Want a stronger cover letter?

Use our extensive library of professional cover letter examples as practical starting guides. You’ll also find ready-made content with our helpful Cover Letter Builder simply click, customize and download.

 

Icon

Select

Icon

Customize

Icon

Download

How to Format Your Cover Letter

Visit our helpful cover letter format and writing guide for additional advice on how to customize your application, or read on to find business operations-related advice. 

how-to-format-resume
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7

  • Contact information:

    • Make sure your professional cover letter header matches your resume for a cohesive look. Include your name, phone number and email. 

  • Date and recipient's mailing information:

    • Visit the company’s directory to research the hiring manager and contact info. Add the date of writing, followed by the manager’s name, job title and professional mailing address. 

  • Greeting:

    • Begin the letter with a professional salutation. We prefer the following formal greetings: “Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,” “Hello, Mr./Ms. Last Name,” or the last resort, “To whom it may concern.”

  • Introduction:

    • Add the name of the position and company, how you learned about it, and one business operations skill or accomplishment to advertise your suitability in this opening paragraph.

  • Body:

    • Use one or two paragraphs to elaborate on one or two accomplishments on your project manager’s resume. The goal is to quantify your training further and prove your proficiency.  

  • Closing statement:

    • In the final paragraph, reiterate your interest and qualifications. Express your eagerness to discuss your candidacy in an interview further.

  • Signature:

    • End the letter with a formal closing followed by your full name and, if applicable, your professional titles or certifications. Acceptable signatures include “Salutations,” “Best,” or “Regards.”

Use skills to personalize your project manager cover letter

Tailor your cover letter’s soft, hard and technical skills to specific experiences and achievements as a business operations project manager, aligning them with the position requirements you’re applying for. Here’s a list of 15 resume skills for your cover letter. 

1
Project management expertise:

Highlight your proficiency in overseeing complex projects from initiation to completion, showcasing your ability to manage timelines, resources and deliverables effectively.

2
Process optimization:

Emphasize your track record of identifying operational inefficiencies and implementing strategies that streamline processes, increasing productivity and cost savings.

3
Data analysis:

Showcase your skill in analyzing business data to extract valuable insights that drive informed decisions and enhance operational performance.

4
Budget management:

Illustrate your capability in creating and managing budgets, ensuring projects are executed within financial constraints while maintaining quality standards.

5
Cross-functional collaboration:

Describe your interpersonal skills in working collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders, fostering effective communication to achieve project objectives.

6
Risk assessment and mitigation:

Discuss your critical-thinking skills in identifying potential risks within projects and implementing proactive measures to mitigate them, ensuring smooth project execution.

7
Change management:

Highlight your ability to lead teams through organizational changes, adapting processes and systems to align with evolving business goals.

8
Vendor and supplier management:

Detail your success in sourcing, negotiating with, and managing external vendors, ensuring timely delivery of resources and services.

9
Quality assurance:

Showcase your commitment to maintaining high-quality standards by implementing rigorous quality control measures throughout project life cycles.

10
Technology integration:

Describe your computer skills in integrating technology solutions to improve business operations, enhancing efficiency and customer experiences.

11
Process documentation:

Emphasize your skill in creating comprehensive process documentation, enabling teams to understand and replicate successful workflows.

12
Performance metrics:

Highlight your ability to define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure project success and align with overarching business objectives.

13
Agile methodologies:

Discuss your familiarity with agile methodologies, showcasing your adaptability in responding to changing project requirements and market dynamics.

14
Stakeholder communication:

Detail your aptitude for maintaining open and transparent communication with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring project alignment and satisfaction.

15
Continuous improvement initiatives:

Illustrate your commitment to ongoing professional development by mentioning relevant certifications, training or initiatives that showcase your dedication to enhancing your skills and knowledge.

Free Project Manager Cover Letter Example

Dear Dustin Briggs:

With a proven background directing Project Management, Process Analysis, Leadership Development, Technical Operations, Data Analysis, and Compliance activities for a top Fortune 500 organization, I have delivered quality solutions focusing on exceptional client service. I possess a record of success analyzing business operations and designing and instituting process improvements that increase efficiency and reduce costs.

I have expert skills in problem resolution, planning, monitoring, reporting, resource management, quality, risk management and serving as a reputable change agent. Consistently delivering technology integration projects on time and within budget, I have a strong background leading virtual teams with a high client satisfaction track record. I successfully identify and resolve project constraints, resulting in 100% on-time and on-budget delivery.

My leadership style focuses on engaging team members to communicate, dynamically solve problems and deliver the highest quality solutions. I seek to provide your organization with the above skills in a project manager role.

Key contributions includes:

  1. Implemented a Right Placement Program operations model, including yearly assessments evaluating 1100 software applications. Identified a transition of 35 applications to a Managed Services model, resulting in $8M cost savings for 2009.
  2. Established significant expense reductions of $10M in cost savings in 2008 and $4.2M in 2009 through identification, analysis, and coordination of High-Cost Contractor transition to lower-cost providers.
  3. Achieved Director’s Award for superior performance on the 2003 Audit Team. 
  4. Brought the Cards IT organization into compliance with the newly released policy by completing gap analysis and remediation work for 4 of 13 management areas. 
  5. Created Quality Assurance tests, resulting in a Satisfactory OCC Audit rating.

Please accept this letter and enclosed resume as an introduction to my skills and background. For a more detailed presentation of my offerings, please contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule a conference. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to our conversation.

Sincerely,

Raymond Collier, MBA

This sample project manager cover letter demonstrates the job seeker’s skills, provides concrete examples of their achievements, and aligns their experience with the position’s requirements. Let’s walk through the strengths of this cover letter sample:

Add a Resume as a Foundational Base

A cover letter helps promote your resume — but your resume acts as an essential building block for your job search. This concise summary helps hiring managers trace your training, experience, skill development and accomplishments. The following help articles, online tools and samples can help you improve your resume. 

Project Manager Cover Letter FAQ

How should I structure my business operations project manager cover letter?

To properly format your cover letter, begin with a personalized salutation, introduce yourself with a concise overview of your expertise, highlight key skills and accomplishments, relate them to the role, mention relevant achievements and close with an invitation for further discussion.

 

Should I tailor my cover letter for each application?

Absolutely. Tailoring your cover letter to the specific job description and company culture demonstrates your genuine interest and how well you fit the role’s requirements, increasing your chances of standing out.

 

What role does an applicant tracking system (ATS) play in hiring?

ATS screens cover letters and resumes for keywords and qualifications relevant to the job. To pass ATS scans, use keywords from the job posting, keep formatting straightforward and save your document as a standard file type (PDF) to ensure compatibility.

 

Can I elaborate on my resume in the cover letter?

Yes, but focus on highlighting key accomplishments and skills directly related to the role. Use the cover letter to provide context for your resume, showcasing your ability to deliver results and contribute to the organization’s goals.

 

How do I make my cover letter stand out to hiring managers?

Craft a compelling opening that grabs attention, highlights unique skills and quantifiable achievements, demonstrates alignment with the company’s values and needs and concludes with enthusiasm for the role and a call to action. Keep it concise, error-free and well-structured for maximum impact.