Make your mark in retail with a tailored retail cover letter…
Even though a lot of attention is paid to tailoring your CV, standing out as the right candidate for the job could equally come down to writing an engaging cover letter.
A generic cover letter won’t cut it; your cover letter needs to highlight your skills that are relevant to the role and explain what value you’ll bring the company.
We’ve already covered how to write a retail CV but, to secure your perfect retail job, here’s a cover letter template explaining what to include on your retail cover letter.
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Opening the letter
Include the standard letter opening information (address, date and name of the hiring manager – if known). In one or two sentences, explain what role you’re applying for and where you found it. Remember to keep it brief and to the point.
Example:
I wish to apply for the role of sales advisor that I saw advertised on Reed.co.uk. I’m attaching my CV for your attention.
Second paragraph – Why are you suitable for the job?
Now that you’ve created a good impression with your opening, it’s time to sell yourself to the hiring manager.
Briefly mention any qualifications or experience that make you a good match for the role. Include any relevant experience that you’ve gained from work, from volunteering or through your hobbies. If you lack experience in retail, cover soft skills that are needed for the job. These will be mentioned in the job description if you’re not sure what they are.
Example:
As you can see detailed on my CV, I have three years’ experience as a sales assistant and I believe that the skills and experience I’ve gained from working in sales make me a great candidate for this role.
Third/fourth paragraph – What can you do for the company?
Right, it’s time to get down to business and show the hiring manager why they should pick you over other candidates. In this section of your retail cover letter, you need to clearly lay out what you can do for the company.
Avoid vague or generic statements. Instead, give specific real world examples. As retail hiring managers are largely looking for candidates who can increase sales, where possible, provide examples of when you managed to help increase customer spend. This could be examples from previous jobs, your current position or from voluntary roles.
For example, stating that you increased sales by 20% within your first three months is much more tangible than simply saying you increased sales. Other examples to consider could be ’I reduced department costs by X amount’ or ‘I led a team of target-hitting sales people who achieved X sales in one quarter’ (this statement may be more suited for a leadership role).
Example:
In my current position as a sales assistant at Rayners Fashion, I have been responsible for increasing revenue in the children’s clothing section by 10% over the last 12 months. I’ve achieved this by reorganising the sales displays to showcase the newest arrivals and by making sure that all items of clothing have a price tag attached.
Fifth paragraph – Reiterate
Again, express your interest in the role, and explain why you think you’re the right person for the job. This is your opportunity to really sell yourself and impress the hiring manager, so include something about the company to show them you’ve done your research.
Example:
I’m confident that my retail experience and skills gained from previous roles will have an immediate impact on your company, and further strengthen its reputation as one the fastest growing women’s fashion retailers. I believe I’ll fit into the team and the business well , and quickly get to grips with your policies and procedures, so I can immediately start contributing to the company’s success.
Five great retail skills for your CV
Closing the letter
Finish off your retail cover letter by thanking the hiring manager or recruiter for their time, and express your interest in attending an interview (this is a subtle way of highlighting your initiative and confidence).
If you know the hiring manager’s name, it’s ‘Yours Sincerely’, if not, it’s ‘Yours Faithfully’. Under this, include your name.
This is optional, but it can be a good idea to include your contact details in case your CV and cover letter get separated.
Example:
Thank you for your time and for considering my application for Sales Assistant. I look forward to meeting you to discuss my application further.
Yours Sincerely / Faithfully
[Name]
[Contact details]
Final thoughts on a retail cover letter
This retail cover letter template is a guide to help you write your own cover letter that impresses the hiring manager for your perfect retail job.
While you should stick to the structure outlined above, you should always research the company you’re applying to and read the job description thoroughly to ensure that the information you include in your cover letter is relevant to the role.
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Still searching for the perfect position? View all retail vacancies now.
