Is your merchandiser cover letter limping behind your resume? Let’s fix that!
For every product display you pass by, there is a hardworking merchandiser in charge of ensuring that the display attracts your attention and wins sales. But to earn this position, you'll need to make your job application perfect. That's why we've prepared this comprehensive guide, bringing you the best writing tips, customizable templates, detailed examples, and merchandiser cover letter samples we could find!
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In this guide for merchandisers, we teach you all the essential steps for writing a job-winning merchandiser cover letter. Keep reading to learn all about:
- The key purpose of a cover letter header and headline
- Why you need to tailor your merchandiser cover letter
- How to keep an employer’s attention with your cover letter introduction
- The best ways to describe your merchandiser skills and accomplishments
- What to write to make your cover letter conclusion effective
- Where to look for suitable job opportunities as a merchandiser
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Craft an effective merchandiser cover letter header and headline
On any effective cover letter, the first essential element an employer should encounter is a neat header and headline.
These elements add crucial organization to your cover letter and are placed at the top of the page, with the header located in the top left corner and the headline a few spaces down centered on the page.
Starting with the cover letter header, this is the first introduction an employer gets to you before they even begin reading. In the header, you should include:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the company you are applying to
- The address of the company
Here is an example of a well-formatted merchandiser header
Joe Star, Professional Merchandiser
(123) 456-7890 | joestar@email.com | linkedin.com/in/joe-star
To: Crown Distributing Company
1234 Street Address
Boone, NC 28607
Once you have your header in place and you’re happy with its appearance, you can then begin writing your cover letter headline. A headline is a short statement that serves as a title or concise summary for the content of your cover letter.
Though there is no one magic word to include in a headline to impress employers, there are several key components that make a strong headline. These include:
- A keyword, such as the position title, that is related to the job, company, or industry
- A compelling number or trigger word used to grab the employer’s attention
- A powerful adjective and/or verb that conveys your professional value
- A promise statement that tells the employer this letter is exclusively for them
Here is an example of a memorable headline from a merchandiser cover letter
The 3 Skills I Used to Earn the Best Merchandiser Award & How I Will Apply them at Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Skills
Keyword: Merchandiser
Adjective/Verb: Best, Apply
Promise Statement: Your Company
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2. Tailor your merchandiser cover letter to a specific position
Tailoring a cover letter is an important process when applying for a position as a merchandiser — but what exactly does it mean to tailor a letter?
The tailoring process involves writing about specific details that are most interesting or relevant to the employer. This requires you to research the employer’s company, searching for information such as their professional values, goals, or company motto.
Once you’ve extracted several keywords and skills from the company’s website and other sources, you can then sprinkle them throughout the letter to give it a greater competitive edge.
Additionally, you should search for the name of the specific person at a company who is most likely to read and review your cover letter. You can then create a personalized greeting that addresses this person by name.
Here are 3 examples of personalized merchandiser cover letter greetings
- Dear Head Merchandiser Molly Smith,
- Dear Mrs. Molly Smith,
- Dear Hiring Manager Kate Poe,
3. Craft a compelling merchandiser cover letter introduction
Although your header, headline, and personalized greeting all work together to grab an employer’s attention, it’s up to you and your writing to keep it.
Your introductory paragraph is often the deciding factor in whether or not an employer continues reading. As such, the information you place in your introduction should be concise and compelling, including key facts such as:
- Your professional history, years of experience, and main qualifications
- Specialized areas of expertise that make you a great fit for the position
- A respected mutual acquaintance you can reference
Pro Tip on Mutual Acquaintances: Though any professional reference is good to have, a reference who an employer knows and trusts is even better. If you lack such an acquaintance, try growing your professional network through a platform like LinkedIn. You never know when those connections may come in handy!
Here is an example of a strong introduction from a merchandiser’s cover letter
Dear Head Merchandiser Molly Smith,I am an experienced merchandiser with 7 years of specialized experience in apparel design and product development. With my background in both product and visual merchandising, I believe I am the best fit for this position. My professional associate and former instructor, Mr. George Townsend, is on your company’s corporate board of directors and advised me to reach out to you regarding this openin
g.4. Describe your best merchandiser skills and accomplishments
Moving on from your introduction, you’ll now begin to describe your very best skills and accomplishments as a merchandiser in greater detail.
Though you want to include as much relevant information as possible, you should strive to keep all details concise, quantifiable, and specific. For example, don’t just say you have great communication and leadership skills — instead say you served in a leadership role for 3 years, gaining key skills that you can apply at the employer’s company.
Here are 6 skills to describe in a merchandiser cover letter
- Stocking and designing displays
- Product development
- Visual marketing
- Planning promotions
- Inventory management
- Customer service
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a cover letter
As a floor merchandiser at [Former Employer], my primary role involved planning and executing weekly promotional displays of on-sale goods. My strategic placement and organization of product displays led to a 25% increase in weekly sales over 12 months, earning me the Merchandiser of the Year award at the company.
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5. Write an effective merchandiser cover letter conclusion
It’s important to finish your merchandiser cover letter with a conclusion that is just as effective and compelling as the introduction.
To do this, your main goal should be to persuade the employer to contact you quickly. Although you don’t want to be pushy about it, you do want to make it clear that you are eager to hear from them.
Make sure to include the best times and methods for contacting you!
Here is an example of an effective closing statement on a merchandiser cover letter
Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter. I am excited to speak with you and learn more about this opportunity, and I hope to hear from you within the next two weeks. To best reach me, please call me at (123) 456-7890 on any weekday between the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or for weekend correspondence, email me at joestar@email.com.
Warm Regards,
[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. Valuable job search resources for merchandisers
Job searching can definitely be a tough journey. It's full of ups and downs, and sometimes it might feel like you're not making any progress. But don't worry, it gets a whole lot easier when you know the right places to look. For example, you can start here:
- Job boards for merchandisers: The most straightforward way to discover relevant job postings is by visiting niche websites like Retail Merchandising Services, AllRetailJobs.com, or RetailChoice.
- General job search platforms: On the other hand, platforms with broad focus, such as Glassdoor, Indeed, SimplyHired, and Monster, can also bring you one step closer to your dream job.
- LinkedIn: Undoubtedly, LinkedIn has become inseparable from the process of job hunting. And for a good reason! It allows you to seek out job opportunities through networking without the need to even leave your house.
- Professional associations: Or, you can check the official websites of organizations like the American Marketing Association (AMA), the Visual Merchandising and Store Design Association (VMSD). or the Retail Design Institute (RDI).
- Specialized media: To keep thriving and progressing in your career, you need to stay updated on the latest industry news, insights, and trends. Luckily, media like “Shop! Environments Association,""The Merchandiser Magazine,” or “Chain Store Age '' are pretty easy to access.
- Continuous education: Finally, to keep on growing you need to take on new challenges. For example, you can pursue any skills featured as a part of the wide selection of courses provided by Coursera, edX, Udemy, or even LinkedIn Learning.
By tapping into specific job boards, reaching out to professional networks, and making use of resources like industry-specific websites, you can steer your search in the right direction. With a little persistence and the right strategies, you’ll find that perfect job opening that feels just right for you. Keep at it, and don’t give up—your ideal job might just be a few clicks away!
Merchandiser Cover Letter FAQ
How should I showcase my merchandising skills in my cover letter?
Focus on specific instances where your merchandising skills had a direct impact on sales or customer engagement. Describe the strategies you implemented, such as visual merchandising techniques or innovative product placements, and quantify the results when possible (e.g., "increased sales by 20% through a redesigned in-store layout").
How effective is the use of keywords in a merchandiser cover letter?
It's very effective. Always align your cover letter with the job description by incorporating keywords related to merchandising skills, such as "visual display," "product promotion," or "inventory management." This not only tailors your letter to the role but also helps your application pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many larger companies use.
How should I address gaps in employment in my cover letter?
First of all, don't dance around it! Instead, address any significant gaps in your employment honestly but briefly. Try to frame your experiences positively, showing how they've prepared you even better for roles in merchandising. For example, you can mention how you've used the time productively, such as pursuing further education, freelancing, or developing new skills relevant to merchandising.
How do I handle overqualification in my cover letter?
If you're applying for a position where you might appear overqualified, focus on why you're interested in the role and how it aligns with your career goals. Emphasize your enthusiasm for the specific opportunities the position offers, such as the ability to work in a dynamic team environment or contribute to a company you admire, without dwelling on the aspects of your experience that exceed the job requirements.
Is it important to mention my understanding of the company's target market in my cover letter?
In short, demonstrating your understanding of the company’s target market can greatly strengthen your cover letter. Show that you’ve done your homework (aka research) by mentioning how your experience aligns with the demographic they serve or how your merchandising strategies can appeal to their specific customer base. This shows foresight and a proactive approach.
