When it’s time to apply for a driver position, you’ll need more than a license and clean driving record to stand out. After all, most of the other candidates will likely have these same qualifications.
While your resume is an essential tool for getting hired, it can only do so much to show off your personality, attention to detail and exceptional qualities that would make you an excellent driver.
So what’s the solution?
A great cover letter is a must when it comes to making a great first impression and getting hired. This document is the perfect sidekick to your resume because it allows you to tell your professional story and present your biggest strengths in a way that’s memorable for a hiring manager.
Driving positions can be quite competitive. Luckily, Resume.io has an entire collection of resume samples and cover letter examples specifically designed for the transportation industry. With our professionally-designed templates and cover letter builder tool you can finish your application in no time.
This guide, along with an effective driver cover letter example will:
- Outline the advantages of writing a thoughtful cover letter for each position
- Break down good cover letter format and provide free examples, samples and templates
- Detail the power of storytelling as a persuasive cover letter strategy
- Help you avoid common mistakes often made my candidates for this position
But first, if you haven’t already completed your resume, that’s a great place to start. Now it’s time to create the perfect cover letter that seals the deal on a great application.
Useful writing tips
Resume writing is a fairly straightforward process. Apart from a few lines of your profile summary, there’s not much room for creativity or deviation from the what/where/when of your actual experiences.
While this is great for showing what you’ve done in the past, it doesn’t leave much room for an employer to get to know your personality or perspectives.
That’s where a great cover letter comes in. This document is your chance to focus on the essential skills and establish a personal connection with the employer to convince them that you’re a uniquely qualified candidate.
Need more useful writing tips? Check out our related cover letters
So what is a cover letter exactly?
This document, also called an application letter, is usually about 200 to 400 words, or the length of one page. It’s best to keep your letter concise and focused on a few relevant points so as to make the best case for yourself without losing the reader’s attention.
Formatting is another essential part of an effective cover letter. For optimal style and readability, choose a san serif font like Helvetica, Arial and Georgia with a size of about 11 point. Vista Print offers these samples and suggestions. You can find even more useful writing tips in our overall guide on cover letters.
What if the job posting doesn’t mention a cover letter?
While a cover letter is one of the most requested application materials, there are times when a job description may not mention a cover letter or describes it as being “optional.” While a lot of job seekers may try to save themselves time and effort by not including one, this is almost a surefire way NOT to land the position.
Unless a job posting specifically asks you NOT to include a cover letter, it’s important to write and send one to increase your chances of getting the job. This document can make the difference in setting you apart from other candidates with similar experience and can make your application stick out in a hiring manager’s mind. Don’t throw away this golden opportunity to make a great impression!
Hiring managers know that a great employee is not just a rote machine toiling away the whole day long. Someone who adds value to the company in terms of character and ideas makes for a much better hire. That’s why employers want to read your cover letter. They want to know what you have to offer beyond a driver’s license.
In this sense, a cover letter is the great equalizer. It’s your chance to stand out and win the position even against other candidates with years of driving experience. Without sounding presumptive or disrespectful, you should write your cover letter as the best argument for you as the company’s next driver. What skills can you bring to the table? What are you like as a coworker? How do you go above and beyond to offer quality service?
The importance of tailoring your cover letter
One of the best things you can do to increase your cover letter’s potential of landing you the position is to tailor it to each individual job posting. While it may seem easier to submit a generic cover letter with every resume, this is rarely effective in catching an employer’s attention.
To tailor your cover letter, make sure to do some research about the company, their products and their values. Is their business model based on day-of delivery? Does the driving position also include a sales component? Is physical stamina one of the most important requirements for the truck driver job? Use this information to help you think of your most relevant skills and experiences to highlight in your cover letter.
Best format for a driver cover letter
Some applicants dread the cover writing process because they think it lacks a defined structure. Luckily you don’t have to be among them. Below, we’ll take a look at the parts of a cover letter and how to write each of them. The good news is that these sections often remain consistent no matter the position or industry.
Here are the key components:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion and signature.
You can find even more writing tips for each of these sections, as well as free cover letter example sentences in our comprehensive guide on cover letters.
Dear Mr. Harman,
Ever since my childhood paper round, delivering packages accurately has been something that I have taken a pride in. Three years driving delivery vans for ExPress with 99.4% on-time delivery stats and 98.7% customer satisfaction ratings has therefore been hugely enjoyable.
After moving to Boston, I am seeking a new driver role, and I am excited to potentially become part of the Zone18 delivery family. If you tell someone that a delivery person is at their door, they automatically think Zone18. It would be an honor to represent you.
I possess a full and clean class A and B CDL licence and after taking a defensive driving course on my return from military service seven years ago, I am of the belief that you can never be too careful on the roads. I am now an instructor on an advanced driving course and always seek to level up my skills. Driving in the Boston winter is a challenge for anyone.
Our customers expect a seamless experience with their delivery driver, and I can bring the following customer excellence to my potential new role at Zone18
- Mastered the intricacies of route planning for safer and faster delivery schedules.
- Consistently in the top 5% of drivers for customer satisfaction and delivery accuracy.
- Supporter of technology in delivery process – I make the most of it where possible.
I enjoy my delivery role because I am adding to the lives of other people, saving them time and money and giving them one less thing to worry about. I am a consummate professional and have a long list of glowing customer references that I am able to share.
An interview for the role in Boston would be the ideal start to my life in the city.
Best regards,
Max Leewood
Cover letter header
Your cover letter header has two important functions. The first is to include the necessary personal data and contact information to identify your document. In many large companies, applications can float from desk to desk while they wait for review by a team of hiring managers. Your header ensures that no matter who reads your document, they’ve got your name and contact information at their fingertips.
The second goal of your header is to add attractive and eye-catching formatting to an otherwise plain document. Since this is likely the only place you’ll be able to add color or style touches, it’s a good idea to take into account the look and feel of the company’s branding and choose a layout appropriate for the occasion.
The goal of this section: Keep your name and contact information front and center, add a touch of attractive formatting.
Align document styles!
Presentation is a key component of a stand-out job application. To create an even more polished look, try matching the document styles of your resume and cover letter. This will help you create a “personal brand” – a visual stamp that sticks out in a hiring manager’s mind.
Don’t forget to take a look at the company’s logo, color scheme and outward presentation before deciding on the layout style that’s right for the position. The header can be a great place to differentiate your application, as long as your color and font choices are in line with the company’s level of formality.
Cover letter greeting
YYour cover letter greeting may only contain a few words, but it’s an essential part of establishing a polite and respectful tone for the rest of your letter. So what is a good way to start a driver cover letter? If at all possible, try to use the name of the hiring manager (more on that in a second) and the appropriate greeting based on whether or not you already have a relationship with the employer.
In most cases “Dear” followed by the correct salutation and last name of the hiring manager will suffice, however, you may opt for “Hi” or “Hello” and even a first name if you are more familiar with the letter recipient or the company culture is very casual.
The goal of this section: Establish a polite and friendly connection with the hiring manager by using their name if at all possible.
The importance of names and addressed greetings
When people remember our names, it makes us feel good. And that’s not just common knowledge – it’s actually been scientifically proven. Using the hiring manager’s name in your cover letter greeting is one of the best ways to show that you’re invested in the position.
For smaller companies, this information is often online or easily attainable with a quick call to the company office.
However, in larger organizations it may be nearly impossible to know exactly who will be reading your application – and often, it’s a team of people.
In that case, it’s best to avoid the generic “To Whom It May Concern.” Instead, opt for the company name followed by a more personable, collective noun like “Team” or even “Family” if it’s appropriate for the brand.
Dear Mr. Harman,
Cover letter introduction
Hiring managers are busy people, and each driving position can have dozens of applicants. That’s why your introduction is one of the most essential pieces of a professional cover letter. This is your chance to grab the employer’s attention and encourage them to keep reading into the body of your letter.
While it’s best to avoid anything that’s shocking or eclectic, you should give your introduction some spark and energy – interesting anecdotes, relevant facts or exciting personal statements are great ways to do this. Just make sure to keep any stories concise so the reader doesn’t get bored waiting for the point.
The goal of this section: Hook the reader’s attention with exciting and interesting information that leads into the body of your letter.
Ever since my childhood paper round, delivering packages accurately has been something that I have taken a pride in. Three years driving delivery vans for ExPress with 99.4% on-time delivery stats and 98.7% customer satisfaction ratings has therefore been hugely enjoyable.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The body section is where you’re finally able to dive into all the great skills and qualifications you have that make you the perfect candidate for the position. Since this is the largest portion of your letter, you can simplify the writing process by breaking it down into two subsections.
In the first, try using the STAR method to quickly describe a Situation, the required Task, your Action and the positive Result it caused. Make sure to choose the most relevant examples for the position you’re applying to so that the employer can imagine your benefit to the company.
In the second section, you can discuss your track record, most pertinent skills and potential contributions you could make to the new position. Make sure to use an enthusiastic, yet respectful tone to avoid coming across as demanding or entitled.
The goal of this section: Detail your accomplishments and milestones, give a taste of your relevant skills and how you would apply them in this new position
After moving to Boston, I am seeking a new driver role, and I am excited to potentially become part of the Zone18 delivery family. If you tell someone that a delivery person is at their door, they automatically think Zone18. It would be an honor to represent you.
I possess a full and clean class A and B CDL licence and after taking a defensive driving course on my return from military service seven years ago, I am of the belief that you can never be too careful on the roads. I am now an instructor on an advanced driving course and always seek to level up my skills. Driving in the Boston winter is a challenge for anyone.
Our customers expect a seamless experience with their delivery driver, and I can bring the following customer excellence to my potential new role at Zone18
- Mastered the intricacies of route planning for safer and faster delivery schedules.
- Consistently in the top 5% of drivers for customer satisfaction and delivery accuracy.
- Supporter of technology in delivery process – I make the most of it where possible.
I enjoy my delivery role because I am adding to the lives of other people, saving them time and money and giving them one less thing to worry about. I am a consummate professional and have a long list of glowing customer references that I am able to share.
How to close a driver cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Now it’s time to close out your letter in a polite way that encourages the hiring manager to get in touch. A Call to Action sentence accomplishes just this by expressing your interest in the position and inviting the employer to contact you. You may even choose to leave your phone number and email address here, space permitting.
Then, finish the letter with the appropriate sign-off. “Best regards,” “Sincerely,” or even the less formal “Thank you” can work well.
The goal of this section: Create an effective Call to Action that prompts a hiring manager to get in touch, choose the appropriate closing to end the letter respectfully.
An interview for the role in Boston would be the ideal start to my life in the city.
Best regards,
Max Leewood
Writing psychology
When applying for a driver position, there are a few key qualities you’ll want to convey:
Customer service skills: Drivers are often the only contact a customer has with the company. A potential employer is trusting that you’ll make a great impression and leave the client happy to work with the company again. Times when you’ve provided excellent customer service make great examples for your cover letter.
Efficiency: A driver’s primary responsibility is to get people and things where they need to be when they need to be there. Your sense of logistics and urgency are of great importance and should come across clearly in your application.
Responsibility: Drivers often handle money and items of value. Use your cover letter to show a company that they can trust you to handle their essential business correctly every time.
Communication: A driver is a true team player, working in conjunction with secretaries, shipment centers, other drivers and customers. Great communication skills can be expressed not only in the content of your letter but in your writing style and professional formatting.
But what if I don’t have any driving experience?
Maybe you’re a bus driver looking for a new job. Or maybe you’re en route to get your class a CDL. Even if this is your first time applying for a driving position, a great story can take on even more significance. First, consider the similarities between your previous jobs and the driving position. What skills do they have in common?
A story about a time you were efficient, organized and provided great customer service can do wonders to show why you’d make an effective driver. You might even find yourself ahead of applicants with actual driving experience who didn’t know how to highlight their strengths.
Basic mistakes in a driver cover letter (and how to avoid them)
Avoid these common pitfalls made by other candidates for driving positions.
- Poor formatting: Your presentation says a lot about your interest in the job. Poor formatting gives the impression you’re not all that invested in the outcome of your job search. Make sure to use a professional layout. Ensure that the cover letter looks great with our cover letter templates.
- Generic letters: A hiring manager can quickly tell a basic letter from one where the applicant put time into making a great impression. Make sure to tailor your cover letter with the relevant experiences and skills for each position you apply to.
- Overly complex grammar: There’s no need to use complicated wording and overly-formal sentences to boost your credibility. As long as your writing is professional and grammatically correct, there’s no rule against being yourself!
- Spelling errors: Typos and grammar mistakes make your cover letter seem disorganized and rushed. Make sure to use a spellchecker and ask a friend to proofread your application before you submit.Key takeaways
- A well-thought-out cover letter is an essential component of a great application. Unless a job listing asks you NOT to submit one, it’s always a smart idea to send a cover letter.
Key takeaways
- Maximize your chances of landing the position by tailoring each and every cover letter to the individual job description with the most relevant skills for the position.
- Follow the tested cover letter structure to make the writing process frustration-free and achieve a concise, interesting letter.
- Use the power of storytelling to create short anecdotes that capture your abilities and stick out in the hiring manager’s mind.
- Avoid common mistakes like typos and poor formatting. Online tools like Resume.io’s cover letter templates and builder tool make the process quick and easy.
With resume.io, you can create a perfect cover letter in just a few minutes. No uncertainty, no hassle. Go out there and win!
