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Business Cover Letter: Examples & Ready-To-Use Templates
You have an eye for detail and a salesman’s touch. Use our ready business cover letter template to get a seat at the negotiating table and seal the deal.
In business, first impressions matter. More often than we would like to admit, they dictate whether we seal the deal.
And since your business cover letter is the very first impression you make on your employer, you need a document that will get you to the negotiating table. We got you on that.
In this article, you’ll get:
- Two business cover letter examples: for experienced and entry-level Business representatives.
- All you need to know about the correct business cover letter format.
- Step-by-step tips on how to write professional cover letters that will get you a seat at the table.
- A template you can copy, adjust, and have ready in 15 minutes.
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I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.”
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My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
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Looking for other cover letter examples for managerial positions? See:
- Consulting Cover Letter
- Project Manager Cover Letter
- Business Analyst Cover Letter Sample
- Office Manager Cover Letter Sample
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Good Cover Letter Examples.
For starters, read these two business cover letter examples. What do you think makes them so great?
1. Business Cover Letter Examples
First, see this sample business cover letter for a candidate with a few years of relevant professional experience as a business development consultant, Thomas.
The job to which Tom is applying requires experience in planning, organising and managing business projects, including performing research, developing detailed business proposals, as well as determining, tracking, and reporting on KPIs.
See how well this business cover letter shows he’s the perfect candidate:
Example #1: Experienced Candidate’s Business Cover Letter
Thomas Smith
Phone: +1-292-322-2322
Email: tom.g.smith@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tom-g-smith
Carlisle, July 15, 2019
Greg Employer
Head of Consulting
Consulting Company Inc.
1 Yetlands, Dalston
Carlisle CA5 7PB, UK
Dear Greg,
As a long-term reader of Consulting Company Inc.’s industry blog, I was thrilled to see an opening for a Business Consultant with your company. With my 5+ years of experience in developing and managing comprehensive business projects and proposals, I am confident I can deliver on the objectives and key results you are working towards.
In the job listing, you state that you’re looking for a consultant skilled in planning, researching, organising, and managing business projects and proposals. You also require an individual that is willing to take responsibility for setting, tracking, and reporting on key metrics.
In my current position with Consulting House, I take absolute ownership of my projects’ metrics. The most recent project I planned and executed was the launch of a new beauty brand of our Client X. For this project, I agreed with the client on a target of 20,000 units sold and a revenue of £1m in the first quarter. I prepared bi-weekly reports identifying key trends and issues, which allowed us to adjust our business strategy constantly, and helped us to exceed the Q1 units sold target by a gap in the market for a new, similar product launching next month.
I am aware that at Consulting Company Inc, you base your approach on solid data and the newest prediction technologies, including AI. I am sure that my data-driven approach will be the right fit for you team, and the tools and practises you have will help me grow and reach my personal goals.
Can we schedule a meeting or a call to discuss how I can help strengthen the relationships Consulting Company has with its customers by delivering world-class results?
Thank you,
Thomas Smith
+1-292-322-2322
tom.g.smith@gmail.com
Tom is going to seal this deal, you can be sure of that!
Did this business cover letter sample seem overwhelming? Afraid you can’t get that top business job because you don’t have that much experience?
Don’t worry.
Even if you are just fresh out of university, you can write a business cover letter that will get you in the room.
Here’s another candidate, Elaine. She’s applying for a business internship that will involve performing research, analysis, and reporting to support existing business projects.
Elaine has never worked in business before, but the following internship cover letter shows she has all the skills that they require.
Example #2: Entry-Level Candidate (Cover Letter For a Business Internship)
Elaine Watson
221-522-4343
Elaine.watson@me.com
linkedin.com/in/elainewatsonn
Wington, July 15, 2019
Greg Employer
Head of Consulting
Consulting Company Inc.
24 Throstle Ave,
Wigton CA7 9QZ
Dear Greg,
In the job posting, you say you are searching for interns to research, analyse, and report on your business projects. As a highly-motivated final-year university student with strong interpersonal skills, well-developed research skills and attention to detail, I would like to apply for the position of Business Intern with Consulting Company Inc.
I am studying Business Administration at NYU. Currently, I hold first class honours and made the Dean's List last semester. I have tactically oriented my coursework around market research and analytics, as reading between the lines and finding the missing piece is something that excites me.
I have developed those strong research and analysis skills not only through my studies, but also through being part of the Business Society, where we worked on hypothetical and real-life business cases. After I presented my report for one of the projects we prepared, I was commended for excellent research of the beauty product category, and identifying key niche gaps in the market.
Can we schedule or a call to discuss how I can contribute my skills to your research and analysis activities?
Best Regards,
Elaine Watson
221-522-4343
Elaine.watson@me.com
So, here are two amazing cover letters.
Now, let’s write an equally striking business cover letter for yourself.
Expert Hint: Xero reports that in 2021, startup company jobs fell by 8.6% y/y. Read our articles to learn how to write the best business cover letter and CV to secure a job with an emerging giant.
2. Write a Business Cover Letter Step by Step (Easy-To-Fill Business Cover Letter Template)
1. Follow the Perfect Business Cover Letter Format
Business professionals must be organised, concise, and radiate professionalism at every step.
It doesn’t matter if you’re writing an executive business development cover letter or a business cover letter for an administrative position—perfect layout must shine right out of it.
Here are the key rules for the perfect cover letter format:
- Use ‘Align Left’, don’t use justification. Not indenting paragraphs will give you more room.
- Use equal, at least 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Use an elegant, readable cover letter font—Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, Georgia.
- Use 1.15 line spacing. Always leave a space between each section, and between paragraphs.
- One page is always enough for a cover letter.
Now that your business cover letter format is presentable, let’s dive more in-depth into what to include in your cover letter for business jobs.
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2. Compose a Professional Cover Letter Header With Contact Information
The important thing to keep in mind about your business cover letter header, is to make sure it matches the heading on your CV.
Both of those headers should include your full name, job title and contact details.
Right below the header, list the city, date, and details of the hiring manager.
Follow this business cover letter sample:
Business Cover Letter Header
[ Your Full Name]
[ Your Job Title ] (Optional)
[ Phone Number ]
[ Email Address ]
[ LinkedIn Profile ]
[ City and Date ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Full Name ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Position, e.g. Business Team Leader ]
[ Company Name ]
[ Company Street Address ]
[ City and Post Code ]
3. Identify the Job to Which You’re Applying and Introduce Yourself
Face the reality—
The hiring manager has many more pieces of paper on her desk than yours.
Once they finally read yours, you don’t want to lose them straight away, which is what happens in most cases.
For this reason—make the hiring manager know that she’s not wasting her time.
Address the hiring manager by name. Additional points for finding this out if it wasn’t given in the job posting. Be creative, use LinkedIn and if you must—a phone.
Start the cover letter by identifying the job which you’re applying to, and straight away show exactly why you are the right fit.
Use this business cover letter template for reference. Just fill in the [blanks] with what’s relevant to you and the job you are applying to.
Business Cover Letter Sample: Introduction
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]:
Once I discovered the job posting for [Position Title] at [Target Company Name], I was elated. As a business professional with [number of years] years of professional experience, and with considerable skills in [market research/data analysis/critical thinking/problem solving/other relevant skills you have] I’m sure I can help your team with your next goal.
4. Highlight Your Relevant Strengths
In a business cover letter, the second paragraph should refer directly to the job description of the position you are targeting.
You want to demonstrate that you are the perfect match.
Pick the most important requirements and responsibilities and give examples of those, underlined by achievements that will make you stand out from the other candidates.
You can start with this fill-in-the-blank template.
Sample Business Cover Letter: Middle Paragraph
In the ad, you require a [Position Name] experienced in [refer to the requirements of the job]. In my most recent position with [Name of Your Current or Most Recent Company], I have succeeded at [responsibilities, duties, or projects you’ve successfully completed, supported by metrics, if possible]. I strongly believe I can translate those skills into success for [Target Company Name].
Expert Hint: If you see your future in Business Analysis, the International Institute of Business Analysis offers the gold-standard certifications. Their body of knowledge is the leading framework, and you will master it during the course. It also offers a chance to expand your business network.
5. Explain Why You Want In
In the third paragraph of your business cover letter, show your enthusiasm and interest in the company.
There are many candidates with the same skills as you—
Which is why they will hire the one that is the most interested and excited by the prospect of working there.
Highlight why you want this job more than any other.
Use this template:
Business Cover Letter Example: Your Motivation
I was really excited when I found out that at [Target Company Name], you focus all your business activities around [something you genuinely admire about the company]. Your values and mission reflect my professional beliefs, which is why I think [Target Company Name] would be the perfect place for me to grow, while helping you reach your business goals.
6. Get That Reply: Include a Call to Action
At the very end of your cover letter, don’t be passive.
Don’t “hope to hear from you.”
If you don’t ask—you don’t get.
Put an emphasis on the strongest point of your pitch—something they could be genuinely interested in, and ask for a meeting or at least a call.
This is a sample business manager cover letter closing you can use for reference:
Sample Cover Letter for Business: Call to Action & Formal Closing
Can we schedule a call or a meeting to discuss how my skills can help [Target Company Name] achieve [your goals/all your KPIs/your business objectives] in the near future?
Best regards,
[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
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Key Points
While writing a business cover letter, you should:
- Find out the name of the hiring manager, and address the business cover letter to them.
- Identify the position you are applying for, introduce yourself, and list your strengths in the first paragraph.
- Show achievements and qualities corresponding to what is asked for in the job description—in the second paragraph
- Show enthusiasm and interest in the company in the third paragraph of your business cover letter.
- Tie it all up with a strong call to action, asking for a meeting, and sign off professionally.
Business and development jobs often require you to relocate. If that's the case, check out our guide on writing a cover letter when relocating.
Any questions on business cover letter format left unanswered? Need further help with writing your business cover letter? Let me know in the comments, I’ll be more than happy to help!
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