Congratulations on completing your first cover letter. However, as you look back, you realise it’s simply a copy-paste of your CV.
Repeating your curriculum vitae is a common pitfall that many candidates encounter, making the cover letter redundant.
Your cover letter should provide fresh insights, adding more value to your application. It’s also the ideal space to address career gaps or major transitions that might not be covered in your CV.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use your cover letter to demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the role, while confidently addressing your career history and key achievements.
Cover letter examples for head of sales
Explore additional head of sales cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Head of Sales, EMEA
- Strategic Leadership Highlight: Emphasise leadership experience, particularly in roles where strategic planning and programme management were key, as demonstrated by leading successful initiatives at Adobe and Salesforce.
- Focus on Achievements: Quantify success by clearly noting percentage increases in operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement, and resource allocation to assert measurable impact.
- Leverage Education and Courses: Highlight advanced management education from prestigious institutions such as the University of Manchester and INSEAD to reinforce expertise in strategic leadership.
- Passion and Innovation Mention: Mention personal passions related to digital media innovation and strategic development, which align closely with the responsibilities of the Head of Digital Operations role.
Head of Sales, North America
- Emphasise Strategic Achievements: Highlighting substantial revenue growth and market expansion achievements in previous roles demonstrates the candidate's capability in driving international sales success.
- Include Leadership Experience: Illustrating cross-functional team leadership and the ability to motivate teams underlines key leadership skills required for a Head of International Sales position.
- Showcase Relevant Industry Expertise: Noting experience and skills within the Transport & Mobility sector signals deep industry understanding and relevance for the role.
- Highlight Language Skills: Including proficiency in additional languages, such as French, is an asset for global roles, enhancing communication with diverse international clients.
Head of Sales, APAC
- Highlighting her experience in leadership positions, such as "Head of Sales" and "Senior Sales Manager," showcases her capability to lead and manage sales teams effectively, which is crucial for a senior sales role.
- Emphasising achievements, such as a 20% increase in market share and generating high-value customer accounts, demonstrates a proven track record in driving sales growth, making her a compelling candidate for high-impact roles.
- Mentioning specific skills like CRM system implementation and data-driven sales strategies showcases her ability to leverage technology to improve sales processes and client relationship management, which are vital skills for B2B sales roles.
- Including details of continuous learning, such as courses on "Advanced Sales Leadership" and "Data-Driven Sales Strategy," reflects a commitment to professional development and staying current on industry trends.
Head of Sales, Emerging Markets
- Tailored Skillset: The cover letter emphasises key skills such as Technical Pre-Sales, Advanced Analytics, and AI Solutions, which are critical for a Sales Engineer role, showcasing Leo's competence in these areas.
- Demonstrated Achievements: Specific achievements like a 30% increase in qualified leads and a 45% uptick in client engagement indicate Leo's ability to deliver impactful results and meet organisational goals.
- Professional Growth and Education: Highlighting advanced degrees such as a Master's in Data Analytics from the University of Edinburgh, along with relevant courses like "AI for Sales Professionals", illustrates a continuous pursuit of knowledge in AI and sales.
- Client-Centric Approach: Evidencing tailored AI applications and high-impact demonstrations shows a focus on understanding and meeting client objectives, which is essential for success in the role.
Head of Sales, Global Accounts
- Emphasising leadership experience in global account management and customer engagement is crucial for roles that require team management and oversight of large accounts.
- Highlighting specific achievements like a 30% increase in customer satisfaction or a 100% renewal rate demonstrates the impact made in previous roles, which is appealing for senior roles.
- Including certifications such as CISSP and courses on Advanced Customer Success Management can reassure potential employers of both technical and strategic acumen relevant to the role.
- Showing language proficiency and interest in global travel can be advantageous for positions requiring international client interaction and understanding of global market dynamics.
Head of Sales, Key Accounts
- Highlighting a successful track record in strategic account management and negotiation, such as the 20% increase in regional sales and high contract renewal rates, can demonstrate a candidate's effectiveness in a highly specialised role.
- Demonstrating proficiency in key skills pertinent to the role, such as "Effective Negotiation" and "Client Relationship Building," helps to outline how the candidate's abilities align with the job requirements.
- References to relevant certifications, such as the "Advanced Contract Management" course from CIPS, indicate a continual commitment to professional development and expertise in contract negotiation strategies.
- Highlighting specific achievements, such as a 15% reduction in operational costs while maintaining quality, provides concrete examples of the candidate's impact and value to previous employers, enhancing credibility.
Head of Sales, Enterprise Accounts
- Showcasing Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights Ruby's extensive experience in sales leadership within the digital marketing sector, particularly her role as an Account Director at Salesforce, which is critical for demonstrating her capability to handle strategic planning and lead major accounts.
- Emphasising Key Achievements: The mention of achievements such as a 25% year-over-year sales growth and the development of a new client service offering significantly enhances the applicant's credibility and effectiveness in sales roles.
- Highlighting Relevant Education and Courses: Including educational qualifications like an MBA and relevant courses such as Strategic Sales Management from Wharton Online directly supports her expertise and alignment with the role of Account Director.
- Demonstrating Leadership and Team Skills: The cover letter emphasises her experience in leading cross-departmental initiatives and managing multi-million-pound accounts, crucial for roles focusing on leadership and strategic account management.
By Role
Head of Sales Operations
- Highlighting certification: Emphasising the "Certified Aladdin User Program" certification underscores proficiency in a specialised software essential for sales operations roles.
- Quantifiable achievements: Listing specific metrics such as a "30% increase in client acquisition annually" or a "35% growth in annual revenue" provides concrete evidence of past success and potential value to new employers.
- Leadership and team development: Detailing experiences such as "Training and mentoring a team of 25 sales analysts" showcases leadership abilities critical for a Director role.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Mentioning collaborations with cross-functional teams to implement strategies highlights the ability to work effectively across departments, crucial for business management roles.
Head of Sales and Marketing
- Highlighting concrete achievements such as the 25% increase in client acquisition and the 30% rise in event bookings through innovative marketing strategies helps showcase the candidate's direct impact on business growth.
- Emphasising team leadership experience, as evidenced by leading a team to achieve a 20% revenue increase, demonstrates capability in managing and inspiring a sales and marketing team.
- Incorporating transferable skills like SEO and digital marketing strategies supported by relevant courses to underline the candidate's commitment to staying updated with industry trends.
- Mentioning educational background, including an MBA from a prestigious institution, reinforces qualifications and analytical skills essential for a strategic role in sales and marketing.
Head of Sales Training
- Emphasising Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights over 10 years of relevant experience in sports sales strategy and innovation, crucial for demonstrating expertise and suitability for the role.
- Quantifiable Achievements: It uses quantifiable achievements, such as a 25% increase in video ad revenues and a 30% boost in advertiser participation, to showcase success in previous roles and provide concrete evidence of competence.
- Relevant Certifications: The inclusion of a "Sports Sales and Marketing Certification" specifically caters to the specialised nature of sports partnerships, underlining the candidate's dedication to professional development in this field.
- Key Skills and Passions: The cover letter outlines critical skills like strategic planning and stakeholder communication, while also expressing passions such as innovative sports marketing, aligning personal interests with professional goals.
Head of Sales Strategy
- Quantifiable Achievements: The cover letter effectively highlights quantifiable accomplishments, such as increasing sales by 30% and improving profitability by 15%, which demonstrate the candidate's impact in previous roles.
- Sector-Specific Expertise: Emphasising expertise in the construction and cladding sectors, including launching new product lines and enhancing governance compliance, showcases the candidate's relevant industry knowledge.
- Leadership and Development: Focusing on team leadership and development, such as driving a 35% increase in team productivity and commitment to mentoring, underlines the candidate's capability to lead teams toward strategic goals.
- Sustainability Focus: Demonstrating a passion for sustainable building practices and sustainability initiatives in commercial strategy positions the candidate as forward-thinking and aligned with current industry trends.
Head of Sales Analytics
- Showcasing Leadership and Strategy Skills: The cover letter effectively highlights Leo Brown's leadership and strategic skills, which are crucial for the role of Head of AI & Analytics, by detailing Leo's experience in directing strategic initiatives and driving successful sales strategies.
- Relevant Certifications and Education: Mentioning advanced training and certification in Strategic AI Implementation from MITx and Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute aligns well with the specialised requirements of the role.
- Quantifiable Achievements and Impact: The inclusion of specific results such as a 20% increase in sales and a 25% improvement in team efficiency underscores the tangible impact Leo has had in previous roles, which is crucial for a leadership position focused on strategy and analytics.
- Emphasis on Innovation and Team Development: The cover letter underscores a commitment to innovation and team growth through the development of a talent program that improved retention by 30%, illustrating the ability to foster team dynamics and drive forward-thinking initiatives.
Head of Sales Development
- Emphasise relevant experience in digital strategies and audience development, highlighting the ability to increase audience engagement significantly, such as the 35% increase mentioned.
- Showcase specific achievements and leadership recognitions, like the International Spotify Campaign Success and Team Leadership Recognition, which demonstrate effectiveness and leadership in digital marketing and team management.
- Highlight any specialised courses or certifications which align with the role of Head of Audience Development, such as the Advanced Social Media Strategy course from HubSpot Academy, focusing on developing social media strategies.
- Include quantitative results and data-driven impact, as shown with metrics like the 60% increase in Spotify streams, to reflect strong analytical and performance-based skills.
Head of Sales Enablement
- Strategic Leadership in Sales Performance: The cover letter effectively highlights Scarlett Murphy's strategic leadership skills, showcasing her role in sales enablement strategies that significantly boosted sales performance, positioning her as an asset for roles requiring a strong hand in sales leadership.
- Sales Enablement Expertise: It emphasises her development and execution of sales enablement strategies that not only improved performance but also identified skill gaps, making this an invaluable highlight for head of sales enablement roles.
- CRM Optimisation Achievements: The letter highlights her success in optimising CRM systems, which is critical for any sales role today, demonstrating her ability to enhance data management and workflow efficiency, a key aspect in driving sales performance.
- Educational and Certification Credibility: By citing her Master of Business Administration from the University of Warwick and the Advanced Sales Enablement Certification, the cover letter assures employers of Scarlett's foundational knowledge and specialised skills, crucial for leadership in sales performance roles.
Head of Sales Planning
- Data-Driven Achievements: Clearly stating metrics such as a 25% increase in customer satisfaction and a 15% reduction in delivery time demonstrates measurable impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
- Relevant Industry Experience: Emphasising experience with major music industry companies, such as Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, showcases familiarity and success in the sector.
- Diverse Skill Set: Highlighting skills in CRM tools, project management, and supply chain optimisation indicates versatility and capability to handle complex eCommerce and customer service challenges.
- Passion Alignment: Linking personal passions such as 'Music Industry Innovation' and 'Technology Integration' with professional roles can convey genuine interest and commitment to the field.
Head of Sales and Business Development
- Emphasising specific achievements, such as a 30% increase in revenue, helps to quantify success and showcase effectiveness in driving growth.
- Highlighting key skills like 'Lead Generation' and 'Negotiation' is crucial for a Business Development Leader role, as these are fundamental for securing new business and closing deals.
- Noting significant experience with industry-leading companies such as Adobe and Optimizely demonstrates expertise in digital solutions and familiarity with high-profile client interactions.
- Underscoring additional training or certifications, such as 'Advanced Sales Strategies', reflects continued professional development and commitment to excellence in the sales domain.
Head of Sales and Customer Success
- Emphasising Achievements: The cover letter highlights specific, quantifiable achievements such as a 30% increase in customer retention and £2 million in annual revenue growth at Revolut. This demonstrates the candidate's ability to deliver measurable results, which is crucial for a leadership role in Customer Services.
- Leadership and Mentoring: Experience in building and leading high-performance teams is consistently noted throughout the roles at Revolut, Monzo Bank, and Nutmeg. This is critical for a Head of Customer Services position, which demands team leadership and development capabilities.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: The candidate's ability to collaborate with Product and Sales teams to align customer feedback with product improvements showcases their proficiency in cross-functional teamwork, enhancing strategic business operations in fintech.
- Process Optimisation and Innovation: The cover letter emphasises skills in process refinement and the implementation of innovative solutions, such as the onboarding process improvements that achieved a 95% success rate at Nutmeg. This supports the candidate's strategic planning and innovation aptitude.
Head of Sales and Distribution
- Highlighting Leadership Achievements: The cover letter effectively showcases Chloe's leadership capabilities by detailing her track record of increasing revenue and client retention, illustrating her competency in driving sales teams towards success in wealth management.
- Industry-Specific Certifications and Education: Chloe's qualifications, including a Master of Business Administration and a certification in Advanced Wealth Management Strategies, are appropriately emphasised to demonstrate her expertise and commitment to her professional development in finance.
- Strategic Skills and Innovative Impact: The letter focuses on Chloe’s strategic planning and innovation, especially in implementing data analytics and digital tools to boost efficiency and client interaction, aligning with FinTech and wealth management industry trends.
- Building and Maintaining Partnerships: Chloe's experience in establishing strategic partnerships with credit unions and clients to deliver growth is explicitly mentioned, which can be crucial for a Sales Director role aiming to enhance market reach and collaborative opportunities in FinTech and wealth management.
Head of Sales and Product Management
- Highlight Specific Achievements: Emphasise quantifiable successes such as a 25% decrease in time-to-market and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction, which demonstrate the impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
- Certification Relevance: Mention relevant certifications like the "Insurance Product Development Certification" to showcase specialised skills and knowledge directly applicable to the insurance industry.
- Emphasise Leadership Skills: Focus on leadership capabilities, such as coaching a team of product managers and contributing to a 30% increase in project efficiency, which highlight ability to manage and improve team performance.
- Illustrate Cross-functional Collaboration: Stress experience in spearheading cross-functional initiatives which increased customer engagement by 40%, important for roles requiring collaboration across departments.
Head of Sales and Partnerships
- Tailored Summary: The cover letter opens with a summary that aligns with the role by highlighting key achievements in partnership management within fintech, demonstrating relevance and expertise.
- A Proven Track Record: Each role listed under experience shows specific, quantifiable outcomes such as revenue increase and market reach, which effectively illustrate the candidate's ability to drive growth.
- Strategic Skills: The inclusion of skills like 'Partnership management', 'Strategic planning', and 'Negotiation' is critical for the role and establishes the candidate as well-versed in areas pertinent to strategic growth within banking platforms.
- Educational Foundation & Continuous Learning: The educational background in Business Administration and Economics, coupled with ongoing courses in strategic partnership and negotiation, underscore a strong, relevant academic foundation and commitment to professional development.
Head of Sales cover letter example
Ivy Ward
Liverpool, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the sales leadership opportunity within your organization. I admire your company's dedication to innovation and market growth, and I believe my background in driving key sales initiatives aligns well with your goals.
During my tenure as Regional Sales Manager at TechniTex, I led our team to achieve a 20% increase in annual targets and a substantial uplift in market share by 15% across the Northern UK region. This was accomplished through the implementation of strategic sales planning and fostering key account relationships, contributing an additional £4M in revenue. These achievements highlight my ability to expand market presence and enhance profitability.
I am eager to bring my expertise in sales strategy and team leadership to your company and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your ongoing success. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can assist in achieving your company's objectives.
Sincerely,
Ivy Ward, Experienced Sales Leader
Breaking down what makes this cover letter good:
- Highlight Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning specific accomplishments, such as achieving a 20% increase in annual targets and enhancing market share by 15%, demonstrates your capability in delivering tangible results, which is crucial for sales roles.
- Include Strategic Initiatives: Discussing the implementation of strategic sales planning conveys your ability to think critically and plan effectively, which are essential skills for a sales leadership position.
- Emphasize Relationship Building: Experience in fostering key account relationships that contributed significantly to revenue shows your strength in customer-focused roles, vital for sustaining business growth.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters provide recruiters with the opportunity to learn more about your career aspirations, hinting at how you’d integrate within the organisation over the long term.
Here are three additional reasons why cover letters are important:
- Making an excellent first impression (and a formal introduction): Your cover letter is often the employer’s first introduction to you, showcasing your personality, communication skills, and motivation for the role.
- Complementing your career history: While your CV lists qualifications and experience, a cover letter provides the context, explaining how your background fits the role.
- Demonstrates your genuine interest: A well-crafted cover letter reflects the effort you’ve put into researching the company and role as well as your attention to detail.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
A great cover letter can set you apart when applying for jobs in the UK.
Follow these tips to ensure you make a strong impression:
- Research thoroughly: Spend time delving into the company’s website, social media, and industry news to understand their projects, awards, and future plans. The more specific your knowledge, the better you’ll be able to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
- Reflect their values: Every UK company has its own set of values that guides their culture. Once you’ve identified them, make sure your cover letter reflects how your values and work ethic align with theirs. If they’re known for integrity, emphasise your commitment to ethical practices.
- Tailor your skills: Focus on aligning your most relevant skills with the job description. Look for key terms and priorities mentioned in the advert, and make sure to provide examples of how you excel in those areas.
How to format a head of sales cover letter
Keep in mind that your cover letter is intended for the recruiters' eyes only, not for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that aligns your job application with role requirements. That's why it's essential to concentrate on the quality of the content and presentation to make a memorable first impression.
Don’t forget to include:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Greeting
- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
Now for some formatting tips and tricks: choose modern fonts such as Rubik, Volkhov, or Raleway instead of traditional ones like Arial. Keep your cover letter single-spaced with margins of around 1-inch (2.5 cm). To maintain a professional and consistent look, ensure that both your CV and cover letter use the same font style.
Lastly, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve its formatting and prevent any edits once it's sent, ensuring your design and layout remain intact for the recruiters.
How to write your head of sales cover letter salutation
Now it's time to make it personal—in your cover letter greeting, you should always address the hiring manager directly. Whenever possible, use their name, depending on how well you know them (e.g., 'Dear Mr Smith', 'Dear Abbie').
You can find their name by searching on LinkedIn (start by looking for the job posting and the recruiter), visiting the 'About' page of the company's website, or by calling reception or administration to enquire.
How to write your head of sales cover letter intro
It's never a bad time to show enthusiasm about the role, company, or team in your cover letter introduction.
Begin by sharing one or two aspects that genuinely excite you about the position—whether it's the company culture, specific responsibilities, or the team's past achievements.
Your enthusiasm demonstrates that you'll bring a strong work ethic, are eager to contribute, and are motivated to succeed.
Cover Letter Intro
Having closely followed [Company Name]'s innovative approach to sustainable sales growth and its commitment to customer-centric values, I am keen to bring my decade of experience in leading high-performing sales teams to further amplify your market presence. Your reputation for fostering a bold yet supportive work environment aligns perfectly with my career ethos, making me eager to contribute to your continued success.
RIGHT
How to write your head of sales cover letter body
As you reach the body of your cover letter, you might wonder what to write in it.
Our advice? Don’t just copy your CV—choose your greatest achievement and tell its story.
Focus on how you got there using hard and soft skills, describe your involvement, and quantify the results with concrete outcomes.
Remember, recruiters aren’t looking for an epic tale of your career—they want something concise, relevant, and directly addressing their needs.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as Sales Director at XYZ Corporation, I spearheaded a transformative sales strategy that resulted in an unprecedented 150% increase in annual revenue within a mere 12-month period. This achievement was driven by my commitment to data-informed decision-making and my ability to inspire and lead a team of 50 diverse sales professionals.
By implementing a data-driven approach, I identified key market trends and customer preferences, allowing us to tailor our sales strategies more effectively. Additionally, I initiated a comprehensive training programme that focused on enhancing skills in digital sales techniques, significantly broadening our market reach. Not only did this surpass our sales targets, but it also fostered a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team.
These accomplishments highlight my ability to develop and execute strategic sales initiatives while empowering teams to exceed expectations, making significant contributions to organisational growth.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
There’s a wrong and a right way to close your cover letter. Here’s how.
The wrong way is to end with a signature or a formal 'Thank you in advance.'
The right way is to either promise how you’d make a positive impact on the company or ask when you can expect a response. This will highlight you as a forward-thinking candidate who’s enthusiastic about securing the role.
Cover Letter Closing
In closing, I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to contribute to your esteemed company as the Head of Sales. My background in driving revenue growth and fostering strong client relationships aligns well with the strategic objectives of your team. I am keen to bring my expertise and passion for sales leadership to your organisation.
I am looking forward to the possibility of discussing this exciting opportunity with you in greater detail. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
RIGHT
Conclusion
A well-crafted cover letter can significantly enhance your job application and set you apart from other candidates. Begin by personalising your message to the hiring manager and connecting your experiences to the company's values.
Emphasise your key accomplishments that reflect your skills and passion for the role, while maintaining a professional tone throughout. Ensure that your cover letter and CV present a unified and polished image to maximise your chances of success.
