Stepping into the tech industry as an entry-level system administrator can be thrilling, but first, you need to master crafting the perfect cover letter. While you've likely already started your job hunt, remember that a striking cover letter is your chance to shine beyond your resume. Rather than rehashing your CV, weave your proudest professional moment into a compelling story. Keep it crisp, steer clear of worn-out phrases, and limit it to a single page to make your introduction impactful.
- Introduce your profile to catch recruiters' attention;
- Use professional templates and examples to make sure your entry level system administrator cover letter follows the best industry standards;
- Settle on your most story-worthy achievement to shine a light on what makes your application unique;
- Write a entry level system administrator cover letter, even when you lack professional experience.
Ready to start with the basics: upload your resume to Enhancv's AI, below, to see the entry level system administrator cover letter it would write for you.
If the entry level system administrator isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Entry Level System Administrator cover letter example
MARCUS HALL
San Jose, CA
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Quantifying achievements with specific metrics, such as the "30% boost in productivity" or "45% decrease in system downtime," helps to provide concrete evidence of the candidate's impact on previous positions.
- Demonstrating relevant experience, like "managing and maintaining an active directory of over 2000 user accounts," directly addresses the applicant's capability to handle substantial and relevant responsibilities.
- Expressing proactive behavior by implementing "preventive maintenance routines" showcases the candidate's forward-thinking approach and dedication to continuous improvement, which is crucial for the role of a System Administrator.
- Conveying alignment with the company's values in the opening line engages the potential employer and demonstrates that the candidate's professional philosophy matches the organization's culture.
The format of your entry level system administrator cover letter: structure, fonts, margins, and more
Your entry level system administrator cover letter should include a header (with your name, position, and date); a greeting and introductory paragraph; a body and closing paragraphs; and an optional signature.
Remember that you're writing your entry level system administrator cover letter for recruiters - as the Applicant Tracker System won't scan this content.
Here are a few more tips and tricks to keep in mind when formatting your entry level system administrator cover letter:
- Use the same font in your entry level system administrator cover letter and resume. We recommend modern fonts, e.g. Lato and Rubik, to help you stand out, instead of the stereotypical Arial and Times New Roman.
- Each paragraph should have single spacing, which is already set up for you in our cover letter templates.
- Our cover letter builder follows industry standards for your entry level system administrator cover letter formatting - with a one-inch margin, surrounding your content.
- Always export your entry level system administrator cover letter in PDF to ensure the image or text quality stays the same and your writing isn't moved about.
The top sections on a entry level system administrator cover letter
Header: To present the applicant's contact information, making it easy for the recruiter to reach out for an interview, and also to convey professionalism right from the start of the document.
Opening Greeting: A targeted and respectful salutation addressing the hiring manager by name if possible, demonstrating attention to detail and a personalized approach which is crucial for a system administrator role.
Introduction: A brief section summarizing the applicant's qualifications, enthusiasm for the role, and keen interest in the company's IT infrastructure, reflecting an understanding of the system administrator's responsibilities.
Body of the Cover Letter: This section should highlight relevant experience, technical skills, certifications, and a solid understanding of IT systems, which underpin the technical competencies required for a system administrator.
Closing and Call to Action: A professional closing section that reiterates the applicant’s interest in the position and includes a proactive statement about looking forward to discussing how they can contribute to the IT team, showing readiness for collaboration and initiative.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Familiarity with server hardware and software: Recruiters look for candidates who have a basic understanding of server types, setup, and maintenance, as it's essential for day-to-day operations in a system administrator role.
- Knowledge of networking principles: Understanding network configurations, protocols, and security is critical because system administrators must ensure reliable network connectivity and safeguard data.
- Experience with various operating systems: Proficiency in managing and configuring multiple operating systems, like Windows, Linux, or macOS, is highly valued as system administrators often work in diverse IT environments.
- Scripting and automation skills: An ability to write basic scripts in languages like Bash, PowerShell, or Python is important for automating routine tasks to improve efficiency and accuracy.
- Problem-solving and analytical skills: System administrators must be able to quickly diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and network issues, making problem-solving abilities a top priority for recruiters.
- Excellent communication and teamwork: Clear communication skills are essential for system administrators who need to collaborate with IT team members, explain technical details to non-technical staff, and provide user support.
The entry level system administrator cover letter salutation: how to address hiring managers
After covering the format of your entry level system administrator cover letter, let's look at the salutation.
Back in the day, the cordial "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", might have worked out fine.
But, nowadays, your cover letter should approach hiring managers on a more personal basis.
So, what to do about your cover letter salutation?
If you've messaged the recruiters and are on a first name basis or a more formal one, use the hiring manager's name in the greeting (e.g. "Dear Sophie," "Dear Ms. Givens", or "Dear Mr. Everett,").
Always aim to make the effort to find out the name of the hiring manager, who'd be assessing your application. Search on LinkedIn, double-check the advert on the corporate website, or message the brand on social media to find out more about the role.
If you can't find the hiring manager's name (and still want to sound professional), use "Dear HR Team,", "Dear Hiring Manager,", or the likes.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department] Department,
- Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
- Respected Hiring Committee,
- Dear Talent Acquisition Team,
What to include in those first two sentences, or your entry level system administrator cover letter introduction
Have you ever wondered what the best way is to present your profile in the entry level system administrator cover letter introduction?
There's no right or wrong answer if you're being concise and authentic to yourself.
Some professionals start their entry level system administrator cover letter by:
- congratulating the company - focusing on something impressive, whether that's an award, an industry-leading project, or a key event;
- aligning their passion for the field or industry with the job - if you're enthusiastic about what you do, you'd thus grow your skill set and value as a professional.
How to select your best achievement for the middle, or the entry level system administrator cover letter body
You probably feel exhausted by this point in your application: you've dived into all the details of your success and skills in your entry level system administrator resume.
What else can you include in your entry level system administrator cover letter body?
Well, for starters, the next three to six paragraphs should show you further value as a professional. Or, why should recruiters choose you?
Think back on a noteworthy achievement that answers key job requirements and dive deep.
Structure your entry level system administrator cover letter middle as you'd a story: following chronological logic and highlighting outcomes, thanks to skills.
At the end of the day, you'd want recruiters to be able to see you as the best candidate for the role and understand more about who you are and what makes your success unique (and valuable to the role).
Ending your entry level system administrator cover letter to avoid "Sincerely yours"
Yes, this sort of closing statement may work best before your signature.
But you want to give recruiters something more with your entry level system administrator cover letter ending.
Some professionals choose to go down the path of promises. In a single sentence, they map out what they'd bring about to the role (whether that's a particular technical skill set or personal traits).
Others, decide to be more concrete by thanking recruiters for their time and prompting for their next interview.
Whatever path you choose, remember to always be polite and respectful of the opportunity you've had. Good manners go a long way.
Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience entry level system administrator cover letter
Even though you may not have any professional experience, your entry level system administrator cover letter should focus on your value.
As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.
Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.
If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.
Key takeaways
Creating your entry level system administrator cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:
- Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
- Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
- Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
- Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
- End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.
