How do I Write an Executive Cover Letter?

An executive is a professional who occupies a high level in any business or organization. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are both examples of executive positions. An aspiring executive normally has to write a cover letter to the business where he or she would like to work in order to introduce his or her skills and experiences to the proper professionals within the company, proving that he or she is the best candidate for the job. In order to write an executive cover letter, you should take the source of your job lead into account. It can also be helpful to make sure that the organization of information on an executive cover letter is clear and orderly.

In cases where you are responding to an ad, you may want to begin an executive cover letter by explaining exactly how and where you learned about the job opening. It can also be a good idea to say a few words about why the job position appealed to you. Without going into too much detail at first you can state the skills and experience you have that make you a good candidate for a certain executive position.

Professionals who write to companies without having seen an ad normally have heard that there is an opening from a colleague within the company. In this case, it might be helpful to know who you are writing the executive cover letter to in order to make it more personalized. If you are writing to the company for an executive position and you do not know that the company is hiring, it can certainly be helpful to be as specific as possible about your skills and qualifications. Thoroughly researching the company prior to sending the letter is also a good idea.

Remember that in most cases, an executive cover letter is the company's first impression of you. For this reason, it is important that your letter is organized in a logical manner. You should seek to create a narrative with your cover letter that reveals the sum of learning experiences that have made you a strong candidate for the position. After composing an explanation of why you believe you are best for the position, you should write a more in depth description of your skills and experience, but you don't need to be too specific. Most cover letters are accompanied by resumes, which provide potential employers with specific dates and employment history.

Generally, executive cover letters are formatted as formal business letters. Consider using or creating personal letterhead, and refer to examples of formal business letter formatting to guide the structure of your letter. Be sure to consider what enclosures you plan to submit with your letter, such as a sheet of business references and a resume, who in the company should be carbon copied on your submission, and whether to include a reference line.