To earn a position as a professional car dealer, you need a well-written cover letter that grabs the attention of employers and showcases your abilities to build customer relationships and sell cars effectively.
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In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about writing a cover letter as a car dealer. Keep reading to learn the following key steps:
- How to write a car dealer cover letter header & headline
- Why you should personalize the greeting on your cover letter
- What information to include in your car dealer cover letter introduction
- How to show your professional value using specific accomplishments
- What to say in your car dealer cover letter closing statement
- Where to find the best job search resources for car dealers
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1. How to write an effective car dealer cover letter header & headline
The first crucial step to writing a cover letter as a car dealer is to create a well-formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header refers to the text typically found in the top left corner of the document detailing the essential company and applicant information.
As for the cover letter headline, this is a brief, one-sentence statement that is similar to a news story headline. Its purpose is to serve as a title to the cover letter and hook the attention of readers.
Below are examples of how to write each of these elements:
Formatting the header
The header of your cover letter can vary in its formatting but should always contain approximately 3 lines of text that contain the following information:
- The name of the company and department you are applying to
- Your name and professional title
- Your contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
Altogether, your header should look similar to this example
To: Valentine Car Dealership, Hiring Department
From: John Smith, Car Dealer
(123) 456-7890 | johnsmith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-smith
Writing the headline
When writing your headline for your car dealer cover letter, you should strive to keep the statement as concise and compelling as possible.
In this headline, 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 on a car dealer’s cover letter, followed by a breakdown of each component
3 Reasons Why I Am the Ideal Car Dealer for Boosting Sales at Your Dealership
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Reasons
Keyword: Car Dealer, Dealership
Adjective/Verb: Ideal, Boosting
Promise: Your Dealership – by including this piece of the headline, you show the employer your interest in applying your skills specifically at their company.
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2. How to personalize the greeting on your car dealer cover letter
The greeting on your cover letter may be the shortest component but it is highly important. Rather than using a vague greeting – like “To Whom It May Concern” – use a personalized greeting that shows the employer you have researched their company and the position thoroughly.
Whenever possible, your greeting should address the exact person who will be reviewing the document by name. If this information is not publicly available or discoverable, you may opt for one of these alternatives:
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. How to craft an appealing car dealer cover letter introduction
After your header, headline, and greeting are squared away, you should begin the introduction of your car dealer cover letter. The introduction should be between one to three sentences in length and immediately express to employers why you are a great fit for the job.
In this introduction, you should include the following information:
- 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 to help demonstrate how to write a car dealer cover letter introduction
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am a talented Car Salesman with over 5 years of hands-on experience working in a dealership lot at [Previous Employer]. Through my professional friendship with Joe Gold, one of your dealership managers, I received the recommendation to apply for this position.
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4. How to show your car dealer professional value using specific accomplishments
Once your introduction has thoroughly hooked the employer’s attention, it’s time to begin writing the body paragraphs of your cover letter.
These body paragraphs are where you will provide more in-depth insights into what makes you a perfect fit for the company and vice versa. While writing these paragraphs, aim to answer each of 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?
Including accomplishments with specific and quantifiable details is especially important, as these will give employers the best real-life examples of your experience and skills.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a cover letter
My highly effective and tailored approach with customers led to an average sale of 25 cars per month, resulting in a monthly $70K+ profit for the dealership.
5. How to craft a compelling car dealer cover letter closing statement
The final element of any effective car dealer cover letter is a thoughtful closing statement. In this statement, you 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-composed closing statement on a car dealer’s cover letter
I extend my gratitude to you and your company for taking the time to review my cover letter and application. As I am eager to discuss further how I can positively impact your dealership, I would like to connect directly via phone call or in-person meeting within the next two weeks. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890 or by email at johndoe@email.com.
Warm Regards,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
6. Top job search resources for car dealers
- Indeed: As a major job board, Indeed includes a substantial number of listings for car dealership opportunities.
- Glassdoor: Here you can explore job vacancies as well as gain insights on potential employers through employee reviews and salary reports.
- Autojobs.com: A specialized platform listing job opportunities specifically in the auto industry.
- LinkedIn: An invaluable resource for networking and job hunting. Make sure your profile highlights your experience in the auto industry.
- Automotive News Jobs Board: Another niche board, focusing on the automotive industry, including dealership jobs.
- Company websites: Don't forget to check the career pages of leading car dealership companies.
Remember, acing the job search is all about persistence and reaching out through various channels. Good luck!
Car Dealer Cover Letter FAQ
Strong sales skills, excellent customer service, and in-depth knowledge of cars should be the main focus.
Share your interest in things like car shows, automobile technology, or even restoring classic cars to demonstrate your genuine passion.
You can focus on transferable skills like customer service, negotiation, or relation building from your previous experiences and explain how those skills can apply to car sales.
Professional, yes. But feel free to inject enthusiasm and personality to show your passion for the role and the industry.
Being too generic. Make sure to tailor your cover letter to the specific dealership and highlight how you can contribute to their success.
