Being a salesperson is amongst the most rewarding career jobs in this era. With such a competitive business environment experienced today, most companies will always look for a sales representative or manager to maintain a healthy income and outshine their competitors. Usually, there are lots of benefits that are associated with this career. Other than being fun and rewarding, it is also job security as companies can’t make you redundant easily. For these and many more reasons, this career attracts the interests of many.
Why Do Sales Cover Letters Matter?
Writing a sales cover letter from the start may seem like an unnecessary task, but it is crucial to your success. The cover letter will allow you to show off your skills and test the waters about how much you might be worthy. A well-written sales cover letter goes beyond showcasing your sales skills and track record, and it also provides insight into what you can offer a company that could bring value.
Personalizing your sales cover letter is vital to the success of your sales efforts. A personalized cover letter is necessary to show that you understand what position they are hiring for, which allows your resume to be considered more meaningful. Your personality and interests also need to be included when creating a personal letter because it makes it more interesting and adds interest as well as helps you stand out from other applicants.
A sales cover letter is an opportunity for you to show your prospective employer who you are and what your strengths are as a salesperson. This can be the deciding factor in whether you are awarded an interview. Because of this, you must take the time to create a compelling and dynamic sales cover letter that will attract your future employer’s attention. The letter should be professional and tailored to the type of position you are seeking. In addition, the cover letter must sell your expertise in sales and show why you are the best person for the position.
How to Structure your Sales Cover Letter
Before you start selling products and services for any company, you need to learn how to sell yourself. The best salesperson is that who knows how to present and articulate his/her issues. The same applies when writing a Sales Cover Letter. Therefore, the following is a complete guide on how to structure your cover letter like a pro:
Start with personal details
The first thing you need to think of in your Cover Letter is your personal details. Here, you will write down your name, physical address, phone number, and email.
The date
Below your personal information, you need to include the date in which the letter is being written. The date is very important as it provides reference and order.
Addressee details & address
The next thing to mention is the details and official address of the recipient. This can be the hiring manager, human resource manager, executive manager, among others. Make sure you take some time to research on the recipient’s name and other details.
Salutation
Just like any other official letter, your sales cover letter should follow the same demeanor. You can choose to use ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or any other appropriate salutation. In order to grab the addressee’s attention, consider using the last name, if need be.
Introduction paragraph
Introduce your letter with attractive phrases to keep your reader engaged. There are a number of ways to do this. However, if you are able to grab the reader’s attention, everything else will flow smoothly.
Body paragraphs
Here, you need to clearly indicate your academic qualifications, experience, and other relevant skills. Convince your reader why you are a perfect choice.
Conclusion
You should conclude your letter on a high note, providing your reader with a call to action. Next, include a complimentary clause followed by your signature and name.
Sample Letters & Examples
Sales Cover Letter Sample
[Applicants Name]
[Applicants Address]
Applicants contacts]
[Dare of writing]
[Addressee Details]
[Addressee Address]
Dear Hiring Manager
Please accept my application letter for the position of Salesperson as advertised on your company’s website. After going through the job description, I am confident that I meet the stipulated requirement.
I am a holder of a bachelor of degree in sales and marketing from the University of [XXX]. Together with my past experience, I met all of your requirements for an entry-level as a salesperson. I have excellent skills in client relationship and management. Besides, I possess adequate knowledge of strategic planning. This helps me to come up with proper marketing and sales strategy in whichever field I am operating on. Other than the sales and marketing qualifications, the following are some skills I have acquired to help me manage my skills successfully and professionally.
 I have a strong presentation and negotiation skills
 I possess proficient word processing and spreadsheet skills
 I have a valid driving license
 I have a positive attitude as well as strong work ethic
My ambition, passion, and confidence make me believe that I am the best person you are looking for. I welcome any invitations for an interview so that I can explain my qualifications further. Attached is my resume that you can use for further review. Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
[Applicants Signature]
[Applicants name]
Tips for Writing a Strong Sales Cover Letter
Fortunately, in order to get a good job with many applicants, the key secret lies in writing an exceptional sales cover letter. The following are some useful tips to consider when writing your cover letter.
Share details on skills
You must share specific details about your skills and your previous success in sales or any other similar position. This will help make a compelling argument for why you are the best person for this position. Some of the skills that you may include in your sales cover letter include but are not limited to, marketing research and strategy, product knowledge, organizational skills, sales presentation and planning, teamwork, negotiation skills, people skills, customer and client relationships, time management skills, active listening skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving and critical thinking.
Quantify all your achievements
The work of a sales representative requires one to be objective and achievement-oriented. Therefore, in order to convince your reader that you are worth the task, you need to quantify some of your past achievements as a salesperson. For example, you can mention measurable sales successes, such as the amount or type of goods/services sold in the past.
Put emphasis on key achievements
Make sure you do everything possible to make your key achievements notable. This can include writing your unique achievements using italics, bolds, or underlines. As a rule of thumb, you can also use boldface figures and sales percentages to make them visually attractive. The following is a perfect example:
While working as a sales representative at ABC Company, we managed to achieve total sales of 10,000 items from the previous 5,000. This contributed to increased annual revenue by 20%.
Mention what contributions you’ll be adding to the company
The best thing you would want is to convince your employer of your worth. In other words, let them know how your contributions will be beneficial to them. Go ahead and explain why your skills, experience, and other qualifications match the job vacancy. Make sure you use your sales cover letter as a chance to make strong arguments for your candidacy.
Make it easy to read and to understand
The first thing you would want your recipient to do is to read your cover letter and understand it in detail. Therefore, make sure you write your letter using a formal and understandable language. Refrain from using long strings of adjectives, or lengthy sentence structures. Again, you can make good use of bullet points to make it easier to read.
Personalize your sales cover letter
Always bear in mind to keep your sales cover letter as personalized as possible. While mentioning your achievements and qualifications, make sure they are calibrated to your audience. In other words, make sure you only include those qualifications that go in line with the employer’s requirements.
Conclusion
When applying for a sales position, you need to make sure that you put your best foot forward. You must present yourself as the most qualified person for the job. You will need to write an impressive cover letter that will convince the potential employer that you are precisely what they are looking for. Your cover letter needs to sell your sales experience, personality, and, most importantly, your skillset. Be sure to include relevant skills in your experience resume and within your cover letter to maximize your chances of being invited for an interview. By including all of these essential pieces within your cover letter, you will increase your chances of being selected for the position, thereby progressing your sales career.