Get Results This Year With an Executive Cover Letter

If you’re interested in becoming an executive, you need a cover letter to express your skills. What are the best ways to show your skills off?

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Executive Cover Letter Example

If you want to work as an executive, there are a number of important elements that you need to do first. Executives, sometimes called the C-suite or C-level, are people with an immense amount of power over how a company works, and that means a hiring manager looking for an executive is going to need to see a compelling resume and cover letter.

Great Executive Cover Letter Example

You should start by reviewing cover letter samples showcasing how an executive cover letter might look for you. Here’s a short cover letter example to get you started:
 
Dear Mr. Smith,
 
Over the course of my [X] years of experience, I have always found that I have a natural talent for management. When I was a low-level worker, I typically took leadership roles when available. When I moved into management, I quickly improved market share in the local area by 11% over the first two months. Now, I am looking to bring those skills to the executive position at [Company Name].
 
My knowledge and track record are my most important skills. I have over 20 years of work experience in this industry, and that means I have a natural ability to determine the next step to take when it comes to executive-level choices. Additionally, I always strive for initiatives that offer a calculated risk and the best payoff.
 
I know how to direct individuals and I know how to direct a company. I look forward to discussing with you why my talents are the perfect addition to your company’s current talent pool.
 
Sincerely,
Genny Bachman
 
For an executive, you’ll likely want to add some extra content to this cover letter, but it’s a great starting point.


Tips for Writing Your Executive Cover Letter Using This Example

Your executive cover letter needs to start with a professional header. Include your full name, contact information, with your phone number and links to portfolio sites if available, such as your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is even more important for an executive resume than for other resumes, as you probably won’t be able to fit everything on a one-page resume or cover letter. Start the letter with the hiring manager’s actual name, not a generic introduction like “Dear Hiring Manager.” From there, you can continue explaining why you’ll be the best for this job.
 
First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a hook and list your best achievements
 
You need to immediately introduce yourself with whatever you can to catch the eye of the recruiter. In this case, the applicant notes that she has many years of experience and a natural talent for management. She also notes that in her first managerial position, she increased market share by 11% in the first two months. These are incredibly impressive achievements, which means you’re more likely to show that your dream job is really meant for you.
 
Second paragraph: Provide more information about how you’re the best fit for the job
 
Now that the hiring manager is reading, you need to deliver on what makes you special and sets you apart from all the other job seekers. A good cover letter will highlight elements you’ve pulled from your resume, but won’t duplicate your resume. Take the opportunity to provide further context about your best achievements and skills. In this cover letter example, the applicant cites over 20 years of experience and a good eye for calculated risk. You can also accentuate this paragraph by spelling out your key achievements using bullet points.
 
Third paragraph: Call to action
 
Rounding out the perfect cover letter, you need a call to action. This is where you actively ask for the job interview. You can use the wording from this example, “I look forward to discussing with you,” which prompts the recruiter to get in touch with you. Then, sign off with a professional greeting to complete your letter.


FAQ: Executive Cover Letters

Q: Do I really need a cover letter to get an executive job?

Definitely. This is even more important for higher-level jobs than for entry-level jobs, and in most cases, the job description will actually require a cover letter. If you’re not comfortable with your cover letter writing skills, use the ResumeHelp cover letter builder. Our builder provides writing tips and general content examples to help you write a great cover letter no matter what cover letter knowledge you already have.

Q: How long should my cover letter be to get an executive job?

Your cover letter should typically be between one-half and 3/4 of a page. Even for an executive job, you don’t usually need to extend your cover letter past a single page. If the job application otherwise requires a longer cover letter, it will typically note that.

Q: Does this cover letter example work if I don’t have a lot of experience?

You need the experience to get an executive position. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need experience in an executive position specifically. This executive cover letter sample is from an applicant that doesn’t have experience in being an executive. You can cite previous experience in management and even team leadership in other organizations, as well as your full experience in the industry.

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