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Secretary (General) Cover Letter Template

Professional template and example for Australian job applications

Secretary (General) Cover Letter Example

Dear Hiring Manager, I’ve spent my career supporting busy executives in fast paced offices, and I’ve seen how small admin wins add up. At [Previous Company], I helped cut waiting times for calls and enquiries by streamlining our front desk processes, and I regularly handled calendar management for multiple stakeholders. This role at [Company Name] looks like a good match for my focus on reliable organisation and calm problem solving in a busy environment. I’m comfortable with document management, archiving and file maintenance, and I keep things tidy so colleagues can find what they need quickly. I can coordinate travel and meetings, manage petty cash and supplies, and I’m used to handling enquiries, messages and email preparation with a clear, courteous tone. I’ve learned to prioritise tasks and keep the office moving without creating extra work for others. One example from my time at [Previous Company] shows the value I bring. I reorganised the filing system and introduced a simple digital log for outgoing correspondence, which significantly improved tracking and reduced the time staff spent on locating documents by about 20 minutes a day. I also supported reception during peak periods, helping visitors feel welcome while keeping the queue moving. I’m ready to discuss how I can contribute to [Company Name]. I’m available for a chat at your convenience and can start within two weeks if needed. Kind regards, [Your Name]

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Matches your experience to job requirements

Complete both steps above to generate your cover letter

What happens next: Our AI will match your skills to the job requirements, highlight relevant achievements, and create a compelling narrative that positions you as the ideal candidate.

Why This Secretary (General) Cover Letter Works

Opening Paragraph

Hook with specific achievement + role alignment

Skills Match

Maps experience to job needs + company research

STAR Example

Situation-Task-Action-Result with numbers

Professional Close

Forward momentum + availability

Key Requirements for Secretary (General) Roles

Essential Skills to Highlight

Make sure your cover letter demonstrates these key skills:

document managementappointment schedulingcustomer servicecommunicationoffice administrationtravel coordinationclerical supporttime management

Tip: Include specific examples of how you've used these skills in your STAR example paragraph.

Core Responsibilities to Address

Align your experience with these typical responsibilities:

  • Performs secretarial
  • clerical
  • organisational and administrative tasks in support of daily office operations.
  • Assists with document management
  • archiving and file maintenance
  • ...and more

Tip: Reference 2-3 of these responsibilities when describing your relevant experience.

Secretary (General) Cover Letter Best Practices

Structure (4 Paragraphs)

Opening (40-60 words): State the role and company, plus one compelling hook
Match (100-130 words): Map 2-3 achievements to their top requirements
Proof (80-100 words): One detailed STAR example with quantified results
Close (30-40 words): Confirm fit and invite discussion

Essential Requirements

  • • Length: 250-350 words (one A4 page)
  • • Australian English spelling and dates (DD/MM/YYYY)
  • • Address to specific person when possible
  • • No photos or personal details (DOB, etc.)

What Makes It Strong

  • • Specific achievements with numbers
  • • Company research in second paragraph
  • • Keywords from the job description
  • • Professional but personable tone

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Generic opening lines
  • • Repeating your CV chronologically
  • • Including salary unless asked
  • • Exceeding one page