General Manager Cover Letter

General Manager Cover Letter (With Examples)

The task of writing a cover letter may seem daunting, but the good news is there are plentiful resources and templates available to help.

Cover letters are an important part of the job-querying process. It’s not uncommon these days for many job applications to say that a cover letter is optional, but if you can include a cover letter, it’s always a good idea. Sending a cover letter shows that you’re serious about the job and want to stand out.

This article dissects the various components of a cover letter and provides tips and samples to help you draft a strong pitch to your next potential employer.

What Is a Cover Letter and Why Is It Important?

A cover letter is a brief letter of introduction that usually accompanies a resume. It gives you a chance to cover more information that may not be as easily conveyed in the typical bullet-point format of a resume.

When writing a cover letter, 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.

Parts of a General Manager Cover Letter

Whether your cover letter is geared toward an entry-level position, managerial position, job promotion, or government job, there are key parts of a standard cover-letter formula you need to include:

1. Your contact information

2. The organization’s information

3. Dear [Manager Name],

4. First paragraph: intent and opening hook

5. Second paragraph: main body with key skills and accomplishments in relation to the job requirements

6. Third paragraph: closing lines with a compelling call to action

7. Best regards, followed by name and title

You have only one page to grab a hiring manager’s attention, so you need to make every sentence count. The strongest cover letters are creative while remaining professional.

If graphic design isn’t your thing, utilize free cover letter templates to ensure your layout is professional.

General Manager Cover Letter Opening

It’s essential to include the basic contact information for both you and the company you are applying at the top of the letter. Remember, 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” isn’t likely to score you any originality points when it comes to a good first impression. The impersonal greeting feels generic and indicates that you’re sending a mass cover letter to multiple employers without taking the time to personalize each one to the specific position.

While a neutral “Dear Hiring Manager” or similar phrase is acceptable in lieu of a name, consider mentioning the company and/or department to make it a little more personalized.

The first two sentences of your opening need to immediately hook a hiring manager’s attention. Start by assertively announcing your application to the position and following it with an impactful accomplishment.

Numbers are particularly eye-catching, so if you can quantify your claim with statistics, percentages, or dollar amounts, your letter is much less likely to end up in the “pass” pile without even getting a full read.

Note that the applicant in the example used specific growth measurements instead of relying on market buzzwords and empty, generic claims about increasing revenue and cutting costs. This technique is much more likely to garner attention.

General Manager Cover Letter Body

Now that you have a hiring manager’s attention, you need to keep it. To prove that you’re a worthy candidate for the position, you need to explain:

1. Why you want this job

2. The skills that qualify you for the specific requirements of the job

3. Why you are the perfect fit for the position

You might be surprised by how many applicants drop the ball here by prattling off a list of general skills and accomplishments that have nothing to do with the specifics of the job listing.

To stand apart from the noise of the competition, you need to prove that you did your research and fully understand what’s expected of you in this job position, then directly tie your skills to the company’s needs.

Note that the applicant clearly understands what is expected in the job description and breaks down her exact qualifications to meet every requirement in a concise, easy-to-read format.

General Manager Cover Letter Closing Lines

So far, so good, but now you have to keep up the momentum and cross the finish line with a strong closing. The ending may not seem as relevant as the rest of the letter, but remember that you have to make sure you leave a lasting impression.

That being said, don’t drag it out with unnecessary fluff. You’ve made your point; now drive it home with a quick recap and optimistic closing to remind the hiring manager why you are the right candidate for the job.

Note that the applicant didn’t just say “Thanks for your time” and leave her strong pitch hanging. She wrapped up her closing in a way that demonstrates her knowledge, enthusiasm, desire for the company’s success, and goal of being with this company long-term.

Example of a General Manager Cover Letter

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.

Tips for a General Manager Cover Letter

• Use confident language. This is a managerial position, not an entry-level job, so a hiring manager will 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 and skills listed in your resume. A cover letter provides an opportunity to elaborate and put resume points into a larger context.

  This especially applies to any sort of leadership, coaching, and team-building that you can cite, as these are important points to a hiring manager searching for a candidate who can upskill and mentor a team.

Final Thoughts

Instead of dreading the cover letter and contemplating whether you should opt out when a job application states that a cover letter is optional, think of it as an extra opportunity to introduce yourself and make your case.

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.

Even if you have a great resume, the cover letter just might be that final wow factor that elevates your application above someone who either didn’t send a cover letter or didn’t put the same level of time and care into drafting it as you did.