Virtual Assistant Cover Letter with Example [Cover Letter Writing Guideline]

In this age of technology, finding a job across the world has never been easier! All of a sudden, working from home has become a norm for many, and the range of job opportunities is virtually limitless! A career that has been rising in popularity, in particular, is that of a virtual assistant. 

As the name implies, a virtual assistant provides administrative and clerical assistance remotely. Still, to pursue a career as a virtual assistant, you will need to write a cover letter as a part of your job application package. 

A virtual assistant’s cover letter has never been more important in a day and age where talent can be sourced (quite literally) from anywhere on Earth. A virtual assistant’s cover letter, done well, will elevate your job application package by providing a more personal touch in the description of your work experience, education, and other qualifications. Moreover, a virtual assistant's cover letter should demonstrate your skill set and prove your candidacy for the position you are applying for!

This article will investigate the make-up of a powerful virtual assistant cover letter and drop some tricks to take your virtual assistant cover letter to the next level!

Let’s begin! This section demonstrates a couple of examples of cover letters for virtual assistant positions. 

Sample Cover Letter for a Virtual Assistant

Sample Cover Letter for a Virtual Assistant With No Experience

Now that we have seen some examples of virtual assistant cover letters, let’s take a closer look at the specific details. This section breaks down a virtual assistant’s cover letter and identifies key features that all successful virtual assistant cover letters have!

Before anything, your virtual assistant’s cover letter should be personalized and tailored to the company/hiring manager you are writing to. Addressing the hiring manager in your cover letter not only leaves a good impression but demonstrates your attention to detail (which is a highly desirable trait to have as an assistant). 

On the letterhead of your virtual assistant cover letter, include the name and specific contact information of the hiring manager and company. 

If you do not know where to find the contact information of the hiring manager, a good place to look is the job listing. If it is not there, a quick perusal of the company website or a short phone call ought to do the trick! It may seem like a lot of work, but your virtual assistant cover letter will be greatly benefitted from it!

Apply the contact information you’ve just collected about the hiring manager to create a suitable salutation for your virtual assistant’s cover letter. Your virtual assistant cover letter should be formal in tone, and its salutation should follow suit. In addition, where possible, the salutation should also be personally addressed to the hiring manager! Here are some examples of professional salutations that you can include in your cover letter for a virtual assistant position:

• Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.] [Hiring Manager’s last name]
• Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.] [Hiring Manager’s full name]
  

If you absolutely cannot find the personal information of the hiring manager, you can also use these formal non-specific salutations:

• Dear [Addressee’s job title]
• Greetings
• To Whom It May Concern (use this as a last resort!)

Down to business. Begin your virtual assistant’s cover letter on the right foot by briefly introducing yourself and your motivation for writing. The introductory paragraph of your virtual assistant’s cover letter can also be used to briefly mention your experience level and how it can be applied to your success in the position!

To illustrate this point, here is an example paragraph from a virtual assistant application letter:

This section is the meat and bones of your virtual assistant’s cover letter. The body section of your virtual assistant’s cover letter aims to sell your skills, qualifications, and experience as hallmarks of your ability to excel in the position you are applying for. Here is a more detailed account of what each part should include:

• Skills: The skills you mention in your virtual assistant cover letter should directly relate to the job you are applying for. You should aim to balance between technical skills, which demonstrate your area-specific knowledge, and soft skills, which highlight your interpersonal and “people” skills and are essential to Assistants in particular!
• Qualifications: The qualifications in your virtual assistant’s cover letter should be both relevant to the position and field you are applying to. For example, someone writing a cover letter to be a virtual assistant for a finance company may need to include qualifications demonstrating knowledge of financial jargon and standards. 
• Experience: Experience is gold for your virtual assistant cover letter! However, remember to only include relevant experience that contributes towards proving you are the right person for the job! Otherwise, you are simply wasting valuable space in your cover letter!
  

While having experience can never hurt, the lack of experience is still not the end of the world! If you are writing a virtual assistant’s cover letter as a beginner with no experience, shift the focus to other qualifications, education, or training to justify your candidacy for the position. There is a plethora of online certifications that you can take to acquire the skills necessary to become a successful virtual assistant!

It’s the home stretch now! Close off your virtual assistant’s cover letter with an equally strong call to action. In the closing paragraph of your virtual assistant’s cover letter, thank the hiring manager for reading through your cover letter and indicate your interest in the position by including a call to action! A call to action is an indication of how you would like to proceed in the interview process. 

In addition to the aforementioned, it is generally also a good idea to remind the hiring manager about the attachments you have enclosed alongside your virtual assistant’s cover letter. While the specific documents vary depending on the job listing, the generally required documents include your resume and a recommendation or two!

It’s finally time to sign off on your virtual assistant cover letter! This section should remain as formal as the others. Here are some examples of appropriate complimentary closes for a virtual assistant’s cover letter:

• Sincerely
• Regards
• Yours sincerely
• Best regards
• Respectfully
  

Let’s kick it up a notch. Here are some neat tips and tricks that you can use when writing your virtual assistant cover letter.

💡 Highlight virtual assistant skills.

The skill set you bring to the table is one of the most important and defining parts of your virtual assistant cover letter. Remember to be honest and only include skills that you actually have. Here is a list of hard and soft skills that you can use to ramp up the effectiveness of your virtual assistant cover letter!

💡 Touch on any relevant training you’ve completed.

Earlier, we touched on the fact that qualifications matter when writing a virtual assistant’s cover letter. That said, getting the opportunity to gain experience is sometimes challenging. Here are some training courses that you can undergo as an aspiring virtual assistant that you can include in your cover letter:

• SavvySystem
• VA Fastrak
• The In Demand VA Course
• $10k VA
• 90 Day VA
  

💡 Describe past achievements with quantifiable metrics.

A great way to add credibility to your virtual assistant’s cover letter is to quantify your accomplishments with measurable metrics. Physical data and statistics that testify to your competency paint a clear mental picture in the mind of the hiring manager that you are a suitable candidate for the job! Here are some examples of how you can include measurable metrics in your virtual assistant’s cover letter:

• Synthesized over 500 formal letters to be sent to company clients, maintaining the highest standard of professionalism and integrity.
• Compiled quarterly financial statements over 4 years and drafted and presented PowerPoint presentations on budget-related matters
• Spearheaded a company-wide documentation filing system overhaul, reducing data retrieval time by 60%.
  

💡 Express your ability to learn quickly on the job.

Everyone starts somewhere, and the same holds for virtual assistants. If you are writing a virtual assistant’s cover letter with no experience, you need to find a way to replace the trust built from experience. A good way to do this in a virtual assistant’s cover letter is to demonstrate your ability to adapt and learn in a new environment. For example, in your cover letter, you could detail a scenario where you had to learn on the job in a situation similar to the position you are applying for. 

💡 Redirect focus to your education and skills.

If you are writing a virtual assistant’s cover letter with no experience, you need to gain credibility and trust from another source. A good substitute for experience is your education! School and university teach us a great deal, and you pick up on many skills along the way. In your virtual assistant cover letter with no experience, mention how your time in university aided you in learning not only technical knowledge but provided opportunities to pick up on and refine skills that will assist you in carrying out the duties of the position you are applying for!

Conclusion

In conclusion, virtual assistant cover letters are an essential part of your job application package for a virtual assistant position. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an entry-level graduate, a strong and convincing virtual assistant cover letter will boost your application and give you a competitive edge over other applicants! To close off, let's review some of the key takeaways of this article:

• Stick to the truth when writing your virtual assistant cover letter. Avoid embellishing your cover letter with skills that you do not possess as the truth will come out sooner or later!
• Stick to the virtual assistant cover letter format! Maintain a professional tone and personalize your letter for the hiring manager that will read it.
• Experience is your best friend, but is not the only way to impress the hiring manager! In the place of experience, use your virtual assistant cover letter to demonstrate how you have developed the skills and attitude to take on the position and succeed!

— Originally written by Alexander Coye —