Your cover letter is the first impression an employer will have of you, and it can be the difference maker between being shortlisted and being ignored.
In my years of recruiting high-level PAs, I’ve seen countless applications fall flat simply because the cover letter was rushed or generic.
The best ones, however, stand out immediately. They are tailored to the role, concise in delivery and strike the right balance between showcasing professional competence and letting personality shine through.
If you want to write a winning PA cover letter that gets you noticed, keep reading to find out how.
What is a Personal Assistant Cover Letter?
A PA cover letter is an introductory letter that you send to a potential employer when applying for a personal assistant role. Its purpose is to introduce who you are and explain why you’re the right fit for the job.
Unlike a CV, which lists your skills and career history, a cover letter gives you the space to add personality and context. It shows an employer:
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How you’ve applied your skills
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The value you’ve delivered
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Why you’re motivated to support their business
What to Include in a PA Cover Letter?
A strong PA cover letter should follow a clear structure and cover the essentials that employers want to know.
It usually includes:
Your Personal Information
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First and last name
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Email address
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Phone number
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City and postcode
The Role and Company
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Job title of the position
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Name and address of the company
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Name of the hiring manager
A Tailored Introduction
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A brief opening statement explaining why you’re interested in the role
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Mention how you discovered the job opportunity
Skills and Qualifications
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Your educational background
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Relevant work experience as a personal assistant or similar roles
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Key responsibilities and achievements in previous organisations
A Closing Statement
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Express enthusiasm for the role
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Invite the employer to review your CV and discuss your application further
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Personal Assistant Position
As a recruiter, I’ve reviewed hundreds of PA applications. Suffice to say, I know what a good PA cover letter looks like.
I’ve also asked several founders, CEOs, business leaders, and seasoned EAs to share their tips for writing a cover letter that stands out.
Here’s what they have to say.
1. Tailor Your Cover Letter to the PA Role
According to Jade Foster, Executive Assistant at TIME Investments, one of the biggest mistakes PA candidates can make is “crafting a generic, overly formal cover letter that could easily apply to any administrative or support role.”
She continued, “Often, they simply list duties from their CV without demonstrating how their experience aligns specifically with the unique demands of a PA role.”
So, make sure to tailor your letter to the specific requirements of the role. If the job description highlights diary management, travel booking and event support, you should talk about your experience in these areas.
2. Show Your Excitement to Join the Company
Explain why you’re excited to be part of the company, whether it’s their culture, values or industry reputation. This shows you actually take the time to craft a personalised cover letter, not just sending out generic applications.
As Claire Huck, Climate Change Specialist at Earthena AI, shares:
“I would also prioritize candidates who show a commitment to growth within our company, detailing how they envision their development and the opportunities they're drawn to.”
3. Highlight Your Strategic Qualities, Not Just Admin Duties
A PA is a dynamic role that requires quick thinking, problem-solving and the ability to work under immense pressure.
A good PA cover letter doesn’t just list responsibilities, but it also shows how you solve problems, anticipate needs and make your employer’s life easier.
Lucas Botzen, CEO of Rivermate, shared a good example:
“I recently received a letter that read, ‘I managed scheduling for my manager’. That is way too vague. Compare it with another interviewee who stated, ‘I managed a constantly changing travel schedule for a CEO who traveled on three continents per month, coordinating time zones, visas, and meetings in less than a 24-hour notice’. That's the kind of specificity that makes me think that they understand it's not clerical labor — it's strategic assistance. Don't tell me what you did — show me the nuance, the risk, and how you made it seamless.”
Use real examples to show the challenges you handled and the outcomes you achieved.
This shifts your cover letter from generic admin duties to proof that you can deliver under pressure in a high-level PA role.
4. Balance Professionalism With Personality
A PA role is as much about personal connections as it is about skills. Let your professionalism shine through, but allow a little warmth to come across, too. Convince your future boss that you’re an individual who is fun and easy to work with.
I asked Anabel Fielding, Founder & CEO of Alite, what key qualities she looks for when hiring a PA. She said she prefers someone who is clearly “Polite, warm, relaxed and personable in tone and clearly considerate, organised and authoritative in terms of content.”
5. Keep It Concise
Hiring managers are busy. Show respect for their time by keeping your cover letter clear and concise.
As Harpreet Grewal, Head of Business Operations at Nova Executive, puts it:
“If you are going to take the time to write a cover letter, make sure it gets to the point fast. The hiring manager is potentially sifting through hundreds of applications and you need to be able to catch their attention quickly.”
PA Cover Letter Examples
Let’s take a closer look at some PA cover letter examples for different use cases. Feel free to pick a template and customise it to your exact needs.
Cover Letter Template for Entry-Level PA
Here’s a cover letter template for a personal assistant with no experience:
Daniel Turner
00785410000
d.turner@email.com
London, UK
10 September 2025
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the Personal Assistant role at [Company Name]. While my career to date has been focused on office administration, I am eager to transition into a PA role where I can apply my organisational strengths and proven ability to support busy teams.
In my current role as Office Administrator at [Current Company], I coordinate meetings, manage correspondence and act as the first point of contact for clients. This has equipped me with strong multitasking and communication skills. I also introduced a new filing system that reduced document retrieval times by 40%, demonstrating my ability to improve efficiency.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to support your team and bring reliability, discretion, and energy to the PA role. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my skills can add value to [Company Name].
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Turner
Cover Letter Template for Experienced PA
If you have some years of PA experience under your belt, your cover letter should highlight your impact and achievements in your previous role.
Charlotte Hague
0207-123-4567
charlotte.hague@email.com
London, UK
10 September 2025
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the Personal Assistant role at [Company Name]. With over five years of experience supporting senior executives in demanding environments, I have developed the organisational, communication and problem-solving skills essential for success in this position.
In my current role at [Current Company], I manage complex international travel, oversee busy diaries and act as the first point of contact for clients and stakeholders. One of my key achievements has been streamlining meeting coordination, reducing scheduling conflicts and saving my director an average of six hours per week.
What I value most about the PA role is the close working relationship it builds. I pride myself on discretion, trustworthiness and adaptability — qualities I know are vital when supporting a high-level executive. I am confident that I could bring the same dedication and efficiency to [Company Name], enabling your leadership team to focus on strategic priorities.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience align with your needs. Thank you for considering my application.
Yours sincerely,
Charlotte Hague
Cover Letter Template for Private PA
Working as a private PA for a household or family business requires discretion, reliability and a proactive mindset. Make sure to highlight those values in your cover letter.
Olivia Martin
0777-444-1234
olivia.martin@email.com
London, UK
10 September 2025
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Family Office/Household Name]
[Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am delighted to apply for the Personal Assistant role within your household. With extensive experience supporting high-net-worth individuals and families, I understand the importance of discretion, trust and adaptability in providing seamless day-to-day support.
In my previous role, I oversaw household staff, managed luxury travel arrangements, and coordinated private events ranging from intimate dinners to large-scale gatherings. I also handled sensitive correspondence and financial administration, ensuring complete confidentiality at all times.
I pride myself on being resourceful and proactive, anticipating needs before they arise and ensuring smooth household operations. My goal is always to create the space for principals to focus on what matters most, knowing that the details are taken care of.
I would welcome the opportunity to bring this experience to your household and ensure the highest standard of professional and personal support.
Yours sincerely,
Olivia Martin
Cover Letter Template for Celebrity PA
If you want to secure a celebrity PA job, your cover letter should emphasise your ability to thrive under pressure while managing ever-changing schedules.
James Patel
310-555-0134
james.patel@email.com
London, UK
10 September 2025
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Representative/Agency/Production Company Name]
[Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am applying for the Personal Assistant role supporting [Client/Celebrity Name]. With extensive experience working in fast-paced environments that require confidentiality and adaptability, I am confident in my ability to provide seamless support to a high-profile individual.
In my previous position, I managed international travel logistics, coordinated with security teams and oversaw press and event schedules while maintaining strict discretion. I am highly organised, resourceful and accustomed to handling last-minute changes – qualities that are essential when supporting someone whose schedule is both demanding and dynamic.
I take pride in being discreet, reliable, and proactive, ensuring that every detail is managed smoothly so my principal can focus fully on their work and commitments. I would be honoured to bring this level of service and dedication to [Client/Celebrity Name].
Yours sincerely,
James Patel
Preparing For the Next Stage
A tailored cover letter is only one part of a successful PA application – your CV also needs to impress. If you want practical tips, take a look at our guide on how to write a stand-out PA CV.
Once your application has been shortlisted, the next stage is usually an interview with the hiring manager.
Explore these 31 common PA interview questions and answers to give yourself the best chance of success.
Secure Your Personal Assistant Job With Oriel Partners
At Oriel Partners, we specialise in matching exceptional PAs with London’s most ambitious executives, entrepreneurs and family offices.
Whether you’re looking for your first PA role or your next step supporting senior leadership, we can help you find the position that fits your skills and aspirations.
Browse our latest PA job vacancies:
