Executive assistant cover letter

Executive Assistant Cover Letter (With Examples)

Administration is a task no individual should handle alone. The bigger the company, the bigger the responsibility falls on the shoulders of its executives. From attending meetings to developing new strategies, an executive’s mind will be constantly stretched as it darts around to fulfill the company’s mission.

This is why most executives need a special type of administrative assistant called an executive assistant. An executive assistant ensures an executive can fulfill all their duties in the most timely, cost-saving manner.

Executive assistants must have an excellent set of soft skills, such as communication, time management, and organization, as well as relevant hard skills, which will vary depending on the industry. In all cases, the executive assistant must be trustworthy and dependable while also capable of handling the responsibilities and personalities that come with the position.

You need to show that you are this type of person if you are interested in applying to an executive assistant position. Therefore, it is important to know that your cover letter will drive home who you are and why you are the best fit for the position.

Parts of an Executive Assistant Cover Letter

Cover letters are great because they make an introductory impact in ways that are not possible with resumes. Make sure to consider your reader’s time and patience. This is especially important for prospective executive assistants. Executives are particularly busy people, and they will receive many applications, so yours must be direct and to the point.

Your words are your audition for the position, and the structure of your letter should show how you are an effective manager of time and information.

To help, break your executive cover letter into four main parts. They are:

1. Heading. The heading must look clean and professional, and you should always do your best to address the letter to a specific person.

2. Opening statement. You must find a way to grab the attention of the reader. This is hard. If you are too professional, you may sound too generic, but if you are too loose with your words, you might not be taken seriously.

3. Body. As a prospective executive assistant, try to be as brief yet as informational as possible. This will show your organizational skills. A cover letter’s body is the core to the case you make for yourself as you explain your qualifications.

4. Closing statement. Now that you have shown how your prior experience comes with results, reaffirm your interest and leave the conversation open for further discussion. Be sure to sign off with a modest parting.

Executive Assistant Cover Letter Heading

The heading of an executive assistant cover letter should provide accurate contact information in an aesthetically professional way.

In the case of an executive assistant cover letter, address the executive you will work under. Since they are a higher level, also known as c-level, professionals, there is a good chance their information will be public. However, if you cannot find the name, address the letter to the hiring manager.

An example of a good heading for an executive assistant cover letter will look this:

Executive Assistant Cover Letter Opening Statement

The opening statement of any cover letter clarifies what you are applying for. However, for an executive assistant position, you want to make sure to go above and beyond. The generic way to start a cover letter is to state the position you are applying for and how you came across it.

Though this tactic is fine for more general occupations, you need to remember your reader could be a busy executive. Their time is a critical resource, so an uninteresting opening statement risks being immediately discarded. What’s more, it implies less interest in the position than an otherwise more direct and unique approach would.

There are a few routes you can take to stand out, and all of them contain the same requirement:

1. Be professional. Don’t be stiff, but make sure your language is one you would be comfortable speaking in front of your potential employer.

2. Use information that proves your worth. You want to make it clear right away that you are someone who deserves further inquiry. Give your reader something that shows you can provide what the job requires. This can be a prior accomplishment, tangible results, or a statement that exudes passion for the position.

When you write your opening statement, always consider the interest of the executive. Their mind may be in many places at once, but with an effective opening statement, they will pause and want to learn more about you.

Here is an example of an effective opening statement:

Note how the letter immediately addresses the reader’s needs while simultaneously highlighting a critical skill of the applicant. This “teaser” now makes the reader want to discover what exactly did the applicant do to be considered “top rate”.

Executive Assistant Cover Letter Body

It is now time to explain why you are a great hire. As a prospective executive assistant, you want to show with proven results how you can help, and you want to do this with effective and efficient word choice.

Keep the word length to 200-400 words long. To save time and to make reading easier, you can opt to make bullet points. For an executive, this will likely be appreciated.

When you write the body of your cover letter, you want to do the following:

• Tell a story with tangible results. This is your second paragraph. Don’t just restate your resume, instead tell a story that focuses on a specific accomplishment that highlights relevant skills and quantifiable improvements.

• Refer to the requirements of the job listing. This is your third paragraph. It should be tailored specifically to the reader and provide you a way to connect your skills and the responsibilities of the position.

• Show passion and engagement. Show how you are a driven employee who is willing to work hard. An executive will need an assistant who can be trusted to tackle big projects that may ask for more than what was expected.

When the executive reads the body of the cover letter, they should be convinced that you are the right person for the job. They will know that you have the highest level of proven organization, communication, and management skills.

Here is an example of the body to the cover letter:

Executive Assistant Cover Letter Closing Statement

End on a high note. In only a couple of sentences, accomplish three things:

1. Restate your qualifications and interest with passion. Leave no doubt that you are the right person for the job.

2. Provide a call to action. Imply a plan for future conversation but be both humble and assertive as you do it.

3. Use a professional sign-off. Some examples include:

   • Sincerely

   • Best Regards

   • Yours Truly

You want to leave a positive impression. The reader should want to reach out to you because they believe you have the potential to be the perfect fit.

An example of a closing statement would look like this:

Example of an Executive Assistant Cover Letter