Crafting a standout sales manager cover letter can be the make-or-break factor in your job hunt. You've updated your resume and started applying, only to realize a gripping cover letter is required. Don't just regurgitate your resume; weave your proudest professional achievement into a compelling narrative. Steer clear of tired clichés and aim for authenticity, packing a punch within the confines of a single page. Let's navigate these common hurdles and pen a letter that gets you noticed.
- Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
- Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
- Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
- Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.
And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your sales manager resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.
If the sales 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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Sales manager cover letter example
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- Emphasize relevant experience and concrete achievements - The cover letter highlights the candidate's role-related experience and specific successes, such as leading market expansion strategies and negotiating high-value contracts.
- Demonstrate impact with quantifiable results - Stating how the candidate contributed to increasing the client base by 200+ and improving sales revenue by 40% provides tangible evidence of their efficacy in their previous role.
- Express how skills align with company goals - The cover letter expresses a desire to tailor the candidate’s strategic approach to the hiring company’s objectives, showing a forward-thinking mindset aimed at creating value for the prospective employer.
- Showcase leadership and negotiation abilities - By detailing their experience in steering team efforts and securing significant business deals, the candidate underscores their capability to take on high-responsibility roles and deliver results.
What should your sales manager cover letter look like - formatting and organizing your information
Have you ever wondered what are the must-have sections you need to include in your sales manager cover letter? Our builder sets those up for you with:
- Header - dedicated to your contact information, the role you're applying for, and the date (don't forget to include your name);
- Greeting and opening paragraph - to create a personalized and memorable experience for recruiters;
- Body paragraph - emphasizing your skill set and knowledge that aligns with the role and helps you to stand out;
- Closing paragraph - leaving a great impression and ending with an optional signature.
Use a cover letter template to discover the best formatting for your sales manager cover letter: that is single-spaced paragraphs and wrapping your content in a one-inch margin.
Ensure that both your resume and sales manager cover letter are in the same font. Stand apart from the crowd by using modern, yet simple fonts, like Chivo and Rubik, instead of the overused Arial and Times New Roman.
Did you know that the Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your sales manager cover letter? Instead, submit your profile in PDF to recruiters to keep the same formatting and the design intact.
The top sections on a sales manager cover letter
Header: Includes the sales manager's contact information, the date, and the employer's details, essential for the recruiter to quickly identify who the applicant is and to facilitate a seamless follow-up.
Greeting: Addresses the hiring manager or the recruitment team by name if known, demonstrating the applicant's attention to detail and personalizing the cover letter, which is crucial in a role that often requires relationship-building skills.
Opening Paragraph: Clearly states the position applied for and provides a compelling reason why the candidate is the ideal fit for the role, which is critical in capturing the recruiter’s attention in a competitive sales job market.
Experience and Achievements Body Section: Highlights relevant sales successes, leadership experience, and unique competencies, showing the recruiter measurable results and the ability to meet and exceed sales targets, which are key indicators of a successful sales manager.
Closing Section: Ends with a strong call to action, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity, reiterating interest in the role, and indicating readiness for an interview, all of which are important to show a proactive approach—a must-have trait for a sales manager.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proven sales record: A history of meeting or exceeding sales targets demonstrates the ability to drive revenue and success in sales roles.
- Leadership experience: Capability to manage and motivate a sales team to achieve collective goals is essential for a sales manager position.
- Strategic planning skills: Ability to develop and execute sales strategies that align with company objectives shows foresight and planning acumen.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: Essential for building relationships with clients, negotiating deals, and leading a team effectively.
- Industry knowledge: Understanding the specific market, customer base, and products/services is key to tailoring sales approaches and succeeding in the role.
- Analytical abilities: Proficiency in using sales data and CRM tools to track performance, forecast sales, and make informed decisions is valuable for managing sales operations efficiently.
How to address hiring managers in your sales manager cover letter greeting
Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"
The salutation of your sales 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] Team,
- Dear [Department] Team,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [First Name Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
Your sales manager cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your sales manager cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your sales manager cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your sales manager cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
What to write in the middle or body of your sales manager cover letter
Here's where it gets tricky.
Your sales manager cover letter body should present you in the best light possible and, at the same time, differ from your resume.
Don't be stuck in making up new things or copy-pasting from your resume. Instead, select just one achievement from your experience.
Use it to succinctly tell a story of the job-crucial skills and knowledge this taught you.
Your sales manager cover letter is the magic card you need to further show how any organization or team would benefit from working with you.
A sincere and original way to end your sales manager cover letter
When writing their sales 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 sales manager cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your sales 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
Your sales manager cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your sales manager cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your sales manager cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your sales manager cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
Sales Manager cover letter examples
Explore additional sales manager cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
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