sales cover letter examples 2021

Sales Cover Letter Example for 2024 (w/ Templates!)

You've always had a knack for sales, but now you’ve come a long way from making cold calls and practicing your pitch in front of the mirror. 

You’re ready to turn your talent into a full-time gig.

There's just one hurdle left: writing that dreaded cover letter. Staring at the empty page that's supposed to sell your skills and experience feels a lot like standing in front of a tough client you just can't land.

But don't worry!

In this article, we're going to show you how to sell your professional skills, one sentence at a time.

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• What Makes a Great Sales Cover Letter Example
• 5 Steps to Writing the Best Sales Cover Letter
• 3 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Sales Pros

...and more!

So let's close the deal.

Sales Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Sales Cover Letter

You’ve seen what a great sales cover letter looks like. Now it's time to start writing your own . 

Simply follow these tried-and-tested steps:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Kick off your sales cover letter with your personal information right at the top, similar to your resume . Here's the lowdown on what to include:

• Full Name. Your whole name should sit at the top of the document.
• Job Title. Be specific about the sales role you're targeting (e.g. Sales Manager ). This helps the hiring manager sort through heaps of applications more efficiently.
• Email Address. Keep it simple and professional. Your old, quirky email won't cut it. For instance, [email protected] is a no-no, but [email protected] is good to go.
• Phone Number. Make sure it’s correct, and if you're aiming for a job in another country, add the international dialing code.
• Location. Usually, your city and country are enough. But if you're open to remote work or moving, say so.
• Relevant Links (optional). If you have a LinkedIn profile or a portfolio, this is a good spot to include those links.

Next up, list the hiring manager's details:

• Company Name. Put down the company you're looking to join.
• Hiring Manager’s Name. If you can find it, include the name of the hiring manager for the sales department. The company’s website and LinkedIn are good places to look.
• Hiring Manager’s Title. If you learn the hiring manager's official title, use that instead of just "Hiring Manager." For example, the person reviewing your application might be the “Head of Sales”.
• Location. Note the city and country, especially if the company is global. You can get more detailed with the street name and number if you want.
• Email Address (optional). If you manage to find it, throw in the hiring manager’s email as well.
• Date (optional). Include the date you’re writing the cover letter. It adds a touch of professionalism.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've laid down your contact information , it's time to address your cover letter to its intended reader. Skip the old ‘To Whom It May Concern’ —it's a snooze-fest.

First up, do a little digging. Look at the job ad, the company's website, or their LinkedIn page to find the name of the hiring manager for the sales role you're applying for. This way, you'll get their name and possibly their email too.

When it comes to addressing the hiring manager , it's good to be formal but not stuffy. Go for "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name. If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, just use their full name. Like so:

• Dear Mr. Johnson,  
• Dear Emily Johnson,

If you hit a wall and can't find any details about who the hiring manager or the head of the sales department is, aim your letter at the department or the entire company:

• Dear Sales Department,
• Dear Sales Hiring Team,
• Dear HR Recruitment Team,
• Dear Sales Division Lead,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers usually only take a few seconds to scan each application. That means your opening paragraph needs to be as attention-grabbing as possible.

A good approach is to lead by stating why you're drawn to the sales job. A little enthusiasm for the field or that specific role can go a long way in catching a manager's eye.

Knowing a bit about the company can also set you apart from the crowd. The more clued in you are, the easier it is to show why you'd fit in well with their team. This signals that you're not just applying at random but are genuinely keen on this particular job.

If you've already got some experience under your belt, feel free to open with a big win or key skills that make you ideal for the role. 

That said, keep this part snappy. The aim is to hook the hiring manager into reading more about you, not going into depth about how you made your achievements happen.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The main section of your sales cover letter is where you should get down to business and elaborate on who you are as a candidate. 

Remember - this isn't a place to copy-paste your resume . Instead, aim to showcase why you're the ideal candidate for the sales role you're eyeing by providing additional information.

So, to begin with, avoid repetition. Don't regurgitate your resume; add color to it. Discuss the achievements that prove you're good at closing deals or retaining clients. Look at the job ad and let it guide you. If they're seeking someone who can work in a fast-paced environment, highlight a time you thrived under pressure.

Also, be specific. If the job focuses on B2B sales, point out how you've succeeded in that area rather than discussing your retail experience. This tells the hiring manager that you understand what they're looking for and can deliver on it.

And, as we already mentioned, knowledge of the company is a big bonus. If you understand their sales approach, competitors, or target markets, say so. It shows you're serious about the job and have done your homework.

Need more inspiration? Check out more cover letter examples in this article. 

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Ending your sales cover letter on a high note is crucial. This is your last chance to make a lasting impression , so don't drop the ball here.

Start by summarizing why you're the right pick for the sales role. Reiterate your key skills or most noteworthy achievement(s). You've made your case; now wrap it up in a neat package.

Finally, add a call to action. Prompt the hiring manager to do something next, like contacting you for a further discussion. This proactive step can set you apart and enhance your odds of landing an interview.

Lastly, sign off the right way. Keep it professional yet personal. Here's an example of what this could look like:

I’m eager to discuss how I can contribute to your sales targets and team goals. Please feel free to reach out so we can set up an interview at your convenience.

Best regards,

If "Best regards" feels too played out for you, here are other sign-offs you can consider:

• Kind regards,
• Respectfully,
• Thanks for your time,

This last section is your final shot to resonate with the hiring manager. Make it count.

3 Essential Business Cover Letter Tips

You're now up to speed on the basics of cover letters. 

Next up, we'll dive into some must-know tips to take your sales cover letter to the next level, starting with: 

#1. Match Your Resume

Going for that sales position? Then having a sharp application matters.

For that exact reason, get your cover letter to match your resume in style and formatting. A mismatch might come off as unprofessional. 

Keep your information straight and clean on the page, and ensure your fonts are on point from top to bottom. Oh, and while you're at it, get those margins and line gaps just right. Let's keep that cover letter snappy and on one page. 

Pitch yourself perfectly!

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Want to skip all the hassle? 

Our cover letter templates are just the ticket. Use our resume builder while you’re at it, and then match your cover letter to the T. 

Not to mention, with input from global hiring experts, all our templates are top-notch and industry-approved.

Problem solved!

#2. Mention Qualifications

You can't skip talking about your qualifications in your cover letter, especially for a sales job. 

Qualifications aren't just a checklist for hiring managers; they're the building blocks that show you can do the job well. So, dig a little deeper than your resume. 

Sure, your resume says you led your team in sales for three quarters. But in your cover letter, you can say how you did it. Did you initiate a new customer engagement strategy? Or maybe you excelled at cold calls? Make sure to explain it. 

By expanding on your qualifications, you're giving the hiring manager a sneak peek into how you operate and what you could bring to their team. Trust me, they'll appreciate the extra insight, and it might just land you that interview .

#3. Add Any Relevant Links

As an extension of your sales resume , your cover letter is a great place to add any relevant links. 

Sure, your resume might have a section for your LinkedIn or portfolio, but why not make it easy for the hiring manager? 

Direct them straight to the good stuff. Add a line in your cover letter that says something like, "You can see examples of my sales achievements on my LinkedIn profile," and then hyperlink it.

Doing this sends a clear message: you're not just talking about your skills and achievements; you're showing them off in real time. It saves the hiring manager time searching for them and gives them an easy way to learn more about you right away. It's a small detail, but it could make you stand out in a crowded field.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap on what makes a great sales cover letter!

We hope that our guide has made you more confident about writing your own sales cover letter and that you’ll land your dream job right away.

But before we go, let’s recap our most important points from this article:

• Start your sales cover letter by including all your relevant contact information and then fill out the hiring manager’s contact information. Keep this factual, especially your email and phone number. Otherwise, you might miss an interview opportunity.
• Add hyperlinks to your cover letter for convenience. Even if your sales resume already links to your LinkedIn profile or a sales portfolio, you should add them to your cover letter and make it easier for the hiring manager to see them.
• The body of your cover letter is where you should go into detail about what makes you right for the job. Make sure you don’t skip your qualifications—they can make you stand out from other candidates and help convince the hiring manager you’re right for the job.
• Before you send in your cover letter, sign it off professionally. Pick an appropriate closing line and add your full name underneath before sending in your application.

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5 Sales Associate Cover Letter Examples

Sales Associates excel at building relationships, understanding customer needs, and closing deals with finesse and charm. Similarly, your cover letter is your initial pitch, establishing rapport with potential employers, showcasing your skills, and convincing them you're the perfect fit. In this guide, we'll delve into top-notch Sales Associate cover letter examples, helping you to craft a persuasive narrative that sells your unique value.

Cover Letter Examples

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The best way to start a Sales Associate cover letter is by grabbing the hiring manager's attention. Start with a strong opening line that highlights your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention your key sales achievements or unique skills relevant to the job. For instance, "As a top-performing sales associate with a proven track record of exceeding sales targets, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my strong sales skills and passion for XYZ Company's products to your team." This approach shows you've done your research, you're results-driven, and you're genuinely interested in the company.

Sales Associates should end a cover letter by summarizing their interest in the position and their qualifications. They should also express enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the company's sales targets. A strong closing might be: "I am excited about the opportunity to bring my unique skills and proven track record in sales to your team. I am confident that my ability to build relationships with customers, coupled with my deep understanding of the sales process, would make me a valuable asset to your company. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my candidacy further." Finally, they should sign off professionally with a phrase like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by their name. This ending reiterates their interest, highlights their suitability, and shows appreciation for the reader's time, leaving a positive final impression.

A Sales Associate's cover letter should ideally be about one page long. This length is enough to succinctly present your qualifications, experiences, and skills relevant to the sales position without overwhelming the hiring manager with too much information. Remember, the cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong first impression, so it's important to keep it concise, focused, and tailored to the specific sales role you're applying for. Too long of a cover letter may lose the reader's interest, while too short may not provide enough information about your suitability for the role.

Writing a cover letter with no experience as a Sales Associate can seem challenging, but it's all about showcasing your transferable skills, enthusiasm for the role, and understanding of the company. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it: 1. **Address the Hiring Manager**: Start your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly. If you don't know their name, a simple "Dear Hiring Manager" will suffice. 2. **Introduction**: Begin with a strong opening line that grabs the reader's attention. Mention the position you're applying for and express your enthusiasm about the opportunity. 3. **Highlight Transferable Skills**: Even if you don't have direct sales experience, you likely have skills that are transferable to a Sales Associate role. These might include customer service, communication, problem-solving, or teamwork skills. Use specific examples from your past experiences (such as school, volunteer work, or other jobs) to demonstrate these skills. 4. **Show Understanding of the Company and Role**: Research the company and the role to understand what they're looking for in a Sales Associate. Use this information to explain why you're a good fit. This shows the hiring manager that you're serious about the role and have taken the time to understand what it entails. 5. **Express Enthusiasm and Willingness to Learn**: As someone with no experience, your enthusiasm and willingness to learn can be your biggest assets. Make sure to express these in your cover letter. 6. **Closing**: In your closing paragraph, thank the hiring manager for considering your application. Express your eagerness to discuss your qualifications further in an interview. 7. **Professional Sign-Off**: Sign off professionally with a "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your full name. Remember, your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. It's your chance to tell a story about who you are, what you can do, and how you can contribute to the company. Be sure to proofread your letter before sending it to avoid any spelling or grammar mistakes.

Related Cover Letters for Sales Associates

Sales manager cover letter.

Retail Manager Cover Letter

Inside Sales Cover Letter

Outside Sales Cover Letter

Account Manager Cover Letter

Luxury Retail Cover Letter

Sales Associate Cover Letter

Senior Sales Associate Cover Letter

Junior sales associate cover letter, fragrance sales associate cover letter, related resumes for sales associates, sales associate resume example.

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How to Write a Sales Cover Letter (Examples & Templates) for All Sales Positions

If a cover letter seems a bit old school to you, think again. According to a recent survey by ResumeLab , cover letters are still an important component of the decision-making process among 83 percent of hiring managers, recruiters and HR staff. Moreover, 83 percent of respondents claimed that they would interview a candidate with a great cover letter, even if their resume isn’t up to par.

That said, you’ll still need a solid track record or educational background to snag the interest of an employer. But with a sales cover letter in hand, your next job search will become that much easier, whether you’re an entry-level job seeker or you’ve cultivated a LinkedIn resume that turns heads.

Why is a Sales Cover Letter Important?

Cover letters tell your potential employer who you are before you even walk in the door for a sales job interview , and it makes said interview that much more likely. Even if writing such a letter feels uncomfortable and you’d prefer to let your experience do the talking, this is still an invaluable skill to have.

5 Cover Letter Tips for Today’s Sales Professionals

Writing a professional cover letter for a sales job might not feel intuitive yet, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard. The following tips will start you off on the right foot.

Be Clear And Concise

A cover letter is not an aria. It’s not a soliloquy or a monologue. It’s certainly not a rant. No, you can think of it as a short informational pamphlet—and the subject is you.

Rather than waxing poetic about your thoughts, feelings, or even your goals, stick to the main points, including who you are, what you’ve done so far, and what you can do for the company for which you’d like to work. Keeping your letter short and sweet can increase application success.

Make it Easy to Read

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes at a time. The way you format your cover letter can either help or hurt your chances of standing out.

No, that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the fancy fonts and fun colors. Instead, format your cover letter with the goal of making it easy to read.

Follow best practices such as:

• Write short, concise sentences and remove unnecessary adjectives
• Make your paragraphs shorter, or use bullet points to make key ideas stand out
• Use clean, professional fonts at a size that’s easy to read

The overall goal is for hiring managers to quickly and easily see what makes you stand out beyond the rest of the applicants. Don’t hide your strongest selling points in small, swirly fonts and huge blocks of text!

Highlight Your Skills

It’s very important to highlight your sales skills in a cover letter. This is different from accomplishments, which we’re covering next. Your skills are a separate category, in which you describe what you bring to the table, regardless of whether you’ve used those skills in the past or not. Include such details as the apps, sales tools or programs you know how to use, languages you speak, and areas in which you’ve trained.

While it is appropriate to include some reference to soft skills in your cover letter, limit it to a few. Any job applicant will claim they are a good problem-solver and a team player; it’s more important to share which skills make you stand out as a salesperson.

Showcase Relevant Achievements

In addition to putting your achievements on a professional resume , include a quick recap of them in your cover letter. Make those achievements quantifiable, using numbers and statistics from your sales reports or the company’s, and don’t hold back or engage in false modesty. This is no time to sell yourself short.

5 Steps To Writing A Sales Representative Cover Letter

So it’s time to write that letter and nail that sales representative position! But how exactly are you going to fit all the awesomeness that is you onto one page, single-spaced, in 12-point Helvetica font, without leaving anything out?

Good question, and as with all good answers, an analogy is called for: think of your cover letter as if it’s a highlight reel on your social media account. While your highlight reel can’t stand in for the hours you spend crafting witty tweets, it can give people a quick glance at who you are. And just like a highlight reel, the goal for your cover letter is to make others want to dig a little bit deeper.

A good sales representative cover letter should make your readers curious enough to learn more about you as a sales professional that they will want to ask you about yourself in person. Let’s take a look at how to make them do just that, in five easy steps.

1. The Header

Think of yourself as a sales hiring manager. How hard are you going to look for the contact information of a candidate if they can’t even bother to provide it somewhere obvious in the sales cover letter?

Answer: not very hard. That’s why every sales position cover letter needs a header. Usually, you’ll find it across the top, though sometimes the header runs along the side of the page. It needs to include your name, phone number, address, and any other contact information you might have.

Note that while cover letters to clients or professional colleagues might include your company name, a sales job cover letter should not. Under your info, put the date.

Note that the header is different from the salutation, which includes the hiring manager’s contact information. Don’t confuse the two.

2. How To Greet the Employer

Here is where you greet your potential employer. It has two parts: the contact info and the salutation. First, include the same contact info you included for yourself, but relevant to the hiring manager: their name, basic info and company name.

Then greet them.

You can pick from a number of ways to do this, but if you know the manager’s name, that’s the simplest. “Dear Ms. Lannister” is always better than a “Hi there,” “Greetings,” “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.” The former two are too casual, while the latter couple are old-fashioned and make it look like you haven’t bothered to look up their name.

Note: If you can’t be sure of someone’s pronouns, opt for a neutral “Dear Hiring Manager Lannister” or their full name.

3. The Introduction

As with anything else, you have very little time to make a good impression if you want the job. Whether you’re in software sales or yacht sales, you need to punch it right from the beginning.

The introductory paragraph should emphasize why you are an ideal candidate. Remember that this paragraph needs to entice the employer to read further, and readers will lose interest in a boring introduction. Include why you’re applying, any notable sales goals you’ve met or awards you’ve won, and a lead-in to the following paragraph.

4. The Body

Here’s where you flesh out your skills and achievements in more detail. Include items such as:

• Work experience
• Sales experience and sales skills
• Communication skills
• Time management abilities
• Achievement or award track record

Note that you should avoid bullet points, though you can use them in your sales resume. The same goes for detailing aspects of your education, with the exception being your degree (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, etc.), which is appropriate to mention.

Mostly, this is a sales pitch that should include why you’re the best candidate for the job. Your existing knowledge and abilities are critical to whether or not you can land the role you’re looking for, so don’t hold back. While you should never brag or pass on compliments you’ve gotten, you should share exactly why you would be a good fit for the position.

5. The Conclusion

The last paragraph of your sales cover letter should include a summation, references, and the fond wish that you hear from the hiring manager again. It’s okay to use humor here as long as it is tasteful and doesn’t become the focus on the letter.

If you prefer a more serious tone, simply express your gratitude and desire to hear from them again.

Cover Letter Examples

There exist a wide variety of job positions in the sales world, with different focuses, locations and levels of seniority. No one size fits all when it comes to sales jobs, which is why you need to tailor your sales cover letter to the exact position you’re looking for.

Naturally, we can’t cover every possible job title in a single post. However, the following sales cover letter example list should give you a fairly good idea of what employers are looking for. Feel free to browse both the resume templates and the cover letter templates for ideas before writing your own.

Sales Associate Cover Letter

If you’re just beginning your career in sales , then chances are good you might find yourself at a retail location. From cell phone stores to electronics outlets, car dealerships to boutiques that pay on commission, these are great places to cut your sales teeth.

Just because they’re good for entry-level employees doesn’t mean employers don’t expect a good showing, however. You’ll still need a cover letter that impresses. Go through the sales cover letter sample list below to see what we’re talking about:

• Sales Associate Cover Letter 1
• Sales Associate Cover Letter 2
• Sales Associate Cover Letter 3

Inside Sales Rep Cover Letter

Responsible for selling products and services from company headquarters or satellite offices rather than retail locations where customers walk in, inside sales reps spend a lot of time on the phone and using email. (Ideally for the company, they’re also spending plenty of time using smart automated sales software , but that’s another subject.)

If you hope to become an inside sales rep, you’ll need a sales representative cover letter that demonstrates related abilities. That includes good customer service, the ability to focus under pressure, and a solid background in sales or its theory. Take a look at these examples:

• Inside Sales Rep Cover Letter 1
• Inside Sales Rep Cover Letter 2
• Inside Sales Rep Cover Letter 3

Outside Sales Rep Cover Letter

While their inside counterparts work at a company building, outside sales reps travel to various locations to meet with clients on their turf. The two jobs have much in common, but an outside sales rep must demonstrate a skill set specific to traveling and meeting people in person.

This includes great one-on-one people skills, excellent personal grooming, and account growth. It is sales, after all. Here are a few excellent samples:

• Outside Sales Rep Cover Letter 1
• Outside Sales Rep Cover Letter 2
• Outside Sales Rep Cover Letter 3

Sales Manager Cover letter

Whether you’re already a manager hoping for a position at a new company, or you want to get a managerial job for the first time, the competition is stiff. You’ll need to show you not only have sales chops, but that you can manage people at the same time.

A sales manager cover letter should include how long you’ve been in the industry, how many people you’ve managed, your previous positions, your sales quota history and any related stats. These letters showcase exactly how to present professionally and put yourself in the running for manager:

• Sales Manager Cover Letter 1
• Sales Manager Cover Letter 2
• Sales Manager Cover Letter 3

You may have noticed that most of the above cover letter examples come with offers from their sites to help you craft your own cover letter (and often resume). If you don’t feel confident that you can do a stellar job yourself, go ahead and use one of those templates. Over time, you can use those skills to begin writing cover letters yourself, but there’s no pressure to do so now.

Why Are Sales Cover Letters Effective?

Again, writing a sales cover letter might feel daunting when you first set out to do it. In addition to making you look responsible and organized, however, a cover letter will immediately push you further up in the queue because a full 45 percent of job applicants don’t even include one. If you can get ahead of nearly half of the competition that easily, why wouldn’t you?

At the end of the day, a cover letter just isn’t that hard, and the potential rewards are indisputable. Take this opportunity to write the best cover letter you can, tailoring it to the job description and using a cover letter builder if necessary. There’s nothing wrong with getting a little help, but there’s everything wrong with leaving an opportunity on the table. That’s just not how salespeople roll, right?

Finally, keep learning. Increase your sales skills, learn to build remote teams , and practice your writing and communication skills as often as possible. Do this when you’re on the job hunt and when you’re not, because in the end, it will make you a better worker who is more appreciated by your employer. And that in turn is bound to pay off for life.

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