How to build a job-winning account manager cover letter
Account managers serve a highly necessary and crucial role as middlemen between major companies and their customers. As such, earning a position as an account manager requires not only a resume that highlights your relevant experience but also a well-written cover letter showcasing why you are a great fit for the job.
In this guide, we will teach you all the essential elements you need to write a great account manager cover letter. Keep reading to learn all about:
- Formatting an account manager cover letter header & headline
- Creating a personalized greeting on your account manager cover letter
- Writing an attention-grabbing account manager cover letter introduction
- Showing your professional value as an account manager
- Ending your cover letter with a strong closing statement
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1. Format properly your account manager cover letter header & headline
The first key elements of a strong account manager cover letter are a well-formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header refers to the block of text – most commonly found in the upper left corner of the document – that includes all the necessary information about the company and applicant.
The cover letter headline is similar to a title, composed of a concise one-sentence statement that grabs employers’ attention and previews the information found within the letter.
Below, we have provided more in-depth explanations and examples of each of these cover letter elements:
Formatting the header
When writing a cover letter header, you can vary the format and order of information according to the overall style you are going for with the document. Regardless of your aesthetic preferences, however, you should always aim to include:
- The name of the company you are applying to (& the specific department, when applicable)
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
Here is an example of a properly formatted account manager header that contains all the necessary information
To: Simple Business, Inc., Account Management Department
From: John Smith, Professional Account Manager
(123) 456-7890 | johnsmith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-smith
Writing the headline
To write the headline of your account manager cover letter, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of a well-written headline from an account manager cover letter, followed by a quick breakdown of its components
My 3-Step Approach to Account Management & How I Will Build a Strong Clientele at Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3-Step Approach
Keyword: Account Management
Adjective: Build, Strong
Promise: At Your Company – this addition at the end of the headline shows the employer that you will not only be discussing your skills but also relating these skills to their company’s needs.
2. Create a personalized greeting on your account manager cover letter
Following the header and headline is your cover letter greeting. There are two main greeting options to choose from: generalized or personalized.
A generalized greeting – such as “To Whom It May Concern” – used to be considered a standard form of greeting. However, employers nowadays often view this kind of greeting as too vague, or even lazy.
Comparatively, a personalized greeting that addresses a specific person or department shows you have great attention to detail and have taken the time to thoroughly research the company beforehand.
In some cases, you may be unable to uncover the exact person who will be reviewing your application. If this is the scenario you face, try out one of the following alternatives:
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. Write an attention-grabbing account manager cover letter introduction
With your personalized greeting squared away, let’s move into writing the introductory paragraph of your cover letter. To write an effective and attention-grabbing introduction, you should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Here is an example of how to write an account manager cover letter introduction
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am a seasoned Account Manager with 5+ years of experience working in the FinTech industry. At a recent business conference, I had the pleasure of meeting your VP Jane Doe, who was kind enough to review my portfolio of work and offer me feedback. After seeing my rate of success with high-profile clients, Ms. Doe encouraged me to apply for this position.
4. Show your professional value as an account manager
Once you have hooked an employer’s attention via your header, greeting, and introduction, it’s time to provide a more in-depth look into your professional value. To do so, you will need to write between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer the following questions:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?
Accomplishments should always be a priority within your cover letter, as they help to show employers the real-life and quantifiable value you can bring to their company.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in an account manager cover letter
As the Account Manager for [Former Employer], I managed a portfolio of high-profile client accounts worth roughly $6.5 million in annual sales. Additionally, my personalized approach to client onboarding resulted in a 125% in business volume over a 2-year period.
5. End your account manager cover letter with a strong closing statement
To conclude your account manager cover letter, it is essential to continue paying close attention to the details you provide. An effective closing statement should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a well-written closing statement on an account manager cover letter
I am eager to demonstrate how I can apply my account management experience and skills for your clients’ needs, as well as discuss my loyal clientele base that will follow me to your company should you choose to hire me. Within the next two weeks, I hope to connect directly with you via virtual meeting.
You may reach any weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to at (123) 456-7890 to set up a meeting time.
With Appreciation,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
