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You found the perfect assistant manager position at your dream job. Your resume is ready to go, your job application filled out, and then you notice that a cover letter is optional to include.
Before you smash that send button without a second thought, think about what’s going to make your application stand out from the competition. A powerful cover letter can help your case, and taking the extra time to write one shows that you’re a serious candidate.
Writing a cover letter may seem like a daunting task, but the good news is there are resources and examples available to help. This article provides tips and samples to help you draft a strong pitch to your next potential employer.
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A cover letter, also sometimes referred to as a job application letter, is a brief letter of introduction that usually accompanies a resume. It provides a valuable opportunity to show more of your skill that may not be as easily conveyed in the typical bullet-point format of a resume.
When you submit a cover letter in addition to a resume and, if applicable, a recommendation letter from a manager, you have the opportunity to introduce yourself, highlight your skills, accomplishments, and goals, and explain what you hope to bring to the company if hired.
Whether your cover letter is geared toward a job promotion within your current company or a brand-new job with a new employer, there are key parts of a standard cover-letter formula you need to include:
Your contact information
The organization’s information
Dear [Manager Name],
First paragraph: intent and opening hook
Second paragraph: main body with key skills and accomplishments concerning the job requirements
Third paragraph: closing lines with a compelling call to action
Best regards, followed by name and title
The cover letter should be only one side of a single page, which means you have limited space to work with and need to make sure every sentence contributes to your pitch.
Proper formatting and a professional-looking layout are important. If graphic design isn’t your thing, take advantage of free cover letter templates.
Start simple and remember that it’s important to include the basic contact information for both you and the company to which you are applying at the top of the letter. You want to make it as easy as possible for a hiring manager to contact you.
If possible, address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name. If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, use a gender-neutral greeting such as “Dear [Company Name] Recruitment Manager.”
Tip: “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To whom it may concern” isn’t going to score you any originality points when it comes to making a good first impression. The impersonal greeting feels generic and may inadvertently raise a red flag if a hiring manager suspects you’re sending a mass cover letter to multiple employers without taking the time to personalize each one.
While a neutral “Dear Hiring Manager” or similar phrase is acceptable in place of a name, you should consider mentioning the company and/or department to make it a little more personalized.
The opening of your cover letter needs to grab a hiring manager’s attention. Start by announcing your application to the position and then follow with an impactful accomplishment, preferably a quantifiable fact. Numbers are particularly eye-catching, so if you can quantify your claim with metrics and dollar amounts, your letter is much more likely to get a full read.
Example:
Jane Doe
Assistant Manager
9876 Home Avenue
Sample, NC 27010
123-867-5309
janedoe@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/janedoeMarch 10, 2021
John Smith
Recruitment Manager
Big Global Company
5432 Bustle Street
Commerce, CA 94108Dear Mr. Smith,
I am applying for the Assistant Manager position at Big Global Company. In my previous role as assistant manager at Ecom, I reduced employee turnover rates by more than 50% and performed a cost and sustainability analysis that resulted in new implementations to cut overhead costs by $4,000 a month and put the company on track to become Climate Neutral certified. I believe a position at Big Global Company is the right choice for my skill set, experience, and career goals.
Note that the applicant in the example made a powerful first impression by citing specific measurements instead of relying on market buzzwords and empty, generic claims about increasing revenue and cutting costs. This proven technique is much more likely to garner attention.
By this point, you should have a hiring manager’s attention. Now you need to keep it. To prove that you’re the best candidate for the position, you need to explain:
The skills that qualify you for the specific requirements of the job
Why you are the perfect fit for the position
The goal is to sell yourself. A lot of applicants drop the ball here by prattling off a list of general skills and accomplishments that have nothing to do with the specific job listing. To rise above the competition, you need to prove that you not only did your research but you also understand what’s expected of you in this job position, then directly tie your skillset to the company’s needs.
Example:
My primary goal is to drive revenue for a customer-focused global leader in the e-commerce industry, and I’m especially interested in the culture, innovation, and potential for future development with Big Global Company. Your job listing on Indeed specifies that you’re searching for a leader to create a more cohesive team atmosphere, spearhead new marketing campaigns, and reduce operating costs. My track record at Ecom proves that I have those necessary skills:
Team building: Prioritized creating a healthier work-life balance at Ecom and developing a more small-time, family-like environment, resulting in a drastic decrease in turnover rates
Marketing campaigns: Took charge of a new sales and marketing campaign and increased holiday revenue by 32% YOY last quarter
Reduce operating costs: Created a thorough analysis of productions and developed a plan to slash overhead costs, implement sustainable electronics and devices throughout the building, and steer the company toward a certifiable carbon-neutral footprint
The applicant demonstrates that she understands the job description and breaks down her exact qualifications to meet every requirement in a concise, easy-to-read format. She also mentions how she found the job listing.
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The pitch is looking strong, but now you have to keep up the momentum and cross the finish line with a powerful closing. The ending may seem less relevant in comparison to the rest of the letter, but remember that you have to leave a lasting impression if you want that interview callback.
That being said, be cautious about dragging your closing out with unnecessary fluff. You’ve already made your main points; now drive them home with a quick recap and optimistic closing to remind the recruitment manager why you are the right candidate for the job.
Example:
I look forward to discussing how my strategic management, analytical perspective, and thorough knowledge of Shopify, NetSuite, Fonality, and ShipStation can translate to cost savings and revenue gains for Big Global Company over the next year and decade.
Best regards,
Jane Doe
Assistant Manager
123-867-5309
janedoe@gmail.com
Note that the applicant didn’t leave her strong pitch hanging by simply saying, “Thanks for your time.” She wrapped up her closing in a way that demonstrates her knowledge, enthusiasm, and desire for the company’s short-term and long-term success.
Putting all the parts together illustrates how the ideal cover letter should start with an attention-grabber right off the bat and keep that same level of energy and competency throughout the entire pitch.
Jane Doe
Assistant Manager
9876 Home Avenue
Sample, NC 27010
123-867-5309
janedoe@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/janedoeMarch 10, 2021
John Smith
Recruitment Manager
Big Global Company
5432 Bustle Street
Commerce, CA 94108Dear Mr. Smith,
I am applying for the Assistant Manager position at Big Global Company. In my previous role as assistant manager at Ecom, I reduced employee turnover rates by more than 50% and performed a cost and sustainability analysis that resulted in new implementations to cut overhead costs by $4,000 a month and put the company on track to become Climate Neutral certified. I believe a position at Big Global Company is the right choice for my skill set, experience, and career goals.
My primary goal is to drive revenue for a customer-focused global leader in the e-commerce industry, and I’m especially interested in the culture, innovation, and potential for future development with Big Global Company. Your job listing on Indeed specifies that you’re searching for a leader to create a more cohesive team atmosphere, spearhead new marketing campaigns, and reduce operating costs. My track record at Ecom proves that I have those necessary skills:
Team building: Prioritized creating a healthier work-life balance at Ecom and developing a more small-time, family-like environment, resulting in a drastic decrease in turnover rates
Marketing campaigns: Took charge of a new sales and marketing campaign and increased holiday revenue by 32% YOY last quarter
Reduce operating costs: Created a thorough analysis of productions and developed a plan to slash overhead costs, implement sustainable electronics and devices throughout the building, and steer the company toward a certifiable carbon-neutral footprint
I look forward to discussing how my strategic management, analytical perspective, and thorough knowledge of Shopify, NetSuite, Fonality, and ShipStation can translate to cost savings and revenue gains for Big Global Company over the next year and decade.
Best regards,
Jane Doe
Assistant Manager
123-867-5309
janedoe@gmail.com
Use confident language. This is a managerial position, not an entry-level job, so a hiring manager is going to expect leadership and confidence in a candidate. Instead of using timid words and phrases like “might have” or “possibly” to undermine your skills, choose absolute phrases like “I do have” or “I am confident that.”
Cite quantifiable achievements to make a bigger impact. Instead of saying, “I helped my previous company grow its annual revenue,” give a specific number: “I facilitated an annual 28% growth increase.”
Expand on relevant experience in your resume without repeating your resume. A cover letter provides an opportunity to put your experience into a larger context. This especially applies to any sort of leadership, coaching, and team-building that you can cite, as these are essential to a hiring manager searching for a candidate who can mentor a team.
A recommendation letter paired with a cover letter can go a long way toward cementing your credibility and catching attention, especially if you’re looking for a job promotion.
There’s no reason to pass up the chance to submit a cover letter. Think of it as an extra opportunity to introduce yourself and talk about your specific experiences that qualify you for the position.
The extra effort can go a long way, especially if you’re applying for a management position where doing the bare minimum just doesn’t cut it. If a company is considering two strong resumes but only one candidate bothered to write and submit a cover letter, that applicant is going to have the edge.
Even if you have a great resume, the cover letter just might be that final wow factor that earns you an interview.