Virtual assistants (VAs) have become a popular hire across a diverse range of coaching professionals. They’re game-changers in fast-paced and competitive markets, such as coaching. VAs work remotely, handle multiple tasks, and are a brilliant alternative to full-time, on-site employees.
As a result, virtual assistance is a flexible and attractive option for the employee and the employer. And if you’re looking for an opportunity in this field, this is the right time, as the VA market is set to witness significant growth in the upcoming years. But this means high competition, so how do you stand out among thousands of other applicants?
The first step to success is drafting an appealing virtual assistant cover letter. As an aspiring VA, you possess a wealth of skills, but you only have your resume and cover letter to show them. A convincing and creative cover letter helps you land your dream job.
Why is a cover letter necessary for a virtual assistant?
As a VA, you wear multiple hats, managing basic admin tasks, such as replying to emails, scheduling meetings, bookkeeping, and more. You may also take care of your client’s social media account, maintain their website, and book travel arrangements.
But these are skills included in a virtual assistant’s resume. A cover letter focuses more on your personality, working style, and attitude. Sharing a few experiences about your accomplishments and how you achieved them helps recruiters understand who you are and why you're a good fit for the role.
Most importantly, however, a cover letter grabs attention. All the skills listed above will only be visible if your cover letter convinces the reader to turn the page.
How to write an impactful cover letter for a virtual assistant role
A cover letter outlines your experiences, personality, and skill set. It also highlights your motivation and interest in applying.
The format is pretty standard — a header and a greeting, followed by a body, conclusion, and call-to-action (CTA). Each section must flow and communicate valuable characteristics like reliability and productivity. But you should tailor it to your role's specific requirements and prospective employer’s expectations.
Also, remember, since you’re competing with other applicants and only get one shot, make the most of it. Here’s how to write an effective cover letter:
Include your personal information as a header
While it’s said, “Never judge a book by its cover,” some recruiters might. A virtual assistant cover letter must invite the reader to consider your application.
You can choose from various templates and designs, but the core information is straightforward. Add your full name, email address, and phone number at the top. But we don't recommend adding your full postal address — the town and state will do, but even those aren't necessary.
Ensure there's adequate whitespace, and avoid clutter. The header should be easy on the eye and include essential information –– available at a glance.
Offer a formal greeting
Your cover letter will undoubtedly be under the watchful eyes of a top-level team member — maybe even senior management. Although a VA role is typically just you and your client, avoid using first names in the salutation. And never include the cliche "To whom it may concern" greeting.
Instead, find your potential hiring manager’s name and address them directly. LinkedIn is a great place to start. To keep things safe, formally greet with a "Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [surname]" salutation.
Explain why you're the best fit
This is where you’ll summarize your skills and work experience. Your resume will provide in-depth insights, so you don’t need to flesh out anything here. Start with your best accomplishments and achievements most relevant to the job description. Briefly describe each situation's context and how you contributed.
While explaining your achievements, highlight the skills that made them possible. Include hard skills, such as computer proficiency, project management, and data entry, as well as soft skills, such as communication, time management, and critical thinking. If you earned course certifications, add them and explain how they improved your abilities and translated into real-world use.
Finally, give the recruiter an idea of your preferred working methods and be sincere about it, as you'll engage closely with your boss, who’ll undoubtedly appreciate an upfront and honest applicant.
Attach your resume and sign off
Conclude confidently, and emphasize that you can perform everything expected of you. It's common to express interest in the possibility of an interview soon but ensure you convey enthusiasm rather than expectation.
Provide any requested references, such as your resume or CV (although we recommend attaching these anyway), with your contact information. Add a CTA urging the recruiter to contact you, but don't come across as overeager. You can also add a website portfolio and social media links.
Sign off with a "Sincerely, [full name]," and revise your cover letter. Check for grammatical errors, typos, and extra spaces. We suggest using a professional font — like Arial or Times New Roman — and submitting your cover letter in a PDF format. This is the gold standard for online documentation and makes your application universally accessible.
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Virtual assistant cover letter example
Now you know the essential elements of a virtual assistant’s cover letter. But how do you put it all together?
To simplify things, we’ve made a virtual assistant cover letter template to help you get off on the right foot. Here’s a sample:
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [surname],
I am a highly motivated, committed, and passionate individual eager to join your organization as a virtual assistant. I believe my experience and skills will contribute to your vision’s progress.
While at [previous company], I gained a unique skill set that helped me transition to the next career phase. I have consistently demonstrated abilities in technical work, such as email management, bookkeeping, social media management, and more. My excellent communication skills and administrative support aided entrepreneurs and coaching agencies in handling time-sensitive tasks, earning me a reputation as a valuable and reliable personal assistant.
Here are my accomplishments during my five-year tenure at the company:
- Successfully completed online support tasks, including website maintenance, emailing weekly newsletters, and managing social media content.
- Consistently maintained a high level of professionalism in client assistance and deadlines.
- Balanced project management between numerous parties using my strong interpersonal skills.
These skills, together with my experience and educational background, make me feel positive about my future endeavors. I’m certain I will exceed all expectations you may have from a new virtual assistant.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing more about [company name] and discussing how I can leverage my skill set and experience to contribute to your company's future.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
4 tips for writing a unique virtual assistant cover letter
Before you begin writing your cover letter, check out the following tips to ensure you’re maximizing your application’s potential:
- Keep it concise: Yes, you should convey your achievements and skills, but you should also keep the letter short. Your recruiter may receive many applications and not have the time to read long resumes and cover letters, so make sure you use short paragraphs and incorporate the right keywords.
- Be wary of spelling and grammar errors: Employers expect outstanding writing skills from any virtual assistant, so it would be counterproductive to have typos and formatting issues in your cover letter. Double-check your cover letter, and use online spell checkers to ensure it reads well.
- Avoid using an overly conversational tone: While you may develop a close relationship with your future boss in the upcoming weeks or months, it’s wise to maintain a professional tone at first.
- Talk about your virtual work skills: As the name implies, VAs work remotely and often as freelancers or independent contractors (ICs). Since you may never meet your employer face to face, ensuring your virtual and technical skills shine through in your cover letter is essential.
Learn more about VAs with Practice
It’s time to grab that virtual assistant position you’ve been eyeing for a while. Leverage this template and tips, build an impressive cover letter, and create an excellent first impression to open the doors to a fruitful career in coaching.
If you're just starting out, learn how to become a virtual assistant before drafting resumes and cover letters. But if you’re a seasoned professional with a large client base, leverage an efficient system to manage all your tasks. At Practice, we have various tools and templates, including customer relationship management (CRM) and Client Management Software.
With these extensive features, you can store client data, schedule meetings, and handle payments — all in one place. Try it today.
