If needed, you could transform a cuddly pile of kittens into a synchronized swimming team, all on a $100 budget. But you’d still prefer to manage projects with passionate teams, easy-to-please stakeholders, and generous budgets.
Guess what? You’re not alone. There are so many candidates competing for good project manager jobs that your job application really needs to stand out. So you need an excellent cover letter that shows you’re the exact person the company needs.
But how do you write one? Let’s treat cover letter writing like a project and break it down into smaller steps. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a complex WBS—more like an actionable to-do list.
This guide will show you:
- A project manager cover letter sample better than 9 out of 10 others.
- Project manager cover letter examples that let you plug in your core strengths.
- The workplan for how to write a cover letter for project management positions.
- Why the right few achievements prove you’re the biggest shark in the tank.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Cover letter sample for a resume—See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.
Project Manager Cover Letter Example
Shirley W. Rankin
Project Manager
222 St Mary’s Rd
Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6
204-999-2340
shirley.w.rankin@eeemaill.com
linkedin.com/in/shirleyrankin-182
Winnipeg, 3/3/2022
Wesley L. West
HR Manager
Hivaro Ltd.
3789 Manitoba Street
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2B7
Dear Mr. West,
I was thrilled to learn about the job opening for a project manager at Hivaro. Back in my time at Enginora, I cut project costs by $50,000 while maintaining scope and deadlines—and I’m eager to ensure that Hivaro’s new projects are even more spectacularly successful.
In the job ad, you say you’re looking for a project manager who has outstanding communication skills, expertise in cost management, and the ability to make quick decisions while managing multiple projects of varying scope. Here’s what I’ve achieved throughout my career so far:
- Collaborated with all stakeholders to design an accelerated project roadmap, saving 10% on expenditures and completing the project two months before the deadline
- Managed three projects simultaneously, without compromising on the results
- Streamlined product cycles, leading to a 10% reduction in cost
I’ve always admired Hivaro’s products for their reliability and cost-effectiveness—and I’m eager to make sure that your projects are managed in accordance with the same values.
Can we schedule a call to discuss how I can leverage my expertise to boost Hivaro’s business KPIs?
Best Regards,
Shirley W. Rankin, Project Manager
PS. I should tell you how I was brought in to manage a failing project and got it back on track within a month (and even managed to reduce costs by $10,000).
1. Use the Best Cover Letter Template for a Project Manager
You want the recruiter to look at your cover letter and think, “Wow, this person can organize anything”.
You can achieve this effect with an exceptionally neat and professional cover letter format.
First, set up the page: even margins, a classic font, a line spacing of 1 or 1.15.
Then, get ready to craft a header and four paragraphs of text. Here’s what your project manager cover letter will look like:
How to Structure a Project Manager Cover Letter
- Your contact info
- Your city and the date
- The hiring manager’s contact info
- Dear Mr./Ms. X…
- Paragraph 1: introduction and a big achievement
- Paragraph 2: your key skills and achievements that explain why you fit the job
- Paragraph 3: why you want this particular job
- Paragraph 4: your call to action
- Best regards + your name + title
- A P.S. that adds value or hints at something interesting
This is a simple, easy-to-follow template that reliably gets your point across. Everyone loves project managers who communicate clearly, right?
2. Open Your Project Manager Cover Letter Right
The header of your cover letter is not what you’d call fascinating, but it needs to be well-organized and error-free. Especially since you’re applying for a job that requires excellent organizational skills.
Start with your name, title, and contact information. Then, write the name of your city and the date.
After that, write the hiring manager’s name, exact job title, company name, and business address.
Yes, it’s important to address your cover letter to a specific person. People, including hiring managers, like to read letters that have their name on them.
If the job ad doesn’t have the hiring manager’s name in it, then do a quick Google search, explore LinkedIn, or just call the company to find out who’s responsible for the hiring process.
Just do whatever you can to avoid addressing your cover letter to a mysterious entity called “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”. You’re not applying for a job in the 18th century.
After you’ve mastered the header, start with “Dear Mr./Ms. X” and then write a paragraph that they just can’t resist reading. Drop a name or start with a big career achievement. Make sure to target your offer directly to the company to which you’re applying.
Project Manager Cover Letter Samples [First Paragraph]
This PM cover letter is bound to have a high success rate.
| RIGHT |
|---|
Shirley W. Rankin Project Manager 222 St Mary’s Rd Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6 204-999-2340 shirley.w.rankin@eeemaill.com linkedin.com/in/shirleyrankin-182
Winnipeg, 3/3/2022
Wesley L. West HR Manager Hivaro Ltd. 3789 Manitoba Street Bracebridge, ON P1L 2B7
Dear Mr. West,
I was thrilled to learn about the job opening for a project manager at Hivaro. Back in my time at Enginora, I cut project costs by $50,000 while maintaining scope and deadlines—and I’m eager to ensure that Hivaro’s new projects are even more spectacularly successful. |
One does not simply ignore a paragraph that mentions 50 thousand dollars.
What about this one?
| WRONG |
|---|
I’m writing to apply for a job as a project manager. I’ve managed a lot of projects in the past and had a good success rate. I’ve worked with many teams and I think I’ll fit into your team, too. |
So what?
Saying that you’ve done a lot of stuff doesn’t add any value to your cover letter. This candidate didn’t give any specific proof that they were actually good at their job.
So the recruiter can assume that the candidate was not good at their job. After all, there must be something wrong with a project manager who talks about their projects and doesn’t include business metrics.
Well… but what if you’re just starting out and can’t say you saved your company $50,000? Can you get hired if you have no experience?
Entry-Level Project Manager Cover Letter Sample
Even if you’re applying for an entry-level position, you still need to grab the reader’s attention with something. Here are some strategies you can use:
- Drop a name
- Congratulate the reader on a recent company achievement (like getting an award)
- Tell a fact that shows your passion for this particular company
Like this:
| RIGHT |
|---|
Mr. Smith suggested I apply—he remembers how I introduced a new system for tracking work hours in my team and boosted performance by 20%. I’m eager to apply my organizational skills and passion for optimizing business processes to managing projects at Sockheel Co. |
This candidate used to have a different job, but some of their skills and achievements make them a promising project manager.
3. Write The Next Two Paragraphs of Your Project Manager Cover Letter
In this step, you’ll write two paragraphs.
The first one shows why you’re the best person for this job.
The second one shows why you’re passionate about this specific job opening.
Let’s break these paragraphs down into smaller to-dos:
- Show your understanding of the company’s unique requirements
- Prove that you fit those requirements by listing a few relevant achievements
- Compliment the company and show that you want to work for them, not for just any employer
Now, we’ll take a closer look at two examples.
| RIGHT |
|---|
In the job ad, you say you’re looking for a project manager who has outstanding communication skills, expertise in cost management, and the ability to make quick decisions while managing multiple projects of varying scope. Here’s what I’ve achieved throughout my career so far:
I’ve always admired Hivaro’s products for their reliability and cost-effectiveness—and I’m eager to make sure that your projects are managed in accordance with the same values. |
See? The candidate proves they’re the right person for this job and explains why they care about this particular company.
But what about this cover letter?
| WRONG |
|---|
I think I’ll be a good fit because I can think outside the box and I have great project management skills. I love managing projects because I’m passionate about achieving business results. |
Hmm. This cover letter is doomed because it’s just a bunch of meaningless clichés. Don’t be like this candidate.
When making a resume and a cover letter in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
4. End Your Project Manager Cover Letter With a Powerful Call to Action
What’s the purpose of your cover letter?
To compel the reader to take a specific action: namely, to invite you to a call or a meeting.
So… just ask them. You’re a project manager, remember? It’s literally your job to make sure people do the things they should do.
To avoid sounding needy, combine your request with a promise to talk about the value you’ll bring to the company.
Then, sign off with a classic formula like “Best regards”.
You can also add a P. S. where you share another epic achievement or promise to tell the reader an intriguing story. Here’s an example:
Sample Cover Letter for Project Managers [Ending]
| RIGHT |
|---|
Can we schedule a call to discuss how I can leverage my expertise to boost Hivaro’s business KPIs?
Best Regards, Shirley W. Rankin, Project Manager
PS. I should tell you how I was brought in to manage a failing project and got it back on track within a month (and even managed to reduce costs by $10,000). |
This cover letter ends with a confident call to action and a “bonus” achievement after the signature. Just what you need to impress the recruiter and compel them to call back.
What about this one?
| WRONG |
|---|
Please call me back because I think I’m a good fit for the company and I need this job ASAP. |
Not good. This sounds both needy and bossy at the same time—not confident and professional.
Well, congratulations! Your cover letter project is coming to an end. If you’ve been following the guide, you’ve come up with somewhere between 200–400 words. This is a good cover letter length to aim for. Anything more than that is probably scope creep—make sure you’re not including any irrelevant information!
If you’d like an in-depth look at cover letter writing, take a look at our complete guide on how to write a cover letter.
But remember that your job application won’t be complete without a powerful resume. If your resume isn’t better than everyone else’s, your cover letter alone won’t land you the job.
A great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Let’s go through the steps for writing a project manager cover letter once again:
- Opt for a professional cover letter format
- Start your cover letter with an attention-grabbing achievement
- Prove that you’ve excelled at your job duties before and you’re going to excel at them when you get hired
- End with a call to action
Want more info on how to write a great cover letter for a project manager? Got a question? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
