Cover Letters Types And Samples: Fill & Download for Free

I hire online freelancers regularly to complete tasks for a number of startups I’ve work for. I’ve used them for article writing and editing, graphic design, social media content creation and curating third party content, and web research. But I have no experience in using online freelancers for UI design.This is the process of how I select which online freelancer to hire for a job. I have a checklist and the online freelancer has to meet every point on that list. As soon as a job application doesn’t respond to a point in the checklist I stop reading and move on to the next application. The cover letter is the first point in the checklist, but not the only point.I hope I’m right to respond to this question in the context of how to get more replies to job applications in general, not just based on the cover letter, however that is also included here. You look like you already have an impressive portfolio, so the key here is to provide the same quality response to each step in the freelancer selection process.1. Cover LetterThe worst thing an online freelancer can do for a cover letter is to write a generic cover letter which is copied and pasted into numerous job applications. I can spot these straight away. I would say about 60% of cover letters I receive are generic.Respond to unique requirements of the job brief. If you are experienced in this type of service you should be able to pick what makes this job unique or challenging. Address these points outright and highlight how you are best positioned to deal with these intricacies e.g. similarities with past jobs.Ask the client questions to clarify any vague details in the job brief. I appreciate when the freelancer can add value and pays attention to the job requirements and my needs as a client.2. Freelancer ProfileYour profile should highlight your niche skills (hard and soft skills), past work experience, and relevant client testimonials. It is a common error for beginners to market themselves as a generalist, however credibility is built on niche offerings and specialist expertise rather than someone who claims they can do everything.Write concisely. As a client I don’t have time to waste and want to know the important details quickly. I quickly get an impression of the freelancer from skimming the text.Be a master of written English. (This doesn’t appear to be an issue with you, but for others considering online freelancing reading this response it may be.)Your ability to communicate is the package in which you deliver your freelancing skills as a product. Develop your written communication skills. Learn to recognise the different tones that clients use and mimic how they communicate, whether it’s formal, professional, or friendly. Communication is key to understanding client needs and delivering an outstanding customer service.Online reputation can be quickly assessed based on how many five stars (or similar rating system) a freelancer has on their profile. I am reluctant to hire a freelancer with no stars. Unless I’m struggling to find a freelancer who can deliver to strict timeframes and the value of the project is not too much. The volume of five stars you have means that other clients have been satisfied with the quality of your work. It also means that you have a lot to lose from delivering poorly. This is valued highly in the online freelancer marketplace. However, the quality of your portfolio and client testimonials may negate this beginner’s issue.3. PortfolioSubmit relevant samples of your work.A helpful extra would be to provide and highlight relevant and specific client testimonials.4. InterviewKnow your limits. Don’t claim to be able to do everything. If a client asks whether you can do an additional task, be honest and clarify where you have expertise and where you have no experience in a task. They may be testing to see whether you find it difficult to say no or whether you claim to provide services outside of your domain. (This is not a common issue in English speaking cultures, but it can be an important point in cultures that have difficulty saying no.)Some quick pieces of advice:I often hire multiple freelancers to complete mini jobsbefore selecting the best freelancer/s for the bigger job or ongoing job. I use the mini jobs as a test to see how the freelancer works and communicates.Depending on the service you provide, if you are offering a premium service and targeting premium end clients you may be interested in improving your online professional brand by having a complete, comprehensive and engaging LinkedIn profile and/or a blogthat provides a more comprehensive portfolio and client testimonials to further support to your freelancer platform profile.If you are interested in entering the world of Upwork, here is an interesting quote from Ryan Johnson, the categories director of Upwork:A common mistake that newbies make is they create a profile that presents them as a generalist, and as a result it is hard for them to find work.What freelancers should instead do is position themselves as an expert in one of the more than 3,000 listable skills, as that’s who clients want to hire. The various elements of your profile – your overview, your description of your educational achievements and work experience, and your introduction video – may help you develop your branding for this particular expertise.It can be tough to get your first job but it’s important to keep at it just like any other job search. You may consider starting with a lower hourly rate until you build up your portfolio and then give yourself a raise.

In the US, an application for an faculty job usually has several parts: statement of interest in the position, research statement, teaching philosophy, CV, letters of recommendation, and sometimes a diversity statement. In the humanities and social sciences, one usually also provides a writing sample (a single-authored published article or thesis chapter one has written is typical).Sometimes applicants will structure the cover letter to be simply the brief statement of interest in the position. In this case, it states which position one is applying for (to ensure there is no confusion about whether the person’s application has arrived at the correct search committee), why one thinks one is a good match for the advertised position, and how eager one is to work with people already in the department and contribute to the department’s mission. If the ad stated that the position is primarily research focused, the cover letter should make clear that the applicant is a serious scholar; if the ad mentioned that teaching is important, the letter should convey the applicant’s interest in teaching. A cover letter of this short type is necessary and should be written with care — but it is not sufficient, on its own, to win the position.In other cases, an applicant may write a long cover letter that has subsections functioning as the research statement, teaching statement, etc. In this case, the cover letter has expanded to cover some of the central parts of the application and the information it conveys will be absolutely crucial to the candidate’s success at being chosen for an interview.

I think that if you are sending an application via email, The body of the email itself IS your cover letter. You should write it carefully and thoughtfully and respectfully, as you would a normal cover letter. In my opinion, there is no need to attach a cover letter separately, or to send one separately. That would basically repeat what you’ve said in your email, right?If you’re talking about sending a physical cover letter/resume in addition to sending these things via email, again, I think it’s repetition and overkill. Sending multiple copies of the same information can come across as desperate and unprofessional. You should probably just choose one or the other: physical copy, or electronic copy.When you decide that you’d like to apply for a job, look at your options for applying. If you send an email, can you be sure that it will be read? If not, is it possible to send a physical application or drop one off in person? Which would the company prefer that you do, and why? Would it make an impression if you deliver a physical application, or would it just annoy the employer?Job applications are situational. For some types of jobs, there’s no way but to apply online using a form or email. For others, it’s better to walk in and introduce yourself to have a better chance. No one can tell you what’s the best option for what situation. You have to use the facts available to you to decide.This goes for cover letters and every other part of your application portfolio. Your resume, your samples, your headshots, the way you dress when you drop the application off…all of these depend on the type of job and the situation. There is no right answer.