Sales specialist cover letter

Sales Specialist Cover Letter Writing (With Examples)

Sales specialists roles exist across nearly all industries. Though the roles are plenty, they can often be competitive and require some extra time and care in the application process.

Sales specialists need to have a firm grasp on both positively representing a brand and meeting sales goals. They also need a strong awareness of market trends, demographic data, consumer habits, and more to effectively make sales.

In general, the title of sales specialist can be a difficult position to land without proper care. Employers look for sales specialists who have a good base of knowledge within their industry and who know how to convey this knowledge. They also require specific skills along with adequate training and experience.

Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary for these positions, which require a lot of professional relationship upkeep. Sales specialists network on behalf of the company and product, find new customers and manage relationships with existing customers.

Sales specialists are meant to represent the intersection between product knowledge and customer relationship management.

As you can see, the role of a sales specialist requires a great grasp of language and an ability to wield it strategically and effectively. This makes the task of nailing your cover letter all the more important. Sending in a stellar cover letter shows that you are literate in professional communication alongside showing off your accomplishments.

In a way, your cover letter is the enticement for the product you are trying to sell: yourself. Of course, you are a human being and not a product, but the ability to market yourself and your experiences go a long way to show your skills as a salesperson.

So, if you know you have the knowledge, the experience, and the mindset, now it’s time to spin those sales skills and show off your most valuable product.

As a sales expert, you probably don’t need to be reminded that the way we explain and present things makes all the difference in determining how someone sees them. Especially within the field of sales, the employee who is able to apply their skills and experience in the most convincing and impactful way will always have the upper hand.

During the job search process, individualized cover letters are the best way to show off how good you are at presenting yourself and applying your experience. In writing a cover letter, you get an opportunity to explain upfront how you fit into this specific role and what makes you a great salesperson and worker more generally.

In this article, we’ll go through the steps to writing a perfect cover letter for a sales specialist position. We’ll run you through the parts you need to include, skills to emphasize for sales specialists, and some helpful examples to aid you in your writing process.

Parts of a Sales Specialist Cover Letter

When it comes to the basic formatting of cover letters, it’s going to be the same no matter where you are applying or what you are applying for. We use these basic parts to build off while still having a clear direction. These parts include:

• Salutation/Greeting Line. After your header format, which will include your full name and contact information, your salutation will be the first words written on the page.

  In almost all cases, this will look like “Dear,” followed by an honorific such as Ms., Mr., or Mx. and the receiver’s last name. If you are on friendly terms with the receiver or if you are applying to a less formal workplace, you can consider addressing the receiver by their first name.

• Opening Paragraph. When it comes to the actual content of your letter, always begin with a statement on why you are writing. Your opening should make it clear which position you are applying for and perhaps mention how you found out about this open position.

  Speak on your qualifications for this position in a generalized way and emphasize why you would like to work at this specific position in this specific company.

• Body Paragraphs. Your body paragraphs are there to do the majority of the work in explaining why you are the best fit for this sales role.

  Tailor your experience towards the needs and requirements described in the job posting, and focus on how you can serve the organization rather than how the organization might serve you.

• Closing Paragraph. Use your closing paragraph strategically to bring the letter to a nice close while prompting the reader for a follow-up.

  Thank your reader for their time and consideration, include information about any additional documents, and end with a “call to action” that inspires them to move forward with the interview process.

• Complimentary Closing Lines. At the very end of your letter, after the main contents, include a closing phrase followed by your name and/or digital signature.

  Something like “Sincerely,” “Best,” or “Regards,” will work just fine. Complimentary closes are necessary for following the guidelines of proper professional letter writing.

Be sure that whatever design and formatting you choose to have on this cover letter is tasteful, minimal, and consistent throughout. Always use the same formatting on your resume as you use as on your cover letter, and, like your resume, keep the letter clear, concise, and easy-to-read at one-page maximum.

The key is to pack as much information into as little space as you can. Read below to find out how you can put these parts into action.

Sales Specialist Cover Letter Opening

The opening paragraph of your cover letter, in conjunction with the header, will answer the question “who you are and what are you doing here?”. Assume they have no context for the sending of your letter; fill them in.

After your header and your salutation, introduce yourself within the first sentence of the first paragraph. Along with a general introduction to yourself, clearly identify the position you are applying for, and note your intention to apply.

You don’t need to re-state your name, but just give a small relevant quip about who you are in relation to the company’s needs.

It’s important that you state clearly upfront the specific position you’re applying for because that’s the entire reason you’re writing this letter.

In your first paragraph, you can also quickly mention how you found out about this job if it is of interest. This may not be relevant if it’s obvious where you found the position, such as applying directly through job boards. But it can clarify your interest in the organization and even give you a head in other cases.

If it’s relevant and you have a good reason to do so, you can go into some detail about your experience with this organization and how you found this specific position. If any mutual contacts or inside employees referred you, you could mention that for some insider support.

The most important thing to remember is that your cover letter opening is where you draw in the hiring manager and give them a good reason to keep reading. Opening lines like “I am writing to apply to…” aren’t terrible, but they are generic.

For hiring managers processing large numbers of applicants, this may start you off with an immediate groan. Sales positions involve skill in being able to uniquely present something, so try to use this opportunity to show off your writing skills a bit.

Here’s an example of how a sales specialist cover letter might start off after the greeting:

Sales Specialist Cover Letter Body

The body paragraph or paragraphs are going to be where you get into the details of why you are the ideal candidate for this position. As a sales specialist, you already know that confidence is everything. So bring confidence in your work life and experience.

Essentially, your cover letter is your chance to detail and explain the skills and experiences you hold that prove your ability to succeed in this position. Your body paragraphs are the heart of this goal.

The way you choose to describe the things you’ve done and the knowledge you hold can have a big impact on how others view your experience.

If you can, find ways to re-state the requirements and qualifications exactly as they are listed in the job posting and explain how you align with these.

Try to use the specific language the employer used in their posting to ensure that your application doesn’t get passed over by hiring managers looking for keywords or any kind of software they are using to screen applicants.

However, you’re not going to be putting every single thing you’ve done or learned in your cover letter; that’s what your attached resume and other documents are for.

The cover letter serves as a highlight reel of your biggest sales and other professional achievements related to the job posting. If your employer needs or wants any further information, they will contact you.

At the end of the day, the organization has a need, and they are looking for someone who can help fulfill this need for them. Focus on them, why they’re great, and how you can help them be even greater, rather than focusing on what they will do for you.

When it comes to sales cover letters, emphasize key technical skills while also demonstrating the soft skills needed for the job. You may even find it appropriate to dig into your values and story as a way of creating commonalities between yourself and the organization.

Don’t be afraid to flatter the organization and talk about why you admire them or what makes them a great place of work. Just don’t go over the top with praise.

Here’s an example of what the body paragraphs of your sales specialist cover letter might look like:

Sales Specialist Cover Letter Closing Lines

The closing of your cover letter will tie together loose ends and explain your plans for follow-up. You’ve gotten past the hard part, which is actually getting them to read the contents of your letter, so it's time to show your professionalism and good attitude with the closing paragraph.

They are at least partially interested in hiring you, so now you can invite them to take this process to the next phase.

In your final paragraph, include a “call to action” or a specific request for the recipient. This could be something like asking them to call to schedule a meeting or telling them you look forward to hearing back from them. Anything that lets them know you are eagerly awaiting (and expecting) their response.

If a strong call-to-action is appropriate in any industry, it would be the sales industry. As a salesperson, you know that applying some gentle pressure when making an “ask” in a conversation can work wonders. The same concept applies here.

Be sure to thank the hiring manager or whoever is reading your closing paragraph for taking the time to read your letter. They likely have a lot of reading to get through, and thanking them for including you in that reading is the polite thing to do. And politeness is never a bad quality to have.

After you’ve written the body of your letter, include an appropriate, professional complimentary close to bringing things to a nice end. Attach any additional documents, and you’re ready to send them in.

A good closing for a sales specialist cover letter will look something like this:

Example of a Sales Specialist Cover Letter

When you put together all of the different parts and pieces of your sales specialist cover letter, it’ll look something like this: