Sales is big business. The latest statistics show that there are approximately 917,900 sales, marketing and related associate professionals in the United Kingdom. If you’re a talented salesperson, there are plenty of opportunities out there.
While your CV showcases your work experience and skills, your cover letter gives you the chance to highlight your real value. But how can you convey all that you have to offer in just 300-400 words? Luckily, we have the answers that you’ve been looking for.
Sales full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to express my interest in the advertised sales position at Aspen Medical Technology. I am a sales associate with years of experience selling equipment directly to private hospitals. I believe that my skills in making contacts and building relationships in the medical industry would make me an excellent candidate for this position.
Throughout my career so far I have honed a deep understanding of how important impeccable customer service is in the medical industry. I’ve learnt to anticipate the unique challenges that hospitals and hospices face and resolve them. For instance, while working at MedTech Solutions, I proactively identified a solution to streamline our customers’ procurement process when they were considering a medical equipment purchase. This resulted in a 25% reduction in acquisition time for both new and returning customers.
Aspen Medical Technology’s expansion into Scotland came as a pleasant surprise to me. I have successfully cultivated an extensive network across the country. Through my roles at MedTech and In-Visionary Tech I have nurtured relationships with key industry stakeholders, including importers, exporters, and medical professionals. By speaking at renowned medical conferences and implementing strategic initiatives, I led my last team to double market share from 2% to 4% during my time there. I have a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape and enjoy helping my team to influence decisions and drive growth.
I would like to bring my skills in customer service, problem-solving, and relationship-building to your organisation and help increase your sales in the sector. I am confident that my track record speaks for itself, having exceeded annual sales quotas by 45% over the last two years and grown our portfolio of returning customers by 60%.
I hope that you’ll agree I would be an excellent fit for the team. I would be delighted to discuss my candidacy further with you in an interview.
Sincerely,
Clara Forbes
Sections of a sales cover letter
Before you start working on your sales cover letter, you need to know what structure to follow. Whatever industry you work in, this formal letter includes these core elements:
- Cover letter header. First up, you need to list your name and contact information. This is like your business card. Make sure that it matches your CV.
- Greeting. Next, you have the opportunity to make a personal connection with the reader. Research the business and ensure you know who you are speaking to.
- Introduction. As a salesperson, you know the power of first impressions. Make sure that you grab the hiring manager’s attention with a bold statement.
- Body. Expand on your opening line here. Dig deeper and detail your accomplishments to date. It’s smart to add results-based points that highlight your value.
- Conclusion. Don’t lose momentum towards the end of your sales cover letter. You want to leave the reader wanting more. End on a high note with a call to action.
- Signature. Closing your cover letter is all about keeping things professional. Make sure that you choose a signature that aligns with the tone of your cover letter.
When it comes to how to write a cover letter, it’s important to get the flow right. You want to show the hiring manager that you are a natural storyteller. For that reason, you need to edit the letter well. Read it back and make sure that it follows a natural progression throughout.
Make sure that your sales cover letter is short and sweet. It’s always smart to aim for a one-page cover letter where possible. Show off what it is that makes you a pro salesperson. You don’t need to write too much here. Get straight to the point and keep it simple.
Looking for some inspiration? If you need some help along the way, check out our related cover letter examples, including the following:
Start off by making sure that your cover letter header is on point. You can then address the hiring manager and move swiftly onto writing the introduction of your cover letter.
Introduction of a sales cover letter
Starting a cover letter can often be intimidating. As a salesperson, you will be no stranger to introductions. When you first meet a potential customer, you need to make the right impression.
Take the same approach when writing your cover letter introduction. Ensure that you open with a captivating statement and use a tone that suits the occasion.
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to express my interest in the position of Sales Executive with Greenlight Ltd. As a customer-focussed salesperson with 5+ years of experience, I am confident that I am the ideal candidate. In previous roles, I had a track record of boosting the average revenue per customer by 11% contributing to the bottom line.
Hiya Angela, I am emailing you to say that I’d like to be considered for the role of Sales Executive. I am friendly, chatty, and always up for a laugh. I’m sure I’ll fit right in!
The hiring manager will be looking for cold, hard facts. While they can do nothing with flimsy words like “chatty” and “friendly,” statistics give them the information that they need. It’s true that a salesperson needs to have a strong personality, but they also need to get results.
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to express my interest in the advertised sales position at Aspen Medical Technology. I am a sales associate with years of experience selling equipment directly to private hospitals. I believe that my skills in making contacts and building relationships in the medical industry would make me an excellent candidate for this position.
Sales cover letter body
Now that you understand how to open your sales cover letter let’s talk about the body. There’s plenty of good information you want to pack in here. Here’s what you need to do:
- Accentuate your sales skills and prior experience
- Include details of how your talents have led to a boost in revenue for the business you’ve worked for in the past
- Align your work history and expertise with the role for which you are applying
- Add a strong conclusion that leaves the leader wanting more
- Finish with a call to action, encouraging the reader to get in touch with you
First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
First things first, you need to detail why you are suitable for the role. The hiring manager does not have loads of time to read your sales cover letter.
Ditch the preamble and get straight to the heart of your argument. Here’s what you may include in your professional story:
- Your track record. The hiring manager will want to know if you can deliver the results that they need. For that reason, you should start out with your track record so far.
- Your talents as a salesperson. What specific talents do you use in your craft? You might be an ace communicator or have a natural charisma, for example.
- Technological prowess. As we live in a digitalised world, it has never been more important to be up to speed. You may want to detail how you use certain programs and computer skills (such as a CRM) to manage and nurture sales leads.
- Industry know-how. How well do you know the products or services that you will be selling? If you want to make it in the competitive world of sales, you need to understand these things in-depth. You can talk about this crucial knowledge in your cover letter.
- Your approach. What sales tactics do you use as part of your job? The reader will want to know what type of salesperson you are. Don’t leave anything to the imagination.
- Training, awards, or certificates. Do you have any specific training that sets you apart from the crowd? Are you an award-winning salesperson? Whatever the case, now may be the time to shout about it. Every little helps, after all.
Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organisation
Now that you have pulled the reader in, it’s time to show them that you are a great fit for the business. You can do this by tailoring your sales cover letter to the company at hand.
For example, Sky highlights the following five values on its website:
- Creative and action-oriented
- Customer-led and simplifying
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Forward-looking and restless
- Fair and responsible
If you were applying for a sales position with Sky, you might choose to pepper your cover letter with the above terminology. Doing so shows how your perspective aligns with the business.
Throughout my career so far I have honed a deep understanding of how important impeccable customer service is in the medical industry. I’ve learnt to anticipate the unique challenges that hospitals and hospices face and resolve them. For instance, while working at MedTech Solutions, I proactively identified a solution to streamline our customers’ procurement process when they were considering a medical equipment purchase. This resulted in a 25% reduction in acquisition time for both new and returning customers.
Aspen Medical Technology’s expansion into Scotland came as a pleasant surprise to me. I have successfully cultivated an extensive network across the country. Through my roles at MedTech and In-Visionary Tech I have nurtured relationships with key industry stakeholders, including importers, exporters, and medical professionals. By speaking at renowned medical conferences and implementing strategic initiatives, I led my last team to double market share from 2% to 4% during my time there. I have a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape and enjoy helping my team to influence decisions and drive growth.
I would like to bring my skills in customer service, problem-solving, and relationship-building to your organisation and help increase your sales in the sector. I am confident that my track record speaks for itself, having exceeded annual sales quotas by 45% over the last two years and grown our portfolio of returning customers by 60%.
Call to action & conclusion: Finish off strong
End your sales cover letter by showing gratitude to the reader. You should also include a call to action, inviting the hiring manager to contact you for more information.
Make sure that your tone is confident and professional. As the reader nears the end of your cover letter, they will naturally slow down. You want to finish on a positive note.
I hope that you’ll agree I would be an excellent fit for the team. I would be delighted to discuss my candidacy further with you in an interview.
Sincerely,
Clara Forbes
How to write a sales cover letter with no experience
If you’re switching careers or you’re new to sales, don’t panic. You can still showcase your potential to an employer by writing an engaging and persuasive sales cover letter.
Focus your attention on your transferable skills, i.e. the talents you have picked up in other areas of your life. As a bonus, you could highlight your passion and enthusiasm for the sector.
Always proofread your cover letter!
Mistakes happen. But you don’t want to let them hold you back. When you’ve written your cover letter, ensure that you proofread it. You can also use software such as Grammarly.
Key takeaways
Crafting a captivating sales cover letter will help to supercharge your application. Seize the opportunity to capture the hiring manager’s imagination and land that interview. Be sure to follow our advice and tailor your letter to meet the needs and vision of the business.
Let us do the hard work for you. Check out our cover letter builder to get started now.
