When you start applying for jobs, you quickly realise that including a cover letter with your CV is a excellent way to stand out. But what should your cover letter focus on?
Should it emphasise your key achievements or simply list your responsibilities? And how can you effectively demonstrate that you're the ideal fit for the role?
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is either underselling themselves or overstating their experience.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling cover letter by showcasing your most significant professional achievement and telling the story behind it.
Cover letter examples for personal assistant
Explore additional personal assistant cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Personal Assistant
- Highlighting Specific Achievements: The cover letter effectively underscores tangible achievements such as a 30% reduction in scheduling conflicts and 15% savings on travel expenses, showcasing proficiency in resource management and organisational skills essential for an Executive Assistant role.
- Emphasis on Relevant Experience: It outlines extensive experience in reputable firms like Capgemini, Accenture, and Deloitte, which strengthens credibility and highlights the candidate’s capability in handling complex administrative duties in high-profile environments.
- Certification Relevance: The inclusion of a Project Management Professional Certification highlights an advanced understanding of project coordination, which is beneficial for an Executive Assistant, providing an edge in administrative efficiency.
- Technology and Communication Skills: By noting expertise in Microsoft Office Suite and communication strategies, it emphasises the candidate's technical proficiency and ability to enhance internal communication, crucial for supporting executive teams.
Junior Personal Assistant
- Emphasising the applicant's role in streamlining and optimising executive travel logistics, which is crucial for an Executive Assistant, showcasing their organisation and efficiency skills.
- Highlighting the applicant's proficiency with Microsoft Excel through improving data reporting systems, which aligns with the data analysis and reporting aspects of the job.
- Detailing the successful management of high-profile client communications, demonstrating the candidate's ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism while enhancing client satisfaction.
- Including specific achievements in improving organisational processes, such as the implementation of a digital filing system, reflecting adaptability and the ability to drive change effectively.
Bilingual Personal Assistant
- Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights significant roles and accomplishments that align with administrative, enrolment support, and customer service skills, crucial for the desired position.
- Quantifiable Achievements: The emphasis on quantifiable improvements, such as a 20% increase in enrolments and a 15% boost in payment efficiency, showcases a results-oriented approach that employers value.
- Bilingual Proficiency: Highlighting bilingual skills, particularly in English and Spanish, caters to diverse client engagement, a valuable asset in customer service and community-oriented roles.
- Comprehensive Skill Set: The skills section lists pertinent technical skills and attributes such as compliance management, organisational skills, and proficiency in virtual systems, positioning the candidate as versatile and detail-oriented.
By Role
Personal Assistant to CEO
- Emphasising Proven Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights over 5 years of experience in supporting executives and improving administrative efficiency, which is crucial for convincing employers of the applicant's capability for a Personal Assistant role.
- Specific Achievements: By detailing achievements such as a 30% reduction in meeting delays and a 15% saving on travel expenses, the cover letter demonstrates tangible results, which can be very persuasive to potential employers.
- Skills and Tools Proficiency: The mention of proficiency in Microsoft Office and the completion of advanced courses underscores technical competence, which is valuable for efficient task management and report preparation.
- Discretion and Confidentiality: Highlighting a 0% data breach record underlines the applicant's ability to handle sensitive information securely, addressing a key concern for employers hiring for positions involving confidential data handling.
Personal Assistant to Director
- Experience and Achievements: The cover letter highlights a strong track record in managing high-level administrative tasks and improving operational efficiency, demonstrating the candidate's suitability for executive assistant roles.
- Specialised Skills: The mention of skills such as "Confidential Information Handling" and "Calendar Management" aligns with the strategic and organisational demands of an Executive Assistant position.
- Certifications: Certifications such as "Advanced Executive Assistant Skills" reinforce the candidate's commitment to professional development and expertise in the field.
- Strategic Management: Contributions to cost reduction and process optimisation, such as saving the organisation £30,000 annually, showcase the candidate’s ability to enhance business operations strategically.
Legal Personal Assistant
- Highlight Specific Experience: This cover letter effectively illustrates the candidate's extensive experience in administrative roles, particularly those requiring strong organisational skills and client communication, which are critical for a Personal Assistant role.
- Quantify Achievements: The candidate provides specific metrics, such as a 30% reduction in file processing times and a 20% enhancement in client satisfaction, demonstrating their tangible impact and efficiency in previous roles.
- Demonstrate Relevant Skills: Emphasising skills such as diary management, billing accuracy, and travel coordination aligns with the key responsibilities typically expected from a Personal Assistant.
- Showcase Relevant Passions and Courses: The inclusion of passions like 'Legal Industries Networking' and relevant courses in administrative skills and project management signals a willingness to continually develop and apply new skills within this field.
Medical Personal Assistant
- Highlight Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively showcases Jacob's extensive experience in project and operations management within the healthcare sector, including his most recent role as a Senior Project Manager with Bupa. This establishes his expertise and relevance for similar roles.
- Showcase Certifications and Education: Mentioning certifications like the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and specialised courses in Healthcare Project Management provides evidence of Jacob's commitment to continuous learning and expertise in process improvement and healthcare management.
- Emphasise Achievements: The cover letter strategically highlights Jacob's significant achievements such as improving patient processing efficiency by 35% and reducing project delivery times by 50%. Quantifying accomplishments helps demonstrate measurable impact.
- Focus on Relevant Skills: The inclusion of key skills such as project management, data analysis, and regulatory compliance aligns with the role's requirements, demonstrating Jacob's capability to meet job expectations efficiently.
Virtual Personal Assistant
- Highlighting the implementation of a new call routing system and its quantifiable impact, such as a 30% reduction in transfer errors, showcases process improvement skills essential for a Virtual Personal Assistant.
- Emphasising a high customer satisfaction score of 95%, which exceeds the company target, effectively demonstrates customer service excellence suitable for roles involving customer interaction.
- Drawing attention to specific certifications, such as the Advanced Call Handling Techniques and Data Protection and Privacy Certification, underscores a commitment to specialised skill development.
- Showcasing specific achievements, like reduced call misdirection by 30% through a streamlined process, highlights problem-solving and innovation, qualities valuable in remote assistance roles.
Personal Assistant in Public Relations
- Emphasises the candidate's experience in diary management and proficiency in Microsoft Office, which are crucial skills for a Personal Assistant role.
- Highlights achievements like the implementation of a document management system and streamlined office processes, demonstrating initiative and a focus on improving organisational efficiency.
- Mentions the candidate's experience in organising complex travel arrangements and events, showcasing their ability to handle logistical tasks effectively, which is essential in supporting executive roles.
- Includes relevant certifications, such as the Advanced Microsoft Office Specialist, underscoring the candidate's commitment to professional development and excellence in their field.
Personal Assistant in Human Resources
- Relevant Experience: The candidate's role as a Personal Assistant and advancement to senior roles emphasises progressive responsibility and the ability to adapt and excel in administrative capacities; crucial for a PA to Principal role.
- HR Management Certification: Highlighting the HR Management Certification from CIPD underlines the candidate's specialised knowledge and commitment to professional development in Human Resources, enhancing their profile for roles involving personnel management.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Frequently mentioning measurable accomplishments, such as improving attendee satisfaction by 20% or data management efficiency by 50%, provides concrete examples of the candidate's impact and effectiveness.
- Skills and Passion Alignment: The skills listed, such as organisational skills and project management, align with the passions stated about educational development and community engagement, presenting the candidate as dedicated and holistic in their professional approach.
Personal Assistant in Finance
- Emphasise significant achievements, such as the 20% increase in organisational efficiency or the 25% cost reduction in travel bookings, as they demonstrate direct impacts on company operations.
- Highlight proficiency in Microsoft Office and specifically advanced Excel functions as these are vital tools in managing administrative tasks and creating detailed reports for executives.
- Mention successful management and coordination of high-profile meetings with multinational stakeholders, which is crucial for maintaining a strong organisational image in a competitive financial environment.
- Detail any cross-functional team leadership experiences that led to effective system implementations like the CRM enhancement, showcasing the ability to drive key projects that support operational needs.
Personal Assistant in Real Estate
- Highlight Specific Achievements: The cover letter effectively highlights specific achievements, such as reducing document processing times by 30% and enhancing client liaison processes, which are essential for a Personal Assistant role.
- Emphasise Relevant Skills: Skills such as Diary Management, Client Liaison, and Document Management are clearly emphasised, aligning with the duties of a Personal Assistant in the real estate sector.
- Certifications and Courses: The inclusion of certifications like the Certified Legal Support Specialist indicates a specialised skill set in legal support, enhancing the candidate's suitability for the role.
- Quantifiable Improvements: The cover letter quantifies improvements, such as enhancing scheduling efficiency by 25% and raising team productivity by 40%, showing a results-driven approach.
Personal Assistant in Fashion
- Highlight Industry-Specific Experience: Demonstrating over 10 years in luxury retail specifies industry relevance which strengthens your application for an Assistant role in this sector.
- Emphasise Organisational and Communication Skills: Stating skills in diary management and executive support showcases your ability to handle responsibilities specific to a Senior Personal Assistant role.
- Quantify Achievements: Including percentages in productivity and efficiency improvements, such as a 25% time efficiency enhancement, provides concrete evidence of your impact.
- Include Relevant Certifications: Mentioning certifications like “Advanced Executive Assistant Skills” indicates an up-to-date and specialised skill set tailored for high-level administrative roles.
Personal Shopping Assistant
- Relevance of Experience: The cover letter effectively demonstrates Scarlett Murphy's suitability for the role of Holiday Operations Assistant by highlighting her extensive experience and progression in housekeeping and supervisory roles in similar settings.
- Achievements and Impact: By providing quantifiable improvements, such as a 20% increase in positive reviews and 15% cost savings on cleaning supplies, the cover letter clearly showcases accomplishments that suggest the applicant's ability to contribute positively to the new role.
- Educational Background and Certifications: The mention of an Associate Degree in Hospitality Management complements the candidate's practical experience, underlining her knowledge base and commitment to the sector, further strengthened by certifications in Advanced Cleaning Techniques and Effective Team Leadership.
- Passion for Hospitality: Including a passion for 'Hospitality Excellence' and providing outstanding guest experiences aligns with the goal of the position and adds a personal touch that can set Scarlett apart from other candidates.
Personal Assistant in Hospitality
- Highlight Relevant Certifications: The mention of 'Basic Life Support Certification' and 'Advanced Caregiving Techniques' reinforces specialised skills, crucial in a role that demands quick response and advanced care approaches.
- Emphasise Experience in Personalised Care: Detailed personalisation of care through activities and plans tailored to residents' needs showcases a strong commitment to individualised attention, a necessity in the personal care sector.
- Stress on Team Leadership and Mentorship: The experience in training and mentoring caregivers, with measurable improvements in team performance, reflects essential leadership capabilities for managing care teams effectively.
- Showcase Achievement Recognition: Awards like 'Excellence in Care 2020' and 'Innovation in Resident Care' highlight not only personal dedication but also the effectiveness and innovative approach in improving resident care quality.
Personal Assistant in Event Management
- Emphasising relevant experience in executive support roles, such as coordinating executive events, managing multiple calendars, and enhancing communication efficiencies, highlights the applicant's competence in the Personal Assistant role.
- Highlighting achievements like improving productivity and client retention by considerable percentages showcases the candidate's ability to make a substantial impact within the organisations they have worked for.
- Including specific certifications, such as the "Advanced Microsoft Office Suite" and "Effective Business Communication," provides evidence of her ability to perform advanced tasks and communicate effectively, both of which are essential for the role.
- Showcasing language proficiency, especially in English and French, is valuable for multinational firms or roles involving international correspondence, reflecting the ability to support diverse executive needs.
Personal Assistant in Media
- Highlighting relevant experience: The cover letter effectively underscores Theodore's substantial experience in social media management and content creation, specifically with platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are highly relevant for a Social Media Specialist role.
- Emphasising achievements: Specific achievements such as increasing engagement by 35% and tripling TikTok followers provide concrete evidence of Theodore's capabilities and outcomes.
- Showcasing specialised skills: Theodore's completion of courses like 'Advanced Social Media Strategy' and 'TikTok Marketing Mastery' demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and mastery of specialised skills necessary for effective social media marketing.
- Integrating personal passions: Including personal passions related to the role, such as a love for digital media trends and community engagement, aligns Theodore's personal interests with professional objectives, indicating a genuine enthusiasm for the job.
Personal Assistant in Technology
- Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights the candidate's extensive experience in administrative roles, particularly as a Contract Administrator, which is crucial for the position applied for.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Each bullet point in the experience section includes quantifiable outcomes (e.g., improved efficiency by 15%, reduced payment timelines by 25%), which demonstrate the candidate's impact in previous roles.
- Specific Skills and Tools: The mention of skills such as "Advanced IT skills," "Invoice Management," and specific tools like "PeopleSoft" shows the candidate’s technical proficiency and relevance to contract administration.
- Continuous Learning and Certifications: Highlighting certifications such as the "Advanced Microsoft Office Specialist Certification" and relevant courses demonstrates the candidate's commitment to continuous learning and skill enhancement.
Personal Assistant in Education
- Highlighting Efficiency Improvements: Demonstrating specific percentage improvements in areas such as efficiency, enrollment success, and customer satisfaction showcases the candidate's impact and proficiency.
- Emphasising Relevant Experience: By listing past roles like Executive Assistant and Office Manager, the candidate underlines their direct experience and success in administrative positions, which is crucial for the role being applied to.
- Showcasing Achievements: Highlighting achievements such as successful project implementations and cost-saving initiatives provides evidence of the candidate's problem-solving abilities and proactive approach.
- Mentioning Key Skills: Skills such as Admissions Management, Communication, and Crisis Management are pointed out, which align with the responsibilities typically associated with a Personal Assistant.
Personal Assistant cover letter example
Joshua Patel
Cardiff
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Executive Assistant position at your esteemed organisation. Having thoroughly researched your company’s dedication to fostering efficient property management solutions, I am inspired by your commitment to excellence and innovation in this sector.
In my current role at The Hoxton Property Group, I spearheaded the implementation of a sophisticated agenda management system that enhanced scheduling efficiency by 30% for a team of four executives. This achievement not only streamlined operations but also significantly reduced administrative overheads. My track record in managing property refurbishments under budget and ensuring high tenant occupancy rates further highlights my expertise in driving operational efficiency and delivering impactful results.
I am eager to bring my skills in property management and executive support to your team and am confident in my ability to contribute to your ongoing success. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with your needs and would be grateful for an interview to explore this further. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Joshua Patel, Executive Assistant
How this cover letter gets it right:
- Highlight relevant accomplishments: Emphasizing a specific achievement, such as implementing a system that enhanced scheduling efficiency by 30%, showcases tangible success and impact in a similar role.
- Connect experience to industry needs: Mentioning experience in managing property refurbishments and ensuring high occupancy rates connects the candidate's skills with the specific needs of the property management sector.
- Express enthusiasm and alignment: Articulating admiration for the company's innovation and explaining how their goals align with the candidate's expertise demonstrates genuine interest and cultural fit.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters are a crucial tool in making your application personal and engaging.
Here are three reasons why they matter:
- Personalisation: Unlike a CV, a cover letter allows you to show your enthusiasm for the role, giving a more personal insight.
- Addresses details about your career: Whether you’re changing careers or have gaps in employment, your cover letter offers a space to explain these in a constructive way.
- Meeting the job requirements: Your cover letter should be unique and tailored, clearly showing how your skills align with the role requirements.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
When writing your cover letter for a UK employer, it’s important to keep several things in mind. First, you need to conduct a thorough research, which includes reading up on the company’s website, recent news, and their presence on social media. Understanding the company’s latest achievements and its overall mission will allow you to tailor your letter to their specific needs.
Next, focus on the company’s core values. Whether they value teamwork, innovation, or community involvement, highlighting how your own experience aligns with these principles is essential.
Finally, don’t forget to match your skills to the job’s requirements. Study the job description carefully and pick out the most important qualifications or competencies. Then, provide evidence of how you meet those criteria with concrete examples from your past work experience.
How to format a personal assistant cover letter
Your cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong impression, so its structure must be professional and clear.
Here's an overview of how a UK cover letter should be structured:
- Begin with your address and contact details at the top.
- Include the employer’s name and address directly below.
- Add the date to the left or right of the page.
- Use an appropriate greeting, such as 'Dear Mr Smith' or 'Dear Sir/Madam.'
- Open with a strong introductory paragraph.
- Develop your points in the middle paragraphs, focusing on relevant skills and experience.
- Close with a concise conclusion, reiterating your interest and suitability for the role.
- Sign off formally with your name and signature.
The software used to match your profile to the job, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), won’t scan your cover letter. Instead, the cover letter reads as a more personalised note to the recruiter.
When it comes to choosing a font, consider modern options like Lato, Rubik, or Chivo, which should also be applied to your CV to maintain a consistent appearance.
Additionally, your cover letter should be single-spaced with 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides (our templates are pre-set with these specifications so you can focus on your cover letter content).
Finally, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve the formatting and prevent edits.
How to write your personal assistant cover letter salutation
Now it's time to make it personal—in your cover letter greeting, you should always address the hiring manager directly. Whenever possible, use their name, depending on how well you know them (e.g., 'Dear Mr Smith', 'Dear Abbie').
You can find their name by searching on LinkedIn (start by looking for the job posting and the recruiter), visiting the 'About' page of the company's website, or by calling reception or administration to enquire.
How to write your personal assistant cover letter intro
It's never a bad time to show enthusiasm about the role, company, or team in your cover letter introduction.
Begin by sharing one or two aspects that genuinely excite you about the position—whether it's the company culture, specific responsibilities, or the team's past achievements.
Your enthusiasm demonstrates that you'll bring a strong work ethic, are eager to contribute, and are motivated to succeed.
Cover Letter Intro
Having closely followed Lee & Baker's transformative initiatives in sustainable business practices, I am eager to contribute to your dynamic team as a Personal Assistant. Your commitment to innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with my dedication to providing exceptional support and organisational proficiency.
RIGHT
How to write your personal assistant cover letter body
You’ve personalised your greeting and introduction—now it’s time to focus on writing the body of your cover letter.
Instead of listing off skills and responsibilities from your CV, focus on one career highlight that’s relevant to the role.
Use your hard and soft skills, success metrics (e.g., percentages or sales figures), and the long-term impact it had on the company.
A concise, well-told story centred on your value as a candidate will make a strong impression.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as a personal assistant at XYZ Corporation, I successfully coordinated a series of high-profile events that significantly enhanced our company's visibility and client engagement. One notable achievement was orchestrating the annual international client symposium, attended by over 500 delegates from 20 countries. Through meticulous planning and communication, I managed all logistical aspects, from travel arrangements and accommodation to event scheduling and on-site coordination. My efforts resulted in a 30% increase in client participation from the previous year and received glowing praise from attendees for the seamless execution and meaningful experiences delivered. This accomplishment underscores my ability to efficiently handle complex tasks and effectively manage stakeholder relationships, ensuring the highest levels of client satisfaction and organisational success.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
There’s a wrong and a right way to close your cover letter. Here’s how.
The wrong way is to end with a signature or a formal 'Thank you in advance.'
The right way is to either promise how you’d make a positive impact on the company or ask when you can expect a response. This will highlight you as a forward-thinking candidate who’s enthusiastic about securing the role.
Cover Letter Closing
Thank you very much for considering my application for the Personal Assistant position. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my organisational and interpersonal skills to your team. I am confident that my proactive approach and dedication to supporting your goals will make a significant contribution. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my application further and am eager to provide any additional information needed. I look forward to the possibility of an interview and am available at your earliest convenience. Thank you once again for your time and consideration.
RIGHT
Conclusion
A standout cover letter is crucial for making an strong impression in your job search in the UK market. Personalise your letter by addressing it to the hiring manager and aligning your skills with the job description.
Use concrete examples to highlight your greatest achievement and convey your enthusiasm for the position. Finally, ensure that both your cover letter and CV are presented professionally for a consistent application.
