Manager Cover Letter Example: Product, Project & More

Capture the hiring manager’s interest right away with a catchy opening line that invites them to keep reading. Highlight your interest in the position, with your top skills and experience in the industry.

Do your homework before writing your cover letter and read more about the company. You’re going to be filling a very important position, so show them you understand their goals and are the right person to help them achieve them.

As a manager, you know how important numbers are, so use them to your advantage! Writing, “I successfully led a team that consistently exceeded quarterly sales targets by an average of 20%. Through implementing targeted sales training programs and closely monitoring key performance indicators, we achieved a 25% increase in overall team productivity within the first year,” sounds a lot more impressive than simply saying you helped increase sales and team performance.

A good manager will be able to include a mixture of hard skills and soft skills in their job application. Sure, hard skillslike budgeting, public speaking and Microsoft Office are needed to do the job, but soft skills like good communication, leadership and conflict resolution are just as important.

The closing paragraph of your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to invite the hiring manager to further discuss your qualifications. Thank them for their time and offer to talk at their earliest convenience.

When writing a manager cover letter, start with your header. The header includes your full name, contact information with your phone number and social media links, like your LinkedIn. It’s all the information that a recruiter can use to contact you when they want to set up a job interview. You should also include the hiring manager’s contact information, aligned to the left of the document like a business letter.

Start your letter by addressing it to the hiring manager directly. Avoid using generic terms such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern,” because they can come across as unprofessional and outdated. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, it’s OK to address the cover letter to the department or to human resources (“Dear Sales Department” or “Dear Human Resources”). For more tips, check our Cover Letter Dear Hiring Manager article.

Your first paragraph should immediately give a hook that includes your best achievements and showcases the biggest reason that you’re perfect for this job posting. The applicant in the manager cover letter sample below immediately tells a short story about how he decided to implement something new when he first became a store manager, raising sales metrics by over 34%. It’s an effective way to grab a recruiter’s attention. Dear Mr. Smith, The month that I first became a store manager, I decided to implement a new project management process that completely changed the way that everyone worked. It was daunting, and not everyone believed in me, but by the end of the month, we had increased our sales numbers by over 34%. My management skills quickly proved themselves, and I learned that taking calculated risks is worth it. I want to bring those same qualities to the position as a store manager at Management, Inc.

Now that the recruiter is reading, you need to showcase even more of your skills and extensive management experience. The applicant lists the most standout elements of his skillset: he states that he’s good at communication, he prefers to be a compassionate leader and he makes a good first impression. Management skills can go in this section, but if you’re applying for something with the name “manager” in it, it’s typically assumed that you have management skills. If you need to fill out your cover letter a bit more here, then you can include more key achievements underneath this paragraph with bullet points.

I pride myself on my communication skills, and my extensive experience with a variety of different kinds of workers means that I’m able to communicate with all of them in different ways. I believe in inspiring a following rather than merely requiring allegiance. My approach involves actively listening to my team members, understanding their perspectives and fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. This leadership style has contributed to strong team morale and high levels of employee satisfaction.

• Increased sales by 34% within the first month through the implementation of a new project management process.
• Achieved a 20% improvement in employee engagement and collaboration, resulting in a more positive workplace culture.
• Maintained consistently high levels of team morale, reflected in a 95% employee satisfaction rate.

Finally, you need to ask for an interview. Cover letters are unique because they actually allow you to write a request for an interview. You can use the same wording this applicant uses, “I look forward to getting to sit down and talk with you.” This is a subtle push to have the interviewer call you for an interview. After thanking them, use a professional sign-off like "Sincerely" or "Kind regards." I am excited about the opportunity to bring my strategic management skills, effective communication techniques and genuine care for team members to Management, Inc. I look forward to discussing how my leadership qualities can contribute to the success of your company. Sincerely, John Griffin For more tips, read our How to Write a Cover Letter article.