Crafting a people manager cover letter can be daunting, especially if you've already started the job hunt and realized it's a crucial requirement. This pivotal document is not just a repeat of your resume; it's your chance to weave a narrative around your proudest professional milestone. It must strike a balance between formal tone and originality, steering clear of clichés and fitting snugly on a single page. Let's navigate this together and turn your cover letter into a career-defining showcase.
- Create a people manager cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
- Use industry-leading people manager cover letter templates and examples to save time;
- Dedicate your people manager cover letter space to your best achievement;
- Make sure your people manager cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.
Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your people manager cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.
If the people manager 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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People Manager cover letter example
ADDISON HARRIS
Los Angeles, California
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Highlighting quantifiable achievements, such as the 35% improvement in new hire retention, adds credibility and demonstrates the impact of one's work.
- Inclusion of specific programs and strategies, like the implementation of a mentorship program, showcases the ability to create initiatives that meet organizational needs.
- Demonstrating experience in cross-departmental collaboration with a broad group (200+ individuals) indicates the candidate is skilled at working within large-scale and potentially complex organizational structures.
- Expressing eagerness to bring commitment and innovation to the potential employer's team connects the candidate's goals with the company’s objectives, suggesting a mutual benefit to this collaboration.
Structuring and formatting your people manager cover letter
Here's what the structure of your people manager cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your people manager resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your people manager cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your people manager cover letter.
The top sections on a people manager cover letter
Header with Contact Information: It must include your name, address, phone number, and email to make it easy for the recruiter to reach out to you, and to present a professional image consistent with a people manager's need for clear communication.
Greeting and Introduction: A personalized greeting shows attention to detail, while the introduction should clearly state your interest in the position and give a brief overview of your qualifications related to managing teams and leading people effectively.
Leadership and Management Experience: In this section, articulate your relevant leadership experiences, methods for managing teams, and how you've successfully navigated workplace dynamics, to emphasize your suitability for a role centered around people management.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Detail specific instances where your communication skills and ability to build relationships have contributed to team success, as these are critical traits for a people manager.
Closing and Call to Action: Conclude by reiterating your interest in the role, the unique value you bring to it as a people manager, and a polite call to action, inviting them to contact you for an interview.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proven leadership and team management experience: Recruiters look for candidates who can demonstrate effective leadership in managing diverse teams to drive performance and achieve goals.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Managers must be able to clearly convey expectations, provide feedback, and maintain open lines of communication with both their team and upper management.
- Conflict resolution abilities: The potential to mediate disputes and maintain a harmonious work environment is crucial for a people manager.
- Coaching and mentorship experience: A history of developing employees' skills and career paths reflects a manager's investment in their team's growth.
- Strategic planning and organizational skills: A people manager must adeptly set team objectives that align with company goals and ensure resources are utilized efficiently.
- Emotional intelligence: The capacity to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, is essential for fostering a positive and productive workplace.
How to address hiring managers in your people manager cover letter greeting
Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"
The salutation of your people manager cover letter is how you kick off your professional communication with the hiring managers.
And you want it to start off a bit more personalized and tailored, to catch the recruiters' attention.
Take the time to find out who's recruiting for the role (via LinkedIn or the company page).
If you have previously chatted or emailed the hiring managers, address them on a first or last name basis.
The alternative is a "Dear HR team" or "Dear Hiring Manger", but remember that a "Dear Ms. Simmons" or "Dear Simon," could get you farther ahead than an impersonal greeting.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Recruiter,
- Dear [Department] Team,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
- Dear Human Resources Director,
The people manager cover letter intro: aligning your interest with the company culture
You only have one chance at making a memorable first impression on recruiters with your people manager cover letter.
Structure your introduction to be precise and to include no more than two sentences.
Here are some ideas on how to write a job-winning people manager cover letter introduction:
- get creative - show off your personality from the get-go (if this aligns with the company culture);
- focus on your motivation - be specific when you say what gets you excited about this opportunity.
How to write an achievement-focused people manager cover letter body
We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your people manager cover letter - the body.
In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.
What better way to do this than by storytelling?
And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.
Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.
Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.
Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.
The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.
A sincere and original way to end your people manager cover letter
When writing their people manager cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".
Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner.
Write about:
- how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
- the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
- the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).
Lacking experience: here's how to write your people manager cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your people manager cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
Winning recruiters over shouldn't be difficult if you use your people manager cover letter to tell a story that:
- Is personalized by greeting your readers and focusing on key job skills greets;
- Isn't spread all over the place, but instead focuses on one key achievement and selling your value as a professional;
- Introduces your enthusiasm for the role, passion for the job, or creativity in communication;
- Is also visually appealing - meeting the best HR practices;
- Ends with a nod to the future and how you envision your growth, as part of the company.
