Crafting a general manager cover letter can be a daunting hurdle as you step into the job market. You've polished your resume, only to realize a bland cover letter won't open doors to your dream job. Inject life into your application by sharing a compelling story of your proudest professional triumph — without echoing your resume. Strike the perfect balance of formality and originality, steering clear of tired clichés. Remember, this one-page pitch can make or break your first impression.
- Introduce your profile to catch recruiters' attention;
- Use professional templates and examples to make sure your general manager 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 general manager 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 general manager cover letter it would write for you.
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General Manager cover letter example
PETER CONNOLLY
New York City, NY
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasizing quantifiable achievements, such as the "comprehensive overhaul of our accounting software" and the "strategic expansion into 10 new locations," helps to demonstrate the candidate's ability to deliver concrete results and manage significant projects.
- Highlighting leadership and growth, as shown by the "eclipsed growth expectations by 30%," indicates the candidate's strength in guiding teams and expanding business operations, which is critical for a managerial role in an ambitious company.
- Addressing specific issues the candidate has resolved, such as correcting a "false $30,000 loss," showcases problem-solving skills and attention to detail, which are vital for financial and operational integrity in a management position.
- Expressing a willingness to contribute to the team and discuss alignment with the organization's goals suggests that the candidate is both a team player and strategically minded, important traits for someone aiming to take a leadership position in a new company.
The format of your general manager cover letter: structure, fonts, margins, and more
Your general manager 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 general manager 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 general manager cover letter:
- Use the same font in your general manager 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 general manager cover letter formatting - with a one-inch margin, surrounding your content.
- Always export your general manager 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 general manager cover letter
- Header with Contact Information: Include your name, address, phone number, and email so the recruiter can easily reach out to you; this section is particularly important for a general manager position because it demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.
- Opening Greeting and Introduction: Address the hiring manager by name if possible and open with a powerful statement about your interest and fit for the general manager role, as this sets the tone and shows your enthusiasm for the position.
- Body Highlighting Leadership Experience: In this section, focus on your previous leadership roles and how you've successfully managed teams and operations, which is crucial for a general manager position as it directly relates to the core responsibilities of the job.
- Discussion of Industry-Specific Skills: Tailor this part to discuss your expertise in the specific industry of the company you're applying to, highlighting skills that showcase your ability to understand and drive the business forward, a key aspect of the general manager's role.
- Closing with a Call to Action: Finish your cover letter by reiterating your interest in the position, thanking the recruiter for their time, and indicating your enthusiasm for a personal interview, which is a proactive way to encourage the hiring manager to take the next step.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proven leadership and team management skills: Recruiters look for candidates who can inspire, guide, and motivate their team to achieve business objectives.
- Strategic planning and business acumen: A general manager must understand the market and industry trends to develop strategies that further the company's goals.
- Strong financial management experience: The ability to create and manage budgets, control costs, and ensure profitability is crucial for a general manager.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities: As the face of management, the general manager needs to effectively communicate with employees, stakeholders, and customers.
- Problem-solving and decision-making prowess: General managers are expected to tackle issues that affect the business's operations and make informed decisions quickly.
- Track record of achieving operational excellence: Recruiters seek candidates who have demonstrably improved processes, efficiency, and productivity within previous roles.
Personalizing your general manager cover letter salutation
Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your general manager cover letter.
Use:
- the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
- the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
- the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Specific Department] Director,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [First Name] [Last Name],
- Dear Dr. [Last Name],
Your general manager cover letter introduction and the value you bring
Moving on from the "Dear Recruiter" to your professional introduction.
Use those first two sentences of your general manager cover letter to present the biggest asset you'd bring to the organization.
Don't go into too much detail about your achievement or the skill set, but instead - go straight for the win.
That is - what is your value as a professional?
Would you be able to build stronger, professional relationships in any type of communication? Or, potentially, integrate seamlessly into the team?
How to select your best achievement for the middle, or the general manager 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 general manager resume.
What else can you include in your general manager 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 general manager 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).
Time to wrap up your general manager cover letter
Writing the closing paragraph of your general manager cover letter is just as important as the salutation.
You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.
Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.
Otherwise, you could also conclude your general manager cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?
The zero experience general manager cover letter: shifting the focus to your unique value
Don't worry if you have no conventional professional experience. Within your whole experience, there's plenty more you can write about in your general manager cover letter.
Take, for example, your biggest achievement or award - dedicate your cover letter body to describe it and the job-relevant skills you've learned.
Your professional ambitions could also take center stage. Describe what you plan on achieving in the next five to ten years and the efforts you're making towards your dreams.
Key takeaways
Winning at your job application game starts with a clear and concise general manager cover letter that:
- Has single-spaced paragraphs, is wrapped in a one-inch margin, and uses the same font as the general manager resume;
- Is personalized to the recruiter (using their name in the greeting) and the role (focusing on your one key achievement that answers job requirements);
- Includes an introduction that helps you stand out and show what value you'd bring to the company;
- Substitutes your lack of experience with an outside-of-work success, that has taught you valuable skills;
- Ends with a call for follow-up or hints at how you'd improve the organization, team, or role.
General Manager cover letter examples
Explore additional general manager cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
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