You’ve just sent the same cover letter to 60 different job roles, all beginning with “Dear Sir or Madam” and ending with 'Yours sincerely.'
Bad news: you may have just missed your chance to stand out, as generic cover letters are a very common pitfall in job applications.
Did you know recruiters typically shortlist candidates based on how well they meet the job criteria? Failing to address the key requirements can cost you the role.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to tailor your cover letter to align with the job advert or company, ensuring you showcase your value as a candidate.
Cover letter examples for small business owner
Explore additional small business owner cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Experienced Small Business Owner in IT
- Highlighting Relevant Certifications and Courses: The mention of AWS Certified Solutions Architect and the Data Mesh course directly aligns with the candidate's focus on cloud technologies and data platforms, which are integral to the role of a Technical Platform Owner.
- Specific Achievements in Experience: The cover letter effectively quantifies achievements, such as a 30% increase in platform efficiency and a 25% increase in adoption rates, demonstrating the candidate’s capability to drive impactful results.
- Emphasising Leadership and Collaboration: The applicant's role in building strategic relationships with stakeholders and collaborating with engineering and architecture teams is crucial for a Technical Platform Owner who must guide cross-functional initiatives effectively.
- Showcasing Advanced Skillset: By including advanced skills such as design thinking, data platform topologies, and value-driven leadership, the letter positions the candidate as a versatile leader capable of innovating and steering complex data projects.
Novice Small Business Owner in Fitness
- Highlighting Impactful Metrics: Emphasise quantifiable achievements in previous roles, such as membership retention rates and revenue increases, to demonstrate substantial contributions to previous employers and potential impact on future roles.
- Showcasing Leadership Experience: Mention leadership roles and accomplishments, such as guiding teams to high customer satisfaction ratings and implementing successful fitness programs, to reinforce experience in managing and inspiring teams effectively.
- Certifications and Education: Incorporate relevant educational background and certifications, like the MSc in Sports Management and Fitness Business Management Certification, to underline the technical knowledge and expertise pertinent to health and fitness management roles.
- Community Engagement and Networking: Highlight efforts in community-driven initiatives and collaborations, such as partnerships with local wellness brands and schools, to emphasise ability in building networks that can enhance membership and community involvement.
Veteran Small Business Owner in E-commerce
- Highlight Industry-Specific Achievements: The cover letter effectively emphasises notable achievements like enhancing operational efficiency by 25% and reducing fraudulent activities by 40%, demonstrating the candidate's impact in e-commerce operations.
- Showcase Relevant Certifications: Mentioning the Fraud Prevention Certification underscores specialised knowledge relevant to e-commerce roles requiring robust fraud management.
- Emphasise Strategic Leadership and Skills: The letter describes leading cross-functional projects and showcases strategic and technical skills, crucial for high-level e-commerce positions.
- Voice Passion for Innovation: Expressing enthusiasm for tech innovations and data-driven decision-making highlights a forward-thinking mindset, valuable in the rapidly evolving e-commerce industry.
Experienced Small Business Owner in Consulting
- Highlighting successful leadership in transformative projects, such as leading a marketing transformation project which increased customer engagement by 35%, showcases the applicant's capacity to manage and execute large-scale initiatives.
- Emphasising quantifiable achievements, such as boosting online revenue by 40% year-on-year and improving campaign ROI by 20%, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's effectiveness and ability to drive results.
- Highlighting advanced certifications, like the Advanced Marketing Analytics Certification and the Digital Marketing Expert Programme, demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest industry tools and strategies.
- Incorporating language proficiency, especially in multiple languages, can be pivotal for a global-oriented role and enhances the applicant’s appeal to multinational companies.
By Role
Small Business Owner in Retail
- Strategic Emphasis: Highlighted position as a "Director of Omni & Retail Media," focusing on strategic leadership and innovation, which is crucial for roles requiring top-level management and strategic oversight.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Consistently provided specific metrics (e.g., 25% increase in campaign engagement, 40% increase in brand touchpoints) showing clear outcomes and impact of actions taken, which demonstrates effectiveness and results-oriented approach.
- Educational Background: Featured advanced degrees in marketing from prestigious universities, strengthening credibility and showcasing specialised knowledge relevant to the role.
- Advanced Skills and Certifications: Mentioned certifications like the "Advanced Digital Media Strategy" and courses in data-driven marketing, indicating a strong commitment to continuous learning and proficiency in current digital marketing methodologies.
Small Business Owner in Manufacturing
- Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights over 8 years of experience in technology projects and process optimisation, which are crucial for a Manufacturing Engineer role.
- Specific Achievements: It draws attention to specific achievements such as reducing production errors by 30% and achieving 100% compliance with industry standards, demonstrating a track record of success in previous roles.
- Technical Skills: The letter emphasises important technical skills like Zero Defects methodology, CNC programming, and risk management, which are highly relevant for the field of manufacturing engineering.
- Educational Background: It mentions a Master of Engineering from the University of Cambridge, a notable institution, reinforcing the candidate’s strong educational foundation in mechanical engineering.
Small Business Owner in Food Service
- Role Specific Qualifications: Freya's certifications, like the Food and Beverage Management Certification from eCornell, and the Advanced Leadership in Hospitality course from Harvard Business School, are critical highlights showing her dedication to professional development in hospitality and F&B management.
- Demonstrated Experience: The cover letter effectively outlines Freya's extensive experience in various hospitality roles, highlighting her progression from Food and Beverage Associate to Supervisor, which reflects her growing expertise and leadership skills in the industry.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Freya's noteworthy accomplishments in reducing single-use plastic and waste emphasise her commitment to sustainability, a significant asset in modern hospitality contexts where eco-friendly practices are increasingly valued.
- Quantifiable Achievements: By highlighting specific achievements like a 25% increase in customer satisfaction and a 20% sales boost through menu revamp, the cover letter provides concrete evidence of Freya’s impact, enhancing her credibility for roles seeking results-oriented professionals.
Small Business Owner in Beauty Industry
- Highlight specific achievements in driving sales and customer satisfaction, such as the 30% increase in skincare product sales and receiving the 'Consultant of the Year' award.
- Showcase experience in collaborating on marketing strategies and successful product launches to demonstrate ability to contribute to brand growth.
- Emphasise relevant skills and training, including advanced skincare consultancy and retail sales optimisation, enhancing credibility and expertise in the field.
- Mention passion for skincare science and fitness to underline dedication to the industry and personal health, appealing to wellness-focused brands.
Small Business Owner in Construction
- Detailing Specific Achievements: The cover letter effectively highlights specific accomplishments, such as reducing project costs by 18% on average in healthcare projects and achieving a 98% client satisfaction rate. These quantifiable achievements demonstrate a direct impact on the organisation's success.
- Emphasising Relevant Skills: Key skills such as cost estimation, supplier coordination, and project management are underscored, aligning with the requirements of a cost analyst role in construction and healthcare sectors.
- Focusing on Industry-Specific Experience: The inclusion of relevant roles and experiences in major companies like Balfour Beatty and Skanska underscores the candidate’s extensive experience in large-scale projects, thus enhancing credibility.
- Showcasing Continued Professional Development: Courses like 'Advanced Cost Management Strategies' through RICS and 'Strategic Negotiation Skills' highlight the candidate’s commitment to ongoing learning and skill enhancement, which is crucial for staying current in cost analysis and estimation methodologies.
Small Business Owner in Digital Marketing
- Role-Specific Skills and Achievements: For a Senior Digital Marketing Executive role, it's crucial to highlight expertise in key marketing platforms such as Google and Meta, as well as substantial achievements like increasing revenue by 30% through campaign innovations.
- Leadership Experience: Demonstrating leadership through managing a team or leading successful campaigns, such as increasing client engagement rates by 35% and maintaining a 100% client retention rate, is essential for showcasing capability in guiding and influencing a team.
- Certifications: Highlighting relevant certifications, such as the Google Ads Certification and the Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate, underscores specialised skills that are directly applicable to digital marketing positions.
- Performance Metrics: Quantifying accomplishments with precise metrics, such as decreasing cost-per-click by 25% and enhancing ROI by 150%, provides tangible evidence of effectiveness and influence in previous roles.
Small Business Owner in Photography
- Emphasising Specialised Skills: Highlighting proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, which are essential tools for studio photography, demonstrates technical expertise and an ability to enhance photo quality.
- Demonstrating Impact: Quantifying achievements, such as a 30% increase in customer engagement and a 15% rise in satisfaction scores, provides tangible evidence of the candidate’s contributions and capabilities.
- Showcasing Experience: Detailing specific roles and responsibilities across various positions adds depth to the applicant's experience, showing progression and a broad understanding of the industry.
- Highlighting Continuous Professional Development: Mentioning courses like "Professional Studio Lighting" and "Advanced Photoshop for Photographers" indicates a commitment to continuous learning and expertise in advanced techniques.
Small Business Owner in Fashion
- Industry Experience: Highlighting over 10 years of experience in fashion media, showcasing the candidate’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the industry crucial for a Senior Fashion Editor role.
- Leadership and Team Management: Demonstrates successful leadership by supervising a team of 8, evidencing the ability to motivate and guide creative teams, which is essential for editorial success.
- Proven Content Strategy Skills: Emphasises success in implementing new content strategies that led to significant increases in digital engagement and audience interaction, which is vital for driving growth in readership.
- High-Profile Industry Partnerships: Underlines the establishment of strategic partnerships with renowned fashion brands contributing to increased visibility, an attribute highly valuable for enhancing a publication's commercial opportunities.
Small Business Owner in Real Estate
- Highlighting Significant Transactions: Emphasising key achievements, such as successfully managing and closing a £50 million property deal, showcases the ability to handle high-value cases, a crucial competency for a real estate lawyer.
- Client Relationship and Satisfaction: Detailing the implementation of enhanced client service protocols, which increased client satisfaction scores by 30%, reflects strong interpersonal skills and a focus on customer service, which are vital in building and maintaining client relationships.
- Efficiency Improvement Contributions: Mentioning the introduction of a management tool that reduced operational costs by 25% demonstrates innovation and the ability to enhance department efficiencies, appealing to firms seeking to optimise their operations.
- Risk Mitigation Expertise: Describing the development of risk assessment strategies that reduced potential litigation cases showcases the lawyer's skills in risk management and legal foresight, appealing to firms needing preventive legal measures in real estate transactions.
Small Business Owner in Automotive
- Certification Highlight: Emphasising the ASE Certification not only enhances the candidate's credibility but also boosts client trust and leads to increased bookings, showing the direct impact of specialised certification on business outcomes.
- Efficiency and Productivity Contributions: Demonstrating initiative by implementing an optimised scheduling system resulting in a 25% operational efficiency boost, which directly benefits workflow and service turnaround, showcases problem-solving skills valuable to this role.
- Customer Service Impact: Detailing how proactive consultation and tailored advice have led to a 15% increase in customer retention, underscores the candidate’s capability in relationship building and customer satisfaction, critical for maintaining a loyal client base.
- Leadership in Training: Outlining how leading training sessions for junior technicians led to a 20% reduction in error rates not only highlights leadership but also a commitment to team development, which is essential for nurturing a skilled workforce.
Small Business Owner in Agriculture
- Highlighting relevant experience: Emphasising detailed experience in agricultural roles, such as being a Senior Agriculture Specialist at John Deere UK, underscores suitability and expertise for the instructor role.
- Emphasising teaching and training abilities: Demonstrating a strong background in learner engagement and conducting workshops, as seen in developed and facilitated training sessions, shows a direct alignment with teaching roles.
- Mentioning industry certifications: Highlighting certifications like the Advanced Agronomy Techniques Certification clarifies an advanced understanding of subject matter, adding credibility.
- Showcasing achievements materially: Quantifying improvements, such as increasing yield efficiency by 20% and improving client retention by 40%, provides concrete examples of past successes and value.
Small Business Owner in Healthcare
- Specialised Expertise: The cover letter effectively highlights Grace Bailey's specialised expertise in healthcare design, strategic growth, and sustainable architecture, which are crucial for a Healthcare Market Leader role.
- Key Achievements: It emphasises significant accomplishments such as increasing the project pipeline by 30% and securing a £5M contract, demonstrating a proven track record of success in the field.
- Leadership and Innovation: The candidate showcases leadership skills and a commitment to innovation, such as implementing a sustainable design league and mentoring emerging leaders, integral for driving a team's success and growth.
- Relevant Certifications and Education: The letter includes relevant educational qualifications and certifications, such as BREEAM and LEED AP, underscoring the candidate's authority and expertise in sustainable healthcare architecture.
Small Business Owner in Education
- Highlighting Specialised Experience: The cover letter effectively emphasises over 10 years of experience in palliative care, demonstrating deep expertise which is crucial for roles in this specialised area.
- Quantifiable Achievements: The inclusion of specific achievements such as increasing care efficiency by 30% and improving training engagement by 98% provides concrete evidence of impact and effectiveness in past roles.
- Leadership and Collaboration: The cover letter underlines skills in team leadership and cross-department collaboration, key competencies for an education lead responsible for integrating and coordinating efforts across organisations.
- Strategic and Educational Vision: The candidate's role in developing long-term education strategies and innovative training programmes displays a visionary approach to improving palliative care education and delivery.
Small Business Owner in Entertainment
- Highlight Notable Achievements: Demonstrating the impact in past roles, such as the 30% growth in audience engagement and successful management of celebrity projects, effectively underlines the candidate's value.
- Emphasise Industry-Specific Skills and Expertise: Skills like Talent Booking, Content Creation, and Media Liaison are crucial to the Entertainment Booker role and should be prominently featured.
- Showcase Education and Continued Learning: The inclusion of a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, alongside specialised courses like Celebrity and Showbiz Event Management, reinforces a robust educational foundation in the field.
- Integrate Passion and Personal Interests: Expressing a passion for pop culture and event management demonstrates genuine enthusiasm for the role, which can be appealing to employers.
Small Business Owner in Publishing
- Emphasising Industry Experience: With five years of publishing experience, Olivia demonstrates extensive expertise in peer review management and scientific communication, which are critical to a publishing editor role.
- Showcasing Tangible Achievements: Notable accomplishments such as a 20% increase in author engagement and a 15% boost in publication efficiency effectively illustrate her capability to make impactful improvements in journal management.
- Highlighting Relevant Credentials: Olivia’s scientific publishing certification and completion of an advanced communication course augment her qualifications for overseeing editorial operations and enhancing scientific content.
- Demonstrating Leadership and Team Skills: Leading a team that improved journal visibility and managing collaborative relations with stakeholders underlines her abilities in leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
Small Business Owner in Event Management
- Highlighting Achievements: The cover letter effectively emphasises key accomplishments such as increasing client satisfaction by 15% and implementing sustainability practices that reduced waste by 30%.
- Showcasing Relevant Experience: It clearly outlines relevant professional experience, demonstrating data-driven results and highlighting roles that include leading large-scale events and improving operational efficiency.
- Specific Skill Set: The cover letter mentions specialised skills such as proficiency in Delphi software and vendor negotiation, underscoring the candidate's ability to manage complex event-related tasks.
- Education and Training: Includes specific educational background and courses which align with the role's demands, such as a Master of Arts in Event Management and advanced training in Delphi software.
Small Business Owner cover letter example
George Johnson
George Johnson, Liverpool, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
As a seasoned procurement professional with a strong record in driving small business success, I have closely followed your company's innovative strategies in supplier diversity and compliance. Your commitment to excellence resonates with my career focus and inspires me to contribute to your continued success.
During my tenure as Procurement Manager at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, I introduced a Risk Mitigation Dashboard Tool that effectively monitored subcontracting goals, positively impacting over 60 contracts. This initiative led to a 15% increase in small business partnership engagement, underscoring my ability to enhance supply chain processes through data-driven insights.
I am keen to bring my expertise to your team and explore how my skills can best benefit your organization. I am eager to schedule a conversation to discuss how I can contribute to your goals. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
George Johnson, Procurement Professional
Why this cover letter is a winner:
- Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your impact, such as the introduction of a Risk Mitigation Dashboard Tool that increased small business partnership engagement by 15%.
- Emphasize relevant experience and skills, like data-driven insights and process enhancement in supply chain management, to align with the company's innovative strategies.
- Mention your familiarity with the company's commitment to supplier diversity and compliance to show engagement and alignment with their mission.
- Express a proactive approach by suggesting a desire to discuss how you can contribute to the company's goals, highlighting eagerness and initiative.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters are a crucial part of your application, offering additional details beyond your CV.
Here’s why they’re essential:
- Supporting your CV: Now's your opportunity to provide some context for your experience, with more information on your key achievements and how your profile could benefit the position and organisation to which you're applying.
- Showcases your character: Taking the time to write a cover letter demonstrates that you’re proactive, organised, ambitious, and genuinely interested in the role.
- Reflects your career goals: Use the cover letter to outline your long-term career career aspirations and how this role aligns with your broader plans.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
You only have one chance to impress your potential UK employers, so be wise about writing your cover letter.
When doing so, follow these three simple but essential steps:
- Do your research: Begin by researching the company and the role you're applying for. Check their website, social media pages, and relevant news to understand what drives their business.
- Highlight company values: Identify the company's core beliefs and explain how your personal and professional experiences resonate with them. For instance, if the organisation prioritises innovation, provide examples where you've demonstrated creative thinking.
- Match your skills to the job: Analyse the job description carefully and pick out the most important skills or qualifications they’re seeking. Be sure to mention your relevant achievements that prove you're the perfect fit for the position.
How to format a small business owner cover letter
Keep in mind that your cover letter is intended for the recruiters' eyes only, not for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that aligns your job application with role requirements. That's why it's essential to concentrate on the quality of the content and presentation to make a memorable first impression.
Don’t forget to include:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Greeting
- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
Now for some formatting tips and tricks: choose modern fonts such as Rubik, Volkhov, or Raleway instead of traditional ones like Arial. Keep your cover letter single-spaced with margins of around 1-inch (2.5 cm). To maintain a professional and consistent look, ensure that both your CV and cover letter use the same font style.
Lastly, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve its formatting and prevent any edits once it's sent, ensuring your design and layout remain intact for the recruiters.
How to write your small business owner cover letter salutation
It's never advisable to begin your cover letter with 'Dear Sir/Madam', as it sounds comes across as impersonal.
Take the time to find out who is hiring for the role and address them directly in your cover letter greeting (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Chanceworth', 'Dear Harrod').
If you're uncertain where to find the hiring manager’s name, check the company website, look on LinkedIn, or send a courteous email requesting this information. Don't hesitate to ring reception either—they are unlikely to refuse to assist.
How to write your small business owner cover letter intro
It's never a bad time to show enthusiasm about the role, company, or team in your cover letter introduction.
Begin by sharing one or two aspects that genuinely excite you about the position—whether it's the company culture, specific responsibilities, or the team's past achievements.
Your enthusiasm demonstrates that you'll bring a strong work ethic, are eager to contribute, and are motivated to succeed.
Cover Letter Intro
Having admired the innovative approach that [Company Name] takes in fostering community growth while maintaining a commitment to sustainable practices, I am keen to bring my expertise in small business management to your team, helping to further amplify these values that resonate deeply with me.
RIGHT
How to write your small business owner cover letter body
A well-written cover letter body goes beyond the content of your CV, expanding on your greatest achievement to form your compelling case.
The narrative you tell within it could focus on a few key elements:
- A concrete and noteworthy achievement: Backed by data and relevant to the job.
- Your hard and soft skills: Presented with measurable outcomes and results.
- A successful project: Showing how you contributed to the final result.
The goal is to tell a story that aligns with the company’s needs and adds a more human touch to your application.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as the owner of Artisan Coffee House, I spearheaded an initiative that resulted in a 40% increase in quarterly revenue within the span of one year. This achievement was primarily driven by the successful implementation of a digital marketing campaign, combined with an enhanced customer loyalty programme. By utilising data analytics to better understand customer behaviour, I was able to tailor promotions and product offerings more effectively, thereby driving footfall and engagement. This experience honed my ability to not only comprehend and respond to market demands, but also to lead a team through transformational change with measurable success.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
Looking to leave a lasting impression with your cover letter closing?
Then, you should certainly end with a promise—one that outlines what you aim to achieve in the role. Ensure your goals are realistic and align with the company’s needs.
You might also include a call to action, enquiring when you can expect to hear back and what the next steps in the hiring process will be.
Cover Letter Closing
Thank you for considering my application. I am truly excited about the opportunity to bring my entrepreneurial skills and business acumen to your esteemed company. I am confident that my proactive approach and passion for business will make a meaningful contribution to your team. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application in more detail, and I am eager to explore how I can contribute to the continued success of your business. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview. I am grateful for your time and consideration and hope to speak with you soon.
RIGHT
Conclusion
Your cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your personality and skills to potential employers. Start by addressing the hiring manager by name and tailoring your content to reflect the role’s requirements.
Include a specific example of your greatest achievement to illustrate your suitability for the position, while also expressing your enthusiasm for the company. Remember to format your letter professionally, ensuring it aligns seamlessly with your CV.
