Want a stronger cover letter?

Use our extensive library of professional cover letter examples as practical starting guides. You’ll also find ready-made content with our helpful Cover Letter Builder simply click, customize and download.

 

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How to Format Your Cover Letter

Visit our helpful cover letter format and writing guide for additional advice on how to customize your application, or read on to find HR-related advice. 

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  • Contact information:

    • Make sure your professional cover letter header matches your resume for a cohesive look. Include your name, phone number and email.

  • Date and recipient's mailing information:

    • Visit the company’s directory to research the hiring manager and contact info. Add the date of writing, followed by the manager’s name, job title and professional mailing address.

  • Greeting:

    • Begin the letter with a professional salutation. We prefer the following formal greetings: “Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,” “Hello, Mr./Ms. Last Name,” or the last resort, “To whom it may concern.”

  • Introduction:

    • Add the name of the position and company, how you learned about it, and one human resource skill or accomplishment to advertise your suitability in this opening paragraph.

  • Body:

    • Use one or two paragraphs to elaborate on one or two accomplishments on your HR assistant resume. The goal is to quantify your training further and prove your proficiency.

  • Closing statement:

    • In the final paragraph, reiterate your interest and qualifications. Express your eagerness to discuss your candidacy in an interview further.

  • Signature:

    • End the letter with a formal closing followed by your full name and, if applicable, your professional titles or certifications. Acceptable signatures include “Salutations,” “Best,” or “Regards.”

Use skills to personalize your HR assistant cover letter

Since your cover letter is your first opportunity to expand on your resume, prioritize technical or interpersonal soft skills that best match the job requirements and your experiences. Please choose one or two achievements that you briefly quantified on your resume, then elaborate on them in your cover letter to demonstrate your suitability for the technical HR assistant role.

1
Recruitment support:

Highlight your involvement in sourcing candidates, reviewing resumes and coordinating interviews to demonstrate your role in building a qualified workforce.

2
Applicant tracking systems (ATS):

Mention your proficiency in using ATS software to manage candidate databases, ensuring a streamlined recruitment process.

3
Onboarding assistance:

Showcase your ability to facilitate a smooth onboarding process, helping new hires integrate into the company culture and processes.

4
Employee documentation:

Emphasize your skills in maintaining accurate and organized employee records, showcasing your attention to detail and compliance knowledge.

5
Training coordination:

Discuss your experience scheduling and organizing training sessions, reflecting your contribution to employee development.

6
Benefits administration:

Highlight your role in explaining benefits packages, assisting with enrollment and addressing employee queries regarding benefits.

7
Performance review support:

Describe how you supported the performance appraisal process, coordinating reviews and ensuring documentation accuracy.

8
HRIS management:

Mention your familiarity with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), demonstrating your ability to input and retrieve employee data.

9
Policy communication:

Illustrate how you’ve helped distribute and communicate HR policies to employees, contributing to a well-informed workforce.

10
Conflict resolution:

Provide critical-thinking examples of how you’ve assisted in resolving interpersonal conflicts, showcasing your ability to maintain a harmonious workplace.

11
Compliance assistance:

Discuss your role in ensuring HR practices align with labor laws and regulations, indicating your commitment to legal and ethical standards.

12
Employee engagement activities:

Detail your interpersonal skills in organizing company events, initiatives, or surveys to boost employee morale and engagement.

13
Exit process coordination:

Highlight your contributions to the exit process, including conducting exit interviews and ensuring a smooth transition for departing employees.

14
Data analysis:

Describe instances where you’ve analyzed HR metrics and trends, contributing to informed decision-making and process improvement.

15
Cross-functional collaboration:

Illustrate your ability to collaborate with departments like finance and IT to ensure seamless HR operations.

Free HR Assistant Cover Letter Example

Dear Ms. Sheppard:

Upon review of your posting for a human resources assistant, I was eager to submit my resume for your consideration. With a comprehensive knowledge of human resources operations gained from my recent education, I am confident that I would significantly benefit your organization.

Pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology strengthened my understanding of diverse HR topics such as benefits administration and employee relations. Additionally, my professional background has included relevant responsibilities such as policy evolution and implementation, staff recruitment and training, records management, and cross-cultural communication. With these attributes in mind, I am ready to thrive in this challenging and energizing field.

Highlights of my background include:

  1. Achieving comprehensive knowledge of various HR issues, including employee recruitment and development, compensation structures, union and non-union employee contracts, workforce planning, federal HR regulations and workplace diversity.
  2. Successful background leveraging presentation and communication abilities to attract and retain program participants and staff members.
  3. Spearheading an integrative graduate project to improve employee work-life balance and optimize staff experiences.
  4. Utilizing organizational, analytical and motivational skills to propel teams to peak results.

With my academic-based experience in human resources combined with my enthusiasm and dedication to achieving success, I can swiftly surpass your expectations in this role. I look forward to discussing the position in further detail.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

James R. Motta

This cover letter effectively combines the applicant’s educational background, professional experience, and enthusiasm for the HR assistant role. It highlights relevant skills and accomplishments while aligning with the company’s needs. The letter is well-structured and concise, clearly representing the applicant’s qualifications.

Let’s review how this sample of an HR assistant cover letter appeals to hiring managers: 

Add a Resume as a Foundational Base

A cover letter helps promote your resume — but your resume acts as an essential building block for your job search. This concise summary helps hiring managers trace your training, experience, skill development and accomplishments. The following help articles, online tools and samples can help you improve your resume. 

HR Assistant Cover Letter FAQ

What should be the tone of my HR assistant cover letter?

Although a cover letter lets you highlight your interest in a company, it should maintain a professional yet personable tone. Showcase your enthusiasm for the role while conveying your competence and understanding of HR principles and practices.

How do I address gaps in my HR experience in the cover letter?

Focus on transferable resume skills and relevant experiences demonstrating your adaptability and potential. Emphasize your willingness to learn and contribute to the team.

Is tailoring my HR assistant cover letter to each application essential?

Customizing your cover letter for each application helps highlight your fit for the specific company and role. Address their needs, values and mention relevant skills or experiences.

How can I optimize my HR assistant cover letter for applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

Use keywords from the job description to enhance ATS visibility. Organize content with clear headings, bullet points and a clean format to ensure easy parsing by ATS algorithms.

Can I mention personal skills or interests in my HR assistant cover letter?

Yes, incorporating soft skills and relevant interests can humanize your application. Connect topics like leadership or communication skills to how they contribute to a positive work environment, teamwork, or employee engagement.