Do you want a project manager cover letter that impresses even the most demanding recruiters? Why don't you try our best tips and examples! Simply follow our guide, packed with classy templates and real-life samples, and make your writing process feel seamless.
In this guide, we teach you all there is to know about writing an excellent project manager cover letter. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Properly format your project manager header & headline
- Personalize the greeting & content of your project manager cover letter
- Craft a compelling project manager cover letter introduction
- Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a project manager
- Finish your project manager cover letter with a strong conclusion
- Access top resources for job-seeking project managers
1. Properly format your project manager header & headline
The first key step when writing a project manager cover letter is to create a well-formatted header and headline. These elements help give your cover letter structure, as well as provide all the essential information about who you are and what the main focus of your letter is.
Your cover letter header comes first, located in either the top left or center of the document. In your header, you should include:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name & department of the company you are applying to
- The address of the company (this detail is particularly important if the company has more than one location)
Here is an example of a well-formatted project manager header
Jane Doe, Project Manager
(123) 456-7890 | janedoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jane-doe
To: Howard Business Solutions
Project Development Department
1234 Street Address
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Once you have your header in place, the next step is to write an attention-grabbing cover letter headline. Your headline should 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 letter is specifically written for them.
Here is an example of a well-written project manager headline, followed by a brief explanation of its main components
My Top 3 Skills as a Project Manager & How I Will Apply Them for Your Company’s Benefit
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Skills
Keyword: Project Manager
Adjective/Verb: Top, Apply
Promise: Your Company’s Benefit
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2. Personalize the greeting & content of your project manager cover letter
When you write a cover letter as a project manager, one of the best ways to make your letter stand out from competing applicants is to personalize the greeting and content.
Personalizing a cover letter requires you to thoroughly research the company you are applying to, looking for key pieces of information such as:
- What the company’s current goals and objectives are
- Any projects the company is currently involved in
- Who at the company is responsible for reviewing applications
Using this last detail, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name. This immediately reveals to the employer that you have taken the time to tailor your cover letter and research the company, showing your excellent attention to detail.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Mr. Jack Green,
- Dear Executive Manager Jack Green,
- Dear Mr. Jack Green & the Project Development Team,
3. Craft a compelling project manager cover letter introduction
With your greeting, headline, and header in place, your next key step is to write a compelling project manager cover letter introduction.
In this introduction, make sure to include:
- A brief overview of your professional history (years of experience, specializations, etc.)
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) — including a mutual acquaintance helps build immediate rapport and trust with an employer. If you do not have a mutual acquaintance, try using LinkedIn to expand your professional network.
Here is an example of a compelling introduction from a project manager’s cover letter
Dear Executive Manager Jack Green,
I am a certified project management professional with more than 7 years of experience overseeing IT and software development projects. As your company is a leader in the tech industry, I am beyond thrilled to be considered for this position. My mentor and your company’s IT marketing specialist, Mr. John Doe, reached out to me about this opening and strongly recommended I apply as my skillset is a perfect match for this role.
4. Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a project manager
Following your introduction are the remaining body paragraphs of your project manager cover letter. These body paragraphs should dive into more in-depth detail about your best professional skills and accomplishments to help show employers the value you have to offer.
When describing your key skills and accomplishments, ensure that all the information you include is highly relevant, contextual, and quantifiable.
For instance, do not just state that you have strong communication skills — instead, describe how your communication skills have benefited your project management capabilities.
Here are 6 examples of project management skills to include in your cover letter
- Developing project ideas
- Setting deadlines and key performance indicators
- Coordinating and communicating with shareholders
- Budget development
- Performance evaluations
- Creative problem-solving
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a project management cover letter
As a project manager at [Former Employer], I was given the task of improving the efficiency and productivity of the project development team. By implementing a new performance evaluation system, I was able to boost productivity by 45% and improve project completion rates by 25%.
5. Finish your project manager cover letter with a strong conclusion
To complete your project manager cover letter effectively, you need a strong conclusion that includes:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating how and when you can be contacted, as well as when you plan to follow up about your application
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective project manager cover letter conclusion
If chosen for this position, I will guide your team to success and ensure a high level of quality and productivity for each of your company’s projects. I am eager to speak with you directly and can best be reached any weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (123) 456-7890. I look forward to hearing from you and plan to reach out next Tuesday if I have not yet heard back.
Sincerely,
[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.
6. Top resources for job-seeking project managers
Congratulations, now you know how to craft the perfect cover letter! But this alone won’t be enough to secure your dream job. You also need to know where to look for job opportunities. We've gathered a list of resources that might help you with this:
- Industry-specific job boards: Your first steps may lead to job boards like Project Manager Jobs, PMjobs, or PMI Jobs that are especially curated to cater for project managers of all industries.
- General job boards: Then you can try searching through engines that aggregate a broad spectrum of job postings. For example: Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, or SimplyHired.
- LinkedIn: A job-seekers staple! Use LinkedIn to discover project management opportunities, connect with industry professionals, and learn about companies.
- Professional associations: Associations like the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Association for Project Management (APM), or the International Project Management Association (IPMA) can bring you job listings, networking opportunities, training programmes, and access to specialized publications.
- Continuous learning: Working as a project manager means that you need to learn constantly. To upskill and expand your knowledge, consider taking on new courses, such as those offered by Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, or Udemy.
- Specialized publications: To keep up with industry news, innovations, trends, and methodologies, consider reading media like “Project Management Journal,” “Project Manager Today,” and “Project Times.”
Final reminder: No matter how many job postings you end up responding to, always remember to custom tailor each and every single cover letter you send. Good luck with your job search!
Project Manager Cover Letter FAQ
Lead with your most impressive achievements. Show how you've driven success in past projects. For example, you might talk about a project you managed that was delivered on time and under budget. You can then mention which particular skills and methods you've utilized.
First of all, avoid presenting a summary of your resume. Use this opportunity to offer insights into how you work. And, make sure to custom tailor your cover letter to match the description in the job posting. Also, don't neglect the basics: spelling errors, typos, incorrect company details, and generic phrases can all harm your chances.
That's okay. Focus on the intersection between what they want and what you have. You can still draw on transferable skills from your previous roles. This might include problem-solving, team leadership, or budget management. Use your cover letter as an opportunity to highlight your best skills and qualities.
Absolutely! Certifications signify dedication to your profession and vouch for a certain skill level. Also, this may be just the thing to make you stand out from the other applicants. Include these in either your introduction or the closing paragraph of your letter for maximum impact.
One page is ideal for a cover letter. Anything longer might discourage the recruiters from even paying attention to your application in the first place. Keep your cover letter succinct but impactful by sharing a few key achievements, showcasing relevant skills, and expressing enthusiasm for the role.