Management Cover Letter Example and Writing Tips

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The goal of any cover letter is to provide insight into your qualifications that a hiring manager might not get from a resume alone.

When you’re applying for a management role, this context can be even more important. You’re trying to show not only that you have the skills to do a job, but to inspire others to theirs ​as well.

Note

A good cover letter for a management level position will include information on your accomplishments, the leadership roles you have held, and how you can help the organization succeed if you were to get the job.

What to Include in the Cover Letter

Include the Skills the Employer is Looking For

Scan the job posting, looking for the specific management skills desired in a candidate. Generally speaking, these skills will be related to five management functions: planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and oversight. Include keywords related to those functions, and then match your qualifications to their list.

Note

The stronger a match your cover letter and resume are to the job requirements, the better your chances of getting selected to interview for the position.

Quantify Your Achievements

Including quantifiable successes (numbers, percentages, growth statistics) is a way to show what you have achieved at the companies you have worked for. This is especially important for high-level jobs because employers expect a proven track record of success in the individuals they hire for management roles.

Match Your Cover Letter to the Job

Review tips for matching your qualifications to a job before you start writing. Then review this example of a cover letter for a position in management that you can tailor to fit your own credentials:

Management Cover Letter Template

This is an example of a cover letter for a management position. Download the management cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of a management cover letter example
 @ The Balance 2020

Management Cover Letter Sample

Lucia Applicant
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
lucia.applicant@email.com

August 24, 2020

Mel Lee
Director
Acme Retailer
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee:

After contributing to the growth and success of three different organizations in the past 10 years, I am seeking new challenges with a company in need of someone with exceptional planning, leadership, and management abilities.

As evidenced in the enclosed resume, my experience encompasses project management, strategic planning, resource utilization, revenue growth, and cost reduction. My ability to analyze needs and create unique solutions designed to yield a profitable outcome has proven to be one of my greatest assets.

Credited with significantly impacting bottom-line profitability wherever I have worked, I excel at streamlining less-than-efficient procedures to boost productivity and sales. Proactive management of crucial external relationships allowed me to increase revenue by 17% in one year. I also negotiated exclusive relationships in a key market segment, expanding the company's share of that segment by 66%.

I know that my proven leadership skills, strong commitment to high ethical and professional standards, and flexibility in devising proactive responses to changing socioeconomic conditions would allow me to make a significant contribution to the [Company Name] team.

I would welcome the chance to discuss my qualifications with you in greater detail. If you wish to schedule a meeting, please let me know. In the meantime, please know that I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Lucia Applicant (signature hard copy letter)

Lucia Applicant

Sending an Email Cover Letter

If you send your cover letter via email, your goal will be the same—to show that your qualifications, achievements, and experience make you the best candidate for the management role. But, your delivery will be a little different, because real estate is at a premium in email communication. You need to get the hiring manager’s attention right off the bat and not let it go. Here’s how:

  • Use the subject line wisely. Your best bet is to list your name and job title in the subject line of the email message. This lessens the chances of your message getting caught in a spam filter and saves the hiring manager time—he or she will know what your message is about right away.
  • Keep it short and sweet. Three short paragraphs are plenty. More than that and you run the risk of losing their attention.
  • Include your contact informtion in your signature. Skip the heading with your address and theirs, and instead include your contact information in your ​email signature. There’s no need to list the employer’s contact information.

More Cover Letter Examples

Need more examples? Here are 100+ free cover letter examples and templates for a variety of jobs and professional circumstances.

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