When writing an executive assistant cover letter, the applicant should use one single page to demonstrate her clerical skills, close attention to detail, and provide specific examples of using these skills in a previous job setting. These goals can be accomplished by creating a unique letterhead for both the cover letter and resume, and by proofreading the submissions to make sure they are free of grammatical and spelling errors. The letter can be directed to the head of the human resources department or individual conducting interviews, and can request a time and place at which the applicant can meet to further discuss the ways in which her skills can benefit the hiring company.
The duties of an executive assistant typically include filing, faxing, answering telephones, and performing clerical computer work. This type of position serves to facilitate the needs of the upper management of a company or large corporation. Corporate vice presidents, executive officers, and financial officers generally use this type of assistant. Some positions may require that the executive assistant also take care of small personal errands for the executive, such as scheduling dining reservations, picking up clients, and catering business lunches.
When applying for this type of position, the executive assistant cover letter should typically be limited to one page. The purpose of the letter is to serve as an introduction to the hiring manager, and potentially to the executive to whom the position will answer. Detailed information, such as previous employment, length of stay at former jobs, and educational background can be listed on the attached resume, which can be two pages or more as necessary.
The resume and the executive assistant cover letter can be designed to complement one another in style. The applicant can use basic word editing software to create a letterhead which features her name, address, telephone number, and email address. This letterhead can be printed on the tops of both the resume and letter to create a uniform look that also demonstrates the candidate's computer skills and attention to detail.
The executive assistant cover letter should be specific and concise in its address, content, and salutation. The letter can begin by addressing the hiring manager specifically if that information is available, such as "Dear Mr. Gomez", or to the company's human resources department if the name is not provided. To avoid unnecessary length and wordiness, a one page letter usually consists of between four and five paragraphs, with each paragraph containing three to five sentences. In the final paragraph, the applicant may ask to arrange a specific meeting time and location at which her further qualifications can be discussed in an interview. The nature of this type of position requires exceptional clerical skills, and the applicant should proofread the letter several times to ensure no grammatical or spelling errors exist.
The applicant may find it beneficial to use the executive assistant cover letter as an opportunity to provide an example of her work skills. The example should be a specific instance in which the applicant used skills that are pertinent to the new job for which she is applying. For example, if the new job qualifications include knowledge of a certain type of computer program, then the applicant can include an example of how she used that type of program to complete a presentation or series of reports for her previous employer. The applicant can also list awards and any special recognition she may have received in previous work experiences that relate to her talents and skills.