July **, ****

To Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my strong interest in working at your company as an Executive Assistant. I have spent a year and a half travelling through Europe and across Canada and am looking to dive back into my career after taking planned time off for personal development and cultural exploration. I am a highly capable, organized, and motivated professional that is looking for an opportunity to develop my skills in a workplace that is rewarding, challenging and offers opportunities to grow within the company. I am a hardworking self-starter who works well as a team member and independently with little oversight and is committed to the highest standards of work performance. My ability to get along well with others, to make necessary adjustments to meet deadlines, and effectively coordinate in fast-paced environments have all contributed to my growth in this field and my employers placing a significant degree of trust in me and granting me work of increasing responsibility.

Some of my key skills that are relevant to this opportunity include:

Over 5 year’s professional experience in an administrative capacity providing support and assistance to both a single department and multiple individuals throughout various companies.

Compelling and organized leader with a proven ability to motivate others to achieve results and who excels at finding the most efficient method of gaining results.

In-depth experience in data management and entry, project management, event management, calendar and email management, customer service, research, report writing, developing presentations, organizing meetings and travel, public relations, and website development.

Ability to remain focused and thrive in a fast paced work environment while managing multiple projects and dealing with conflicting demands.

A comprehensive working knowledge of various computer applications including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe, Acrobat, Outlook, Website software, Fastco, PCLaw, and Asyst.

Highly analytical with a reputation as a resourceful problem-solver who uses her initiative and organizational skills to get the job done.

Regarded as a competent and dedicated team member who is prepared to go the extra mile.

I am available to start August 3, 2018. I have attached a copy of my resume but I believe a face-to-face interview would allow us to get to know each other better and answer any questions that may arise. I am curious about your company and have a few questions that I would like to inquire about myself. I believe I am an excellent candidate for this position and hope I will be considered and given a chance to prove myself. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Andrea M.D. Strawson

Highlights of Qualifications/Skills:

1+ years executive assistant experience

5+ years administrative assistant and data entry experience

1 year Project Management experience leading a team of ten volunteers and stakeholders

4 years of experience educating and supervising students ranging between the age of 2 to 25

1+ years account payable and receivable experience

Able to effectively plan, organize and manage multiple projects and programs simultaneously

Excellent customer service skills and including handling upset clients tactfully

Exceptional organizational skills, including time management and attention to detail

Superior communication skills, including written, oral, and non-verbal

Highly analytical, proactive, adaptable and able to efficiently and critically solve problems

Fast learner with new skills and computer software

Proficient at planning events, purchasing materials, and coordinating travel arrangements

Able to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently and accurately

Highly capable of preparing and presenting complex reports and presentations

Excel at conducting research and compiling, organizing and analyzing data

Able to secure, develop, and maintain relationships with stakeholders and professionals

Experience dealing with highly sensitive and confidential information professionally

Valid passport and Class 5 Driver’s License with own reliable transportation

Education:

Lakehead University, Thunder Bay

Masters of Education (Education for Change: Environmental and Sustainable Education)

Degree obtained May 2015 (First Class Standing)

Lakehead University, Thunder Bay

Bachelor of Education - Primary/Junior

Degree obtained May 2013 (First Class Standing)

Lakehead University, Thunder Bay

Honours Bachelor of Environmental Science (Biology and Environmental Studies) Degree obtained May 2012

Non-Work Achievement:

Andrea’s Gap Year, September 2016 – December 2016 & June 2017 – January 2018

Learned to adapt to unanticipated situations and improvise new plans due to frequent travel mishaps and unexpected events.

Refined language and communication skills through using non-verbal and verbal communication to overcome language barriers throughout Western Europe.

Advanced my networking skills through establishing relationships with strangers from different cultures and maintaining those relationships post travel.

Work Experience:

Receptionist / Office Manager

Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning, Calgary, Alberta, July 25, 2015 – August 2, 2018

Supporting an office staff of 50 individuals

Managing incoming calls, mail, and vendors

Providing customer service and helping and greeting customers

Legal Assistant

Johansen Law Firm, Thunder Bay, Ontario, January & July 2017 & September – December 2014

Transferred all client data to new office location

Entered confidential data accurately and efficiently at 60 wpm

Organized, updated, catalogued, and archived client files

Age-Friendly Project Manager/Executive Assistant/Tax Clerk/Secretary of Police Services Board

Municipality of Shuniah, Thunder Bay, Ontario, May 2015 – September 2016

Successfully formed and managed a team of ten volunteers and key stakeholders

Conducted a needs assessment through surveys, focus groups and interviews

Developed a five year Action Plan to prioritize key initiatives to address residents’ issues

Completed two initiatives and submitted a grant to address six additional priority actions

Developed and applied a comprehensive schedule to ensure tight deadlines were met

Created agenda packages and documented minutes for multiple monthly meetings

Completed quarterly reports, month-end reports, performance reviews, and expense forms

Organized meetings, events, speakers, travel arrangements, donations, and media coverage

Reserved and prepared conference rooms, organized transportation, and ordered catering

Developed and maintained partnerships with residents, city officials, businesses etc.

Conducted research and provided reports on a variety of subjects to Council and CAO

Created and maintained the municipal website

Member of multiple committees and skilled at communicating with a wide range of audiences

Wrote and edited articles for the community newspaper

Completed accounts payable and receivable tasks on Asyst software

Generated invoices, processed payments, and produced financial reports (Tax Clerk – 7mo)

Educator

George Jeffrey Daycare, Thunder Bay, Ontario, February 2015 – July 2015

Educated and supervised a group of 5 to 20 children ranging from 2 to 12 years old

Educator

Community Living, Thunder Bay, Ontario, February 2015 – June 2015

Educated and supervised a group of 10 to 40 children ranging from 2 to 9 years old

I led many engaging learning activities with a high emphasis on sustainable living practices

Administrative Assistant/Grant Writer

Municipality of Shuniah, Thunder Bay, Ontario, June 2013 – January 2015

Electronically and physically catalogued, labeled, and filed all municipal documents

Provided excellent customer service to Shuniah residents (phone, email, in person)

Processed payments, invoices, and mail efficiently and accurately

Education Graduate Assistant

Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, September 2013 – December 2014

Educated and supervised a group of 20-80 adults in a classroom and outdoor field trip setting

Prepared assignments and graded work for 3 environmental education courses

Administrative Assistant

Solar Logix & Green Tree Electric, Thunder Bay, Ontario, February 2012 – December 2012

Submitted applications for customers, directed phone calls, and processed mail

Created a filing and invoicing system for a new company (Green Tree Electric)

Created, distributed and processed invoices and reconciled payments

Data Entry Clerk

Johansen Law Firm, Thunder Bay, Ontario, September 2014 – December 2014

Entered confidential and often sensitive data accurately and efficiently into PCLaw

Updated minute books and client information, generated labels and letters, inputted time sheets and expenses, and transferred client information to a new office

Plant/Animal Biology Teaching Assistant

Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, January – December 2011

Led a group of 30-60 students through lab sessions

Graded and supervised all examinations

Census Enumerator

Statistics Canada, Thunder Bay, Ontario, April – August 2011

Surveyed rural areas for dwellings and delivered census and NHS forms to homes

Navigated through northern rural communities and corrected maps

Contacted individuals by phone or in person to obtain or correct Censes information

Organized and ensured the accuracy of completed forms and protected their confidentiality

Tactfully handled irate individuals to put them at ease while still obtaining the information required

I was given additional responsibilities due to the high quality and accuracy of my work

Contact this candidate