When writing your sales cover letter, focus on how you can grow revenue for the company that posted the job. Also, emphasize your skills in related areas like account retention, customer service, contract negotiations, or territory management. This guide offers cover letter examples and tips for landing your next sales position.
Sales Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-level
How To Write a Sales Cover Letter
Your sales cover letter should usually have five sections, in this order:
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
- Your name and contact information
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, company, and contact information (when available)
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your signature.)
Example
Savannah Bateman
Sales Representative | [email protected] | (678) 901-2345 | Columbus, OH 01234 | LinkedIn
February 11, 2024
Emma Neal
Senior Hiring Manager
Staples
(543) 210-9876
[email protected]
2. Salutation
If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Examples
Dear Ms. Young:
Dear Sales Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key qualification the company is looking for.
Example
Dear Mr. Davis:
As sales manager at The ABC Agency, I’ve led a 20-person team to exceed monthly quotas and grow annual revenue by 20% in two years. With my passion for sales training, I know I could be a valuable asset to your organization.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Explain why the job or employer interests you. Then, cite a few more of your key achievements or qualifications, possibly using bullet points.
Example
Your brand’s product set and focus on corporate clients is an ideal fit with my skills and experience. A driven professional with deep knowledge of local markets, I believe I can help your team significantly increase its revenue in 2024. My recent achievements include:
- Leading a local market research project that improved our product positioning and grew revenue by 43% in 2023
- Generating more than 110% of my quota for five consecutive quarters
- Converting 81% of leads into sales, with 62% becoming repeat customers
5. Closing
Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their consideration.
Example
I would like to further discuss the sales executive position at The Big Sales Company and how my skills can benefit your team. Please call or email me to schedule an interview. I appreciate your time and look forward to possibly hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Simon Bishop
Sales Cover Letter Tips
1. Show you can drive lucrative sales deals
Start your letter with an example of your success growing revenue, profits, or an assigned client base. Since performance numbers are key to your field, quantify your example in terms of a clear percentage, ranking, or dollar amount.
Example
Last quarter, I grew my client base by 22% while maintaining a 95% account retention rate. My expert product knowledge and networking skills inspired confidence and loyalty in clients. I hope to bring the same level of growth to the sales representative role at Staples.
2. Explain why you’re drawn to the opportunity
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this sales job or employer interests you. What does the role have in common with your background or goals? For instance, maybe it’s an outside sales role in an industry you’re eager to return to. Or maybe the company’s brand, business model, or sales approach appeals to you somehow.
When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have at least two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening. By adding these to your cover letter, you can show hiring managers you read their job posting and are responding to it directly.
Example
I’m drawn to 123 Corporation based on its recent expansion into the medical supply field. I feel my past work with hospital suppliers and experience in the health care niche can benefit your company.
3. Highlight your main sales skills
Consider adding a short list of bullet points to show your success in different sales areas. For instance, you might mention a program you started to enhance collaboration with the marketing team. Or, if you’re applying to a leadership role, cite measures you took to raise sales staff morale and retention. This is another section where you can specify revenue growth or other performance data relevant to your field.
Example
My recent achievements include:
- Leading a local market research project that improved our product positioning and grew revenue by 43% in 2023
- Generating more than 110% of my quota for five consecutive quarters
- Converting 81% of leads into sales, with 62% becoming repeat customers
Sales Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Simon Bishop
Sales Executive | [email protected] | (917) 476-8365 | Rochester, NY 14622 | LinkedIn
February 12, 2024
Diane Young
Senior Hiring Officer
The Big Sales Company
(375) 564-7148
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Young:
Over my past four years as a sales executive, I’ve grown my client base 50% in a competitive market. I hope to make a similar impact as the newest member of your sales team.
With seven years of industry experience and a bachelor’s degree in marketing, I’m drawn to your company’s reputation for top-caliber digital products. My career highlights also include:
- Launching a social media strategy that increased our online presence and grew sales by 15%
- Raising customer satisfaction scores and retention by 10% in one year
I would like to further discuss the sales executive position at The Big Sales Company and how my skills can benefit your team. Please call or email me to schedule an interview. I appreciate your time and look forward to possibly hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Simon Bishop
Sales Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a cover letter for my job search? -
Yes, in most cases. The majority of job postings today require or allow you to send a cover letter along with your resume. While not every hiring manager reads or prioritizes them, a well-crafted letter can only help you stand out from other applicants. It will also help you clarify what points you should emphasize during the interview.
How do I persuade the hiring manager of my sales skills? -
Don’t just tell, show. Anytime you use a trait like “dedicated” or “client-focused” to describe yourself, follow with a clear example showing the trait in action. Detailed examples of your success help hiring managers envision the value you’ll add in your next sales job.
How long should my cover letter be?-
No more than one page, or around 250 words. Resist the urge to tell your whole career story, even if you’ve worked many years in sales. Give just enough detail to pique hiring managers’ interest so they take a closer look at your resume.
Craft a new cover letter in minutes
Get the attention of hiring managers with a cover letter tailored to every job application.
