A retail cover letter can help you stand out above other job candidates as the best choice for a job in retail. Writing an effective retail cover letter will take a bit of research and effort, but it can be the deciding factor as to whether an employee calls you for an interview. Start by researching the retail job description carefully, and underline or highlight words and phrases that indicate the employer's needs. You will use these highlighted words and terms in your letter to ensure the employer sees how your skills and experiences will help the company move forward.
If you have relevant work experience, only a small portion of it will be mentioned in your retail cover letter. The rest will be included in your resumé, so you will not need to go into too much detail on the cover letter. Choose the two most relevant skills or experiences in relation to the employer's needs and focus on those in the letter. Try to be brief: limit your cover letter to three short paragraphs at most, and do not include any information that is not relevant to the job to which you are applying. Give specific examples of your accomplishments as they relate to what the employer is looking for in a job candidate.
Be sure to proofread your retail cover letter several times for spelling and grammatical errors. Retail employers will be looking for job candidates who pay attention to detail and who are exceptionally organized, and your retail cover letter will say a lot about your preparedness and willingness to put forth extra effort. Have a friend of family member read the letter to check for mistakes as well, and be sure to print the final draft on quality paper with quality ink.
Do not forget to mention any management experience you may have had in the past; this includes working as a team leader, store manager, shift manager, and so on. If you have won any awards or special recognition at past jobs, the cover letter may be a good place to mention them. If your cover letter is starting to run too long, cut out any information that is least relevant to the job for which you are applying. Once you are finished with the letter, be sure to thank the employer for his or her time, write a closing, and sign your name in ink. Do not forget to include all of your contact information so the employer can get a hold of you easily.