Tom ReyesVP of SalesArcline Fleet Software410 North Wells Street, Suite 300Chicago, IL 60654
Application for Account Executive
Dear Tom Reyes,
I would like to apply for the Account Executive role at Arcline Fleet Software. I sell logistics software to mid-sized companies, and I have beaten my annual quota by 25% three years in a row.
Arcline sells to the same operations and fleet managers I talk to every week. I know their buying cycle, the objections they raise and how long a pilot needs to run before they sign.
At Keystone Logistics Software I have:
generated $1.8M in new revenue over three years
closed the largest deal in the company’s history, a three-year contract worth $450K
ranked in the top 10% of a 60-person sales team for six consecutive quarters
Earlier, at Prairie Office Supply, I grew an underperforming territory by 40% in a year and shortened the average sales cycle from 60 to 42 days, so I am used to building pipeline as well as closing it.
I would welcome a conversation about your targets for next year. Thank you for your time.
Opens in the editor with this letter. Change the company, the recipient and the paragraphs. No sign-up needed.
Why this letter works
01
Quota in the first two sentences
A sales leader’s first question is answered before anything else.
02
Same buyers, same cycle
His experience transfers because he already sells to the people Arcline sells to.
03
Consistency, not one lucky deal
Six quarters in the top 10% back up the record deal.
Paragraph by paragraph
What each paragraph does in the letter, with a short tip for that part.
Opening
I would like to apply for the Account Executive role at Arcline Fleet Software. I sell logistics software to mid-sized companies, and I have beaten my annual quota by 25% three years in a row.
Name the role and say in one or two sentences why you are a strong match. Skip "I am writing to apply for…": the reader already knows.
Why this company
Arcline sells to the same operations and fleet managers I talk to every week. I know their buying cycle, the objections they raise and how long a pilot needs to run before they sign.
Show you know who you are writing to: a product, a project, a value or a recent step of theirs, and why it matters to you. One specific detail beats three general compliments.
Evidence
At Keystone Logistics Software I have:
generated $1.8M in new revenue over three years
closed the largest deal in the company’s history, a three-year contract worth $450K
ranked in the top 10% of a 60-person sales team for six consecutive quarters
Pick one or two achievements that match the ad and tell them briefly: the situation, what you did and the result. Do not repeat your whole resume.
Evidence
Earlier, at Prairie Office Supply, I grew an underperforming territory by 40% in a year and shortened the average sales cycle from 60 to 42 days, so I am used to building pipeline as well as closing it.
Closing
I would welcome a conversation about your targets for next year. Thank you for your time.
Thank the reader, say you would welcome an interview and mention when you are available. Keep it short and confident; no need to apologise or beg.
Tips for sales representative cover letters
Lead with quota attainment and keep only numbers you can prove.
Name the buyers you sell to; hiring managers look for reps who already speak their customers’ language.