Formatting your cover letter
At cvapp.nz, we're committed to helping Kiwi professionals unlock their career potential. If you’re an executive-level professional looking for extra guidance and support in crafting a compelling cover letter, look no further! With our expert tips and comprehensive cover letter tips, we’ve got you covered. Let’s begin by exploring the cover letter header:
Cover letter header
An effective cover letter header plays an important role in capturing the attention of potential employers. Your cover letter header should include essential contact information, allowing employers to get in contact with you. To create an engaging cover letter header, begin by placing your full name at the top of the document. This helps establish your identity and ensures that your application doesn't get lost among others. Follow your name with your current job title or professional designation, if applicable, to highlight your expertise upfront.
Underneath your name and job title, provide your contact details. Include your phone number, email address, and city of residence. Additionally, consider incorporating a link to your professional portfolio or LinkedIn profile. This will give employers an opportunity to explore your work history and accomplishments further. Remember that a well-crafted cover letter header does more than provide contact information: it also sets the tone for the rest of your application. Aim for a header that exudes confidence, setting the stage for the compelling content that follows in the body of the letter. At cvapp.nz, we have a diverse range of impressive cover letter templates to help you put your best foot forward. With clean formatting and sensible colour palettes, you can be sure to impress employers with our expert-approved templates and cover letter headers.
Taking the time to perfect your cover letter header demonstrates your dedication to professionalism and increases your chances of grabbing the recruiter's attention. With a captivating header, you create a lasting first impression that compels employers to delve further into your qualifications and consider you a strong candidate for the executive position.
Cover letter greeting
The primary purpose of your cover letter greeting is to establish a strong foundation for the rest of your cover letter. It is essential to keep your greeting brief, ensuring that it captures the attention of the reader without overwhelming them with unnecessary information. When crafting your cover letter greeting, it is also important to address the hiring manager or other potential recipients by their name, whenever possible. Make an effort to research and find the correct spelling and title of the person you are addressing. This personal touch shows that you have taken the time and initiative to tailor your application specifically for their consideration. In addition to using their formal name, consider including a polite and respectful greeting. Traditional options include "Dear" followed by the recipient's appropriate title and last name, such as "Dear Mr. Marangaranga" or "Dear Ms. Olsen,” are always a safe and effective way to greet employers.
Cover letter introduction
The cover letter introduction plays a pivotal role in setting the tone for your cover letter. It serves as your opportunity to capture the reader's attention and showcase your professional background as an executive. An effective cover letter introduction not only grabs the reader's interest but also provides a snapshot of your executive experience. It showcases a concise summary of your qualifications, demonstrating why you are a strong candidate for the position at hand.
When crafting your cover letter introduction, aim to concisely highlight your executive-level expertise, skills, and accomplishments. This section should clearly convey your unique professional value and demonstrate how your background aligns with the requirements of the role you're applying for. Consider starting your cover letter introduction with a captivating opening sentence that captures the reader's attention. You could mention an impressive career-related achievement, an industry accolade, or a compelling statistic relevant to your executive background. This will immediately intrigue the reader and encourage them to continue reading.
Dear Mr. Smith,
After managing customer relationships, client negotiations and fiscal objectives for several large New Zealand companies, I am looking to work with another leading New Zealand company. As a business executive with over six years experience, I respect Expand & Explore's commitment to excellent customer service and innovative, efficient business strategy.
Cover letter body paragraphs
The body paragraphs are the most important part of your cover letter, and play a key role in capturing the attention of potential employers. These paragraphs allow you to amplify and highlight your professional background specifically as an executive. It's an opportunity to present a comprehensive summary of your skills, experiences, and achievements, demonstrating their direct relevance to the requirements of the position for which you're applying.
Expanding upon your executive background in these paragraphs is essential in order to effectively showcase your expertise and leadership abilities. By providing specific examples of your successes and highlighting the positive impact you've made in previous roles, you can effectively convey your ability to drive results and create value for an organisation. This not only showcases the depth of your experience but also highlights the unique qualities that set you apart as an executive candidate.
In addition to emphasising your accomplishments, it's important to outline your key skills and competencies and how they align with the needs of the position. This could include your ability to lead teams, devise strategic plans, make critical decisions, and navigate complex business environments. Rather than simply listing these skills, provide concrete examples of situations or projects where you exhibited these skills and achieved tangible outcomes. This will allow the employer to visualise your capabilities in action and understand how you can contribute to their organisation. Ultimately, your body paragraphs should effectively communicate your suitability for the role and convince the employer of your potential value.
My executive experience is extensive. I have been the managing director of one of New Zealand's most successful start-ups and have assisted with business strategy and growth for more than 100 high-profile national and international clients.
In addition to my executive experience, I was also educated at The University of Auckland, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in 2005. I completed my postgraduate degree at The University of Melbourne in Australia, where I graduated with a Master of Management in 2008.
Some of my top career achievements include:
- Creating effective business strategy plans that grew previous company from a company valuation of $145,000,000 NZD to $1,000,000,000 NZD in only four years
- Expanding previous companies into international markets, including Australia, Indonesia, Turkey, China, France, the United Kingdom and France
- Forming partnerships with both national and international markets, firmly establishing the company in foreign markets
Cover letter conclusion
In order to leave a lasting impression on employers, it's important to include a call-to-action in your cover letter. This is a statement that encourages employers to take action and reach out to you. For example, you could say, "I would love to arrange a time to discuss this job opportunity at a convenient time for you. Would you be available next week?" By including a call-to-action statement, you show confidence and professionalism while also prompting employers to take the next step.
When closing your letter, you'll want to select an appropriate closing statement. Some options you can consider are "best wishes," "ngā mihi," "yours sincerely," or "kind regards." Your choice of closing statement will depend on the specific context and relationship with the employer. Remember to choose a closing that reflects your tone and maintains a professional demeanor.
Including a call-to-action and selecting an appropriate closing statement are essential in making a strong final impression on employers, enhancing your chances of them reaching out to you.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our examples and resources on the cvapp.nz website for more!
I would love to discuss the details of my tenure with you in more detail and discover how to take Expand & Explore's business potential to the next level.
Yours sincerely,
Aaron Randall