Being a chief executive officer is a big, professional job position that one should be very professional when applying for it. However, regardless of the title, you still have to showcase your personality, skill, qualifications, and achievements to the hiring manager, and the best way to do this is by using a well-crafted CEO cover letter. Tailoring your letter to the specific job you are applying for will make your cover letter stand out among other applicants. It will give you a chance to expound on some of the qualities and experiences that you have gained working in other positions.
Writing Your CEO Cover Letter
Following are the steps to help you write a good CEO cover letter:
Introduce yourself
In the first paragraph, explain why you believe that you are the best fit for the CEO position—explain why you are thrilled about the position and working at the company. Also, explain how the job is in line with your career goals.
If you have used the company’s products or services before or if you are genuinely attracted to the company’s brand, this is the best opportunity that you have to say so. Most hiring managers and employers love and value enthusiasm as it often translates to highly motivated and successful employees.
Relate your accomplishments
In one or two paragraphs, list down your accomplishments; remember to list only those connected or relevant to the position you are applying for. Focus on some of your most recent and most relevant qualifications, experiences, and skills. If possible, you can also quantify your accomplishments with facts and data.
Here are some industry-specific skills that you can include in your CEO cover letter:
- Communication skills: You must be able to communicate eloquently with a wide scope of personalities to become a successful CEO
- Leadership: As the CEO, your main task will be to offer guidance and lead people in various departments. You have to have strong leadership skills to become a great CEO
- Decision making: As a CEO, making a quick decision will be something that you have to do every now and then. Most hiring managers will look at some instances where you portrayed great decision-making skills in your writing, so make sure to include an example or two in your CEO cover letter.
- Management: Directing and shaping the daily operations of the business requires that you have a talent for flexible management, ranging from business plans to making, analyzing, and appending employee budgets.
- Closing: Close your cover letter by properly thanking the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Impress the hiring manager/potential employer by concluding the letter with a short and impactful belief statement that mirrors its values and goals without making it seem like a copy-paste of its mission statement on their website.
Also, sum up your qualifications for the position that you are applying for and express your interest in proceeding to the next phase of the hiring process.
CEO Cover letter Sample
Clark Kent
(222) 349-3246
7-June-16
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m very thrilled to be applying for the position of CEO at Luton Medical. You’ll find me to be a motivated, devoted, and assertive individual. I expect the very best from myself in everything that I do. This allows me to request the same from my staff. Confidence and self-belief are crucial qualities in a leader, and I believe that I have them, which would make me an excellent CEO for your organization. I also have a strong sense of responsibility that extends to the stakeholders of any business assigned to me, its employees, and customers. The idea of leading this great company into a new future filled with possibilities offers a stunning challenge.
I am different from the ordinary aspiring CEO in a way that makes me a suitable candidate to run Luton Medical: I have a medical degree. I got my M.D. from Southgate University, so I have extensive knowledge in medicine. This makes me uniquely responsive to the needs of the staff at Luton Medical. I decided to become an entrepreneur after getting my medical degree.
I have started many companies of my own and sold them for a sizeable profit. My entrepreneurship skills led to an offer to head one of the largest medical corporations west of the Thames River. When I gained control, it had been run down for the past five years. After two years under my leadership, we turned a profit of 25%, and that increased by at least 10% yearly until I left five years later.
My experience has taught me that a CEO should not just be a boss. A company’s success is achieved by committed individuals who are satisfied with their work and inspired by their leadership. If given the opportunity to lead Luton Medical, I would do everything I can to earn that admiration while serving as your CEO.
Sincerely,
Clark Kent
Free Templates
Drafting a great cover letter is a crucial step in your job quest. For a senior position like that of a CEO, you would want to miss out on key details that may be crucial to your CEO cover letter. You also wouldn’t like to use the wrong format in your writing. Download our free and premium templates that will guarantee that you use the right format and include all the key details that should be included in your cover letter.
Things to Avoid
When applying to become a CEO, it is important that you avoid these common mistakes that could ruin your chances of being chosen for the position.
These include:
Unsupported claims
It is one thing to claim that you are a professional at improving the company’s profit margin and increasing its revenues, but it is another to prove that you can actually do it. Do you have any evidence to back you up? You should. And you should make sure that you have included such evidence in your cover letter.
Not addressing the letter to the right person
A CEO is a very big position in any company set up. You have to show the hiring manager that you have done your research on the company. You don’t want to address the letter to the wrong person. Also, avoid using generic phrases such as “To whom it may concern”- this is usually considered a red flag, and it shows the employer that you didn’t put in an effort to try and get some information about the company that you are looking to work as the CEO.
Being self-centered
What’s in for the hiring manager? How will bring you onboard benefit the company? These are some of the questions that your CEO cover letter should answer. Avoid talking too much about yourself. Remember that your cover letter is an invitation to the hiring manager to read your resume and contact you to set up an interview. Don’t say too much in your writing -create some room for curiosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor’s degree
Step 2: Build an on-the-job experience
Step 3: (optional) Obtain a master’s degree
The CEO position is very demanding, one that is very challenging to many. However, it is also a very lucrative position. According to the US (BLS) Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2016 median pay for top company executives like CEOs was $104,700 per year. The job outlook then was projected to grow steadily. The salary, however, depends on the size of the company and various other factors.
Conclusion
The main objective of writing a CEO cover letter is to advertise your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments and entice the hiring manager to read your resume. Hiring managers respond more willingly to creative introductions that list why one should be hired for the job. Pinpoint the key areas that you would like to address, and then explain why you are the best candidate for the role.
