executive assistant starts with writing a polished, professional cover letter. Discover how to write an executive assistant cover letter that proves you can handle the demands of the role.
Just like an executive assistant can anticipate a manager’s needs, a cover letter should proactively address what makes you the best candidate for the role. Writing a well-crafted cover letter can convince an employer to contact you for an interview. Use our executive assistant cover letter example and writing guide to land your next administrative job.
This guide and corresponding example will show you how to write an executive assistant cover letter. We’ll discuss:
What information to include in your letter
How to write an attention-grabbing opener
What to mention in the cover letter body
How to close your letter effectively
What should your executive assistant cover letter include?
Your cover letter should show a hiring manager how you can use your skills and experience to support an executive or a leadership team. You can share this information in different elements of your cover letter, including an introduction, body, and closing.
Start your letter with a header that provides your name and contact information. Include the hiring manager’s information, followed by a greeting. Read our article on how to address a cover letter for more tips.
After your greeting, you can compose the other elements of your letter. We’ll go over how to approach each one in the following paragraphs.
What can you write in the introduction of your cover letter?
The opening paragraph should get the hiring manager’s attention by highlighting your top qualifications for the executive assistant position. In your introduction, you can also share your enthusiasm for the role and mention how you learned about it, especially if you have a connection to the organization.
Start your executive assistant cover letter by sharing what makes you uniquely qualified for the role, such as your previous administrative experience or your scheduling management skills. In our example cover letter, the applicant emphasizes their 15 years of experience in executive-level administrative support. Providing details like these can make a hiring manager excited to read the rest of your letter.
Dear Shelley Jacobson,
In my search for a new challenge where I can leverage over 15 years of experience in executive-level administrative support, I was pleased to find Fisher Industries’s opening for an Executive Assistant. Eager to learn more about this exciting opportunity, I have enclosed my resume for your review.
What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for an executive assistant vacancy?
In the body of your letter, describe your skills and experience with thoughtful examples and results-focused outcomes. This information can show a hiring manager why you’d make a good executive assistant for their organization.
It’s helpful to consider three questions as you write the body of your letter:
Why you? Explain how your experience, education, or training has prepared you for the role. For example, you may have managed complex schedules, handled travel arrangements, and conducted project research for other executives in your past jobs. You can also share successful outcomes of your administrative support, like proofreading errors in an executive’s correspondence.
Why here? Share why you want to work for the company as an executive assistant. Incorporate some specific details you’ve learned about the company, such as its mission or values. Customize the letter to show a hiring manager you’re serious about the role.
Why now? A hiring manager wants to know how the job fits into your career goals. Discuss why you’re ready for the role at this point in your career. For example, you may want to supervise a team of executive assistants, a path that may be available to you in the new position.
Don’t be afraid to show your personality in the cover letter body. For example, you can share a story about how your meticulous organizational skills saved an executive from missing an important deadline. These details can set you apart from other candidates.
For more advice, check out our blog on what to write in a cover letter body.
- Use bullet points to highlight your key skills or accomplishments. This formatting also makes your letter easier to read.
- Write lengthy paragraphs with overly descriptive or flowery language. Huge blocks of text can overwhelm the reader.
As my career profile illustrates, I am well prepared to meet and exceed your expectations. Having provided executive support to CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and directors, I am accustomed to the rigors of fast-paced and demanding environments requiring sharp attention to detail, 100% accuracy, and outstanding communication skills. If given the opportunity, I will work tirelessly to deliver similar results for Fisher Industries.
Further, I would bring the following experience to your team:
Highly proficient in essential software and tools to improve efficiency and productivity, including MS Office Suite, MS Project, SharePoint, Visio, and PayChex Payroll.
Professionally managed confidential and sensitive information and served as the first point of contact for staff, clients, vendors, and the general public.
Served on key committees, prepared materials for the Board of Directors, administered payroll, and supported human resources operations.
Diligently managed multiple executive calendars to ensure efficient daily operations for optimal time, cost, and resource efficiency.
How to write a cover letter closing
To close your letter, channel your inner executive and convince a hiring manager to contact you for an interview.
Follow these tips to close your letter successfully:
Keep it short. Wrap up your letter in one to two sentences.
Express your gratitude. As we show in the example, thank the hiring manager for reviewing your application and considering you for the role.
End with a call to action. For example, you may write, “I look forward to meeting with you for an interview to discuss my experience and qualifications in more detail.”
End your cover letter with a positive impression. For more advice, read our blog on how to close a cover letter.
In me, Fisher Industries will gain a results-oriented administrative professional with the adaptability, dedication, and focus required to successfully fill the role of executive assistant. As such, I would welcome the opportunity to meet in person and discuss this opening in detail.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Samantha Wright
Looking for your next executive assistant role? Check out Career.io’s job board to get personalized recommendations and insightful tracking metrics!
