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
A great sales cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section back to your defining sales skills and the employer’s hiring needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include your resume contact header, the date, and any contact details you have for your recipient. Add the title “Sales Professional” to your contact header. You can then modify this title to align with each job posting (as long as it’s still true to your background). As sales jobs vary, this extra detail can enhance your cover letter by quickly showing employers you’re the type of applicant they’re looking for. That can pertain to someone in management, inside or outside sales, or a certain product set or market region.
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter as an email message and your contact information is part of your signature.)
Example
Savannah Bateman
Inside 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
Whenever you can, address your recipient by name – it’s the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.
Examples
Dear Ms. Young:
Dear 123 Corp. Sales Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
To catch the reader’s attention, start your letter with an example of your success in growing revenue 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. In the sales cover letter example below, see how the applicant quickly connects her chosen highlight to a relevant skill (sales training) that can benefit the employer.
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 could be a valuable asset to your organization.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Use the main section of your letter to tell why you’re drawn to this job or employer. 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. With this explanation, you can show hiring managers you read their job posting and are responding to it directly.
Following this explanation, cite two or three more of your main skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
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
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview and thank the manager for their consideration. Carry your letter’s focus through this last paragraph by briefly restating your ability to drive lucrative sales deals. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
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. Highlight your main sales skills
As part of your letter’s body text, add 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. In the following example, notice how the applicant uses percentages to give compelling evidence of her skill set.
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
2. Speak to the company's strategic goals
An effective cover letter doesn’t just give facts about your past, it also shows your excitement for the future. What direction is the hiring company headed? Does the job posting reveal its short- or long-term business goals? Speak to those goals and how you see yourself advancing them, and you’ll give your cover letter the engaged and confident tone it needs to stand out.
Example
I’m drawn to 123 Corporation based on its recent expansion into the medical supply field. My past work with hospital suppliers and experience in the health care niche can benefit your company.
3. Show you can serve each customer's needs
Sales jobs often center on building clients’ trust and finding custom product solutions. Feature this consultative approach in your cover letter if it reflects your background and the sales roles you’re pursuing.
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.
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 to 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 to 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.
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