18 Professional Executive Cover Letter Examples for 2024
Your executive cover letter must reflect your commanding leadership and strategic vision. Showcase concrete examples where your leadership directly contributed to your previous company's success. Demonstrate in your letter how your innovative thinking has solved complex problems. Ensure you highlight your ability to inspire teams and drive them towards achieving corporate goals.
All cover letter examples in this guide
Alliance Manager
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief of Staff
Department Head
Department Manager
Executive Director
Executive Manager
Fractional CEO
Functional Manager
Vice President
Board of Directors
Cover letter guide.
Executive Cover Letter Sample
Cover Letter Format
Cover Letter Salutation
Cover Letter Introduction
Cover Letter Body
Cover Letter Closing
No Experience Executive Cover Letter
Key Takeaways
By Experience
Starting your job hunt, you've hit a snag: crafting an executive cover letter that stands out. It's not just a repeat of your resume—it's your chance to showcase a shining professional moment, woven into a compelling narrative. Yet, the task can be daunting. How do you strike the perfect balance of formality without falling into the trap of tired clichés? Keep it concise; one page is your limit. Let's unravel these challenges and help you pen an executive cover letter that captivates and convinces.
- Personalize your executive cover letter and get inspired by other professionals to tell a compelling story;
- Format and design your executive cover letter to make an excellent first impression;
- Introduce your best achievement in your executive cover letter to recruiters;
- How to make sure recruiters get in touch with you, using your executive cover letter greeting and closing paragraphs.
What is more, did you know that Enhancv's AI can write your cover letter for you? Just upload your executive resume and get ready to forward your job application in a flash.
If the executive isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
- Executive resume guide and example
- CIO cover letter example
- Chief Executive Officer cover letter example
- Fractional CEO cover letter example
- Board of Directors cover letter example
- Functional Manager cover letter example
- Managing Director cover letter example
- Chief Human Resources Officer cover letter example
- Director cover letter example
- Director of Finance cover letter example
- Assistant Branch Manager cover letter example
Executive cover letter example
Jordan Smith
San Francisco, California
+1-(234)-555-1234
- Emphasizing previous leadership experience and the successful management of a sizable team highlights the applicant's capability to handle responsibility, a crucial aspect for managerial roles.
- Detailing a specific achievement, such as the development of a strategic communication plan that resulted in a measurable increase in brand visibility, showcases the applicant's ability to deliver results and their expertise in strategic planning.
- Expressing the desire to apply past experience to drive growth and explore new opportunities demonstrates forward-thinking and an understanding of the need for innovation in technology-related positions.
- Demonstrating an understanding of the value of strategic media relations in the technology sector suggests specialized knowledge that is directly relevant to the role they are applying for.
What about your executive cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information
Here is one secret you should know about your executive cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.
You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs (and explanation)
- Promise or Call to action
- Signature (that's optional)
Now, let's talk about the design of your executive cover letter.
Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates ).
Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.
Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your executive cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.
When wondering whether you should submit your executive cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.
The top sections on a executive cover letter
- Header: This section includes the candidate's contact information, the date, and the employer's details, which is crucial for establishing a professional tone and ensuring the letter reaches the appropriate person.
- Opening Greeting: A personalized salutation addresses the hiring manager directly, demonstrating the candidate's attention to detail and respect for proper business etiquette.
- Executive Summary: This introductory paragraph should showcase the candidate's high-level experience and strategic vision, aligning with the executive role's requirement for leadership and decision-making capabilities.
- Leadership and Achievements: A dedicated section to highlight past leadership experiences, quantifiable accomplishments, and the impact on previous organizations, which is essential for an executive position.
- Call to Action and Closing: A strong concluding statement that invites further discussion and expresses enthusiasm for the role, leaving a lasting impression on the recruiter and reinforcing the executive's proactive approach.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strategic vision and foresight: To demonstrate the ability to steer the company towards future growth and to anticipate industry trends.
- Leadership and team-building skills: To show that the executive can inspire, manage, and unify teams to achieve company goals.
- Proven track record in achieving results: To provide evidence of past accomplishments and successes in improving company performance, meeting targets, and driving growth.
- Financial acumen: To emphasize the capability to manage budgets, investments, and financial strategies efficiently.
- Relationship-building and networking abilities: To illustrate the potential to cultivate partnerships, negotiate deals, and represent the company in various circles.
- Adaptability and crisis management: To indicate readiness to handle change, resolve conflicts, and guide the company through challenging times.
What greeting should you use in your executive cover letter salutation
A simple "Hello" or "Hey" just won't work.
With your executive cover letter salutation , you set the tone of the whole communication.
You should thus address the hiring managers by using their first (or last name) in your greeting.
But how do you find out who's recruiting for the role?
The easiest way is to look up the role on LinkedIn or the corporate website.
Alternatively, you could also contact the organization via social media or email, for more information.
Unable to still obtain the recruiter's name?
Don't go down the "To whom it may concern path". Instead, start your cover letter with a "Dear HR team".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name],
- Dear [Search Committee or Department Name],
- Dear [Title/Position],
- Dear Hiring Team,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
First introductions in your executive cover letter
Within your executive cover letter introduction , genuinely state what you like about the organization.
Research the latest company projects, honorary awards, company updates, etc.
Write up to two sentences to let recruiters know what impresses you about the company,
This would help you to set a good tone for the rest of the communication.
What comes next: your executive cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your executive cover letter) you have to prove your unique value .
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your executive cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Final words: writing your executive cover letter closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your executive cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression .
Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:
- how you see yourself growing into the role;
- the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.
Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).
If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your executive cover letter with a follow-up request.
You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.
Addressing limited to no experience in the executive cover letter
There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience .
Your executive cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:
- skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
- achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
- motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.
Key takeaways
Writing your executive cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:
- Select a executive cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
- Make your executive cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
- Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
- Use your executive cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
- If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your executive cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.
Executive cover letter examples
Explore additional executive cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
Cover letter examples by industry
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- Cover Letter Tips
Executive Cover Letter Examples and Tips for 2024
10 min read
Looking for your next executive role? Cover letters are a necessary evil of the job search process. No one really likes to write them. That’s mainly because most people don't know what to include to make the cover letter worth reading. Before you get started on your executive cover letter, chances are you will have a few burning questions in mind.
Should you restate your resume?
Should you tell your whole story?
What exactly are hiring managers looking for?
Let us put your mind at rest. Cover letters should be your introduction to the employer. It's your chance to say hello and explain why you would be an asset to the company. As an executive, it's even more important to perfect this part of the process. Your role will be monumental, so your first impression has to be on point.
An executive cover letter should be written in a compelling and professional manner. Be sure to mention your key skills in leadership, people management, and business growth. You can do this by highlighting aspects of your resume or briefly showcasing your story. You may choose to Include a short list of your strongest skills to demonstrate your leadership.
If you’re ready to get writing, you’ve come to the right place. A quick way to ensure you can efficiently write cover letters is to have a base template. In the following guide, we will detail everything that you need to know about writing an executive cover letter. Once you’ve read our 10 key tips, you will have no problem creating an application that wins you the interview.
What should an executive cover letter include?
First things first, you need to know what your executive cover letter should include. You have roughly 300-400 words to play with here. However, no hiring manager wants to read a long, meandering letter about your life up until this point. Save that for your memoir. Instead, you need to ensure that your cover letter has a solid structure, as follows:
Cover letter header
Introduction/hook
Main paragraphs
Conclusion
Sticking to this format will help your cover letter “flow” well. The hiring manager can quickly gain the information that they need by skimming the document. Much like a story, your cover letter should have a natural narrative. It starts with the beginning, moves seamlessly onto the middle (i.e. the main point), and concludes with a strong ending. If you manage to get that right, you will captivate the hiring manager with your professional history.
Effective executive cover letter example
Before we go anything further, let’s start with some inspiration. Below is an executive cover letter example that ticks all of the boxes. Check it out now:
Why this example excels
There’s a reason that this executive cover letter works so well. The letter includes everything that you would expect from a high-level professional. Here are five things that you may have noticed right from the offset:
It includes a professional letter format
The heading matches the resume
It’s short and sweet — one page with three basic paragraphs
It includes a professional greeting
The content is tailored and to the point
As a rule, the body of the letter should be no more than three short paragraphs explaining which job you want, why you want it, and why you are qualified to have it. You should support your claims with accomplishments and refer to your resume.
If you're starting from scratch, read our related post: Here is What a Good Cover Letter Looks Like . The guide gives you a good overview of how you can get started with your application letter. When you’ve read that, come back here and we will take things to the next level.
You know the drill. Hiring managers will expect more of you as you climb the career ladder. As an executive, your cover letter needs to be a cut above the rest. You have to showcase your strongest leadership skills while meeting all of the above requirements. If you create a basic template, you can quickly customize the document with the nine tips below.
9 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out
Let’s say that you already have the basic structure down. What happens next? The answer is that you level-up your document. Starting at the top of your cover letter, here are nine tips from the executive resume writer team at ZipJob to get your cover letter noticed.
1. Indicate why you're writing
You may be writing to express interest in an unadvertised opportunity, but you're most likely writing in response to an open position. In the first paragraph, you should tell the reader exactly which job you are applying for and where you found out about the opening. Many HR offices track adverts and referrals, so it’s important to highlight these details.
But that’s not the part that will grab the reader’s attention. You need a hook. For example, you could list your credentials in the first paragraph to show why you would be an intuitive fit for the company. On the other hand, if you were referred by a person in the company, you can use this point as your hook. Figure out what information will make you stand out here.
An example:
I heard about (the job) from your (Title), (Name), and am eager to apply for the position. My credentials include….
2. Tell your story in a compelling manner
Language matters when it comes to your executive cover letter. Include your unique value explicitly, yet concisely. That is quite a challenge, but your hard work will pay off. You may use a variation of your elevator pitch, for instance, or a brief summary of why your work experience and qualifications is a perfect fit for the job in question.
To add some color to your cover letter, pick your words wisely. Use compelling verbs and avoid words such as "prepared" and "managed." Those words are passive, dull, and overused: your cover letter should be interesting and tell a compelling story.
3. Focus on up to four important facts
While your resume should be detailed, cover letters should be brief with only the most intriguing information and the highlights of your leadership story so far. To get that right, you can either showcase your accomplishments in a few paragraphs or bullet form.
Be selective about the accomplishments you include in your cover letter. Felicia Tatum, executive resume writer and CEO of Creative Career Solutions , recommends including “no more than four accomplishments” in your cover letter. “The resume can show the details, let the cover letter show the facts so it entices the reader to look at the resume,” she explains.
4. Showcase your leadership abilities in three lines or less
Using language such as "oversaw," "directed," "executed," "delivered," and "owned" will make your cover letter stronger. Including two to three sentences about your abilities to lead others, lead departments, or lead a company will showcase you as a strong executive.
The first sentence should have your strongest information and senior leadership skills, followed by one or two sentences to strengthen and prove the claims from the first.
Bullet points are a great way to draw the eye to your best accomplishments. This is only effective when used sparingly, though. Limit the number of bullet points and the number of lines they take up in your cover letter.
5. Provide value through your accomplishments
As we have already mentioned, listing accomplishments is a quick way to highlight your strengths. However, it’s vital that you also provide evidence to back up any claims that you make. You can do this by including numbers, such as costs saved or costs slashed, or mentioning awards, achievements, or projects you completed.
The more specific you are in your cover letter, the better your chances of success. Show the hiring manager that you’re more than just talk . Providing specific evidence of how you have performed in the past could make all the difference to your application.
Remember to use the same style as your resume so they look like a cohesive application. Use the same resume font , bullet point style, and numbers. That will leave a great impression on your reader, even when you reword the data to make a more persuasive narrative.
Related read: Using the STAR Method to Create a Superior Resume (+ Examples)
6. Address the reader directly (if you know the name)
“Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”— Dale Carnegie
The more personalized the cover letter, the better it will be received. So, if you know the hiring manager’s name — through online research or even LinkedIn— you should include it now. Addressing them directly is likely to win you some points. Of course, there are times when you won’t know their name and need to use a standardized greeting instead.
Before you start writing your cover letter, do some research. Take a look at the company’s website and LinkedIn page, for example. This is a great way to know the key players and be more prepared to write a customized application. It can also give you clues to the company's goals, visions, current projects, recent media attention, and current leadership team.
7. Include a call to action
At the end of your letter, include a call to action. This is the action you’d like the employer to take after reading your letter. Here are some examples of final lines you may use:
“Please contact me at your earliest convenience.”
“I look forward to speaking to you and encourage you to reach out with any questions.”
“Please let me know when you’d like to discuss my resume further.”
Remember, the call to action should always be in the very last sentences before you close out the letter. Make it conversational, but never pushy. It is the hiring manager's job to review applications and contact the best candidates, so be polite without sounding desperate.
8. Add your signature
It goes without saying that you should include your name to the end of the letter. However, add that personalized, executive touch, paste in your actual signature. It takes minimal effort but can go a long way. The visual impact of your signature carries more weight than you might imagine and will help you to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager.
There are a couple of ways to achieve this look. First up, you can take a picture of your actual signature, scan it to your computer, and upload it to your word processor. Some software, such as Adobe Acrobat, will also allow you to draw your signature directly into the program.
9. Take the time to edit first
When you’ve done all of the above, you might think you’re ready to hit “send” on your executive cover letter. However, before you do that, there’s one last thing that you should take care of. It’s crucial that you edit your document before you submit it.
There are two reasons for this. First of all, you need to ensure that no sneaky typos or spelling mistakes have gotten through the net. These errors will put the hiring manager off fast. Secondly, this edit will give you the chance to cut out any content that doesn’t add value to your application. Read through each part of your cover letter and make sure that each element of it will help push your application over the line.
In conclusion, your executive cover letter should be a short highlight reel that engages the reader. Personalizing your cover letter with your most impressive accomplishments will make it stand out. However, you need to make sure those accomplishments are related to leadership, motivation, and business development. That savvy move will position you as an executive with plenty to offer.
If you follow the above guidelines, you can write a killer executive cover letter in no time and increase your opportunities for interviews.
Recommended reading:
Please Find Attached My Resume: How to Use This Phrase
How to List an MBA on a Resume (+ Examples)
7 Tips for Writing A Cold Email for a Job (+ Examples)
Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer, Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer
Charlotte Grainger is a freelance writer living and working in Sheffield, UK. She has a passion for career development and loves sharing tips and advice. Follow her on Twitter
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COMMENTS
In this article, we discuss what key information to include when writing an executive cover letter and provide a list of tips and an example to help refine your application and provide inspiration. When ready, upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume to support your cover letter and convey your abilities and value to employers.
Learn how to write an executive cover letter. Get expert tips and downloadable cover letter examples for all levels of experience.
Professional Executive cover letter samples from real job applications. Including a writing template that you can use for your Executive cover letter. Vetted by career experts at Enhancv.
Download our free executive cover letter examples and follow our writing tips to create an impressive application that lands you a leadership position at a reputable company.
This executive cover letter example along with our free sample cover letter will: Explore the unique challenges of cover letter writing for executives. Offer free examples, samples and templates to help you avoid common mistakes. Explore the power of storytelling to help you beat out even the most qualified applicants.
An executive cover letter should be written in a compelling and professional manner. Be sure to mention your key skills in leadership, people management, and business growth. You can do this by highlighting aspects of your resume or briefly showcasing your story.