You’ve found your dream remote job. You filled out every field with ease. You fine-tuned your resume. But now? This company wants the dreaded cover letter.
Cover letters get a bad reputation in the job search process. But a solid cover letter can garner the attention of your dream employer. In this new normal, your remote hiring manager can see applicants from all over the country. It’s essential to stand out with a stellar cover letter.
Remote work isn’t going anywhere. 71% of employees wish to work remotely in some capacity, even after the pandemic is over. So, if you find a fully remote job that suits you, it’s time to bring your A-game. You’ve got a lot of competition out there! Optimize your cover letter and stand out using these tips.
Why Do Cover Letters Matter?
Despite what you may think of cover letters, they still matter in 2021! Cover letters bridge the gap between the position you’re applying for and your experience. Think of it this way. Your resume may give the hiring manager a good idea of your work experience and education. But the cover letter allows you to show off how great of a fit you are for the position.
The goal of the cover letter is simple. You want to show how you bring value to the table. Your cover letter might explain how you saved your current company $50,000 by implementing a new process. The cover letter allows you to expand on your accomplishments in a way that a resume can’t. It is also an opportunity to show how enthusiastic you are about the position.
Say you’re applying to a startup that helps pet owners and their animals. Interviewee #1 didn’t include a cover letter. They have experience volunteering at an animal shelter on their resume. But interviewee #2 has the same experience and wrote a cover letter. This applicant wrote that they foster pets in their spare time in the letter. They also reiterated their passion for the company’s mission to create a better world for animals. See which person is getting the interview?
What Do I Include in My Cover Letter for a Remote Job?
There are several important qualities for a good remote job cover letter. You must show how well you fit the job description. But you must also demonstrate how you can stand out remotely.
1. Experience Working Remotely
Worked remotely during the pandemic? Bring this up. Remote employers need their future employees to understand how to work independently. Note any communication technology that you’re proficient in, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Give the hiring manager peace of mind that you can resolve any technical issues that may arise. You won’t have a convenient IT team at home! Additionally, highlight the skills you have to get the job done well remotely. If you haven’t worked remotely before, you’ll want to highlight your skills.
2. Soft and Hard Skills
If your future job requires you to know how to use Tableau or Python, tell the hiring manager that you know how to do that. Hard skills are a must depending on your industry! But never skimp on your soft skills. Especially for a remote position. Good remote workers need to have great communication skills. You also will want to highlight your self-sufficiency. Hiring managers want to ensure they’re hiring self-starters. Workers who stay ambitious in a remote environment are ideal.
3. Optimized Experience from Job Description
When writing your cover letter, the job description is your best friend. Highlight the main keywords from the job description and examine your resume. Are there any areas where you’re lacking? The cover letter is a good opportunity to explain work experience that may not be obvious from your resume. On the flip side, if you have an awesome strength that the job description explicitly calls for, reiterate that! Draw direct links from the job description to your experience. Your cover letter can make your application a slam dunk for the hiring manager!
4. Value to the Company
Even though you’re a hardworking, intelligent employee, your hiring manager needs more. They want to know how you can apply your qualities to the company. It’s essential to do comprehensive research on the company you’re applying to. Demonstrate that you understand what the company needs. Use the cover letter to tell the hiring manager how you can help fill their skill gap.
5. Clear Call to Action
After writing a killer cover letter, you need to end it with a clear call to action. Reiterate how excited you are about this position and politely ask for an interview. Include your phone number and email, so the hiring manager can easily contact you. This final pitch will make you come off as confident and hirable!
What to Leave Out of a Remote Job Cover Letter
Some things are better left unsaid. Don’t jeopardize your cover letter’s success with useless or harmful information. Proofread that your letter has none of the following.
1. Irrelevant Details
Make sure your cover letter is concise. You don’t want to add unrelated No need to describe in-depth why you’d love to work remotely. Personal details should also be kept to a minimum. It may be nice to no longer have a commute, but don’t tell the hiring manager that! Keep the cover letter related to your value.
2. Half-Truths
While the cover letter is a pitch, it needs to be truthful. Do not lie about any of the qualifications you have. For example, you should never lie about having remote work experience if that isn’t true. Stick to the facts of your work experience. Be confident about them! But never lie for the sake of getting the job. It’s unethical and damaging to your reputation.
3. Bad-Mouthing Current Employer
Maybe your current employer is insistent on going back to the office. This might be the main reason you’re applying elsewhere. The hiring manager doesn’t need to know that in the cover letter! Don’t bad-mouth current or past employers in your cover letter. This severely damages your reputation. Keep things positive and professional. Focus on the positive outlook for the job you’re applying for instead.
4. Typos
It’s obvious, but it happens! Make sure there are no typos or misspellings in your resume. Run through your cover letter a few times before sending it. Also, be sure that you didn’t misspell the hiring manager’s name. If you’re sending out multiple cover letters, make sure you’re addressing them to the correct company. You don’t want your letter to be thrown out right off the bat!
5. A Regurgitation of your Resume
The cover letter’s purpose is to bridge the gap between you and your resume. Don’t waste the opportunity by summarizing everything the hiring manager just read on your resume. Use the cover letter to highlight the value your resume can’t. Display your passion and major accomplishments. Otherwise, the cover letter is a snore!
Remote Job Cover Letter Example
Cover letters are specific to your industry. This cover letter is an example of a remote non-profit position. The job seeker researched the company. The applicant highlights their personal connection to their mission.
Hello (Hiring Manager’s First Name),
I volunteered with (company name) in 2018 by contacting eligible SNAP recipients using the proprietary app. Even when the program ended, I remained captivated by (company name’s) unique model to give people the SNAP benefits they rightfully deserved. I was elated to see an opening on your website. I would love to continue your mission as Growth & Development Manager. Currently, I am a Development Director at (current company name). I also spent over five years redesigning branding materials for (past company name) as a Marketing Specialist. My skills in development, marketing, and communication make me an ideal fit for your open role.
I believe the ideal candidate for this job is experienced in both development and marketing. I have five years of remote experience in both fields. I am well-equipped to communicate well with a team. Furthermore, I can also organize my time effectively in this remote position. My recent accomplishments include:
- Strategized funds in our donor database, helping raise over $4,000 for Giving Tuesday.
- Redesigned digital marketing materials, resulting in a 34% increase in downloads.
- Designed SEO strategy for (company’s website). Receiving a 54% increase in organic search traffic in two weeks
I would love to speak with you more in a formal interview setting. You can reach me at (phone number) and (email). Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Name)
Demystified Remote Work Cover Letters
Cover letters aren’t the enemy. In fact, they’re effective tools to bring your application to the forefront. Get the attention of a busy hiring manager! Use the cover letter to highlight your experience and stand out as a unique candidate. Remote jobs are highly coveted in 2021. It is more important than ever to show enthusiasm for the position. Your dream job is around the corner!
If you liked this guide, take a look at:
- How to write a remote work friendly resume: The Guide for an outstanding remote CV
- Top Skills to Include in Your Resume as a Remote Based Professional
- 5 video job interview mistakes to avoid at all costs
- The best laptops for working from home or to work remotely as a digital nomad
- 7 Tips On Effectively Emailing For Remote-Working Professionals
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