Crafting a stellar VP Business Development cover letter can be a daunting task, especially if you've already been deep in your job search. You know it's more than a resume echo—it's your chance to showcase that shining professional triumph that sets you apart. Striking the right balance between formal tone and fresh, cliché-free language is key, all while fitting your narrative neatly on one page. Let's get into how you can make your cover letter reflect the best of your achievements.
- Some inspiration from other professionals' job-winning cover letters;
- The best structure and format for your vp business development cover letter;
- Insights on how to write about your best achievement to stand out;
- A creative twist on your vp business development cover letter intro.
Upload your vp business development resume to Enhancv's AI, which will quickly scan and prepare a job-winning cover letter for you.
If the vp business development isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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VP business development cover letter example
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- Personalization: The cover letter is addressed specifically to the hiring manager, which shows the applicant has taken the time to research the company and customize the letter.
- Quantifiable Achievements: The mention of negotiating a significant contract and contributing to a 20% revenue increase provides concrete evidence of the candidate's successful track record and competence in their field.
- Alignment with Company Values: The applicant makes a connection between their professional values and the ethos of the company, which can suggest a good cultural fit.
- Call to Action: The candidate closes the cover letter with an invitation to discuss potential synergies in an interview, demonstrating initiative and eagerness to engage further with the hiring process.
Structuring and formatting your vp business development cover letter
Here's what the structure of your vp business development cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your vp business development resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your vp business development cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your vp business development cover letter.
The top sections on a vp business development cover letter
Header with Contact Information: This includes your name, address, phone number, email, and date, ensuring the recruiter can easily get in touch with you.
Opening Greeting: Address the recruiter or hiring manager by name if possible to personalize your cover letter and demonstrate your attention to detail.
Introduction: Briefly explain your professional background and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity, showcasing how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of a VP of Business Development.
Body of the Letter (Experience and Achievements): Highlight your most relevant experiences and quantify your achievements with data and examples that show your capability to drive business growth and strategic partnerships.
Closing and Call to Action: Summarize your qualifications, express your eagerness to discuss how you can contribute to the company’s success, and invite the recruiter to contact you for an interview, politely signaling your proactive interest in the role.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proven track record in sales growth and market expansion: Recruiters look for tangible results such as revenue increases and new market entries that directly demonstrate the candidate's ability to scale the business.
- Strategic partnership development: The ability to identify, negotiate, and secure partnerships that align with company goals is critical for fueling company growth and expansion.
- Leadership and team management: Leading and mentoring a business development team is key to ensuring that goals are met; recruiters look for candidates who can inspire and guide their teams effectively.
- Industry-specific knowledge: Recruiters prioritize candidates with a deep understanding of the relevant sector, as this knowledge allows for the identification of new opportunities and the anticipation of market trends.
- Networking and relationship-building expertise: Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, clients, and industry leaders is crucial for success in this role.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills: Articulating value propositions, persuading potential partners or clients, and closing deals are fundamental aspects of the role.
Greeting recruiters with your vp business development cover letter salutation
What better way to start your conversation with the hiring manager, than by greeting them?
Take the time to find out who the professional, recruiting for the role, is.
Search on LinkedIn, the company website. And for those still keen on making a fantastic first impression, you could even contact the organization, asking for the recruiter's name and more details about the job.
Address recruiters in the vp business development greeting by either their first name or last name. (e.g. "Dear Anthony" or "Dear Ms. Smarts").
If you're unable to discover the recruiter's name - don't go for the impersonal "To whom it may concern", but instead use "Dear HR team".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
- Dear [Department] Department,
- Esteemed Colleagues,
- Respected Hiring Committee,
The vp business development cover letter intro: aligning your interest with the company culture
You only have one chance at making a memorable first impression on recruiters with your vp business development cover letter.
Structure your introduction to be precise and to include no more than two sentences.
Here are some ideas on how to write a job-winning vp business development cover letter introduction:
- get creative - show off your personality from the get-go (if this aligns with the company culture);
- focus on your motivation - be specific when you say what gets you excited about this opportunity.
What comes next: your vp business development cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your vp business development cover letter) you have to prove your unique value.
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your vp business development cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Two ideas on how to end the final paragraph of your vp business development cover letter
Closing your vp business development cover letter, you want to leave a memorable impression on recruiters, that you're a responsible professional.
End your cover letter with how you envision your growth, as part of the company. Make realistic promises on what you plan to achieve, potentially, in the next six months to a year.
Before your signature, you could also signal hiring managers that you're available for the next steps. Or, a follow-up call, during which you could further clarify your experience or professional value.
Lacking experience: here's how to write your vp business development cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your vp business development cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
Winning recruiters over shouldn't be difficult if you use your vp business development cover letter to tell a story that:
- Is personalized by greeting your readers and focusing on key job skills greets;
- Isn't spread all over the place, but instead focuses on one key achievement and selling your value as a professional;
- Introduces your enthusiasm for the role, passion for the job, or creativity in communication;
- Is also visually appealing - meeting the best HR practices;
- Ends with a nod to the future and how you envision your growth, as part of the company.
