As you step into the world of freelance journalism, you'll quickly learn that a compelling cover letter is your secret weapon for standing out. You've polished your resume and started applying for gigs, only to be met with the request for a cover letter—a stumbling block for many. This isn't just a resume echo; it's your chance to spotlight your greatest professional triumph through a riveting narrative. Remember to keep it concise and genuine—no clichés allowed—and within one page, you'll have penned an introduction that's impossible to ignore.
- Step your best foot forward in the freelance journalist cover letter introduction;
- Be inspired by other professionals' certified cover letters;
- Structure your freelance journalist cover letter to feature what matters most;
- Close off your freelance journalist cover letter to make a memorable impression on recruiters.
But where to start writing? Upload your resume into Enhancv's AI, which will prepare your freelance journalist cover letter (all you need to do is personalize it, and you'll be good to go).
If the freelance journalist 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 Journalist cover letter example
Anthony Harris
Washington, D.C.
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Tailoring Experience to Job Relevance: The cover letter showcases how previous successes, such as leading a content team to increase web traffic and engagement, directly align with the needs of the prospective company, emphasizing the candidate's suitability for the role.
- Demonstration of Impactful Results: It highlights quantitative outcomes such as a 25% surge in web traffic, a 40% rise in social media engagement, and a 50% increase in lead generation, conveying the candidate's ability to produce tangible and beneficial results.
- Strategic Content Creation: The cover letter references the production of over 50 short-form videos, hinting at the candidate's proficiency in creating targeted content that enhances brand identity and customer engagement, a key skill for a media-related role.
- Expression of Alignment and Enthusiasm: It communicates the candidate's eagerness to join the team and contribute to the company's success, suggesting a good fit with the company's culture and goals.
What should your freelance journalist cover letter look like - formatting and organizing your information
Have you ever wondered what are the must-have sections you need to include in your freelance journalist cover letter? Our builder sets those up for you with:
- Header - dedicated to your contact information, the role you're applying for, and the date (don't forget to include your name);
- Greeting and opening paragraph - to create a personalized and memorable experience for recruiters;
- Body paragraph - emphasizing your skill set and knowledge that aligns with the role and helps you to stand out;
- Closing paragraph - leaving a great impression and ending with an optional signature.
Use a cover letter template to discover the best formatting for your freelance journalist cover letter: that is single-spaced paragraphs and wrapping your content in a one-inch margin.
Ensure that both your resume and freelance journalist cover letter are in the same font. Stand apart from the crowd by using modern, yet simple fonts, like Chivo and Rubik, instead of the overused Arial and Times New Roman.
Did you know that the Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your freelance journalist cover letter? Instead, submit your profile in PDF to recruiters to keep the same formatting and the design intact.
The top sections on a freelance journalist cover letter
- Header: This section includes your contact information, the date, and the recruiter's details, providing a professional look and making it easy for the recruiter to contact you.
- Greeting: Address the recruiter or editor by name, which shows you've done your research and are making a personal connection.
- Introduction: Begin with a compelling opening that highlights your passion for journalism and any relevant accomplishments or expertise that demonstrates your suitability for the freelance role.
- Body: In one or two paragraphs, elaborate on your journalism experience, specific stories or beats you've covered, and your ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and adapt to various topics and styles, which are all crucial for a freelancer.
- Closing: Conclude with a strong closing statement that reiterates your enthusiasm for contributing to the publication and an invitation to discuss potential story ideas or assignments, demonstrating your proactive approach and readiness to engage.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strong writing and storytelling skills: To craft compelling articles that engage readers and convey complex information clearly and creatively.
- Investigative tenacity and research abilities: To dig deep into a story, uncover facts, and provide in-depth coverage on various topics.
- Adaptability and versatility in writing styles: To switch between different subjects, voices, and content formats, tailored to various publications and audiences.
- Social media and digital platform proficiency: To share content, engage with readers, and stay current with how stories are consumed online.
- Networking and source development: To cultivate contacts that can provide exclusive insights, leads, and credibility to their reporting.
- Deadline-driven work ethic: To manage time effectively and consistently meet submission deadlines, which is critical for timeliness in news reporting.
How to greet recruiters in your freelance journalist cover letter salutation
As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Write your freelance journalist 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 [Editor's Name],
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Publication Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Director,
- Dear [Publication Name] Editor,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
Your freelance journalist cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your freelance journalist cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your freelance journalist cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your freelance journalist cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
What comes next: your freelance journalist cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your freelance journalist cover letter) you have to prove your unique value.
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your freelance journalist cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Time to wrap up your freelance journalist cover letter
Writing the closing paragraph of your freelance journalist cover letter is just as important as the salutation.
You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.
Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.
Otherwise, you could also conclude your freelance journalist cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?
What to write on your freelance journalist cover letter, when you have zero experience
The best advice for candidates, writing their freelance journalist cover letters with no experience, is this - be honest.
If you have no past professional roles in your portfolio, focus recruiters' attention on your strengths - like your unique, transferrable skill set (gained as a result of your whole life), backed up by one key achievement.
Or, maybe you dream big and have huge motivation to join the company. Use your freelance journalist cover letter to describe your career ambition - that one that keeps you up at night, dreaming about your future.
Finally, always ensure you've answered why employers should hire precisely you and how your skills would benefit their organization.
Key takeaways
Creating your freelance journalist cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:
- Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
- Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
- Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
- Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
- End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.
