How to write a compelling risk manager cover letter
Companies rely on risk managers to ensure the safety of their assets, employees, reputation, and stakeholders. As a risk manager, you will have many key responsibilities that require a strong skill set and understanding of the various risks involved in business. To earn a role in this position, you need a strong cover letter that showcases your best professional attributes.
In this guide, we will teach you 5 key steps for writing a compelling risk manager cover letter. 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
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 have created your header, you will 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 are 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,
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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 do not 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.
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 have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
