- A project manager cover letter should include a polite greeting, an introduction with relevant skills and references, a body detailing qualifications and achievements, a concluding note of gratitude with contact details, and a courteous closing and signature.
- To write a project manager cover letter, carefully review the job listing to tailor your letter to the position, brainstorm relevant examples of your skills and achievements, and create an outline to organize your ideas effectively.
- Draft your cover letter by converting your outline into full sentences, then edit, revise, and proofread to ensure clarity, professionalism, and accuracy before finalizing.
Joanna Patterson890-342-0556
joanna.patterson@email.com March 30, 2023 Dear Hiring Manager, I'm excited to apply for the Senior Project Manager position at Good Dog Veterinary Technology Solutions. I learned about this position through Ashley Reynolds, a current engineer in your product development department. With over 10 years of project management experience, I'm looking for a position in which I can apply my enthusiastic leadership style, passion for exceptional product design and outstanding problem-solving skills. I'm eager for the opportunity to deliver top-quality management in software engineering that aligns with the pet-centric values at Good Dog. In my previous role as Senior Manager of software development at Pet Tech Innovation Laboratories, I oversaw the successful completion of 15 projects over my five years in the position. My work involved communicating with our research and development department to identify the most pressing technology needs for our local pet care experts, including veterinary clinics and animal shelters. I planned the production and development of new database software to help clinics and shelters keep thorough records of the animals in their care, and I worked closely with a team of 10 engineers to exceed all client expectations. Not only did my team earn multiple recognitions from clients and partners for our exceptional work, but we also won the Best in Innovation award three times under my direction. I feel my leadership style contributed strongly to our team's success, and I hope to bring my expertise to your company. Additionally, my passion for exceptional pet care software design comes from my lifelong love of animals, and I feel this passion aligns with Good Dog's mission to equip all those who work in the animal welfare industry with the tools they need to care for the animals they love. Thank you for your time and consideration regarding my application. I look forward to learning more about the Senior Project Manager position at Good Dog. I believe my skills and experience can be a powerful asset to your company, and I feel our shared values make me an exceptional candidate for the position. Please contact me by phone at 890-342-0556 or by email at joanna.patterson@email.com to schedule an interview or ask any questions regarding my submission materials. Sincerely,
Joanna Patterson To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.
What to include in a project manager cover letter
It's important to know cover letter do's and don'ts and what a typical cover letter includes. Here are the parts of a cover letter:- Greeting: Begin your cover letter with a polite greeting, such as "Dear Hiring Manager." If you know the hiring manager's name, it's professional to address them directly in your greeting.
- Introduction: In the first paragraph, introduce yourself, state the title of the position to which you're applying and note any personal references or contacts who informed you about the job position. You can also outline your most relevant professional skills.
- Body: The body of the cover letter typically includes one or two paragraphs that describe why you feel that you're a qualified candidate for the job position. It emphasizes your skills and elaborates on them by providing specific examples of your achievements in previous job positions.
- Conclusion: This is a brief paragraph that closes the letter with a polite note of gratitude for the reader's time. Often, it also includes your contact details and a short message expressing your interest and enthusiasm about the job.
- Closing and signature: End the letter with a polite closing such as "sincerely" and add your signature.
How to write a project manager cover letter
Use these steps to help you write a professional and effective project manager cover letter:1. Read the job listing carefully
The first step to writing an effective cover letter is to read the job postings thoroughly. It's important to adapt each of your cover letters to the specific position to which you want to apply. Highlighting your industry experience and leadership abilities can help your application stand out from others. Project managers often work in mid or senior-level positions, so it's important to show that you have the right experience for the job. When applying for your first project manager role, highlight your industry knowledge and eagerness to learn, and provide examples of past leadership experiences. Carefully review the job posting to align your skills and achievements with the qualities the hiring manager seeks. Related: Cover Letter Basics (With Tips and Template)2. Brainstorm examples to include
After reading the job listing carefully, start brainstorming examples of skills and achievements you want to highlight in your cover letter. You can also reference your resume for inspiration on what to write about in the document. Here are some skills and qualities you may consider:- Communication: Showcasing your communication skills can assure the hiring manager of your ability to effectively interact with team members, supervisors, and clients.
- Leadership: Demonstrating leadership skills through examples of successfully organizing and motivating teams can enhance your application by highlighting your ability to achieve project goals.
- Organization: Showcasing your organizational skills by detailing your success in managing teams, budgets, and deadlines can highlight your efficiency in resource utilization.
- Industry expertise: Project managers need industry-specific knowledge to lead their teams effectively towards project goals. Demonstrate this expertise by describing a recent project where you applied your advanced industry knowledge to achieve success.
- Problem-solving: Showcase your problem-solving skills by describing how you tackled a project obstacle and the strategies you used to overcome it.
3. Create an outline
Making an outline for your cover letter can help you organize your ideas. Your outline can either be formal or informal depending on your writing preferences. In an informal outline, you can make a bulleted list of key points you plan to cover. Create a formal outline by setting headers for each paragraph and listing details under each header in your desired order. This will help you structure your letter effectively, ensure all key points are covered, and identify any gaps.4. Draft your letter
Write a draft of your cover letter by filling in your outline. At this stage of the writing process, your draft may be informal or even incomplete. The goal of this stage is to put your ideas into complete sentences so you can expand on your examples.Drafting helps you articulate your skills to the hiring manager, elaborate on your accomplishments and determine the most effective organizational structure for your letter. Having a complete draft makes it easier to edit and proofread your letter to finalize it. Related: A Complete Guide to Project Management
5. Edit, revise and proofread
Complete the writing process by reviewing your letter for effectiveness and professionalism. Ensure that the letter is well-organized, easy to read and thorough. Proofread it carefully for minor errors in spelling and punctuation.A well-crafted cover letter demonstrates your communication skills and genuine interest in the role. For effective proofreading, read the letter aloud, have someone else review it, or take a break before revisiting it. The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.