Calling your business development cover letter the unsung hero of your job application really isn't a stretch. Besides showcasing your most impressive skills and achievements, it's also responsible for communicating your passion and motivation for the job at hand.
So, if you want to make sure that your cover letter really sticks the landing, delve into our comprehensive guide and discover all the best writing tips, sleek templates, detailed examples, and cover letter samples you'll need.
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Keep reading to learn how to:
- Create a well-formatted cover letter header & headline
- Personalize the greeting on your business development cover letter
- Write an effective business development cover letter introduction
- Show your professional value using accomplishments
- End your cover letter with a strong closing statement
- Access top resources for job-seeking business developers
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1. Create a well-formatted cover letter header & headline
Before diving into the introduction and body paragraphs of your cover letter, the first step you need to take is to create a properly formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header is a short block of information that generally contains between 3 to 4 lines of text. The header will include all necessary details about the applicant and the company they're applying to.
As for the cover letter headline, this is a brief title statement that leads into the introduction and body of the cover letter, as well as helping to hook the employer’s attention.
Check out the following breakdowns of each of these elements for a more in-depth explanation and examples of each:
Formatting the header
The header of your cover letter can vary in format and order of information, depending on the overall style and visual flow you are trying to achieve.
No matter what aesthetic or style you opt for, you should always include:
- The name of the company (and department, when applicable) you are applying to
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
Here is an example of a well-formatted business development cover letter header
To: The Logistics Group, Business Development Department
From: John Doe, Business Development Professional
(123) 456-7890 | johndoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-doe
Writing the headline
Along with your header, you'll need a well-written cover letter headline. To write this headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of a strong headline from a business development cover letter
How My Top 3 Business Development Skills Can Grow Your Company’s Revenue and Client Base
Trigger Word/Number: Top 3 Skills
Keyword: Business Development
Adjective/Verb: Grow
Promise: Your Company’s Revenue and Client Base – this addition to your headline shows employers that you will not only be discussing your skills but also relating them to the needs of their company.
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2. Personalize the greeting on your business development cover letter
Whenever you write a greeting on a cover letter, you should opt for a personalized greeting over a generalized one.
Generalized greetings – such as “To Whom It May Concern” – are too vague and don't help you in catching the eye of your preferred employer. On the other hand, personalized greetings address a specific person or department within the company, showing the reader you have great attention to detail.
If you have thoroughly researched the company and are unable to uncover the exact person who will be reviewing your application, try out one of the following alternatives:
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. Write an effective business development cover letter introduction
Once your header, headline, and greeting are in place, your next key step is to write a compelling cover letter introductory paragraph. In this introduction, you should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write a business development cover letter introduction
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
As a Business Development professional with more than 5 years of experience in the technology industry, I am highly adept at moving customers through high-value sales cycles. I met with your company’s Senior Business Analyst – Jack Smith – last week to discuss your current openings and company objectives, at which point Mr.Smith recommended I apply for this position.
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4. Show your professional value using accomplishments
Following the introduction of your cover letter are the body paragraphs. Ideally, your business development cover letter should contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs, providing in-depth answers to each of these questions:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?
Placing extra emphasis on accomplishments is crucial, as your real-life achievements help to show employers the quantifiable value you can bring to their company.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a business development cover letter:
As the Business Development Assistant Manager at [Former Employer], I assisted in the acquisition of 6 new business assets that led to a 110% growth in revenue, with a market value of more than $2M annually.
5. End your business development cover letter with a strong closing statement
The final component of any well-written business development cover letter is a strong closing statement. This closing statement should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of how to write a closing statement on a business development cover letter
The innovative approach of [Company Name] excites and inspires me. I know that as your Business Development Associate, I will help you to exceed growth expectations and increase your revenue with high-quality acquisitions and growth strategies. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak in person and am available all weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890 or via email at johndoe@email.com.
Warm Regards,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
6. Top resources for job-seeking business developers
As you put the finishing touches on your business development cover letter, it's crucial to complement it with a strategic job search. To navigate the competitive landscape of business development opportunities isn't exactly a walk in the park. But these resources can give you a solid head start:
- Industry-specific job boards: The best way to find roles tailored to your expertise and interests is by visiting websites like AngelList, Business development Crossing, or Startup Jobs. These list work opportunities specifically for business developers.
- General job search platforms: Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, SimplyHired, or ZipRecruiter offer a wealth of suitable job postings too. Just narrow down your search by entering relevant keyphrases and setting your desired location.
- Networking: In the world of business, networking is key! Don't miss any opportunities to mingle with fellow professionals and potential employers. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is always in top shape.
- Professional associations: Networking events, work opportunities, access to further training, and business news — all that under one roof. That's what organizations like the National Business Development Association (NBDA), the European Association for Business Development (EABD) , or the Global Business Development Association (GBDA) can do for you.
- Specialized publications: Keeping in the loop about the latest business news, trends, and strategies is crucial for succeeding in the job market. Consider following media like “Bloomberg Businessweek,” “Harvard Business Review,” and “Fast Company.”
- Continuous learning: Hone your skills and gain new knowledge with online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, or Udemy, which offer a wide selection of courses and certifications.
Once you've started sending out your job applications, it's just a matter of time until you start getting your first job interview invitations. Be persistent, patient, and always custom tailor your business development cover letter to fit the unique requirements of each job posting you apply for.
Business Development Cover Letter FAQ
How can I effectively highlight my skills in a business development cover letter?
Saying you're skilled simply isn't enough. You need to prove it! Start by thoroughly reading the job posting. Identify 3 skills that are the most important for the job. And then proceed to showcase that you have them (provided that you do) by writing about specific instances where you utilized them and what result you achieved. If possible, strengthen your claims with quantifiable data.
Should I mention the salary expectations in a cover letter?
Is your job posting asking you to do that? If so, then yes, mention them (but we recommend mentioning a range instead of a fixed number). But if not, we advise against it. Talking about salary expectations (and any financial rewards, in fact) is a topic best reserved for later stages of job interviews. Unless the hiring manager brings it up himself/herself.
How long should my cover letter be?
There's an unwritten rule that your cover letter shouldn’t exceed one page. The point of a cover letter is to offer the recruiters enough information to pique their interest and pay attention to your resume. Not to get into your whole professional story. Anything longer than that could discourage recruiters from ever reading it.
What's the best format for my business development cover letter?
Stick to a simple and clean layout to let your content shine. Avoid cramming your text into one solid wall — make use of white space to make your cover letter easy to read. Don't be afraid to use bullet points to break up the text and highlight your achievements. And stick to professional fonts. If you want to save yourself the time and nerves spent formatting, feel free to use one of our cover letter templates.
How can I demonstrate my enthusiasm for the role and company?
Make it personal! Show you understand the company and its culture (this bit requires you to do research on the company's culture, values, and projects past or ongoing). Then, you can demonstrate how the role aligns with your own career aspirations. And don't forget to mention why you love the industry itself!
