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Getting that dream managing director job takes work. It takes a lot of education, training, and skills to even be qualified for the position. Then nailing the job itself is going to require you to put forth some effort.
From the minute you see the job posting for a managing director, your work is cut out for you. Don’t worry, it’s all worth it in the long run, but the more effort you put into it, the better your chances.
One of the first steps in getting that job is creating a cover letter. Your cover letter is your first impression. A well-written cover letter gets you noticed and moves you one step closer to a job interview.
The problem is, most recruiters and hiring managers admit they don’t spend much time reading cover letters. This means yours needs to shine. You’re going to have to knock the ball out of the park here.
Because we’re hiring experts at Zippia, we’ve looked closely at managing director cover letters and what it takes to be successful. We’ve broken down the parts of the letter to make it easier to write and to help you get over any writer’s block. Then we’ve pulled together a handful of tips to help you get that job.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
The worst thing is having no idea what to write. Sometimes, just getting some words on the paper can jump-start the process. To help you through this point, we’ve compiled the essential parts of a cover letter for a managing director.
What’s important to note is that these essential elements are the same for any cover letter. They’re not customized, they’re just part of a cover letter. To get it right, you’ll need to customize it.
Your contact information. The best beginning you could ask for. This is information you know so it sets the tone of confidence and success. Choose whether you want to place this information in the left-hand corner, or center it at the top.
Some people don’t like to include their street address anymore. We’re including it here, but we agree that a prospective employer doesn’t need to know where you live.
Salutation. The salutation is who you address the letter to. If you can find out directly who your application is going to, your best bet is to address the letter to them. Especially when you are applying for an upper management position like you are.
If that fails and you don’t know who to address a cover letter to, the best solution is to write, To Whom It May Concern.
Opening. This is probably going to be the hardest part to write. Skip all old boilerplate openings and create your own. One that grabs their attention and makes you stand out from the crowd. It typically takes a few rewrites until you feel you’ve nailed it, but that’s okay. You’ll eventually get it right.
Cover letter body. The fact that the cover letter’s body is longer than the opening doesn’t mean it’s harder. You’ll find that it’s much easier and gets easier as you go. Just do one paragraph at a time.
First paragraph. In this first paragraph, you sing your praises. Tell them about your qualifications, detail your accomplishments and experiences. Point out why you’re a better managing director than anybody else.
Second paragraph. Now, let them know why they want you. Remember, the competition is pretty stiff, so be clear on what makes you a good hire for their company specifically.
Third paragraph. Wrap up the letter, thank them, be available for questions or an interview. Keep it short and to the point.
Closing. Stick to classic closes like “Sincerely,” “Best Regards,” or “Appreciatively”. You’re a professional writing a business letter, this is not the place to be creative or cheeky.
Signature. In an email cover letter, your typed name is good enough. There’s no reason to add a handwritten signature. Simply skip a line between the closing and then add your name.
Yes, we know many people still leave three open lines between their closing and their typed name, even when they’re not adding a written signature. You can do this, but it’s being phased out and it’s not necessary.
Contact information. It’s a good idea to repeat your email address and your phone number under your signature. Some people also like to add their LinkedIn link and/or a professional webpage.
Attachment. Always include your resume with your cover letter and note at the bottom of the cover letter that there is an attachment.
We said this part is going to be tricky. Who knows, you might nail it on your first shot. But the odds are that you’re going to want to rewrite this a few times. We’ve created an example to help you get started, but you’ll want to change it to make it more personal:
Strategic planner, team leader, and forward-thinking visionary are words that have been used to describe me by people who have worked with me in the past. I take my job as Managing Director very seriously and feel there is always room for improvement in my performance and that of my team. That said, I also believe there is room for compassion and understanding in this industry. It’s this combination of traits that make me the ideal choice for your current Managing Director position.
This opening is unexpected, and it makes the reader want to read more, at least enough to see where it’s going. This is a bold move, and it might not fit with your personality or style, but you can see how that approach gets attention and is nothing like boring, old cover letter templates that impart no information of value.
Now for the body of the cover letter. Tackle it one paragraph at a time and it shouldn’t be too tricky. The first one is the hardest, the third one is a breeze:
I started my career in management at Smith Co. right out of college. I quickly moved up the ladder and was Managing Director of Shipping within five years. I then moved to Johnson Sons and stepped in as Managing Director of the entire facility. I believe my accomplishments in these two companies have prepared me to take on the challenge of working at Beaver Building Supply. Some of those accomplishments include:
Developing team objectives and strategic plans to hit goals
Managing milestones and aligning the team for the next steps
Constantly maintaining an open dialogue with stakeholders
Tracking team performance and readjusting as needed
Driving organizational success with an eye on ongoing improvement opportunities
I thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy the unexpected challenges that are inherent in our business. I know that Beaver Building Supply is a leader in our region, and I feel I’m ready to manage a larger team and achieve greater success. Balancing personalities and team dynamics and the company bottom line is something I am not only adept at doing, but I excel in these areas. This is why I believe I’m the perfect fit for your team.
Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter. I am enclosing my resume and am more than happy to provide any references or additional data upon request. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I hope we can arrange to meet in person or virtually to discuss my qualifications.
There’s no reason to pad your closing, so go for the simple, concise ending.
Sincerely,
Matthew Daniels
mdaniels@email.com
(111) 222-3333
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
Now that you’ve looked at all of the parts of a cover letter and you’ve gotten started on your own, it’s time to pull it all together. Your final cover letter should look something like this.
Matthew Daniels
22 Hardtop Lane
Salt Lake City, UT 84013
mdaniels@email.com
(111) 222-33333/30/2021
Sarah Gibs
Hiring Manager, Beaver Building Supply
7 Fruit Tree Lane
Salt Lake City, UT 84013
(888) 999-7777
sgibs@email.comDear Ms. Gibs,
Strategic planner, team leader, and forward-thinking visionary are words that have been used to describe me by people who have worked with me in the past. I take my job as Managing Director very seriously and feel there is always room for improvement in my performance and that of my team. That said, I also believe there is room for compassion and understanding in this industry. It’s this combination of traits that make me the ideal choice for your current Managing Director position.
I started my career in management at Smith Co. right out of college. I quickly moved up the ladder and was Managing Director of Shipping within five years. I then moved to Johnson Sons and stepped in as Managing Director of the entire facility. I believe my accomplishments in these two companies have prepared me to take on the challenge of working at Beaver Building Supply. Some of those accomplishments include:
Developing team objectives and strategic plans to hit goals
Managing milestones and aligning the team for the next steps
Constantly maintaining an open dialogue with stakeholders
Tracking team performance and readjusting as needed
Driving organizational success with an eye on ongoing improvement opportunities
I thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy the unexpected challenges that are inherent in our business. I know that Beaver Building Supply is a leader in our region, and I feel I’m ready to manage a larger team and achieve greater success. Balancing personalities and team dynamics and the company bottom line is something I am not only adept at doing, but I excel in these areas. This is why I believe I’m the perfect fit for your team.
Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter. I am enclosing my resume and am more than happy to provide any references or additional data upon request. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I hope we can arrange to meet in person or virtually to discuss my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Matthew Daniels
mdaniels@email.com
(111) 222-3333
Almost there, but a few tips can make a big difference. We’ve pulled together our top tips for managing directors. Hopefully, this added information will help your cover letter stand out from the rest.
Review templates. Check out a few cover letter templates to find some formatting ideas. Look for something that you think stands out but still looks professional.
Stress soft skills. Your resume is going to hit on your education and training but it’s probably going to miss some of those soft skills, like leadership and empathy, that are important in your profession. Try to work them into your cover letter.
Specific skills or technology. This depends on your industry, but you may have some specific technical training that only applies to your field. If you’re getting another job in this field, they’re going to want to know you’ve already been trained. It can make the difference between you and another candidate.
Demonstrate accomplishments. If it is possible to share some specific examples of how you’ve made changes that were beneficial to your current company, this can mean a lot. Whether you have statistics or not, sharing this information, without sharing proprietary secrets, goes a long way toward proving your worth as a Managing Director.