A Project Manager Cover Letter is written when applying for a project manager role to illustrate that an applicant/candidate is suitable for the position and the value they bring on board in terms of skills, experience, and qualifications.
A cover letter is meant to support an applicant’s resume by providing details that would typically not be included in a resume. Applicants use it to illustrate to the potential employer that they have used their skills in project management before and the positive impacts of their contribution to that project. A cover letter is an opportunity to persuade the employer or recruiting committee to review your application.
Free Templates
How to Write a Project Manager Cover Letter
Writing the cover letter can be at the request of the employer as a requirement of the application, or sometimes it can be an applicant’s initiative. The letter being a professional document, structuring, and formatting are essential considerations during the writing process.
Below is a procedural guide on how to write a cover letter while including all the basic components:
Section 1: Header
First and foremost, craft the header of the cover letter. The header identifies the sender and the recipient of the letter. The following information should be included:
Include your personal information
Start with writing down personal information. Ensure to write down your official full name, job title, and contact information. A mailing address, phone number, email, LinkedIn account, or all can be provided as contact details.
City and date
Next, indicate your city of residence and then the date when the letter was written. Including a mailing address helps an applicant insert the city or location of residence. The date follows, indicating the day, month, and year.
Hiring manager’s details
The next item on the letter is the recipient’s details. Write down the full name and position of the recipient (the hiring manager) first, followed by the title of the company. Note that he or she can be addressed simply as “Hiring Manager” if the actual name is not available. Then indicate the mailing address of the company. The mailing address should show the street address, city, and ZIP code.
Section 2: Introduction
The second section of the letter is the introduction. This is the part where an applicant introduces themselves and states the purpose of writing the letter. The introduction is made up of several items, as follows:
Salutation
A salutation is essential when writing a formal letter. If you know the actual name of the person who will be receiving the letter, address them directly by referring to them by appropriate titles such as “Mr/Mrs [last name]” or “Dear Mr/Mrs [last name].”
Briefly introduce yourself
Next, the applicant introduces themselves by stating their name and any professional title they can be referred to with.
Briefly state why you’re interested
After the reader is aware of who sent the letter, in brief, a statement that declares the applicant’s interest in the project manager position should be provided. Add that you are excited about the position and working with the employer. As much as consciousness is a consideration, do not be ambiguous; make sure the reader knows exactly how the letter was written.
Section 3: Body
The third item is the body of the letter; this is the meat of the letter. This section should be written persuasively. It should outline what makes an applicant suitable for the position and information that supports this claim.
Highlight your primary skills
In the first paragraph of the body, an applicant can outline the skills they possess that fit the project managerial role. Try as much as possible to list skills that are linked to the required duties and responsibilities – in most cases; the employer will have specific skills they are looking for. Include relevant skills first before writing down additional skills. Relevant skills are those related to the functions of a manager, that is, planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling.
Examples of skills to consider are:
Hard skills:
Risk management, budget management, performance analysis, and reporting, industry software knowledge like Computer-aided design (CAD), and project management methodologies such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), project management software (Microsoft Project), software and app development, customer relationship management (CRM) software (salesforce).
Soft skills:
Negotiation, communication, team management, leadership, adaptability, conflict resolution, organization, decision-making, etc.
Quantify your achievements
Once an applicant has indicated the skills they can offer, they should provide the achievements they have made in their line of work and how they used the said skills to attain quantifiable success. This amounts to achievements or accomplishments. Ensure the achievements given can be quantified using actual statistics such as percentages and growth statistics.
Include examples of your achievements
Next, provide examples that support the claims of achievements mentioned earlier in the letter. If you have worked for well-known companies, mention them and the capacity in which you worked for them. Illustrate how your contribution impacted the success of projects you worked on before. Offer specifics; the employer will appreciate the information rather than leave them with shreds of doubt.
Emphasize your problem-solving skills
Problem-solving is essential in project management. Employers want the ones who can be analytical, creative, intuitive, and resourceful when it comes to identifying problems and developing solutions. Therefore, it will go a long way if an applicant can demonstrate instances, where they used their problem-solving skills and obtained significantly impressive results.
Share what you have to offer
Additionally, an applicant can add on how they intend to help the organization if they are given the opportunity. This section can be done in several ways – list your goals and outline how you can help the company attain its goals, mission, and vision. Express your passion for the product or service the employer is offering.
Section 4: Letter Closing
The last section on the cover letter is the closing. Write the closing by addressing the following points:
End with a strong closing statement
Include a closing statement that reiterates that you are a suitable candidate for the position. Also, invite the hiring manager to reach out and state that you are available for an in-person interview.
Thank the employer or hiring manager
Then, include a statement thanking the employer or hiring manager for reviewing the cover letter. It is considered courteous to thank the reader for taking the time to read your letter, considering there might be numerous to go through.
Sign off
Lastly, close off the letter by providing a complimentary close, closely followed by a signature and your name.
tip
Researching the company or employer is very helpful in creating an exemplary cover letter.
Cover Letter Sample
We have presented one sample letter and one email to help you understand how to effectively write one yourself:
Cover Letter for Project Manager Position (Letter Format)
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Project Manager position at Innovatech Solutions. With a strong background in project management and a proven track record of successful project delivery, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.
In my previous role at TechGlobal Inc., I led a team of 15 in the development and launch of a new software product, which was completed on time and 20% under budget. My ability to effectively manage resources and maintain clear communication with stakeholders was key to this success. Additionally, my expertise in Agile methodologies and risk management strategies has consistently enabled me to deliver high-quality results.
What excites me most about the opportunity at Innovatech Solutions is your commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive business growth. I am particularly drawn to your recent initiatives in AI and machine learning, and I am confident that my background in integrating innovative technologies into project management processes will be highly beneficial.
I am eager to bring my skills and experience to Innovatech Solutions and collaborate with your team to achieve outstanding results. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can contribute to the continued success of your team.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Cover Letter for Project Manager Position (Email Format)
Subject: Application for Project Manager Position – Jane Smith
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Project Manager role at Dynamic Edge Consulting. My extensive experience in project management, along with a strong passion for strategic planning and team leadership, makes me a great fit for this role.
During my tenure at Vertex Innovations, I successfully managed multiple large-scale projects, leading diverse teams to deliver results that not only met but exceeded client expectations. I have a solid understanding of both Waterfall and Agile methodologies, and my skills in conflict resolution and stakeholder management have been instrumental in navigating complex project challenges.
What I find most appealing about Dynamic Edge Consulting is your dedication to fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation. I am particularly impressed with your recent expansion into sustainable technology projects, and I am eager to bring my experience in sustainable practices to your team.
I am confident that my proactive approach and commitment to excellence will add significant value to Dynamic Edge Consulting. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills align with the needs of your team.
Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards,
Jane Smith
Analysis
The provided samples are useful for those applying for project manager positions, offering a clear and professional approach. The structure is straightforward, and divided into four paragraphs, which helps in organizing information logically. This format can be easily modified to suit different job applications. The writers effectively highlight relevant experiences and skills related to project management, like leadership and budget handling, aligning their qualifications with the job requirements.
A key feature of these samples is their focus on tailoring the content to the specific company and position, indicating a thorough understanding and genuine interest in the job. They communicate what the applicant can bring to the role, a critical aspect of any cover letter. Despite being concise, these samples manage to cover all necessary details about the applicant’s qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. For someone looking to write a similar cover letter, these samples can act as a guide, showing how to personalize their letter and align it with the specific job they are applying for.
How to Send an Email Cover Letter
A project manager’s cover letter can sometimes be sent via email, depending on the situation or requirements of the application process. The writing process of an email cover letter slightly differs from that of a physical letter, even though the contents and the objective remain the same.
Consider the following points as you write your cover letter:
Include your name and job title
An email cover letter should be to the point. This way, the hiring manager or company system can identify how to categorize the email and know the subject of the email right away. Include your full name and your job title in the subject line of an email cover letter.
EXAMPLE
[subject: first name last name–title (project manager)].
Keep the email short
Keep the email cover letter brief and engaging. At most, compile all the relevant information in three paragraphs.
Provide contact information in the signature section
Remember, an email cover letter will not have a header section; therefore, this is the only opportunity for the applicant to provide their contact information. The employer’s contact information is not needed; the email address you will use is already contact information to identify the recipient.
EXAMPLE
The following format can be used.
Yours sincerely,
[Full name]
[Email address]
[Phone Number]
[Any other contact information]
Key Takeaways
A cover letter is an opportunity to persuade the hiring manager that an applicant deserves an interview or a managerial position. Through the letter, an applicant shows the employer that they understand the job description and can undertake it effectively as they have done so before, and they have information to back this up. When writing the cover letter, ensure that it is concise, precise, polite, and professional.
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