Embarking on your freelance editor journey, you've likely noticed that a standout cover letter is a must alongside your resume. It's not just a rehash of your accolades but a window into your proudest professional moment, spun into a compelling narrative. Writing this formal yet uniquely personal letter can feel like walking a tightrope—dodging clichés while fitting your story neatly on one page. Unlock the secret to a cover letter that captures attention without overstepping that critical one-page mark.
- Writing the essential freelance editor cover letter sections: balancing your professionalism and personality;
- Mixing storytelling, your unique skill set, and your greatest achievement;
- Providing relevant (and interesting) information with your freelance editor cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
- Finding the perfect format for your[ freelance editor cover letter, using templates from industry experts.
Leverage the power of Enhancv's AI: upload your resume and our platform will map out how your freelance editor cover letter should look, in mere moments.
If the freelance editor isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Freelance Editor cover letter example
Mia Williams
Fort Worth, Texas
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasizing measurable results, such as the 40% surge in client engagement and a 15% annual growth in specialized project requests, directly connects past achievements to potential future contributions, showcasing the ability to deliver impactful outcomes.
- Highlighting leadership experience in directing a video editing team aligns with the responsibilities expected in a senior-level role, demonstrating readiness to take on a similar or greater level of responsibility within the new company.
- Mentioning the specific type of content (docu-style series) provides a clear example of relevant work, which shows the applicant's expertise and understanding of the industry, possibly matching the kind of projects the new company specializes in.
The must-have sections and format of your freelance editor cover letter
When writing your freelance editor cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:
- Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
- Personalized salutation;
- Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
- Middle paragraph with key details;
- Closing that starts from clichés;
- Sign off (that's not mandatory).
Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your freelance editor cover letter, refer to one of our templates, which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.
Choose the same font for your freelance editor cover letter as you did for your resume: the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.
Export your whole freelance editor cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.
The top sections on a freelance editor cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information at the top of the letter; it's crucial for ensuring the recruiter can easily follow up with you after reviewing your application.
- Opening Greeting: Use a professional salutation to address the recruiter or hiring manager, which sets a respectful tone for your cover letter.
- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and state your interest in the freelance editing position, mentioning where you found the job listing to convey your genuine enthusiasm for this specific opportunity.
- Editing Experience and Skills Body: Highlight your relevant editing experience, expertise in various editing styles (e.g., APA, Chicago), and proficiency with editing tools, which are all pertinent to demonstrating your capability for the role.
- Closing and Call to Action: End your cover letter with a polite conclusion, reiterating your interest in the position and inviting the recruiter to contact you, which subtly prompts further communication.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Attention to Detail: Essential for catching grammatical, punctuation, and formatting errors to ensure the final content is polished and error-free.
Strong Grasp of Language and Grammar: Mastery of language rules and nuances is crucial for effectively editing and enhancing the clarity and readability of texts.
Experience in Relevant Fields or Genres: Familiarity with the specific content area or genre (academic, technical, fiction, etc.) is important to understand the context and intended audience.
Ability to Maintain Author Voice: The skill to make revisions without altering the author's intended tone or style is critical in maintaining the authenticity of the work.
Time Management and Meeting Deadlines: Efficiency and punctuality in handling projects, with a track record of meeting editorial deadlines.
Excellent Communication Skills: Capability to provide clear, constructive feedback to writers and to collaborate effectively with clients and other members of the editorial team.
How to greet recruiters in your freelance editor cover letter salutation
As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Write your freelance editor cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:
- greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
- using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
- writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.
Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.
In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
- Dear [Editor-in-Chief],
- Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
- Dear [Managing Editor],
- Dear [Publication Name] Team,
- Dear [First Name]
The freelance editor cover letter intro: aligning your interest with the company culture
You only have one chance at making a memorable first impression on recruiters with your freelance editor cover letter.
Structure your introduction to be precise and to include no more than two sentences.
Here are some ideas on how to write a job-winning freelance editor cover letter introduction:
- get creative - show off your personality from the get-go (if this aligns with the company culture);
- focus on your motivation - be specific when you say what gets you excited about this opportunity.
How to write an achievement-focused freelance editor cover letter body
We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your freelance editor cover letter - the body.
In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.
What better way to do this than by storytelling?
And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.
Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.
Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.
Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.
The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.
Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action
You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your freelance editor cover letter.
But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?
Most freelance editor professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.
Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).
Choose to close your freelance editor cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.
Freelance Editor cover letter advice for candidates with no experience
If you're worried about writing your Freelance Editor cover letter and have no professional experience, we sure have some advice for you.
Turn recruiters' attention to your transferable or relevant skills gained thanks to your life and work experience.
Instead of writing about past jobs, focus on one achievement (whether from your volunteering experience, education, etc.) and the skills it has helped you build.
Alternatively, you could focus your Freelance Editor cover letter on your career objectives and goals. Always remember to make those relevant to the job you're applying for by detailing how you see yourself growing as part of the company.
Recruiters would be way more impressed with candidates who fit the job profile and can bring about plenty of skills and vision to the table.
Key takeaways
Winning at your job application game starts with a clear and concise freelance editor cover letter that:
- Has single-spaced paragraphs, is wrapped in a one-inch margin, and uses the same font as the freelance editor resume;
- Is personalized to the recruiter (using their name in the greeting) and the role (focusing on your one key achievement that answers job requirements);
- Includes an introduction that helps you stand out and show what value you'd bring to the company;
- Substitutes your lack of experience with an outside-of-work success, that has taught you valuable skills;
- Ends with a call for follow-up or hints at how you'd improve the organization, team, or role.
