Tesco is one of the world’s largest retail organisations. Offering products from food to home goods to clothing, there’s something for every shopper. Tesco stores, too, offer plenty of options for job seekers.
If you’re looking for a role with flexibility, growth potential, and an employee discount, Tesco likely tops your list. To land the job, you need a cover letter that sells your skills and experience in the right way.
Tesco full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mrs. Dawson,
I am excited to apply for the position of Sales Assistant at Tesco. With over three years of experience in the retail industry and a genuine passion for providing excellent customer service, I am confident that my skills and enthusiasm make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong understanding of the importance of creating a positive shopping experience for customers. My friendly and approachable demeanor, combined with my ability to efficiently handle customer inquiries and resolve issues, has enabled me to consistently deliver high levels of customer satisfaction. I am committed to going above and beyond to ensure that each customer leaves the store with a smile.
In my current role as a Sales Associate at Sainsbury's, I have been responsible for a wide range of tasks, including stocktaking, shelf replenishment, and cash handling. My strong organizational skills and attention to detail have enabled me to maintain a tidy and well-presented store environment, while my ability to work well under pressure has allowed me to effectively manage peak trading periods. Through my proactive approach and willingness to take on additional responsibilities, I have been recognized as a valuable member of the team.
One of my notable achievements was the successful implementation of a new customer feedback system at my current store. By actively seeking out and listening to customer opinions, I was able to identify areas for improvement and work with my colleagues to implement positive changes. This initiative not only improved customer satisfaction scores but also contributed to an increase in store revenue.
I am particularly drawn to Tesco's reputation for excellence in customer service and its commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive shopping environment. I believe that my passion for helping others, combined with my retail experience and dedication to continuous improvement, make me a perfect fit for your organization.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can contribute to the continued success of Tesco and its customers.
Sincerely,
Martha Atkinson
Sections of a Tesco cover letter
Tesco’s many product offerings come together to make a well-known, successful brand of stores. Your cover letter can do the same if you include the right components. Each piece of your cover letter has a part to play in displaying your talents and skills to Tesco:
- Cover letter header. Just like the header on your CV, this section displays your name and contact information. Since this is a formal letter, include the date as well.
- Salutation. Make a personal connection with the Tesco hiring manager by addressing them by name.
- Introduction. Kick off your cover letter by introducing yourself and your interest in Tesco.
- Body. This segment uses the most space and should be the most detailed. Delve into your unique qualifications and experience, clarifying how they align with Tesco’s needs.
- Conclusion. Close out your letter with a summary of your qualifications and reiterate your interest in the role at Tesco. Make it memorable with a call to action.
- Signature. Sign off with a professional farewell and your name.
Like your CV, your cover letter should be concise and to the point — no longer than a page. With limited space, every word counts. You don’t want to waste words recapping your CV or sharing irrelevant information.
Need more inspiration? View our related cover letter examples:
- Sales assistant cover letter
- Primark cover letter
- Supermarket cover letter
- Lidl cover letter
- Customer service cover letter
- Part-time job cover letter
For general cover letter tips and tricks, look at our article on how to write a cover letter.
Once you’ve designed your header and addressed the hiring manager, it’s time to begin your introduction.
Introduction of a Tesco cover letter
The best Tesco cover letter starts with a compelling introduction highlighting an impactful achievement. Spend some time thinking of past accomplishments and results, like an especially high volume of customers you served with a smile or a perfect customer service score. Choose whatever you’re most proud of and use it to set the stage in your introduction.
Dear Mrs. Dawson,
I am excited to apply for the position of Sales Assistant at Tesco. With over three years of experience in the retail industry and a genuine passion for providing excellent customer service, I am confident that my skills and enthusiasm make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Hello, my name is Martha, and I’m looking for a job at Tesco. I have a lot of experience and would like a job soon.
Choose a vivid example that illustrates your talents, and increase your credibility by including specific results or metrics. For example, you might share that you have five years of experience or that you regularly served over 100 customers per shift.
Dear Mrs. Dawson,
I am excited to apply for the position of Sales Assistant at Tesco. With over three years of experience in the retail industry and a genuine passion for providing excellent customer service, I am confident that my skills and enthusiasm make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Tesco cover letter body
The body of your Tesco cover letter should follow a clear template to help you land the job:
- Highlight your specific, relevant skills and experience
- Show how you're a perfect fit for Tesco’s culture
- Conclude your letter with a memorable summary
- Close out with a call to action that leaves the reader excited to reach out
Applying to more than one job? Check out our related cover letter examples:
First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
Start this section by showcasing key skills and experiences that make you a clear match for a role at Tesco. What you include here depends on the exact role to which you’re applying, but general guidelines apply. Be sure to cover the following:
- Retail expertise. If you’ve got experience working in a retail location, it’ll be easy to step into a role at Tesco.
- Customer service experience. Showcase your ability to serve diverse customer populations and how you strive to exceed their expectations.
- Communication skills. Regardless of the role, communication is key at Tesco. Your letter should show your written communication skills and offer evidence of your ability to communicate with colleagues and customers.
- Working in a fast-paced environment. Working in retail means moving quickly, being flexible, and getting the job done.
- Teamwork and collaboration. Tesco looks for team players, so share evidence of past team successes and the role you played on high-performing teams.
- Highlight your education. While many roles at Tesco don’t require specific educational credentials, if you have them, show them off.
Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organisation
Once you’ve laid out the talents and experience you bring to the table, the next paragraph(s) should cover how you align with Tesco’s company culture and mission. Spend some time familiarising yourself with Tesco’s brand and organisational traits. Then, use your cover letter to show how your own values and experiences relate to Tesco’s.
According to Tesco’s website, these are a few important call-outs from their mission and vision:
- Making the world a better place a little at a time
- Supporting communities
- Putting customers at the heart of the organisation
- Working as a strong, collaborative team
If any of these resonate with you, incorporate them into your cover letter. The important thing is to be genuine.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong understanding of the importance of creating a positive shopping experience for customers. My friendly and approachable demeanor, combined with my ability to efficiently handle customer inquiries and resolve issues, has enabled me to consistently deliver high levels of customer satisfaction. I am committed to going above and beyond to ensure that each customer leaves the store with a smile.
In my current role as a Sales Associate at Sainsbury's, I have been responsible for a wide range of tasks, including stocktaking, shelf replenishment, and cash handling. My strong organizational skills and attention to detail have enabled me to maintain a tidy and well-presented store environment, while my ability to work well under pressure has allowed me to effectively manage peak trading periods. Through my proactive approach and willingness to take on additional responsibilities, I have been recognized as a valuable member of the team.
One of my notable achievements was the successful implementation of a new customer feedback system at my current store. By actively seeking out and listening to customer opinions, I was able to identify areas for improvement and work with my colleagues to implement positive changes. This initiative not only improved customer satisfaction scores but also contributed to an increase in store revenue.
I am particularly drawn to Tesco's reputation for excellence in customer service and its commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive shopping environment. I believe that my passion for helping others, combined with my retail experience and dedication to continuous improvement, make me a perfect fit for your organization.
Call to action & conclusion: Finish off strong
When you reach the final paragraph of your cover letter, it’s time to reiterate your key points and summarise how you’re the ideal fit for a role at Tesco. Pull everything together into a few concise sentences, reminding the reader how your experience and values align with what they’re seeking.
Then, add some flourish in the form of a call to action, like suggesting the hiring manager contact you to discuss your experience in more detail. Share your gratitude for their time and consideration; this demonstrates good etiquette but also gives you a chance to reiterate your interest.
Finally, end with a professional sign-off (“sincerely” or “thank you”) and your name.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can contribute to the continued success of Tesco and its customers.
Sincerely,
Martha Atkinson
How to write a Tesco cover letter with no experience
If you’re hoping to land a role with Tesco but don’t yet have direct experience to share, you’re in luck. Chances are, you have plenty of transferable skills to display in a cover letter.
Consider including some of these points:
- Interpersonal skills. While you may not have held a formal retail role, you’ve likely done something that requires working well with others. Whether you’ve led a club or group, volunteered with diverse populations, or worked in a restaurant, you can discuss how these skills sharpened your communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to work well under pressure. Retail can be stressful, so use your cover letter to show how you stay cool under pressure, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and keep an upbeat attitude.
- Learning new skills. If you’ve had to learn new software or processes, explain how you gained this knowledge. Working at Tesco will require you to learn their systems and ways of working.
- Volunteer experience. Have you volunteered in a charity shop or done other relevant charity work? Include it here to showcase the skills you gained.
Consider the ATS
An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software companies use to collect and manage job applications. If you apply online, you’re probably submitting your CV and cover letter to an ATS.
Some advanced ATS software includes an algorithm that can help scan applications for keywords that best match the job posting. For the best chance at success — with such a system or simply with a human reader — familiarise yourself with the job posting and be sure the relevant keywords are reflected in your application materials.
Key takeaways
Tesco is a popular job option for anyone seeking a flexible role that lets them work directly with the public — and the employee discount is surely a nice benefit!
To land a job at Tesco, your cover letter should highlight your related skills and experience, plus how your values and strengths align with Tesco’s goals. If you don’t have relevant retail experience, rely on your transferable skills.
For a simple, easy way to pull together a winning Tesco cover letter, try our cover letter builder today.
