If you're under the impression that crafting the perfect risk manager cover letter is difficult, let us prove you wrong!
Sure, putting together a job winning application includes quite a bit of effort and time. But with the right instructions, the whole process runs much smoother. And that's where our comprehensive guide, packed with the best writing tips, customizable templates, real-life cover letter samples, and detailed examples, enters the scene!
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Keep reading to learn all about how to:
- Create a well-formatted risk manager header & headline
- Tailor your risk manager cover letter for a specific position
- Hook an employer’s attention with your risk manager introduction
- Showcase your most relevant skills & accomplishments as a risk manager
- End your risk manager cover letter with a persuasive conclusion
- Access top resources for job-seeking risk managers
1. Create a well-formatted risk manager header & headline
To start writing your risk manager cover letter, the first step is to create your header and headline.
A well-formatted cover letter header and headline help give your letter structure and visual appeal, which in turn helps to attract the attention of employers right off the bat.
Begin by creating your cover letter header, which should include key information such as:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information (email, phone number, LinkedIn, etc.)
- The name & department of the company you are applying to
- The address of the company
Here is an example of a well-formatted risk manager header
Maxwell Johnson, Risk Manager
(123) 456-7890 | maxjohnson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/max-johnson
To: Longville Dynamic Business Solutions
Risk Management Department
1234 Street Address
Nashville, TN 37011
After you've created your header, you'll move on to writing your cover letter headline — a short title statement that serves as the narrative hook for your cover letter.
In this headline, always include a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise to the employer that the cover letter is specifically for them.
Here is an example of a well-written risk manager cover letter headline, followed by a quick breakdown of its key parts
My 4-Step Approach to Risk Management & How It Will Ensure the Security of Your Business
Trigger Word/Number: 4-Step Approach
Keyword: Risk Management, Security
Adjective/Verb: Ensure
Promise: Your Business
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2. Tailor your risk manager cover letter for a specific position
Tailoring the content of your cover letter is an important step in the writing process.
By tailoring your cover letter for the exact position you're applying for, you not only show the employer that you have excellent attention to detail but also that you have put extra effort into your application.
To tailor your risk manager cover letter, you must research the company thoroughly looking for essential details, such as:
- The company’s current goals, workplace culture, and projects
- Potential risks the company faces on a day-to-day basis
- The staff member responsible for reviewing job applications
With this last piece of information, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific staff member by name.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Executive Manager Jane Doe,
- Dear Mrs. Jane Doe,
- Dear Mrs. Jane Doe & the Strategic Development Team,
3. Hook an employer’s attention with your risk manager introduction
While your header, headline, and personalized greeting work together to initially pique an employer’s interest, to fully hook their attention you need a compelling introduction that includes:
- A brief overview of your professional history (years of experience, specializations, etc.)
- An explanation of why you are applying to this job specifically
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Pro Tip: Including a mutual acquaintance is like a golden ticket to an employer’s heart — it not only builds rapport but also provides an immediate and trustworthy professional reference. If you don't have a mutual acquaintance, try using professional platforms like LinkedIn to network with current employees or associates of the company you are interested in.
Here is an example of an effective introduction from a risk manager’s cover letter
Dear Executive Manager Jane Doe,
I am a risk management professional with 10+ years of total experience and more than 5 years of specialized experience working in FinTech. After hearing of your company’s commitment to FinTech innovation, I decided to reach out to your assistant manager, Mr. Jack Smith, regarding potential openings in your risk management department. Upon reviewing my resume, Mr. Smith strongly recommended I apply for this position.
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4. Showcase your most relevant skills & accomplishments as a risk manager
With your introduction in place, it’s time to divulge greater details about your best and most relevant skills and accomplishments as a risk manager.
As you describe these skills and accomplishments, make sure the information you include is as specific, contextual, and quantifiable as possible. Remember that these details help to show an employer the real-life value you have to offer, so make them count.
Here are 6 examples of skills to describe in your risk manager cover letter
- Identifying business risks (financial risks, security risks, etc.)
- Developing action plans to minimize risk
- Working with insurance departments or companies
- Gathering and analyzing business data
- Knowledge of financial regulations and compliance requirements
- Developing risk management budgets
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a risk manager’s cover letter
As the primary risk manager at [Former Employer], I worked closely with financial experts to determine potential security risks when dealing with sensitive customer data. After identifying a major security problem in the company’s digital platform, I implemented a risk mitigation solution that reduced the security risk by 85%.
5. End your risk manager cover letter with a persuasive conclusion
Finish off your risk manager cover letter strong with a persuasive conclusion that encourages an employer to reach out to you promptly. To write such a conclusion, make sure to include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- How and when you can best be contacted
- When you plan to follow up about the job
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a strong and persuasive conclusion from a risk manager’s cover letter
As your new risk manager, I am certain I can ensure top-notch security and risk mitigation for your business. I am excited to speak with you directly and hope to hear from you within the next week. To best reach me, call me at (123) 456-7890 any day of the week between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I plan to follow up via phone call if I have not heard back by next Friday.
Yours Truly,
[Applicant Name]
If you've 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 resources for job-seeking risk managers
Risk manager resume? Check! Risk manager cover letter? Check! A job opportunity to apply for? Still pending. If you find yourself in a similar situation, perk up your ears! We've prepared a list of job resources that can help you get started:
- Industry-specific job boards: Websites with niche focus, such as Careers in Risk, eFinancialCareers, or RiskManagementWeb, are great entry points to the risk management world.
- General job search platforms: Next, you can filter through job postings offered by websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, and SimplyHired.
- Consulting firms: Don't hesitate to also check out web pages of renowned risk consulting firms like Deloitte, KPMG Risk Consulting, or EY Risk Services for job vacancies and networking opportunities.
- Professional associations: Organizations like Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA), Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), and Risk Management Society (RIMS) offer a wealth of resources ranging from job postings and networking events to training and development.
- Specialized publications: To succeed in such a dynamic field, uts essential to keep up with media like “Risk Management Magazine,” “Risk Analysis: An International Journal,“ or “Risk&Compliance “ to stay updated on the latest news, strategies, methodologies, and industry trends.
- Continuous education: Besides professional institutions, online learning platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, or edX, also provide a wide selection of courses and certifications to choose from.
Once you've found a job opportunity that's worth the risk, don't forget to customize your risk manager cover letter to align as closely as possible with the job requirements. Because every job opening is unique and so should be each and every one of your cover letters.
Risk Manager Cover Letter FAQ
Sprinkle the keywords throughout your letter so they look natural, not forced. These magic words should come from the job advertisement itself, so in order to know which to include you need to review the posting first. For example: if the company says they're seeking a risk manager with “strong forecasting abilities”, use that exact phrase. This will ensure maximum compliance with ATS.
In your cover letter, nobody wants to see a long list of every skill you’ve ever learned. Instead, be selective. Pick only the core skills related directly to risk management. Show how you've used these in the past, focusing on the results your actions achieved. Add a nice touch by mentioning the skill in the context of a story or situation.
One way of standing out from the crowd is by avoiding clichés. Yes, 'detail-oriented' and 'good with numbers' are nice but they're also overused. Instead, paint vivid, unique pictures of your accomplishments. For example, instead of just mentioning your strong analytical skills, you could distinctly describe a situation where your analysis prevented a potential financial disaster.
Always stick to one single page, ideally three to four brief body paragraphs (plus introduction and closing paragraph). Start by introducing yourself, then explain why you're a fit for the role and the company, share a few key accomplishments, talk about why you want to work for this particular company, and finally wrap it up with a courteous close.
Gaps in employment are fairly common. And you can actually turn them to your advantage instead of trying to hide it. For example: Did you do any voluntary work or freelance projects during the period? Did you complete any certifications or courses? These can demonstrate that you stayed active and continued developing your skills. If the gap was due to personal reasons, you don't have to explain in detail. A simple statement that you took time off and are now ready to get back into the workforce will suffice.
