How to Describe Supervisory Experience in a Cover Letter

In a cover letter describing your supervisory experience, it's unnecessary and often frowned upon to provide a laundry list of supervisory duties in previous jobs. An effective cover letter provides a snapshot of your work history and your capabilities in leading employee teams and work groups. It also contains a blend of concrete examples of strong performance as a supervisor and a summary of how you function from an employee-focused standpoint.

Brief Introduction

Begin your cover letter with a career objective. Because you intend to describe supervisory experience in your cover letter, your objective is either another supervisory role or a management position based on your past performance as a supervisor.

To supervise and lead the sales team at Widget, Inc. to capture a larger market share through applying my knowledge of customer relationship management software and creative marketing.

Job History

State the job title and company if it's relevant to the job for which you're applying. For example, if you're in the health care industry and have worked for one of the most prominent hospitals in the area, indicate that in your description. Likewise, if you have been a supervisor for a company known for its ultra-selective hiring practices, use the company name.

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Examples of Selling Yourself in an Interview

For the past five years, I've been a supervisor for Acme Corporation, a multinational company recognized for its diverse employee base and earnings that exceed every other company in the U.S. home-improvement and contracting industries.

This is an effective technique because it says that you were suitably qualified to be hired by a well-recognized organization with tough selection criteria.

Supervisory Skills

Describe your previous supervisory duties as succinctly as possible. Ideally, a cover letter is about three to four paragraphs long. Its purpose is to compel the reader to learn more about your skills, expertise and qualifications. Therefore, don't recount every supervisory position you've held. Focus on one or two achievements from your previous jobs.

In my previous role with Acme Corporation, I supervised the team responsible for producing three types of automotive accessories. Throughout the life of those production projects, my team maintained 100 percent workplace safety rating.

Supervisory Accomplishments

Mention three to four supervisory duties you hold in your current position. Categorize them into groups, such as staff-related duties, if the company you're applying to values supervisors who can handle employee-focused responsibilities. Indicate that your tasks include interacting with staff in creating work schedules, preparing job performance appraisals, providing on-the-job support and training for new employees and maintaining department records. Include your functional expertise, particularly if you were promoted to supervisor based on your job skills and proficiency.

I was promoted from production employee to production supervisor within one year. In my current role as production supervisor, I provide new-employee orientation on operating complex production equipment. Also, I prepare weekly schedules for 100-plus employees and conduct annual performance appraisals.

Results and Outcomes

Explain how your supervisory role impacted the organization. Demonstrate that you are invested in the success of the organization.

In all of my supervisory roles, I supported employee engagement on the most basic levels through providing continuous feedback to employees, recognizing their strengths and developing their weaknesses. As a result, the departments I've supervised in the past five years have had zero turnover.

Closing

Close your cover letter by restating your interest in the company and the job available, and indicate that you'll follow up on your interest soon with a phone call.

I am eager to join your dynamic team as a lead supervisor. Thank you in advance for carefully revieiwing my application. I will follow up within the next three days for further information on the hiring process.