Business development manager cover letter

Business Development Manager Cover Letter (With Example)

Writing a cover letter can often be a time-consuming task. They are challenging to write and can add stress to an already stressful situation. Do you really need one?

In most cases, yes.

This is especially true if you are applying for a highly competitive position, such as business development manager. It may surprise you to know that many employers expect a cover letter to be included with your resume — even if the job description doesn’t explicitly mention one.

With everything a cover letter can do for your application, you should want to include one anyway. Sure, it takes an extra effort to include, but that is kind of the point. If you are willing to put in the extra effort during the application process, it stands to reason that you are willing to put in the extra effort during your employment.

A well-written cover letter can help take you from a “maybe” to an interview. The keyword there is “well-written”. A shoddy effort will not go unnoticed — and not in a good way.

Don’t simply copy and paste the same cover letter with each position you apply for. Each cover letter you send out should be personalized for that specific position. While they may include many of the same qualifications and achievements, you want to make sure that you are appealing to this company specifically.

Don’t just regurgitate your resume either. A cover letter allows you to expand on your qualifications and paint a clearer picture for the hiring manager. So, paint yourself as their ideal candidate.

Parts of a Business Development Manager Cover Letter

Your cover letter must be not only well-written but properly formatted. While there are several template options to choose from, every cover letter will follow a similar format and should always include the key elements.

1. Header. A cover letter is, at its core, a standard business letter. There are certain standards to follow in terms of font and format. A proper header is necessary. If you do not include a proper header in your cover letter, it will most likely be tossed directly into the “no” pile.

   Your header should include:

   • Your contact information (in this order):

     • Your first and last name

     • Your current address (optional)

     • Your phone number

     • Your professional email address

     • Your LinkedIn, website, or online portfolio (optional)

   • The date of submission (ex: June 18, 2019)

   • The employer’s contact information (in this order):

     • Hiring manager’s first and last name

     • Hiring manager’s current position

     • Company name

     • Company address

2. Greeting. Sometimes referred to as a “salutation”, the greeting is how you address your letter. “Dear” is considered the standard salutation in cover letters, so you will always begin with “Dear [Hiring Manager]”. Keep in mind, you want to address your cover letter to a specific person: the hiring manager.

3. Opening paragraph. This is your opportunity to appeal to the reader and present yourself as their ideal candidate.

4. Body paragraph(s). The body of your cover letter is your sales pitch. Show that you are not just a good fit for this role, but a good fit for the company. Always use keywords from the job description in this section.

5. Closing paragraph. Once you’ve laid out your argument, you want to close with a clear call-to-action. Be sure to thank the reader for their time and use subtle language to ask for the interview.

6. Sign-off. As with any business letter, you want to close your cover letter with a professional sign-off. Your closing should be followed by your full name; you also have the option to include your contact information here again.

   Standard closings include:

   • Best regards

   • Sincerely

   • Thank you

   • Respectfully

   • Best

   • Thank you for your time and consideration

Business Development Manager Cover Letter Opening

The opening lines of your cover letter can make all of the difference. If you don’t grab the reader’s attention right away, you may find yourself waiting for that interview call indefinitely.

Your opening paragraph can include a variety of information, but it should always answer the following questions

:

1. What position are you applying for? During the opening paragraph, you should state your intention. You want to be a little more creative than “I am applying for X position”, but that’s essentially what you’re telling them.

2. Why should they hire you? You want to tell them why you are their best candidate. Convey your value clearly.

3. Do you really want this job? Obviously, you want the job or you wouldn’t be applying for it. What this means is to communicate your enthusiasm.

   Whether you’re excited to work for this company specifically or you’re very interested in the position, let them know here, but be genuine. It is not too difficult to spot a fake when you’ve read through hundreds of cover letters.

Business Development Manager Cover Letter Body

Part of being a business development manager is mastering the art of selling. The body of your cover letter is your opportunity to show that you know how to sell. This time, though, you’ll be selling yourself.

This should highlight your relevant qualifications and achievements. Don’t repeat what’s on your resume. Instead, expand on what your resume states. It is very important to include the right keywords in your body paragraphs. Many companies will scan incoming applications for certain keywords and flag them for the hiring manager.

You can find the right keywords in the job description itself, but certain keywords or skills will always be related to business development managers.

Generally, a business development manager will be expected to drive sales, build client relationships, research target markets, and identify new opportunities. This position will require a certain amount of experience — typically a minimum of five years — so you will want to highlight your level of experience somewhere.

When in doubt, draw attention to your:

• Organizational skills. Put particular emphasis on your ability to prioritize and set goals.

• Communication skills. Focus on your negotiation and persuasion skills. You will also want to highlight your presentation abilities.

• Problem-solving skills.

• Time management skills.

• Attention-to-detail.

• Customer service skills.

Business Development Manager Cover Letter Closing Lines

Your closing paragraph should be short and include only a few lines. Instead of rehashing your cover letter (or resume), use this space to reiterate what makes you their ideal candidate, thank them for their time, and (subtly) ask for the interview.

Example of a Business Development Manager Cover Letter