Kia ora and welcome to cvapp.nz’s cover letter guide for administrative candidates! We’ll help you skyrocket your career potential and land your ideal job role. Whether you’re new to job-hunting or a seasoned job-seeker, we’ve got you covered. Read ahead for our top advice on how to create a winning cover letter for potential employers!
Formatting cover letters for administrative candidates
It's essential to understand the importance of formatting when crafting a great cover letter. Good formatting can give employers an accurate glimpse into your professional story and increase the chances of getting an interview. Our cover letter guide can help you create the perfect cover letter for the job you're applying for. Generally speaking, cover letters should include the following structure:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion
- Sign-off
We’ll go over each section and explain why they’re important. Before starting your cover letter, we recommend researching the company, their website and their social media to better understand their company culture, values and the language they use across their media. This can help you understand the company better and craft a more tailored cover letter. Tailored, personalised cover letters are very important – we’ll get to that in a moment!
Cover letter header
As an administrative candidate, you’ll know the importance of organisation and structure. Your cover letter formatting needs to be clean and professional, and the header is one of the most important elements in your cover letter.
The header of your cover letter should draw in potential employers and catch their attention. For an effective header, make sure to include your full name, contact information, and any associated links to a professional website such as LinkedIn or Behance. You can optionally include your full mailing address or simply just your city, region and/or postcode if desired.
Cover letter greeting
Your cover letter greeting should be polite and professional. Greetings such as "Dear Mr. /Mrs. /Ms. [Last Name]" or "Tena Koe, [Name]" are always acceptable and show respect to the recipient. To personalize your cover letter and better connect with your potential employer, try to look up the name of your recruiter to use in your greeting.
Avoid using casual greetings such as "Hi" or "Hey" as it may not be appropriate for some companies. You can research their company culture and values by checking their website or social media pages. At cvapp. nz, we always suggest employers use a personal name in the greeting where possible. Check out a great example of a cover letter greeting below:
Kia ora Mrs. Eastwood,
Cover letter introduction: Starting off strong
Start your cover letter off with a strong introduction that emphasises your qualifications and relevant work experience. Draw attention to your impressive accomplishments and strengths that make you the ideal fit for the role. Detail your interest and motivation for applying, as well as your relevant achievements and experience. As an administrative candidate, you could describe your passion for helping others or how much you enjoy the organised structure of an administrative role. Think of your cover letter introduction as the first impression your employer will have of you. Your mission is to start off strong and lay the red carpet for your body paragraph, where you can elaborate on your work experience, accomplishments and any other relevant details. Check out this example of an awesome introduction:
As an administrative assistant with five years experience, I was delighted to discover the opportunity to apply for an administrative assistant role with LBP Group. I have strong organisational and planning skills, logical thinking skills and data management skills.
Cover letter body paragraph: Persuading your employer
Your body paragraph should be the most comprehensive and persuasive. Any details you mentioned in your introduction can be elaborated upon here. Describe your experience and academic credentials, as well as any relevant skills that make you a great fit for the job. Be specific and include names and institutions you are affiliated with! When tailoring your cover letter to the specific institution, provide details that demonstrate a clear understanding of the role and organisation.
Employers will have a copy of your CV, so avoid listing out all the job functions you performed at previous companies. Reference the job description as you write and draw upon your experiences to showcase what skills you possess that make you an ideal candidate. You can also incorporate anecdotes that may be relevant to the job description! For example, if the job description states that they’re looking for a team-player that can perform under pressure, can you think of any times where you demonstrated your ability to work in demanding circumstances or where you may have shown great leadership in the workplace? Let your employer know! Don’t forget to match your language with the language in the job description!
Being an administrative assistant requires an in-depth understanding of people and productivity. I am passionate about helping people and boosting productivity to meet company objectives and fulfill goals. Ultimately, my greatest ambition in life is to help as many people as possible. A career in administration allows me to achieve this, to some capacity, every single day.
In addition to the skills listed above, I also have strong social media management skills, time management skills and extensive experience with Microsoft Office. In my previous position with Global Media Group, I managed over five Instagram accounts, including Bread Lover's Bakery, scaling the Instagram account from 500 followers to over 28,000 followers.
Cover letter conclusion: Leave a lasting impression
In the conclusion of your cover letter, remember to thank potential employers for their time and consideration, and express your desire for an interview with an assertive call-to-action. Call-to-action statements are the best way to initiate contact from an employer. For example, you could say, “I look forward to hearing from you soon” or “You can contact me at [insert contact details]. ”
A formal goodbye such as “Ngā mihi” or “Kind regards” is a good way to add a polite touch. For an extra professional finish, you can also include a digital signature. To learn more about our cover letter templates and to explore an example of a cover letter conclusion, check out our cover letter builder!
A great administrative cover letter will reiterate why you’re the ideal candidate for the role. Keep your tone professional, confident and polite. Employers will want to know why you’re the ideal candidate that will help keep their office ticking and advance their company goals. Lastly, as always, don’t forget to proofread your work! Your cover letter conclusion should look a little like this:
I would love to arrange a time to discuss this position with LBP Group. I would be happy to share more details of my administrative experience with you during this time. I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you so much for your consideration. Best wishes,
David Thomas
Epic cover letters are intentional
Writing a cover letter is a great way to create a positive, professional connection with potential employers. Don’t be afraid to mention your passions, your “why” or any relevant details that may have influenced your desire to apply for a role with the company. Don’t forget to present yourself as professional and friendly when you are writing your cover letter. If you ever get stuck, we’ve got plenty of great examples, templates and resources on our website. Karawhiua!
