“Why Should We Hire You” Interview Question: How to Answer
Why should we hire you? Why are you a great candidate for this job? Those are tough but common interview questions. Here's how to answer them right.
So, you want to write an office assistant cover letter.
Whether it’s your flair for filing documents or your upbeat attitude when you greet patients at a medical office, you know you’d be awesome.
Now, you just need to prove it to HR with an equally-awesome cover letter.
Not to worry.
This office assistant cover letter guide will show you:
- An office assistant cover letter sample sure to get you the office interview.
- How to write a great cover letter that office managers fall in love with.
- Tips for adding clerical skills and administrative experience correctly.
- Example front office and medical office assistant cover letter sections.
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 examples and create your cover letter here.
Attach your office assistant cover letter to a winning office assistant resume. Check out our dedicated guide: Office Assistant Resume: Sample & Complete Guide
Considering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:
- Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
- Administrative Cover Letter
- Data Entry Cover Letter
- Executive Assistant Cover Letter
- Office Manager Cover Letter
- Personal Assistant Cover Letter
- Receptionist Cover Letter
- Secretary Cover Letter
- USPS Cover Letter
- Judicial Clerkship Cover Letter
- Hospitality Cover Letter
- Flight Attendant Cover Letter
- Law Firm Cover Letter
Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Cover Letter Examples
To begin with, here’s an example of the ideal cover letter for office assistant jobs:
Office Assistant Cover Letter Sample
James Nguyen
610 Cedarwood Road
Billerica, MA 01821
June 23, 2019
Jason Swordfish
Human Resource Department Head
Blockchain Capital
1 Franklin St, 37th FL
Boston, MA 02110
Dear Jackson,
As a front office assistant currently closing out my bachelor’s degree in human resource management, I was elated to come across the call for a new office assistant at Blockchain Capital. I’ve honed my administrative skills and organizational abilities in these last two years, and I know I have the drive and determination to take on the office assistant role at your more challenging company.
Though my human resource management degree definitely provides me with great insight into the day-to-day workings of a modern office workplace, it is my current front office role which provided me with the skills and development to become a great candidate for this position. As a front office assistant with Gorkus Maloney Partners, I’m very proud of several clerical accomplishments, including:
- Managing an influx of new administrative processes through a 125% staff increase after our acquisition by Horace Global;
- Decreasing travel and accommodations expenditure by 15% by establishing new corporate travel partners;
- Adopted tasks of second front office assistant when he left, thus saving around $2,500 in salary each month.
As you might be able to tell from these few achievements, I always perform my tasks with pride and ownership. If I see an opportunity where I might be able to make a change or adjustment for the better, I set my mind to it.
To sum up, working at your office would be the perfect balance of challenge and making use of my current skills. I’d love the chance to discuss in greater detail how I believe I am a perfect fit for the office assistant position at Blockchain Capital.
Sincerely,
James Nguyen
P.S. Would you be interested in sitting down for a coffee with me? I’d be happy to show you how I could decrease your corporate travel expenses (-15%), as well.
Okay, now let’s create yours.
Here is how to write an office assistant cover letter:
1
Sort Out the Office Assistant Cover Letter Format
As an office assistant, you’ve got morning tasks to complete before the place is open for business.
Likewise—
On medical or clerical office assistant cover letters, you must get the layout in order before the writing starts.
Here’s how to format the office assistant cover letter template:
Cover Letter Office Assistant—Format Template
- In the cover letter header, write your name and address first (top right), the date below that, and then the contact details of the company.
- Open with a standard cover letter salutation and a short-but-compelling office assistant cover letter introduction.
- Continue on by explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this office, and why this admin job is ideal for you. Present the clerical skills you bring to the table.
- Prove you’re as talented as your office assistant resume says by giving a few choice administrative achievements with verifiable numbers.
- Close off the experienced or entry-level office assistant cover letter by requesting a meeting in a captivating call to action.
Got a cover letter for an office assistant with no experience?
Keep it to no more than 200–300 words.
If it isn’t an entry-level office assistant cover letter, a bit more is okay. However, still stay under ¾ of a page in length.
Pro Tip: Writing an office assistant cover letter with no experience? You’ll have to replace background with transferable skills. Check out our guide on writing a first-time cover letter to ensure yours works.
Keen on learning more about what to include in a cover letter? Check out this guide: What Should a Cover Letter Say?
2
Start With a Compelling Office Assistant Cover Letter Introduction
You see everything that goes on in the office with your eagle eye, and nothing escapes your attention.
Hiring managers sift through dozens of office assistant cover letters each day, and they also have an eagle eye.
If you don’t grab their interest from the very beginning, you’ll immediately be placed in the “pass” pile.
So, here’s how to begin cover letters for office assistant jobs:
Office Assistant Cover Letter Examples—Salutation
| wrong |
|---|
| To whom it may concern, |
| right |
|---|
| Dear Jason, |
It all starts with the salutation.
As you can see in our above cover letter examples for office assistant greetings, we advise you to use the HR manager’s name.
Why?
Because people respond better to their own name, and that’s been proven. “To whom it may concern” seems tiring and impersonal at the same time.
If you can’t find a name, all is not lost.
Just go with something neutral, such as “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Pro Tip: Where do you find the HR manager’s name? The office assistant job description is the first place to start, of course. Next, try the company’s website. Look for an “About Us” page. Finally, search through LinkedIn.
Next up—
The application letter introductory paragraph.
This opening statement is your first impression and an opportunity to get them hooked in just two or three sentences.
Here’s how to begin in an intriguing manner:
Cover Letter Sample for Office Assistant Jobs—Introduction
| wrong |
|---|
| Hello, my name is James, and I am looking to apply for the position you posted. I am a hard-working, dedicated, results-driven employee, and I know I’d be a valuable asset to your company. |
| right |
|---|
| As a front office assistant currently closing out my bachelor’s degree in human resource management, I was elated to come across the call for a new office assistant at Blockchain Capital. I’ve honed my administrative skills and organizational abilities in these last two years, and I know I have the drive and determination to take on the office assistant role at your more challenging company. |
That first cover letter example is way too general—
The hiring manager tosses generic application letters right into the bin.
The second sample cover letter opening whets their appetite. It specifies the office position you’re applying for and gives a quick look at your background.
Pro Tip: We told you that HR managers dislike universal cover letters. Instead, always tailor your cover letter to this exact office assistant job description. Want to apply at a second location? Simply write a second tailored cover letter!
Need more ideas on how you can start a cover letter for office assistant jobs in a dazzling and delightful way? See this: How to Open a Cover Letter For Job Applications
3
Write a Great Middle for a Cover Letter for Office Assistants
Ready for a scary fact?
From 2016 until 2026, clerical assistant jobs, such as office assistants, administrative assistants, and secretaries, will decline by 5%.
To put it another way, there will be almost 200,000 fewer clerical support staff positions needed.
You’ve got to work extra hard to get this job.
But—
Don’t worry, because if you win the employer’s heart with the body of a cover letter, you’ll avoid becoming part of these statistics.
What to include in the body section of a cover letter for office assistant jobs:
- Go into more detail on your background and administrative skills.
- Show them you meet their job requirements and company needs.
- List a few past accomplishments with numbers to prove you’re the right fit.
- Explain how everything you bring makes you a perfect match for this office.
Here are office assistant cover letter samples of a few body paragraphs:
Sample Cover Letter for Office Assistants—Body Paragraphs
Though my human resource management degree definitely provides me with great insight into the day-to-day workings of a modern office workplace, it is my current front office role which provided me with the skills and development to become a great candidate for this position. As a front office assistant with Gorkus Maloney Partners, I’m very proud of several clerical accomplishments, including:
- Managing an influx of new administrative processes through a 125% staff increase after our acquisition by Horace Global;
- Decreasing travel and accommodations expenditure by 15% by establishing new corporate travel partners;
- Adopted tasks of second front office assistant when he left, thus saving around $2,500 in salary each month.
As you might be able to tell from these few achievements, I always perform my tasks with pride and ownership. If I see an opportunity where I might be able to make a change or adjustment for the better, I set my mind to it.
At around just three paragraphs in length, the middle area of your cover letter for office assistant jobs should be brief but impactful.
Remember to use numbered wins to “show rather than tell.”
No matter if it’s a medical office assistant cover letter or one for a small legal firm, you now have a body sure to get them excited!
Pro Tip: Many job applicants for administrative support positions take these roles as simply a “job,” rather than considering moving up in the ranks. Show them you’re not a fly-by-night candidate with some brand enthusiasm and details to earn their trust.
There are many ways for writing an effective cover letter for office jobs. See this guide: How to Write a Cover Letter For a Job: Sample & Guide [20+ Examples]
4
End Office Assistant Cover Letters Like a Pro
Time to wrap up what you wrote with a nice little bow.
Here’s the right way and the wrong way to close a cover letter for both full-time or part-time office assistant jobs:
Office Assistant Cover Letters Samples—Closing Paragraph
| wrong |
|---|
| Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my request. I eagerly await your reply. |
| right |
|---|
| To sum up, working at your office would be the perfect balance of challenge and making use of my current skills. I’d love the chance to discuss in greater detail how I believe I am a perfect fit for the office assistant position at Blockchain Capital. |
How dull and robotic is that first one, right?
In the second example closing paragraph, however, you conclude it well—
It restates your eagerness for the job, reiterates you have what it takes, and offers up a call for them to act.
And, we’re reaching the end—
Now, use a closing sentiment (called a valediction) followed by your name:
Sample Cover Letter Office Assistant—Valediction
Sincerely,
James Nguyen
Simple as reordering basic office supplies.
Lastly, the postscript.
A postscript (that “P.S.” you see at the bottom of some letters) isn’t at all necessary, of course.
However, it is a creative way to mention one more thing before they make their considerations.
This is an example of a P.S. statement on an office assistant cover letter:
Sample Entry-Level Office Assistant Cover Letter—Postscript
P.S. Would you be interested in sitting down for a coffee with me? I’d be happy to show you how I could decrease your corporate travel expenses (-15%) there, as well.
Can you see why it’s so effective?
In this example, it reminds them of your proudest accomplishment in a cover letter containing many others. It also personally invites them to discuss further how you can help them get those same, impressive results.
Hard to resist!
Pro Tip: Ready to send off your cover letter? Not so fast! If you have time to spare, setting it aside for a day or two is an effective way of spotting errors or poor wording choices you may not have noticed on the day you wrote it.
Though it’s only a sentence or two, the closing statement has to be captivating. Make sure you get it right by following our guide: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [+20 Examples]
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.
Key Takeaway
Writing a cover letter for clerical assistants wasn’t as tough as you had imagined, right?
Let’s review—
This is how to write the best office assistant cover letter:
- Get the clerical assistant cover letter template and layout in order, first.
- Open with an intriguing intro paragraph, so they’ll be dying to read more.
- Give some insight into your professional background, experience, and skills.
- Highlight your proudest clerical achievements using numbers for verifiability.
- Show both that you’re perfect for this office and vice versa.
- End the cover letter with a strong closing call to action and conclusion.
- Wrap it up by adding a postscript to get one more opportunity for gaining their interest.
Now, just add this to your office assistant resume and send it off.
Good luck!
Looking for more cover letter office assistant examples or ways to talk up your achievements? Leave us a comment below, and we can chat. Thanks for reading!
