how do you sell yourself in a cover letter

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How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter (With Examples)

• How To Write A Cover Letter
• When Is A Cover Letter Necessary
• Free Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid
• Cover Letter Tips
• How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter

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When sending in a job application, cover letters are your chance to show off your personality and why you’re a great fit for the position. It can be difficult to strike a good balance between talking about your qualifications and adding some personality and flavor to your cover letter . Making sure your cover letter shines is a great way to make your job application stand out and get noticed by hiring managers. So many of the cover letters and applications that pass through hiring teams are bland, so taking the time to perfect your cover letter can really impress hiring teams. Key Takeaways: Selling yourself in a cover letter is your chance to show how you are qualified, unique, and valuable. To sell yourself in a cover letter, first match your skills and values with that of the employer. Use the four paragraph, 250-400 words structure of a cover letter to demonstrate your skills and how they can be used for the employer. Use keywords from the job description to stand out. In This Article    Skip to section Why Is It Important To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter? How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter Using The Cover Letter Format To Sell Yourself Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter Sample Cover Letter Why Are Cover Letters Important? Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More Why Is It Important To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter?

Cover letters are opportunities to promote your qualifications in a manner that is more personal and in-depth than a resume . You will want to use this opportunity because a cover letter lets you show:

How you are qualified. A cover letter gives you a chance to explain your skills and experience with more context. The reader should be able to see that you can back up your resume.

Why you are unique and valuable. You can use a cover to stand out among other applicants and show what you will be able to contribute to as an employee.

Personality. Inevitably, with writing, your personality and interpersonal skills come through. The reader can interpret a little bit more about who you are as a person and what kind of fit you would be for the company.

Combined, all these should impress the reader and make them want to learn more about you.

To sell yourself in a cover letter you want to:

Match your skills and values with the employer. You need to be relevant. What’s more, you need to be indispensably relevant. By aligning yourself to the needs of the company, you show that you have potential to be an invaluable asset.

Demonstrate your skills with an engaging example. Now that your skills are matched up, you need to back them up. Provide an example that shows how your skills were successfully put into action.

Show how your skills can help the employer. Underscore how your skills can contribute to success. You want to convince the reader that your skills are tools that would be best put to use within the company.

You are making an argument for yourself. Take the reader along, prove to them your worth, and convince them that you are exactly who they need.

Using The Cover Letter Format To Sell Yourself

A successful cover letter all comes down to how you structure your argument and what you focus on. The format of a cover letter should explore how your skills have been successfully put into action in the past and demonstrate what you can offer to your potential employer.

A cover letter is between 250 and 400 words long and is broken up into four paragraphs. Generally a cover letter follows this structure:

Introduction. This both provides context and is your hook that makes the reader want to learn more about you.

Previous experience. Explore one or two previous experiences that demonstrate how your skills were put into action and led to success. It is particularly helpful if you can provide quantifiable results.

What you have to offer. Match your skills and values with that of the company to show how you can fulfill their needs. You want to make yourself an asset to their success.

Conclusion. Wrap everything up in a logical manner and provide a call to action to prepare for the next steps of the application process.

However, understand that is is only a guideline. What’s more important is that you show how you are qualified and what you have to offer for your employer’s future success.

Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter

While there’s no sure-fire formula for writing a winning cover letter, there are a few things that you can do to make sure your letter stands out. Here are a few tips to help you get noticed and write the perfect cover letter every time:

Switch it up. When you apply for a new job , you should write a new cover letter. Not every job description and company is the same, so it’s best to edit your cover letter to specifically address each job posting and company.

Focus on the opening. Cover letters are often dull, so to really put your best foot forward you should make the opening extra interesting.

If you can pull your reader in from the beginning, you can make a great impression. If you want to make your opening extra attention-grabbing you can start by:

Showing off your passions

Connecting with the company

Telling a story

Writing a belief statement

Highlight a mutual connection

List your accomplishments

Avoid rewriting your resume. Cover letters get a bad rap since they often repeat what’s already written on a resume. While you can’t avoid repeating some things on the two documents, it’s a good idea to make them pretty separate.

Keep it positive. You should always have a positive tone and show that you love what you do. Talk about your favorite professional experiences or what you loved doing in past jobs.

Make it personal. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, you should personally address them in the salutation.

Talk about potential deal-breakers. Sometimes you might have something on your resume that would give an employer pause , so cover letters are the perfect time to try and calm their worries.

Leave your education behind. If you’re a few years out of school and you have your education history on your resume , you don’t have to detail your education. Only bring up your college or advanced degrees if it’s particularly relevant to the job.

Go short and sweet. You might think that the more you can pack into your cover letter, the more impressive it will be, but you should go for short and sweet.

Find job keywords. Job postings usually use certain keywords that are related to the skills employers are looking for and the responsibilities that they’re looking for someone to fill.

Highlight what you can do for the company. Often people write cover letters to express why the company is the best fit or what the company can do for them. Instead, you should focus on what skills and expertise you can bring to the company.

Pick the most relevant examples. Cover letters can get lengthy when you try to include everything that might be useful for a hiring manager to know. Instead, focus on what’s most relevant to the job description and the industry of the company.

Bring out stats. Whenever you can use numbers and stats, you have a chance to impress hiring managers. Instead of explaining that you boosted sales, find a number that expresses that better, like “increased sales by 125%” to give proof.

Sample Cover Letter

We’re going to show you a sample cover letter that will stand out from the rest of the applicants’ letters. You can use this as a starting point to make your cover letter the best it can be.

Dear Mrs. Smith, As soon as I learned that ABC Tech was hiring, I knew that I had to apply. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved working with computers . That has followed me into my professional life and I am passionate about connecting people with their perfect device, starting with my first job at ABC Tech’s New York City location as a sales associate . My extensive history in sales for tech companies uniquely positions me to excel with ABC Tech. I have worked in consumer-facing tech sales since 2009 and have worked in managerial positions since 2016. My first job was with ABC Tech and I understand the catalog extensively after working with you and keeping up with your new product releases. In response to the responsibilities that were listed on the job description, I have: Experience in customer-facing sales positions Experience with customer service Managerial skills A proven record of exceeding sales goals Award-winning leadership skills I am eager to hear back from you. If you have any questions about my skills or qualifications, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Sincerely, David Baum

Why Are Cover Letters Important?

Cover letters are an important way to highlight how your unique blend of experience and skills matches the job description’s requirements. This gives you the opportunity to stand out among other applicants.

To really get the most out of your cover letter, you need to include experiences that aren’t on your resume or explain your work history , plus add a little bit of personality.

Since cover letters are more open-ended than resumes, you get a unique opportunity to really sell yourself to an employer . They can be especially helpful if employers don’t require you to fill out questions when submitting your application.

Cover letters are also a chance to show off your personality and help the employer determine if there’s a culture fit . These days, companies look for new hires who will not only contribute their skills to advance company goals, but also help them create a welcoming and vibrant company culture.

Finding ways to include personality in your cover letter can help you stand out and prove that you’d be a great culture fit.

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Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter

Cover letters are read in a matter of seconds. Making a quick, positive impression on a future employer is essential if you want to get to the next step. A cover letter is about making the connection between you and the company you're seeking to work for; a letter should be tailored to each job but still contain the key elements about what you have to offer in a way that makes it easy for recruiters to read and decide to give you a call.

Keep it short. Cover letters must be brief and dynamic; three paragraphs should suffice. The first paragraph should identify the job you are seeking. The second should summarize your career and accomplishments. The final paragraph should request a response, such as an interview invitation.

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Identify a personal contact. If you've been referred or have a network connection with the person doing the hiring, mention it in the first paragraph. This tidbit of information will keep recruiters reading and may tip the scales in favor of getting you an interview.

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Focus on accomplishments. Your application materials should highlight what you've achieved. A cover letter should connect your successes to the job you're after. When applying for a sales position, for example, highlight the fact that you exceeded sales targets for previous employers. Cover letters make a big impression; striking the right tone is important, so it's important to point to your qualifications without bragging. Include only accomplishments directly relevant to the position.

Tailor the letter to the company. A brief sentence that indicates you have done your research about the company demonstrates you are focused on the specific organization and are willing to put in the effort to impress company managers. For example, before you mention your past success in sales, you may say, "Since you have recently expanded in this area and plan to increase the size of your sales force, my past successes in sales will make me a good fit for the position."

Remove typos and other writing errors before you send the letter. Your ability to mind the details demonstrates you have professional standards and does not give employers a reason to dismiss your application. If you are applying to several companies simultaneously, review the company information in detail to make sure the appropriate information is included.

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Catherine Lovering has written about business, tax, careers and pets since 2006. Lovering holds a B.A. (political science), LL.B. (law) and LL.L. (civil law).

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Selling Yourself in Your Cover Letter

Published: Jul 09, 2019

Ah, advertisers. They try to suck us in within a matter of seconds. Sound familiar? Hiring managers typically spend less than 30 seconds reviewing a cover letter or resume—unless it grabs their attention enough so that they read on. The average television commercial is 30 seconds long. What about print? How long do you spend looking at an ad in a magazine before flipping the page? Or reading a bulletin board along the freeway (assuming you are not stuck in rush-hour traffic)? Those who write ad copy have to get a message across quickly. That means sharp, succinct, to-the-point writing.

What Are You Really Selling?

Yes, you are selling yourself and all that you have to offer: your skills, your experience, your attitude, and your personality. But think about it for a moment. Is that what you are  really  selling? Take the example of a health club membership. What is it that members are buying when they join the club? Access to classes and a large variety of strength training and cardio equipment? Sure, at the outset it looks like this is what you buy when you sign that one-year contract. In reality, health clubs are selling a desire: a desire to be in shape, a desire to be muscular, or a desire to be healthier.

When you are selling yourself to an employer, think about what the employer is really buying. An employee who shows up to work, does the job, and leaves? Or a person who can come to work and identify and solve problems? Someone who can fill the need of the company to make money, serve customers, and be a positive asset. To do that, the company needs employees who can save or generate profits, save time, enhance service, represent the company … qualities that help propel the company forward. In your correspondence, identify a need and offer a solution. Who can find hidden costs and eliminate them? Who is great at sales? Does this company need someone efficient? When you identify a specific need and show how you can meet that need, you become someone who will be a benefit to the company, not just another employee.

Think about how you can sell technical skills, for example. You can list all the technical skills that you have, such as software, hardware, and computer networking. This is like listing the features of the cell phone mentioned earlier. Or you can convey that your knowledge of accounting software allowed you to introduce a better program at your summer position as an intern, thereby reducing the time creating reports by 40 percent. The first method is simply a list of features. The second method demonstrates the benefit gained from putting those features (your knowledge) to work.

What sets you apart? Refer to everything you learned about yourself from your assessments. Pull accomplishments from your resume, and show in your cover letter why you are a benefit to the company—because you can accomplish X, Y, and Z. Go beyond simply stating your features.

Select the most impressive quantifiable achievements, reword them—or better yet, present them differently, such as converting information to percentages—and highlight them in the cover letter. If some of your accomplishments are dated, this is a great place to emphasize that information without drawing attention to the timeframe.

Know Your Audience

Who will be reading your letter? Will it be someone in human resources or the head of the department? If you are writing to human resources, for example, be sure to write in "plain" English rather than using a lot of technical jargon. If you are writing to a senior scientist, demonstrate your knowledge of the terminology used in your field, or you may come off looking inept. Write a personalized letter every time, keeping your audience in mind.

What is the atmosphere in the company? Is it corporate or a small, family-owned business? How you would address a hiring manager of a Fortune 500 company is very different from how you would address the CEO of a mid-sized private company.

Support Your Claims

You say you are skilled at obtaining contracts. Great. Now prove it. When writing your letters, do not simply state what you are good at. Show it. Give examples. Mine your past and come up with every possible example you can think of where you used the skills you claim to have. Make a list, and then choose the best ones to include in your letter. If you have a lot to choose from, keep the list so you can use different examples with each subsequent letter you send to a company.

Write Professionally

Remember that your letters are much different from your resume. You will not use the telegraphic style that you did in your resume. Write complete sentences; even bullet lists are generally an extension of a lead-in phrase, with each line of the bullet list creating a complete sentence as “add on” information. Use words instead of abbreviations. Use the active voice and sprinkle your letters with action verbs. Keep your correspondence brief and to the point. Do not include irrelevant information. Use a tone that exudes professionalism, not amateurism. Avoid using clichés and slang, and avoid any references to political or religious beliefs, or other unnecessary, unrelated information.

This content is excerpted from The Vault Guide to Resumes and Job-Hunting Skills, Second Edition . See the full guide for more information about cover letters, interviewing, and other skills you’ll need to land that perfect job.

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Are you struggling to write a cover letter that effectively highlights your skills and achievements? 

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many job seekers face the challenge of effectively selling themselves by showcasing their accomplishments to grab the attention of prospective employers. We have written this article to help you write a compelling and winning cover letter.

In this article, we will provide you with practical tips and tricks to help you craft a compelling cover letter that will leave a lasting impression on any hiring manager. 

So, let’s dive in and discover how to sell yourself in a cover letter like a seasoned professional!

Why is it important to sell yourself in a cover letter?

Selling yourself in a cover letter is vital as it allows you to stand out in a highly competitive job market. A well-crafted cover letter not only complements your resume but also provides a personalized narrative of your qualifications. 

It serves as your initial introduction to a potential employer, giving them a glimpse of your capabilities, experience, and what you can bring to the table.

By effectively selling yourself through your skills and achievements, you demonstrate your value and suitability for the specific role, capturing the employer’s attention and increasing your chances of securing an interview.

Table of Contents

5 Tips to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter

Here are five tips to effectively sell yourself in your cover letter:

Tell a Compelling Story

Craft your cover letter as a narrative that takes the reader on a journey through your professional life. Start with an engaging introduction that draws the reader in. Describe key moments or challenges in your career where you effectively applied your skills to overcome obstacles and achieve success. 

Use storytelling techniques to vividly illustrate these experiences, making them come alive for the reader. Conclude your cover letter by summarizing how your story aligns with the job you’re applying for and how it has uniquely prepared you for success in the new role.

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Highlight Transferable Skills

While it’s crucial to focus on job-specific skills, remember to emphasize transferable skills that can add value to the new role. Give concrete examples of situations where these transferable skills have made a positive impact in your previous roles, regardless of the industry or position. 

Explain how these skills can bring a fresh and adaptable perspective to the role you’re applying for, showcasing your versatility and readiness to take on new challenges.

Emphasize Soft Skills

Identify key soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving, and discuss their importance. Share specific anecdotes or instances where these soft skills played a critical role in your achievements or contributions. 

Highlight how these soft skills have not only benefited your individual performance but also positively influenced your work relationships, collaboration with colleagues, and the overall success of projects or teams.

Show Professional Growth

Outline your professional journey by highlighting significant milestones that reflect your growth and development. Mention promotions, advancements, or certifications that showcase your dedication to improving your skills and knowledge. 

Discuss how your professional growth has equipped you with the expertise and leadership qualities necessary for the new role, providing evidence of your continuous commitment to self-improvement and career progression.

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Demonstrate Industry Knowledge

Showcase your deep understanding of the industry by referencing relevant trends, challenges, or innovations that you’ve actively engaged with. Describe your involvement in industry-related developments, whether through participation in conferences, contributions to publications, or active membership in professional associations. 

Convey your commitment to staying informed about changes in the field and your readiness to apply this knowledge to the benefit of the company, underscoring your passion for your chosen industry.

By incorporating these tips into your cover letter writing, you’ll create a compelling and customized document that effectively showcases your skills and achievements to potential employers.

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In conclusion, crafting a cover letter that effectively showcases your skills and achievements can be a challenging task. However, by following the tips and tricks discussed in this article, you can create a personalized and compelling narrative that will capture the attention of any potential employer. 

Remember to focus on telling a compelling story, highlighting transferable and soft skills, emphasizing professional growth, and demonstrating your industry knowledge. Additionally, quantifying your impact and articulating your career aspirations can further enhance your cover letter’s effectiveness. 

With these strategies in mind, you can confidently present yourself as a standout candidate and increase your chances of securing your dream job.

Sample Letters

Sample 1: Highlighting Unique Achievements

Dear [Employer’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [where you found the job posting]. My unique ability to drive results was prominently showcased in my previous role at [Previous Company], where I spearheaded a marketing campaign that not only increased brand visibility but also resulted in a 20% boost in customer engagement within a short timeframe.

This accomplishment underscores my innovative approach and capacity to deliver tangible results. I am confident that my experience in achieving measurable outcomes can significantly contribute to the success of [Company Name]. I am eager to bring my skills in [relevant skills] to a dynamic and forward-thinking organization like yours.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my achievements align with the needs of your team.

Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

Sample 2: Demonstrating Adaptability and Learning Orientation

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently embraced new challenges and technologies. For instance, I swiftly acquired proficiency in a new project management software at [Previous Company], streamlining our workflow and illustrating my commitment to adaptability and continuous learning.

My ability to adapt and learn quickly aligns with the dynamic nature of your organization. I am confident that my versatile skill set and eagerness to expand my expertise make me a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my adaptability and learning orientation can contribute to the success of [Company Name].

Sample 3: Illustrating Problem-Solving Abilities

I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. In my previous role at [Previous Company], I encountered a significant challenge where [describe the issue]. Through strategic problem-solving and collaboration with cross-functional teams, I not only resolved the issue promptly but also implemented preventive measures, ensuring long-term success.

This experience underscores my ability to navigate complex situations and contribute proactively to organizational goals. I am eager to bring my problem-solving skills and commitment to excellence to [Company Name], and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success.

Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the possibility of discussing my problem-solving abilities and their relevance to the needs of [Company Name].

[Your Full Name]

You may also want to read about the smartest questions to ask a recruiter at the end of an interview. 

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Sales Cover Letter Writing Templates & Tips to Help You Stand Out from the Crowd

A sales cover letter is a chance to sell yourself. It’s an opportunity to personalize your job application and explain why you’re the best person for the sales job you want.

Moreover, it gives you a chance to prove that you have the selling skills necessary to succeed in a role. Research shows that 72% of recruiters expect a cover letter even when they are “optional” with 77% of the recruiters giving preference to candidates who include one. Additionally, 83% of hiring managers and HR professionals say that cover letters can boost your chances of getting an interview.

Further, Jobvite’s 2021 recruiter study showed cover letters are becoming increasingly important to recruiters with 26% considering them very important for candidate evaluation (up from just 8% in 2017).

Whether you are in the market for a business development, customer success or a sales representative position, a cover letter, in addition to a professional resume can help you land a job interview.

In this article, we’re going to explain why sales position cover letters matter, what sales managers look for in an ideal candidate and some cover letter tips to make your application stand out. We’ll also share some cover letter examples sales reps can use to help craft your own.

Why do sales cover letters matter?

Similarly, in a professional cover letter, you must position yourself as the answer to their hiring needs. Think of a cover letter your sales pitch to a prospective customer where you position yourself as the solution to their problem (i.e. a salesperson that will help them reach their goals, whether that’s to close more deals, increase revenue, grow into new markets, etc.).

A great cover letter goes beyond showcasing your sales skills and track record. You’re competing in a saturated market during your job search and many applicants have similar skills and sales experience to your own. Your cover letter can give you the edge over the competition and complement your sales resume – especially if you’re writing a cover letter for sales positions that have plenty of suitors.

Use the cover letter to not only showcase your skills but to sell yourself, explaining exactly why and how your past work experience will help you deliver results.

Take this time to show that you care not only about landing the sales position but also the company you’re applying to. Conduct thorough research and tie your own personal experiences to the company’s values.

For example, if you’re applying for a job at an email marketing SaaS company and have used their platform before, mention it. Talk about how their software helped you in a previous job or endeavor and relay your passion for the tools and their features.

A touch of personalization like this can go a long way. Personalization is key in sales because it humanizes the customer journey and selling process. Using it in your sales position cover letter has the same outcome. It gives you the chance to expand beyond simply a name on a piece of paper and helps to bring your application to life.

It also proves that you’ve done your due diligence with their products and have found a way to tie that into your unique narrative and background. This shows that you can replicate this process with your future leads, prospect’s and customers if hired.

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What do sales managers look for in an ideal sales candidate?

There are many types of sales methodologies and each one requires varying degrees of skill.

However, sales superstars share basic strengths and qualities that help them go above and beyond.

These include:

• Responsibility. Elite sales reps take ownership and accountability for their performance. They don’t blame anybody else for their shortcomings and set high goals for themselves.
• Coachability. They pick up processes and operations quickly and easily in order to perform at a high standard. As sales associates must continually learn about new products, features, tools, trends and techniques, they need to be adept at understanding and showcasing this knowledge on a regular basis.
• Goal orientation. Successful reps constantly set and surpass their targets and objectives. They go beyond what is expected and are eager to learn in order to level-up their skillset and performance.
• High motivation, willpower or grit. Reps need to be motivated and ready to convert prospects into customers, every single day. Furthermore, they need to handle rejection well and press on. Seasoned reps understand that rejection is part of the game, push through rejection and persevere.
• Product knowledge. Superstar reps have a deep understanding of the products they are selling. This allows them to portray tremendous confidence and enables them to have more meaningful conversations with their leads and prospects. They don’t stop at simply understanding a product; they become experts on the solutions they’re selling.
• Customer connection. They take the time to understand their customer’s pain points and needs in order to help solve their problems. They go beyond simply trying to sell a product or service and are genuinely interested in improving their prospects’ day-to-day. By perfecting listening skills, they can ask pointed questions to allow the prospect to come to their own conclusions about why they need their products.
• Sales process conformity or adaptability. They adhere to the sales process that their company and managers have set forth. Simultaneously, they creatively adapt their approach based on any changes or setbacks they encounter (both environmental and customer-based). They are consistently prospecting, following up and closing deals.
• Time management. The best reps are exceptionally talented at managing their time. They are able to categorize prospects and capitalize on the opportunities that generate high-value for the business. When they aren’t selling, they’re upskilling and prospecting .

Highlighting superstar traits in a sales cover letter

Knowing what sales managers look for in an ideal sales candidate equips you to position your own strengths in a way that makes them stand out in your cover letter.

Therefore, highlight your achievements in a way that aligns with one of these ideal rep qualities.

For example, say that in a previous role you alone increased company-wide customer referrals by 30%. While very impressive, rather than simply listing this as a standalone statistic, tie it into the customer connection quality from the sales superstar list.

The end product may look like this:

• Through excellent listening and conversational skills, I built meaningful customer relationships that stimulated a 30% increase in customer referrals

Here’s a sales cover letter example from an account executive applicant :

• Awarded Top Sales Consultant in the territory for two straight quarters and numerous other recognition for helping drive the business, with over $70,000 worth of merchandise sold in the top-performing quarter at Best Buy.
• Exceptional academic qualifications, including a forthcoming Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The George Washington University School of Business.
• Successfully automated and maintained an innovative metrics reporting process for the team's monthly capitalization rates, dramatically increasing capitalization opportunities on a per-project basis at Royal Bank of Canada.
• Effectively prepared a variety of business and personal tax returns for clients using Syntax, filing more than 84 tax returns a day resulting in an additional 34 new clients during the taxation season at MA Consulting.
• Provided expert assistance in auditing and organizing information regarding tax returns.
• Assisted specialists in verifying data and communicating with customers to maintain documentation, running and preparing support documents at Mariner Finance.

He seamlessly intertwines his own achievements with the attributes that make up a top sales performer.

If we take a closer look at the first bullet point, which contains his achievements:

Awarded Top Sales Consultant in the territory for two straight quarters and numerous other recognition for helping drive the business.

Sales superstar strengths:

• Driving business growth through high motivation, willpower and grit. To win Top Sales Consultant two quarters in a row takes serious determination and a will to succeed
• Goal-orientedness. In order to drive sales to such a high level, he must have set exceedingly high goals for himself and made a valiant effort to achieve them

Keeping what hiring managers are looking for front-of-mind can help you tailor your cover letter in a way that lands you an interview.

Pro-tip : Ensure that your cover letter is congruent with your profile on LinkedIn in case the hiring manager examines your credentials further. As LinkedIn’s platform is designed to blend the traditional resume and cover letter (and resume examples) via bios and job experience, it should synchronize with your application.

Sales cover letter examples: How to stand out

When it comes to cover letter examples, sales representatives should consider both quality and format.

There are three essential tactics to follow when creating a cover letter for a sales position:

• Top. Explain why you’re the best candidate for the job (as discussed in the first section)
• Middle. Format your achievements with bullet points to make them pop
• Bottom. Finish strong with a CTA (your contact details with a few words encouraging them to get in touch)

Let’s run through each section in detail with some sales cover letter samples to boot.

Top of the cover letter

Start with a targeted message. Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific position. The more details the better. Avoid sounding overly broad.

If you can find the hiring manager’s name via research, include it. Addressing your cover letter to a specific person adds a personal touch that can pique interest.

The goal is to capture the hiring manager’s attention and convey that you are astutely familiar with the company and brand that you’re applying to work for.

Here’s a cover letter template for the start of your letter:

Dear [NAME], I’m so excited to apply for this job because I’ve followed your company for years. I am very familiar with the mindset required to excel as a sales representative for your brand. I respect your values, mission and goals when it comes to making a global social impact through a meaningful, value-driven platform. I’m incredibly excited about the work that your company does and I believe my previous experience gives me the competitive edge you’re looking for in a rep. As a rep for [PREVIOUS COMPANY], I acquired a dynamic skill set that aligns with your company’s needs. I’m ready to pursue my ultimate dream career and blend my unique skills and accomplishments with something that aligns with my preeminent personal passions.

In this example, the applicant begins with a personalized opener and highlights a specific interest in the company they’re applying to work for.

By showing a specific interest in the company and role, you significantly boost your chances of landing an interview. That’s because personalization helps to bridge the gap between anonymous applicant and cultural fit.

Middle of the cover letter

Transition into your specific achievements and accomplishments in previous positions. As discussed above, align your skills with the strengths and qualities that hiring managers are looking for.

Quantify your achievements and detail specific examples of what you’ve done. Did you hit your sales goals for three consecutive years? Were you awarded the top inside sales rep for two quarters? Now is the time to say it. Use bullet points to make them pop. Go beyond what’s listed in your sales representative resume and add value bombs where applicable.

Here’s a template for the middle of your sales representative cover letter:

Closed deals at a rate 2x higher than company set targets by asking pointed questions based on actively listening to prospects’ needs

Grew customer base by 15% through driven and motivated networking, outreach and follow-ups

Awarded Top Sales Representative for 5 out of the 8 quarters I was employed

Designed a first-rate internal communications strategy that directly boosted pipeline growth by 10% in one year

Consistently drove aggressive YOY sales by 20% over the last 2 years

Created an internal communication skills course for entry-level reps which resulted in an 18% increase in quota attainment

Bolding your numeric achievements is an effective visual strategy. The hiring manager will most likely scan your cover letter and, if impressed by your achievements, will re-read in full.

Bottom of the sales cover letter

Finish with a short paragraph that indicates how you will offer an advantage if hired.

Now is the time to dictate specifically how you will use your aforementioned passion, excitement and achievements to better the company you’re applying to. Again, do your research before applying so that you can align this section with the company’s needs.

The best place to learn about what the company wants from you is the job description itself. The job description should set clear expectations of what the role entails, the daily activities and required experience. It will also tell you a bit about the company.

Allude to the themes in the job description in your final paragraph. This shows that you:

• Read the job description in full
• Conducted follow up research
• Are capable of selling yourself based on the criteria you’ve been given

Here’s a template for the end of your cover letter:

Through working on projects in local communities, I’ve developed a keen interest in connecting with the front-line workers who utilized my [PREVIOUS COMPANY’S] products and services. I’m eager to transfer the critical knowledge I’ve retained from these meaningful experiences to a more global level. Your company has grown at an impressive rate and your business strategy keeps community health and effective global leadership front of mind—two things I respect at the highest of levels. As part of the Sales Team at [YOUR COMPANY], I look forward to learning more about your product, joining a highly motivated and talented team and contributing to your overall growth.

Here, the applicant uses personalization to highlight their company-knowledge, work experience and future goals. They clearly state how they’ll contribute to the company’s growth and help them scale meaningfully. It’s obvious that they’re passionate about what the company does and are ready to take the next step in their career.

Here’s a template for the CTA with easily accessible contact information, which will make it easy for the hiring manager to reach out immediately without wasting valuable time:

Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions at [phone number] or [email]. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

Make sure to end your cover letter with a professional signoff. Match your voice and tone with the company’s style, which you can find in the job description and throughout your research.

For example, if the tone is highly professional use any of the following signatures in your cover letter:

• Best regards
• Kind regards
• Respectfully
• Yours sincerely (if you know the name of the recipient and you open with their name)
• Yours faithfully (if you don’t know their name and you open with “dear sir/madam”)
• If the company’s tone is more laid back, you can use:
• Thank you for your consideration

Avoid using casual phrasing. As a cover letter is a formal correspondence and an opportunity to make a great first impression, casual phrasing can come across as overly friendly and unprofessional.

Do NOT use any of the following signatures in your cover letter:

• Affectionately
• Warm regards
• Take it easy
• Have a great day

The complete cover letter for sales associate

Combining all the sections above, this is what a complete cover letter for sales associate positions could look like.

Dear [NAME], I’m so excited to apply for this job because I’ve followed your company for years. I am very familiar with the mindset required to excel as a sales representative for your brand. I respect your values, mission and goals when it comes to making a global social impact through a meaningful, value-driven platform. I’m incredibly excited about the work that your company does and I believe my previous experience gives me the competitive edge you’re looking for in a rep. As a rep for [PREVIOUS COMPANY], I acquired a dynamic skill set that aligns with your company’s needs. I’m ready to pursue my ultimate dream career and blend my unique skills and accomplishments with something that aligns with my preeminent personal passions. Through working on projects in local communities, I’ve developed a keen interest in connecting with the front-line workers who utilized my [PREVIOUS COMPANY’S] products and services. I’m eager to transfer the critical knowledge I’ve retained from these meaningful experiences to a more global level. Your company has grown at an impressive rate and your business strategy keeps community health and effective global leadership front of mind—two things I respect at the highest of levels. As part of the Sales Team at [YOUR COMPANY], I look forward to learning more about your product, joining a highly motivated and talented team and contributing to your overall growth. Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions at [phone number] or [email]. Thank you for your time and consideration. Kind regards, [Your Name]

Final Thoughts

Regardless of the sales position, cover letters that follow the example shown by those above can help you rise above the crowd. A great sales cover letter offers an opportunity to connect with the hiring manager at the company you’re applying to. It’s a chance to stand out from the crowd, showcase your talents and your selling skills.

Use it as a sales platform to sell yourself. Format it in a way that helps the reader easily find your accomplishments and wow them by aligning past achievements with ideal candidate qualities.

Personalize it by researching the company and showcasing excitement for the specific role. Avoid generalizations and discuss details. Read the job description in full, reference its themes throughout and explain exactly why and how you are the right candidate for the job.

While not every hiring manager reads cover letters, you should always put your best effort into writing them. You never know when it will be the breakthrough you need to land an interview and eventually get the job.

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Selling Yourself in Your Cover Letter

Published: Jun 20, 2016

Your cover letter has two important roles: (1) it's a marketing document designed to sell a product (you), and (2): it's a business document that, while giving a glimpse of your personality, needs to remain professional. It therefore stands to reason that lessons from those who sell, and those who write for business, can teach us a little something about composing an effective letter.

What are you really selling?

Yes, you're selling yourself and all that you have to offer: your skills, your experience, your attitude, and your personality. But think about it for a moment. Is that what you're  really  selling? Take the example of a health club membership. What is it that members are buying when they join the club? Access to classes and a large variety of strength training and cardio equipment? Sure, at the outset this is what it looks like you're buying when you sign that one-year contract. But in reality, health clubs are selling desire : the desire to be in shape, the desire to be muscular, the desire to be healthier.

When you're selling yourself to an employer, think about what the employer is really buying. An employee who shows up to work, does the job, and leaves? Or a person who can come to work and identify and solve problems, make money, serve customers, and be a positive asset? Likely the latter. And to find people to do all that, the company needs employees who can save or generate profits, save time, enhance service, and represent the company … qualities that help propel the company forward.

In your cover letter, identify a need and offer a solution. Who can find hidden costs and eliminate them? Who is great at sales? Does this company need someone efficient? When you identify a specific need and show how you can meet that need, you become someone who will be a benefit to the company, not merely just another employee.

Think about how you can sell technical skills, for example. You can list all the technical skills that you have, such as software, hardware, and computer networking. Or you can convey that your knowledge of accounting software allowed you to introduce a better program at your summer position as an intern, thereby reducing the time creating reports by 40 percent. The first method is simply a list of features. The second method demonstrates the benefit gained from putting those features (your knowledge) to work.

What sets you apart? Refer to everything you learned about yourself from your assessments. Pull accomplishments from your résumé, and show in your cover letter why you're a benefit to the company—because you can accomplish X, Y, and Z. Go beyond simply stating your features.

Select the most impressive quantifiable achievements, reword them—or, better yet, present them differently, such as converting information to percentages—and highlight them in the cover letter. If some of your accomplishments are dated, this is a great place to emphasize that information without drawing attention to the timeframe.

Know your audience

Who will be reading your letter? Someone in human resources? Or the head of a certain department? If you're writing to human resources, for example, be sure to write in "plain" English rather than using a lot of technical jargon. But if you're writing to a senior scientist, demonstrate your knowledge of the terminology used in your field or you may come off looking inept. Write a personalized letter every time, keeping your audience in mind.

What's the atmosphere in the company? Is it corporate or a small, family-owned business? How you would address a hiring manager of a Fortune 500 company is very different from how you would address the CEO of a mid-sized private company.

Support your claims

You say you're skilled at obtaining contracts. Great. Now prove it. When writing your letters, don't simply state what you're good at. Show it. Give examples. Mine your past and come up with every possible example you can think of where you used the skills you claim to have. Make a list, and then choose the best ones to include in your letter. If you have a lot to choose from, keep the list so you can use different examples with each subsequent letter you send to a company.

Write professionally

Remember that your letters are much different from your résumé. You will not use the telegraphic style that you did in your résumé. Write complete sentences; even bullet lists are generally an extension of a lead-in phrase, with each line of the bullet list creating a complete sentence as "add on" information. Use words instead of abbreviations. Use the active voice and sprinkle your letters with action verbs. Keep your correspondence brief and to the point. Don't include irrelevant information. Use a tone that exudes professionalism, not amateurism. Avoid using clichés and slang, and avoid any references to political or religious beliefs, or other unnecessary, unrelated information.

This post was adapted from the new  Vault Guide to Resumes and Job-Hunting Skills .

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How to sell yourself with a winning cover letter.

You need to attach a cover letter to every resume you send out, whether you mail, e-mail, fax or personally deliver it. However, your best not to send out the same cover letter to every employer. Customize each one to the company you’re applying to and the job you’re applying for. Yes, this means a little more work on your part, but think of it this way: The cover letter gives you a chance to point out exactly why you are perfect for this particular job.

Cover letters usually have three parts.

Opening – states your interest in the company and the job. Tells how you found out about the job opening or the company and why you are interested.

Middle – tells the employer what you have to offer the company by highlighting one or two qualifications you think would be of greatest interest. Points out special training or experience you have. Demonstrates that you know something about the company and/or industry.

Closing – expresses your appreciation for the employer’s time and asks him/her to contact you or states that you will follow- up with them.

--> Cover Letter Checklist

• Does your letter address the exact name and title of the contact person?
• Did you use a natural writing style – professional but friendly?
• Does your letter show that you know something about the company?
• Does your letter demonstrate energy and enthusiasm?
• Did you expand on your resume rather than repeat its content?
• Did you sign your letter and give a phone number and/or e-mail address where you can be reached?
• Did you have others check your letter for spelling and grammatical errors?

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The Only Cover Letter Guide You’ll Need in 2024 (+Examples)

• Kaja Jurcisinova , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 13 min read

Oh, the dreaded cover letter. Job seekers hate writing it and nobody knows if anybody even reads cover letters anymore. And yet, not attaching one to your application would be a terrible mistake. This cover letter guide will tell you not only why to write one, but also how to write a really good one.

But first , why does everyone hate writing cover letters so much?   After all, a cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to distinguish yourself from others.

In comparison with a resume, the cover letter allows you to provide details that didn’t fit in on your resume and demonstrate your passion.

All the negativity that surrounds the cover letter probably comes down to the fact that good cover letters require a bit of alchemy. They also take time to write.

This guide will help you avoid any mistakes and write a strong cover letter that will catch the recruiter’s attention. We also include cover letter examples.

Generally speaking, you want to make your cover letter:

• easy to read for the recruiter;
• well-structured;
• max 4 paragraphs/1 page long;
• professional in both tone and greetings;
• tailored for the specific opening.

Let's get to it!

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

Why should you write a cover letter?

How do recruiters read cover letters, how to write a great cover letter in 9 simple steps.

• What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter? 

Final cover letter tips and hacks

Cover letter examples.

So, how exactly is the cover letter important for your job application? 

Some may argue that the cover letter in 2024 isn't really relevant anymore. In fact, one study stated that only 18 percent of hiring managers think cover letters are a key part of an application.

However, don’t get fooled by these statistics. While your resume may be considered more important during the hiring process, including a well-written cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job. 

For instance, 83% of hiring managers would be convinced by a really good cover letter — even if the resume wasn’t good enough, according to this study .

And there's more to it.

Some of the key advantages of the cover letter are:

• It’s much less structured than the resume and lets you develop a story. 
• It gives you space to get a little more creative. 
• Your personality can shine through thanks to it.
• You can elaborate on key achievements mentioned in your resume.
• It helps explain a lack of experience, career change, or an employment gap.

In other words, the cover letter is a perfect chance to bridge the distance between you and a recruiter even before the actual job interview . 

Pro tip: Before writing a cover letter, make sure that you have a powerful resume that matches the job description. Because if your resume doesn’t fit a desired profile, your cover letter probably won’t get read at all. To learn more, you may want to check out our  Ultimate Resume Guide .

First, they read them to decide if you’re the right fit for a position. For this reason, avoid generic write-ups at all costs. What recruiters love to see is a short persuasive argument of why you fit the role and the company. Something like this: 

“I was happy to hear about this job opening from my former manager, Jane Anne. She and I have worked together on many projects throughout the years and she thought that I would be the perfect match for this position.“

Second, recruiters are looking for inconsistencies . For instance, if your resume shows attention to detail but your cover letter is addressed to the wrong person, wrong company, and is filled with typos, it's inconsistent. You want to ensure the number of inconsistencies is kept to a minimum.

Third, they're trying to get a hint of your personality . Cultural fit is important to many companies.

So, throughout the process of cover letter writing, it's essential to keep in mind the recruiter who's going to be the recipient of your letter. 

Because at the end of a day, a good cover letter shouldn't be solely about you — it's supposed to be written with the hiring manager in mind. 

So ask yourself:  

• Is my cover letter easy to read?
• Have I addressed the right person in the opening?  
• Will it help them decide if I'm the right fit?
• Did I use the right tone of voice that fits their company culture?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, our cover letter guide is exactly for you.

Writing a cover letter may seem like a challenging task at first but if you know a few key cover letter rules, the process can become much easier. 

Before you start writing your cover letter, find out more about the company you're applying for. Look at their website and LinkedIn . The research also includes looking at the job description very closely and identifying any recurring keywords. Also, search for specific cover letter examples for the role online.

Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is where you include your contact information (i.e. your full name, email address, phone number) and the company's contact information (i.e. the manager’s or recruiter’s name, job title, department, the name of the company, company’s address). 

When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise.  The result can look something like this: 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]

If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. Then, greet them by saying "Dear [first name]" . If, however, the company culture is very formal, go for the classic "Dear Hiring Manager" .

The first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it .  You can also compliment the company or name a mutual acquaintance who referred you.

Try to answer these questions: 1. What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience?  2. How could this experience help the new company grow? 3. Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business? 4. Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position?  5. Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?

The following questions should help you : What excites you about the idea of working at this company? How do the company goals align with your own? What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?

In the cover letter closing paragraph : reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate, add a confident call to action, express gratitude, and always use a formal sign-off.

You can either attach the cover letter as a separate document in the email when sending your resume , or send it directly in the body of the email (that way they can't ignore it).

In the following chapters we look at each step more closely and include specific examples you can copy and paste.

Step 1: Prepare and do some research 

Knowledge is power. Before you begin writing:

• Find out more about the company and the position you're applying for. Spend some time on the company’s website, its executives’ Twitter feeds, and employee profiles on LinkedIn. It will also help you decide on the tone of your cover letter. For example, if it’s a company like Kickresume , you can easily get away with more unusual approaches. But if it’s a conservative institution, like a bank or a lawyer's office, you should probably keep it formal.
• Search for specific cover letter examples for your role online . Pick some examples that fit your role and use these for inspiration. (By the way, that link just now will take you to our database of successful cover letters from real people who got hired. Totally worth checking out.)
• Look at the job descriptions of the roles you’re applying for . Identify major experience and hard skill keywords, so you can insert them in your letter in the relevant sections.

Once you've done this basic research, you can finally start thinking about the structure of your cover letter. 

This short infographic will show you that writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might have thought: 

Step 2: Include a header with basic info rmation

Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is the place where you should include your contact information and the contact information of the company. 

A cover letter is still a letter, after all. 

At the left side of the page include the information based on which you can be reached by the recruiter. 

Here, make sure to include: 

• your full name
• your email address
• phone number

Optionally, you can also add:

• your professional title
• address (if it vaguely matches the location of the job offer)
• current date
• personal website/LinkedIn

The top right side of the page is reserved for company-related information. Here, you should put: 

• the manager’s or recruiter’s name (if available)
• job title 
• the name of the company
• company’s address

Not a fan of writing?

Our AI writer will write the first draft of your cover letter for you.

Step 3: Write a strong cover letter headline

When you’re browsing the web, what articles usually catch your attention? Those with great headlines, of course! 

The same applies to cover letter headlines.

Start by paying attention to the headlines around you — especially in tabloids and websites like Buzzfeed (Is Buzzfeed still a thing? How very 2010s of me). These are usually designed to stir up your interest and make it impossible to not click through. 

Notice how they use numbers, questions, and interesting adjectives to promise the reader to learn something valuable.

And you can do the same in your cover letter.

When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise. 

The result can look something like this: 

• 3 Reasons Why I’m An Excellent Fit For [Job Position]
• Are You Still Looking To Fill The Position Of [Job Position]? This Is Why I Believe I’m Exactly Who You’re Looking For
• 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]

Finally, don’t forget to adjust your header to the company’s level of formality and put your headline in the subject of the email.

Step 4: Use the correct form of greeting

In this time and age, there’s no excuse for using “To Whom It May Concern.”  

If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, you’re expected to research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. 

Once you have their name, feel free to go for a personalized greeting: 

“Dear [first name]” or “Dear Mr./Mrs. [last name]” 

Honorifics (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Ms .) are more appropriate if the company’s culture is formal. 

And if you cannot find the recruiter’s name, it's okay to go for a generic: 

“Dear Hiring Manager”, or “Dear Recruitment Officer”

Alternatively, you can address the letter to the whole company team or the HR department. In this case, your greeting should look like this: 

“Dear [name of the company/department] Team” or “Dear Human Resources”

Step 5: First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a BANG!

The best way to start a cover letter is to open strong. The first impression matters the most and busy recruiters often have a chance to properly dive into only a few selected cover letters. 

So if you make your first paragraph captivating, chances are that your letter will be one of the lucky ones that actually end up being read. 

In fact, the first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it. 

While most people begin their letters with “I’m applying for the position X I saw in Y place,” it's a waste of space. 

Instead, open with a sentence like this:

“I’m a content marketing professional with more than 5 years of experience and I’d love to bring my ability and passion to your team.”

In the first paragraph, you can also:

• Compliment the company. Show that you know details about the company and you’re approaching it for a reason. For example, demonstrate appreciation for what the company does. Not only will this flatter them, but it will also provide them with insight into who you are.
• Name a mutual acquaintance if you can. This is sometimes called a “magic bullet,” as it’s the one thing that will assure the hiring manager reads your cover letter until the end. 

However, limit the introduction to 1-3 sentences. This isn’t the place to go into detail about what makes you ideal for the role — save that for the second and third paragraphs. 

Step 6: Second paragraph: Explain why you’re a great fit for the company

The second paragraph is the place where you should sell yourself and your experience.  

Here, write a short summary of your career, skills and accomplishments, tailored to fit what the company is looking for. 

You already did your research, so now it's time to ask yourself these questions and try to address them in your cover letter:

• What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience? 
• How could this experience help the new company grow?
• Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business?
• Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position? 
• Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?

After you’ve picked the most relevant accomplishments, put them at the start of your letter. 

However, when talking about them, avoid sounding like you’re bragging. The best way of doing this is to focus on your experiences rather than yourself . Ideally, support your claims with concrete examples.

Also, mention any other additional relevant hard skills or knowledge areas they’re looking for, as well as any qualifications.

Finally, the second paragraph is the perfect place for showing that you’ve done your research. Demonstrate that you’re familiar with some of the challenges that the company faces and present how you can help them.

Pro tip: Don’t simply repeat the same things you’ve already put on your resume. You want to go beyond that (this applies to every other section of your cover letter). 

Step 7: Third paragraph: Explain why the company is a great fit for you 

In this paragraph, you want to show that you’re serious about developing your career at this new company. And good companies want to know why they appeal to you and how will your professional relationship be mutually beneficial. 

Consider addressing the following questions:

• What excites you about the idea of working at this company?
• How do the company goals align with your own?
• What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?

For example, you can say something like this: “I've seen on your website that you heavily focus on cryptocurrency projects. As a cryptocurrency enthusiast, I would love to join your team”.  

However, don’t go overboard with flattery and stay professional. 

Also, don’t say anything that isn't true or you don’t mean it, as it will probably come up again in the later stages of the application process.

Step 8: Closing paragraph: Finish strong and stay in touch

Now that you’ve nailed the main part of your cover letter, you also want to finish strong. This way, the recruiter will remember you in a good light. But how do you achieve that? 

• Reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate. This is to emphasize the two main points from the previous paragraphs. Do this in one or two sentences, not more. 
• Add a confident call to action. In a sentence or two, you should suggest the next steps. Something like “ I would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value I can bring to [company]."
• Express gratitude. Simply thank them for their time and for considering your application.
• Always use a formal sign-off. Something like “ Sincerely , Best wishes , or Respectfully” . Finish by typing out your full name. 

Step 9: How do you send a cover letter?

I can’t stress this enough — unless it's specifically required to attach the cover letter to the body of the email,  consider not sending your cover letter as a document attached to your email. 

Instead, put it inside the body of the email . The email itself is now your cover letter! This way the recruiter won't ignore it.

However, remember that hiring managers receive hundreds of emails a day. So if you want your email to get read, it's the subject line that's likely to play the most important part. 

As we've advised before, if you have a good resume headline, simply put it in the email subject. 

However, if you’re unhappy with the result, you have other options, too. 

For instance, if you have a reference, include it already in your email subject line: 

Referral from Jose Nachos: Pedro Tacos, candidate for a senior software analyst position

If you don't have a reference or a catchy headline, check out more tips on how to write the best subject line for your email .

Finished writing your cover letter?

Make it stand out with an eye-catching design.

What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter? 

Today, many companies are using online application systems that discourage applicants from attaching a cover letter. 

Instead, they have their own application systems where in different sections you're required to fill in the information you would normally place in your cover letter.  

If this is the case, just work with the format they gave you.

In other words, include the same information that you'd normally have in your cover letter but place it in the correct sections. 

And don’t forget to follow the cover letter principles: 

• explain why you're the right candidate;
• make it clear that you've researched the company well;
• indicate in what way you'd be an asset;
• mention your biggest past achievements.

Because no matter the format, you're still expected to present your skills and convey enthusiasm about the job.

Alternatively, you can also try to find a relevant manager or a recruiter online (either on the company pages or LinkedIn) to whom you can send a brief follow-up email with an attached cover letter. 

Now that we've covered the basics, there are several other tips that you should keep in mind to elevate your cover letter to the next level: 

• Keep it short. Limit your cover letter to three to four paragraphs and a maximum of one page. Hiring managers are busy people who often don't have time for reading long texts.
• Keep it clean and easy on the eye. Take a look at how this article is written. It’s replete with short paragraphs, sentences typed in bold letters, bullet points, and numbers. All of these make reading and searching for specific information easier. So, never send a letter that looks like an unreadable wall of text. The easiest way to achieve a sleek cover letter design is to use a pre-formatted cover letter template . 
• Don’t risk being funny if it ’ s a company with a formal work culture. Poorly executed humor will hurt your chances rather than help. Being direct and dynamic is a much surer way to catch the recruiter’s attention than a number of jokes. On the other, if the company is smaller or known for its creative products, being original may in fact help your chances! 
• Show, don’t tell. Usually, there’s no point in saying you’re “a dependable hard worker” or “a creative thinker.” Why should anyone believe such generic statements? Instead, offer an example of how these qualities helped you achieve something in the past.
• Never write the same letter twice. A cover letter should always be tailored to a specific job application. Remember the previous sections? You’ve made a great effort to research the company and its hiring managers, so you’ve written your cover letter accordingly. This is a process you need to repeat with every application (ugh, I know). 
• Check for typos. This goes without saying but make 100% sure your cover letter is without typos. There’s no reason to believe you're competent if you can't even type without errors. Moreover, typos automatically reveal almost criminal carelessness on your part, since every text editor nowadays has a spellchecking feature. 
• Don't use any buzzwords. Your cover letter needs to be authentic and persuasive — and buzzwords are neither. If anything, they simply give the impression of you being someone who's just trying to fit a skewed idea of what an ideal corporate employee should be. Instead, focus on using relevant keywords from job descriptions.

Now, if you have no experience yet because you're just starting out or you're changing careers, writing a cover letter can be scary. However, a well-written letter can actually be your best friend.

And this is how you write the perfect cover letter with no experience .

In the end, there are many different ways to write a great cover letter. And even if you follow the cover letter guide above, you’ll end up with a cover letter that's invariably your own. 

It all depends on your own personality, the position you’re applying for, and the hiring manager’s preferences. 

And that's good, actually! 

Still, there's a lot to learn from cover letters written by other people. That's why we've selected five cover letter samples that deserve your attention. 

Each of these helped real job seekers find real jobs in real companies. They'll teach you valuable lessons you can use in your own cover letter.

1. Norwegian — Cabin Crew Cover Letter Example

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

2. Volvo — Machine Learning Intern Cover Letter Example

3. tory burch — account executive cover letter example, 4. lush — sales associate cover letter example, 5. romeo — social media officer cover letter example.

Do you still need some more inspiration? You can find more examples in our cover letter library

FAQ: How to write a cover letter

250 to 400 words is the standard cover letter length range. A cover letter should never exceed one page.

Yes! Show that you can go that extra mile and stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Ideally, use a pre-formatted cover letter template. Then use a simple and professional font, such as Times New Roman. The font size should be between 10-12.

If you have the name of the hiring manager, try to find their contact on the company page or LinkedIn. If you still can't find the right person, you can address it to the whole team or HR.

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Martin Poduska in 201 7.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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• CV and Cover Letter
• How to sell yourself on a CV:...

How to sell yourself on a CV: do it without boasting!

9 min read · Updated on June 03, 2024

Pitch yourself well enough, and the hiring manager will snap you up!

Nobody likes a bragger – not even a humble bragger. But when it comes to your CV, you need to be brave enough to blow your own trumpet. Learning how to sell yourself on a CV without sounding arrogant, albeit a challenge, is key. Luckily, we've got you covered. In this guide, we'll share the words you should use, as well as avoid, to give off the right impression.

Why choosing the right words is essential

Usually, your CV is the first impression you'll make on a recruiter or hiring manager. And you know what they say about first impressions – you don't get a second chance to make one! 

That's why your CV needs to describe you accurately and persuasively rather than oversell or undersell you. Choosing the right words to showcase your skills is, no doubt, tricky, but spending a bit of time on this can have a great impact on how you're perceived. 

The best words to use when selling yourself on a CV

The Oxford English Dictionary currently lists 500,000 entries, but the average CV is only two pages long. So, you're going to need to narrow down your choices. These categories may help: 

One of the very best ways to find words that effectively market yourself on your CV is to scour the job advert for keywords . Highlight those words within the advert that apply to you and try to integrate them naturally into your narrative. 

Top tip: Stay objective and optimise your use of relevant keywords by including facts and figures whenever possible.

Adjectives 

While excessive adjectives aren't to be advised, choosing some to highlight your professional qualities can help to bring a bit of personality to your CV. Let's take a look at some examples that you may use: 

Ambitious 

Approachable 

Detail-oriented 

Pioneering 

Confident 

Driven 

Authoritative 

Influential 

Methodical 

Open-minded 

Analytical  

Top tip: Every word you choose must be true and accurate – dishonesty on a CV is never OK. 

Power verbs

Starting every bullet or sentence of your CV with a power verb is a great way of promoting your capabilities in a concise and impactful way. Here are some examples to help you get started: 

Spearheaded

Established

Transformed

Restructured

Streamlined

Top tip: Stick to words that allow you to highlight your soft and hard skills on your application.

How to sell yourself on a CV – section examples

Your CV provides plenty of opportunities for you to market your skills and expertise. Next up, we'll take a closer look at how you can promote yourself for a job by maximising specific parts of your CV.

The Profile section 

As the first section of your CV, the profile is a great place to sell yourself. This is your elevator pitch, your personal introduction, so you should describe yourself in such a way that the reader can immediately see how you align with the exact requirements of the vacancy. Take a look at these examples of how to pitch yourself in the Profile section for inspiration: 

How to sell yourself on a CV with no experience 

An animal lover working towards a Level 3 qualification in Animal Management, with significant animal care experience. Confident handling a wide range of animals, particularly horses, cats and chickens, using initiative to fully meet their needs. Willing to work outside in all weather and keen to secure a part-time role in the animal care sector. 

How to sell yourself on a CV for freshers and students 

A knowledgeable undergraduate student, specialising in HR and business analysis. Combines a natural flair for identifying operational problems with the ability to recommend solutions. Communicates professionally across cultures and is sensitive to diversity issues. Consistently achieves deadlines through meticulous planning and a proactive approach. 

How to sell yourself on a CV for nurses

A respected and patient Mental Health Nurse, combining experience in both hospital and community settings. Recognised as a sought-after student mentor with significant leadership experience. Takes an innovative and patient-centred approach to delivering clinical excellence. Nurtures positive relationships with patients, families and multidisciplinary professionals alike. Able to manage ambiguity and possesses a comprehensive understanding of diverse clinical services, service users and stakeholders.

How to describe yourself on a CV for sales executives 

An ambitious and driven Sales Executive with a natural aptitude for building rapport with business clients and developing long-term relationships. Communicates articulately with key decision-makers to source, negotiate, and close deals. Proactively seeks out new opportunities, gaining an in-depth understanding of client businesses in order to sell products aligned with their needs.  

How to describe yourself on a CV for accountants 

A qualified Accountant with extensive leadership and management experience across multiple sectors. Focused on simplifying systems, implementing robust controls, and improving processes. Possesses expertise in compliance, audit, analysis, reporting, P&L, acquisitions, risk management, and project management. Recognised as an extrovert and engaging leader who builds positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and suppliers alike. Adapts quickly to new industries and cultures . 

How to describe yourself on a CV for administrators

A flexible and loyal Administrator with the high levels of organisation necessary to manage complex schedules and achieve even the most demanding deadlines. Interacts professionally with customers to deliver exceptional service whilst ensuring discretion and confidentiality . Financially astute and confident leading small teams. 

The Professional Experience section 

Having made a positive impact in the Profile section, you'll want to keep that going as you describe your professional experience . The best way to do this is to “sell, not tell.” Describe yourself by using impact statements which enable you to objectively show off your best qualities without sounding arrogant. Let's take a look at some examples: 

Showcasing your skills in project management:

Handed over 12 complex projects on schedule and created a full delivery plan and handover documents to ensure successful and timely completion of 3 further projects

Successfully integrated a new business into the existing organisation during the pandemic, with no disruption to business as usual, including incorporating 100 staff plus applications across 25 locations

Showcasing your skills in financial management:

Turned a 6-figure deficit into a surplus by identifying new income streams and reducing salary costs

Achieved multi-million-pound cost savings by designing and building an Azure cloud platform providing public cloud resources

Showcasing your skills in team leadership:

Built the communications team from scratch and provided training and skills development opportunities to enable the team to build links across the community 

Supervised and coached teams of up to 10 staff and provided a safe environment for all

Showcasing your skills in customer service:

Patiently communicated with and advised confused and lost passengers despite significant language barriers

Built a loyal customer base due to award-winning customer service and a 5* rating on review sites

Showcasing your skills in organisation:

Played a key role in organising the society's first-ever Winter Ball for 130 attendees, delivering within budget and selling out to achieve a profit 

Consistently achieved strict publication deadlines 

Words to avoid when selling yourself on your CV

Now you know how to sell yourself in your job application document, let's take a moment to find out what not to do. There are some words that just have no place on a CV. Worse still, if you choose to include them, you could be doing yourself a disservice. Here are the faux pas to avoid:

You either sound quite old or like a piece of steak. This is quite a divisive word for those reasons, and most CV writers will advise you to avoid it. 

Hardworking 

Being hardworking is the least that can be expected of you. It's also a word that pops up frequently on the most junior of CVs and has become a bit of a CV cliche. Try to find a more dynamic word to use instead. “Reliable” and “enthusiastic” also fall into this category. 

Experienced

Everyone is experienced, whether they've been doing something for a day or a decade. When you're selling yourself on your CV, aim for precise over generic every time. 

Even if you love your job and the people you work with and serve, “passionate” probably isn't the right word here. It's overused on CVs and, in most of those instances, it's not very credible. 

Responsible for

Saying that you're “responsible for” something describes your job, not you. You can almost certainly delete these two words with no detrimental effect on your sentence. Ditch the tedium and, rather than listing your responsibilities, show off your impact and achievements instead. 

Bonus tip: always tailor your application to the job

Finally, remember to always tailor your CV to each role. Every vacancy will be different, so even when you think you've written the perfect CV that describes you to a tee, you'll still need to tweak it and make small adjustments to ensure that it accurately – and honestly – reflects the requirements of the role, the company, and the industry. 

Furthermore, don't forget that there's another sales document that you can maximise – knowing how to sell yourself in a cover letter is just as important as crafting your CV. Take the time to research the business and reflect on the job advert (and criteria) as you finalise your application. 

Key takeaways

By this point, you should be feeling ready to get started. To recap, these are the main points to remember when you're wondering how to sell yourself on a CV: 

Use a few adjectives and plenty of powerful verbs

Align your vocabulary with the requirements in the job advert

Make sure you're honest but unique

Tailor the CV to every role you apply for 

Avoid overused words and CV cliches

Get them highly interested in you

Learning how to sell yourself on your CV is indeed one of the best ways to boost your chances of success. There's no room to keep mum about your skills when you're competing for the top spot. So long as you follow our advice, you should have no problem asserting your value without coming across as arrogant. Stick to our rules, and you'll go far!

If you'd like professional input before you apply, why not send your CV for a free CV review ? With expert advice on areas for improvement, you'll be a cut above the rest.

This article was originally written by Jen David and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

Recommended reading: 

How long should a good CV be?

47 accomplishment examples for your CV: expert picks

Why you shouldn't let AI write your CV

Related Articles:

How to list publications on a CV (with examples)

How to write first-class honours on a CV (with examples)

5 steps to crafting an impressive self-employed CV

See how your CV stacks up.

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How to sell yourself in your CV

Your CV is your way of marketing yourself in your job search.

Think of it like a leaflet for the services you provide to companies as an employee.

Hiring managers will read it and make an instant decision as to whether they want to interview you or not.

So, you need to sell yourself in your CV, if you want to land a top job.

Here’s how to do it in 6 simple steps .

CV templates 

Add a sales-pitch-style CV profile

The CV profile  is the introductory paragraph at the top of your CV and is one of it’s most critical sections, as it serves as your elevator pitch to the hiring manager.

Get it wrong and tons of recruiters will skip past your CV – Get it right, and you will start seeing the interviews roll in.

To sell yourself effectively, you must give a high-level overview of your experience and skills, but you must also explain the benefits an employer will get from hiring you.

Benefits are what YOU can do for THEM.

For example, will you help them to generate more revenue? or are you a whizz at solving their biggest IT problems, saving them time and money?

By demonstrating how you will benefit potential employers, you will make yourself a much more attractive hire.

Example CV profiles

Remember, the goal is to grab the employer’s attention and make them want to learn more about you, so be concise, persuasive, and authentic in your approach. By crafting a compelling CV profile, you can set yourself apart from the competition and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Build your CV now 

Highlight in-demand skills at the top

If you really want to sell yourself in your CV , try adding a core skills section underneath the profile.

This section is essentially a bullet-pointed list of skills and knowledge that directly relate to the requirements sought by your potential employers.

Each point will jump out of the page at the reader, demonstrating that you are a good fit for the role, even with just a quick glance at your CV.

This approach helps to create an instant impact when your CV is opened, increasing your chances of receiving a response from job applications.

Relevant skills to include can range from IT skills and industry knowledge to education results and achievements. Just be sure they are pertinent to the roles you are applying for by researching relevant job advertisements.

Use power verbs

When crafting your CV, it is essential to incorporate powerful verbs .

Verbs are words that describe your actions, thus demonstrating what you actually do in the workplace – this is key to showing what you personal contribute to a company’s success.

Here are some example power verbs, along with how you can add them to your CV.

Managed – “Managed a 6-month project to improve customer retention levels.”

Optimised – “Optimised delivery driver routes to avoid overlap and ensure efficient service.”

Delivered – “Delivered the project two months ahead of schedule and under budget by £40,000.”

Streamlined – “Streamlined the accounts payable process to improve invoice processing speed and accuracy.”

Strengthened – “Strengthened brand awareness by expanding the company’s online and social media presence.”

Negotiated – “Negotiated with IT vendors, resulting in a monthly savings of £300K.”

Oversaw – “Oversaw a team of 10 software engineers in the development of client software solutions.”

Formulated – “Formulated a new performance review policy to ensure employees received regular feedback.”

Executed – “Executed six projects in a year, generating a 252% increase in revenue.”

Motivated – “Motivated team members to provide regular feedback, increasing overall team morale.”

Powe verbs will be most useful in your role descriptions, but can be used throughout your CV.

Prove your impact with achievements

Of course you must talk about your responsibilities, buy to sell yourself effectively in your CV, it’s essential to include your achievements

Achievements show the outcome your skills and experience and provide concrete evidence of your value to potential employers.

Add achievements to the end of your role descriptions to prove the impact you made at each workplace.

To make your achievements even more impressive to hiring managers – you should quantify them .

Quantifying your accomplishments by using numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts makes your achievements more impactful and memorable, and helps hiring managers understand the magnitude of your contributions.

Example CV achievements

• Increased sales revenue by 25% through the implementation of a new marketing strategy.
• Reduced operational costs by 15% through the introduction of a new inventory management system.
• Generated £100,000 in new business sales by establishing partnerships with three new key clients.
• Boosted website traffic by 50% through the creation of a targeted content marketing campaign.
• Achieved a customer satisfaction rating of 95% by implementing a new customer service training program.
• Reduced customer complaints by 75% through the development and implementation of a new complaint resolution process.
• Improved product quality by 20% by introducing new quality control measures in the manufacturing process.
• Increased employee retention by 30% through the implementation of a new employee engagement and recognition program.
• Successfully managed a budget of £500,000 for a major project, delivering it on time and within budget.
• Reduced project delivery time by 40% by implementing a new project management methodology.

Be specific, concise, and honest in your approach, and highlight achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the jobs you are targeting.

By effectively communicating your accomplishments, you can set yourself apart from other candidates and prove that hiring you will be worth while.

Use a professional format

Appearance is a key tool in any type of sales process.

And using a professional-looking format is crucial when selling yourself in your CV.

A well-designed CV reflects well on you as a candidate and helps to catch the eye of busy hiring managers and make a strong first impression.

It also shows recruiters that you have put effort into presenting your skills and experience in a clear, concise, and visually appealing manner.

A professional-looking CV format also conveys attention to detail, a valuable trait in many job roles.

Don’t forget a cover letter

Although this is not strictly a CV tip – you must write a cover letter every time you apply for a job.

It doesn’t have to be a whole page of A4, just a few sentences in the body of your application message will do the job perfectly.

The purpose of the cover letter is to encourage recruiters to open your CV in the first place.

It allows you to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, explain why you are interested in the role and the company, and highlight your relevant skills and experience.

When writing your cover letter, start with a friendly greeting, and a strong opening statement that captures the hiring manager’s attention and explains why you are interested in the role.

Next, highlight your relevant skills and experience, using specific examples that demonstrate your abilities.

Be sure to customise your cover letter for each job you apply for, showing that you have researched the company and understand their needs.

Finally, close with a strong statement that emphasises your interest in the position and your willingness to get started in the job as soon as possible.

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CSCareerQuestions is a community for those who are in the process of entering or are already part of the computer science field. Our goal is to help navigate and share challenges of the industry and strategies to be successful .

How do you sell yourself in a cover letter with no professional experience?

Two months ago, I graduated from boot camp. I’m 30 with a liberal arts degree, so I’m trying to shift from customer service work to something more challenging and rewarding. I’ve been working in my portfolio site, as well as a few projects that don’t just look like school obligations. Last month, I began sending out my resume. I focused on the relevant aspects of my non-programming jobs, added my skills from boot camp, and listed a couple projects.

Problem is my cover letter: I don’t know how to sell myself without sounding super green (which, to be fair, I totally am). What sort of introduction helps? Being super frank about how I’m taking a left-turn shift into programming because I love it, or make programming sound like the next logical progression of a totally logical career?

And if anyone has general advice about finding an entry level position without experience, let me know!

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