You’re skilled at project management, networking, researching new markets and building relationships.
But can you effectively build a relationship with the recruiter in order to secure an interview?
If you’re not sure how to get started, check out our comprehensive guide below, complete with several business development manager cover letter examples.
Contents
Business Development Manager cover letter example 1
Business Development Manager cover letter example 2
Business Development Manager cover letter example 3
These 3 Business Development Manager cover letter examples will provide you with some good ideas on how to format a cover letter, along with the type of message you should be trying to put across to recruiters.
To further understand exactly how you can write a cover letter that will get you noticed, check out our further guidance.
How to write a Business Development Manager cover letter
Here’s how to write your own winning Business Development Manager cover letter
Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message
You should write your cover letter in the body of the email (or messaging system if sending via a job board) and never attach it as a document.
The reason for this?
You want your cover letter to start connecting with the recruiter from the moment they open your application.
If they have to open a document to read it, it will slow things down and they may not even bother to open it.
Start with a friendly greeting
To build an instant connection with the recruiter reading your cover letter, start with a warm greeting.
It should be friendly but not casual – keeping it professional at all times.
- Hi, hope you’re well
- Hi [insert recruiter name]
- Hi [insert department/team name]
Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam” unless applying to very traditional companies.
How to find the contact’s name?
Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.
- Check out the company website and look at their About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
- Head to LinkedIn, search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.
Identify the role you are applying for
Once you have opened the cover letter with a warm greeting, you need to explain which role you are interested in.
Sometimes a recruitment consultant could be managing over 10 vacancies, so it’s crucial to pinpoint exactly which one you are interested in.
Highlight the department/area if possible and look for any reference numbers you can quote.
These are some examples you can add..
- I am interested in applying for the role of Business Development Manager with your company.
- I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 40f57393)
- I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
- I saw your advert for an IT project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.
See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles
Highlight your suitability
The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.
Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.
Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.
Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.
This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.
Keep it short and sharp
A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.
Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers.
Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.
Sign off professionally
To round of your CV, you should sign off with a professional signature.
This will give your cover letter a slick appearance and also give the recruiter all of the necessary contact information they need to get in touch with you.
The information to add should include:
- A friendly sign off – e.g. “Kindest regards”
- Your full name
- Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
- Email address
Optional
- Profession title
- Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn
Here is an example signature;
Warm regards,
Jill North
IT Project Manager
078837437373
Jill@hotmail.com
LinkedIn
Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate documents that you could copy in.
What to include in your Business Development Manager cover letter
So, what type of information should you write about in your Business Development Manager cover letter?
The specifics will obviously depend on your profession and the jobs you are applying to, but these are the key areas you should be covering.
- Your industry experience – Tell recruiters the types of companies you have been working for and the roles you have held in the past.
- Your qualifications – Highlight your most important relevant qualifications to show employers you are qualified to do the roles you are applying for.
- The impact you have made – Demonstrate the positive impact you have made for employers in previous jobs. Have you saved money? Improved processes? Made customers happy?
- Your reasons for moving – Employers will want to know why you are leaving your current/previous role, so provide them with a brief explanation here.
- Your availability – When will you be able to start a new job? Check your current contract to find out your notice period if you are in a position already.
Business Development Manager cover letter templates
Copy and paste these Business Development Manager cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.
Template 1
Hi Mark,
I hope this email finds you well. I am highly interested in the Business Development Manager position at SanTech. With 12+ years as a Business Development Associate, I excel in building and managing strategic partnerships for top technology firms. My strengths lie in market research, networking, and data-driven outreach, enabling me to identify and seize new business opportunities.
In my current role as Senior Business Development Associate at Tanto, I research potential clients and markets, successfully securing deals with 5 new enterprise clients and yielding a 19% revenue increase in 2021. Additionally, I implemented a strategic-partner sales strategy which raised the average deal size by 12% and boosted the sales pipeline by 30% in 2022. In my previous role as a Junior Business Development Associate, I identified 3 investment opportunities, increasing the portfolio value by 10% at Tanto. Previously, as a Sales Executive at Curry’s, I successfully pitched ecommerce software to UK and European retail companies, driving revenue growth by 7%. With PMI-Certified Project Management Professional credentials, exceptional communication, and negotiation skills, I consistently exceed KPIs.
I am enthusiastic about joining your team and contributing my expertise to surpass your organisational goals. I am available for an interview from next week, thank you for considering my application.
Kind regards,
Ellie Traynor ¦ 07777777777 ¦ ellie.traynor@email.com
Template 2
Good afternoon, Daniel
I hope you’re well.
I am excited to apply for the position of Business Development Manager at Park & Co. With a track record of 15+ years in driving business growth and cultivating strategic partnerships within the home furnishings sector, I am confident in my ability to lead your business development team to new heights.
As the Senior Business Development Manager at Rex Furnishings, I successfully closed deals with 10 key clients, resulting in a 35% increase in revenue in 2021. Moreover, my leadership in developing and implementing a sales strategy led to a 20% growth in market share. With an MBA from the London School of Economics, I am well-versed in market analysis and have a strong understanding of our target audience and industry trends. My expertise in leading cross-functional teams and negotiating complex contracts has been instrumental in forging successful partnerships.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my strategic approach and market achievements align with the vision and goals of Park & Co. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.
Best regards,
Aoife Doherty ¦ 07777777777 ¦ a.doherty@email.com
Template 3
Dear Julia,
I hope you’re well. I am excited to apply for the Senior Business Development Manager position at your Not-for-Profit organisation. With an impressive 25-year career as a Strategic Business Development Manager for local and international charities and a master’s in business administration, I am passionate about ensuring effective fiscal management and revenue stream optimisation strategies.
In my current role as Business Development Manager at Beat the Street, I lead a 20-person team, developing and executing growth plans to combat homelessness across the UK. My success includes securing a £600K annual grant from a corporate funder who had previously declined partnership proposals, as well as creating and funding two new research positions that significantly improved grant application success. Previously, as a Fundraising Manager at First Choice, I managed a 12-person department and introduced the charity’s successful ‘Friends Scheme,’ becoming the primary revenue stream within 18 months. With my CFRE certification and experience in multichannel fundraising strategies, I have consistently achieved ambitious goals, making me confident in my ability to drive fiscal development and impact outreach at Shelter.
Thank you for your consideration and I am available for an interview at your convenience.
All the best,
Hyo Kyungo ¦ 07777777777 ¦ h.kyungo@email.com
Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Business Development Manager job.
Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.
Good luck with your job search!