How to Format a Cover Letter: Layout Examples for 2023
You learned how to format a letter at school, but it was ages ago. No time for a trip down memory lane. See the types of cover letters & pick the best cover letter format with us.
This administrative cover letter sample could get you in at Bank of America.
That’s crucial.
There are 3.7 million administrative jobs in the US. But—
You want one with a great company that treats people like solid gold.
Don’t fret.
This guide will show you:
- A cover letter sample for administrative jobs better than 9 out of 10 others.
- Ten administrative cover letter examples that get the right attention.
- How to write a cover letter for administrative roles office managers notice.
- Why you must pick the key moments from your administrative work history.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here.
Considering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:
- Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
- Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
- Medical Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
- Office Manager Cover Letter Examples
- Office Assistant Cover Letter Examples
- Personal Assistant Cover Letter Examples
- Secretary Cover Letter Examples
- USPS Cover Letter Examples
- Editor Cover Letter Examples
Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Cover Letter Examples for All Positions
Need general cover letter samples for certain stages in your career? See the following:
Now, let's see an administrative cover letter template that turns heads:
Administrative Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
Administrative Job Title
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Title
Company Name
Mailing Address
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
Generating $3,000 in annual net savings of office supply products and equipment was a big help to my office manager at Fancy Malls Inc. I was able to achieve it because of my skills in vendor management and negotiation, and my interpersonal skills.
I read in your ad online that you need an administrative clerk who can keep office costs in check. You're also looking for someone who can facilitate events, train other admin staff, and make travel arrangements. I think I'm a fit based on:
Events facilitation. Co-organized a major corporate event that brought in $1 million in annual revenue.
Training. Trained 3 other administrative employees in customer service best practices.
Travel arrangements. Coordinated travel arrangements and accommodations for 18 executives across multiple corporate events.
I'm eager to discuss how my 2+ years of experience in administrative roles, plus my skills in written communication and scheduling can help Acme.
Best regards,
[Your Name, Title]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
PS—I'd also like to show you how I helped raise sales figures by 7% through CRM follow-up automation.
That’s first rate.
A cover letter for administrative positions like that will fast-track your resume.
See how it grabs the reader right away? Then it hooks you straight into the job.
I’ll show how it works next.
Now, here’s how to write administrative cover letters that drops jaws:
1. Choose the Right Administrative Cover Letter Template
Question:
What does the office manager want to know about you?
That you’re a professional.
In other words—
Your reports won’t look sloppy. Your correspondence will be crisp.
Your cover letter layout will be her first clue.
Use this administrative cover letter template.
Sample Administrative Cover Letters—Checklist
- your contact info
- the organization’s contact info
- Dear (office manager name)
- 1st paragraph: a first-rate work achievement that merges with the job ad
- 2nd paragraph: excitement for the job, plus documentation of key skills
- 3rd paragraph: your offer
- best regards, full name, title
- P.S. add value
Need more pointers for your administrative professional cover letter format? For more on layout, margins, etc, see our guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide
2. Start Your Administrative Cover Letter Right
Danger:
You’re in a crowd of administrative job applicants.
You all look alike as photocopies.
The office manager will skim most, then read a few.
You need to be in that few.
To do it, lead off with a thought-provoking statement.
These cover letter examples for administrative roles show how:
Administrative Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
Let’s say the job listing calls for interpersonal skills, vendor management, and negotiation.
| Right Example |
|---|
Ann Smith Administrative Clerk
7400 S. Hobart Street Los Angeles, CA 90047 774-987-4008
1/15/20
Floretta Jolemore Office Manager Acme Home Protection 2596 Edsel Road Los Angeles, CA 90017
Dear Ms. Jolemore,
Generating $3,000 in annual net savings of office supply products and equipment was a big help to my office manager at Fancy Malls Inc. I was able to achieve it because of my skills in vendor management and negotiation, and my interpersonal skills. |
Perfect.
Why does that administrative cover letter example work?
Because it:
- Starts with a wow-getting administrative accomplishment.
- Tacks on a few skills the job ad mentioned.
But this administrative cover letter example calls in sick:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Dear office manager, I’m an administrative clerk skilled in scheduling, answering phones, and making travel arrangements. I have a long history of helping staff in the office with problem solving and office supply replenishment. I’m eager to start work soon in a new admin role. |
Nope.
That fails to connect to the role or job description.
But—are you creating an entry-level cover letter?
Sample Administrative Cover Letter [Entry-Level]
In entry-level administrative cover letters—
Start with office achievements from:
- Non-administrative jobs
- School
- Clubs, groups, or life in general
- Volunteer gigs
- Certifications
Or lead off your cover letter for administrative jobs with:
- Something you saw in the press about the organization
- A reference from inside the firm
- Why you like this company
- Your passion for helping people
See these administrative cover letter examples with no experience:
- Being commended 5x for my communication skills by management at the Jealous Onion Restaurant was nice, but...
- Carla Jenson from your purchasing department encouraged me to apply. She said my interpersonal skills are...
- When I was treasurer of the Young Business Leader’s club at Tottleston Community College...
- I get a deep reward from helping an office run smoothly. My skills in...
Flawless.
Those first lines for cover letters for administrative roles are nicer than, “My application and resume are enclosed...”
Need more advice for an administrative secretary cover letter that works? See our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide
3. Target Your Administrative Cover Letter Middle
You’ve got the office manager’s attention.
Now keep it.
Do that by writing a Kaiser-Permanente-level cover letter middle.
Add:
- Your awareness of the administrative job duties
- An indication you can do the work
See these administrative cover letter examples:
Administrative Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
| Right Example |
|---|
I read in your ad online that you need an administrative clerk who can keep office costs in check. You're also looking for someone who can facilitate events, train other admin staff, and make travel arrangements.I think I'm a fit based on:
|
Excellent.
That sample cover letter for administrative positions works like a new Xerox copier.
But—
The next of our administrative cover letter examples flubs it:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
I work very hard to make sure the office runs smoothly, with as few hiccups as possible. I always stay on top of ordering and answering the phones, and I’m very good at figuring out who in an organization can best solve problems raised by clients. |
Yawn-inducing.
You missed the job description. Plus—you need metrics to back up your administrative skills.
Pro Tip: Include salary requirements in your cover letter only when you are asked, too. Otherwise, it’s not a safe move.
The office manager won’t read a cover letter for administrative positions that’s too long. See our guide: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
4. End Your Administrative Cover Letter Strong
Don’t blow it at the end.
Give your reader something to do next.
Preferably—steer them to pick up the phone.
This is what your cover letter should say:
Cover Letter Examples for Administrative [Ending]
| Right Example |
|---|
I'm eager to discuss how my 2+ years of experience in administrative roles, plus my skills in written communication and scheduling can help Acme.
Best regards,
Ann Smith, Administrative Clerk 774-987-4008
PS—I'd also like to show you how I helped raise sales figures by 7% through CRM follow-up automation. |
Engaging.
It adds:
- More of the competencies they want
- A teaser for some info that may help them
But the next of our administrative cover letter samples fails:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Thanks for reading my letter. I look forward to your response. |
Who’s that, Dwight Schrute?
Pro Tip: Want your administrative secretary cover letter to sparkle? Use a PS at the end. Even busy office managers will take the time to read your PS sentence.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
Your cover letter for administrative jobs closing has to motivate them. See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter [+Examples]
Key Takeaway
Summary:
How to write an administrative cover letter:
- Use a crisp administrative cover letter format. Add your most impressive skills.
- Start your administrative professional cover letter with a fact that makes the office manager stop playing with her Newton’s Cradle.
- Explain what you find attractive about the position. Then add a quick rundown of your best office accomplishments that fit it.
- Make an offer as you wrap up your cover letter for administrative positions.
Not sure how to start your administrative cover letter? Want to write a cover letter for administrative roles that sparkles? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
![Cover Letter Outline as Suggested by Career Experts [+Tips]](https://cdn-images.zety.com/pages/cover_letter_outline_1.jpg?fit=crop&h=250&dpr=2)