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Applying for jobs is not as simple as it once was. With the majority of jobs listed online, they are easier to find and easier to apply to. Job postings that may have previously brought in a couple of dozen resumes are now bringing in several hundred. You need to stand out from the crowd.
Including a cover letter with your resume is an easy way to identify yourself as a serious candidate for the position. Not only do you provide hiring managers with a more well-rounded picture of who they would be interviewing (and hopefully hiring) but you get their attention.
More than half of hiring managers state that they will pay more attention to a resume if a cover letter is attached.
Whether this will be your first position as an administrative coordinator or you’re a seasoned professional, a cover letter can help you appeal to hiring managers and earn you more interviews.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
You won’t be the only one sending in a cover letter with your resume. So, you want to make sure that you are crafting a cover letter that really stands out from the competition.
Just like with your interview answers, you need to master the fine art of being both detailed and concise. At least here you’ll be able to rewrite, edit, and edit some more to be sure that your cover letter is the best it can be.
Understanding the format and the individual parts that make up the cover letter is essential to crafting a winning cover letter. Your cover letter should include:
Header. The header on your cover letter needs to include a good bit of information. First and foremost, it should have your contact information. You should include:
Your full name. Your first and last name should suffice. They don’t need to know your middle name, your mother’s maiden name, etc.
Your current address. This is considered standard, but it is not necessarily required. The majority of the hiring process takes place via phone or email these days.
Your address would let them know how close (or far) you live from the office. If you are applying for a remote position, it would let them know if you are working in a state they can legally hire.
Your phone number. This is the most common way to reach out to job candidates. Be sure to include your current phone number — one that you regularly answer/check.
Your email address. Please, for your own sake, make sure this is a professional email address. If you’re still using aol.com or hotmail.com that’s on you. But, your email address should most definitely not be bootylicious89@email.com.
Be professional. The email address you use for job applications should be your name.
Your LinkedIn, your website, or your online portfolio. These are completely optional. What you choose to include, or forgo, will depend on what position you are applying for.
Your header should also include the date you are submitting the application and the employer’s contact information. With the employer information, you want to include:
The hiring manager’s name
The hiring manager’s title within the company
The company name
The company address
Greeting. It is important to be aware of how to properly address your cover letter. There will be some situations where the recipient is unknown, but you should do your best not to begin your cover letter with “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”. It makes it look like you didn’t care enough to try.
Try to find the name of the hiring manager. Check the company website, search LinkedIn, call the front desk if you have to; exhaust your options before resorting to addressing your cover letter to an unspecified contact.
First paragraph. This is your opening paragraph, your first impression. Grab their attention right away. Just like the opening lines of a book, you want to captivate the reader and entice them to read on.
Be clear about which position you are applying for, show your interest in the job and the company, and show them why you’re the best possible choice.
Second paragraph. This begins the body of your cover letter. Use your qualifications, relevant experience, and achievements to sell yourself as the best candidate for the job.
You should not be repeating your resume verbatim in your cover letter. This is your chance to summarize your most relevant experience and qualifications, highlighting those that are mentioned in the job description itself.
Third paragraph. This is technically an optional paragraph. Some choose to include one body paragraph in their cover letter. If you choose to include a second body paragraph, it should discuss the company.
Show them you did your homework before applying for this job. You don’t want to come off as someone who just clicks apply on any relevant job listings — even if that’s exactly what you’re doing. Be sure to highlight what you can bring to the company, how you uphold their core values, and/or how you can contribute to their mission.
Closing lines. Close strong. The final paragraph of your cover letter should reiterate that you are the best candidate and close with a clear call to action: “interview me”. You probably don’t want to put it exactly like that, but your words should push towards a phone call or interview.
Sign-off. Remember, you want to be professional here. This shouldn’t be the casual closer you use in your emails. No “thanks” or “best wishes” and please make sure to remove the “Sent from my [smartphone]” that automatically attaches itself to emails sent from mobile phones.
You want to stick with the tried and true “sincerely” or “best regards”.
Hiring managers go through dozens of resumes every day when they are actively hiring a position. A cover letter can certainly help you to stand out. An excellent cover letter can earn you an interview.
You need to stand out from the other candidates to attract — and keep — the attention of the people who matter. The first step is to open your cover letter strong. You want to connect with your reader and immediately convey your value, enticing them to read on and give your resume a better look.
Example:
Delores Miller
123 Job Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90001
(555) 123-4567
deloresmiller@email.comJanuary 1, 2021
Veronica LaFleur
Director of Human Resources
Admin National Co
123 Business Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90001Dear Ms. LaFleur,
I am eager to express my interest in the Administrative Coordinator position advertised by Admin National Co. As an experienced administrative professional with over a decade of experience, I am confident that I would be an excellent addition to your team.
Your cover letter is essentially a sales pitch for your resume. Your goal is to show the hiring manager that you are an ideal candidate. Your qualifications and achievements make you the perfect choice for this position and this company.
Example:
During my tenure as a coordinator, I have earned a reputation as a team-oriented individual with unmatched organizational skills. Your company is in a period of transition, consistently bringing in groups of new hires that need to be properly trained. Having extensive experience overseeing training budgets, maintaining training manuals, and owning the employee onboarding processes, I am comfortable in my abilities to aid and perfect the training of your employees whether they are onsite or at one of your various offsite locations.
Admin National Co has shaped this industry and continues to create a legacy that other companies strive to achieve. The values you adopt as a company exemplify the culture you cultivate within your offices. Your mission and your core values resonate with me; they are values I work towards every single day.
This is not the place to reword the rest of your cover letter — or repeat your resume. You want to reiterate that you want this job and they should want you for this position. Ask for the interview — subtly of course. And, be sure to thank them for their time.
Example:
The experience and skill set I bring align with your needs and I believe I would be a valuable asset to your company. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss this position and what I can bring to your company. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Delores Miller
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
Delores Miller
123 Job Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90001
(555) 123-4567
deloresmiller@email.comJanuary 1, 2021
Veronica LaFleur
Director of Human Resources
Admin National Co
123 Business Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90001Dear Ms. LaFleur,
I am eager to express my interest in the Administrative Coordinator position advertised by Admin National Co. As an experienced administrative professional with over a decade of experience, I am confident that I would be an excellent addition to your team.
During my tenure as a coordinator, I have earned a reputation as a team-oriented individual with unmatched organizational skills. Your company is in a period of transition, consistently bringing in groups of new hires that need to be properly trained. Having extensive experience overseeing training budgets, maintaining training manuals, and owning the employee onboarding processes, I am comfortable in my abilities to aid and perfect the training of your employees whether they are onsite or at one of your various offsite locations.
Admin National Co has shaped this industry and continues to create a legacy that other companies strive to achieve. The values you adopt as a company exemplify the culture you cultivate within your offices. Your mission and your core values resonate with me; they are values I work towards every single day.
The experience and skill set I bring align with your needs and I believe I would be a valuable asset to your company. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss this position and what I can bring to your company. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Delores Miller
As an Administrative Coordinator, it is your job to provide support to the company’s employees, manage budgets, communicate with both staff and visitors, create and maintain schedules…you’re essentially the glue that holds the office together.
Your cover letter needs to demonstrate that you have the skills and the personality to do this specific job for this specific company. Your qualifications, experience, and achievements will always matter when applying for a new position. For you, company culture matters just as much.
Be sure to touch on the company itself and why you would be a good fit there.