What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Remote Job

What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Remote Job What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Remote Job 6You need a cover letter. Are you groaning? I can’t blame you. Out of all of the eye roll-worthy tasks involved with job searching, pulling together a cover letter is usually the one that inspires the most dread. Figuring out exactly what you should highlight is a challenge, and that objective becomes even trickier when you’re applying for a remote role. What do you need to call attention to? What actually matters to these remote employers? How can you prove that you’re a qualified fit, while still standing out from all of the other competition? Here are four key things to include in a cover letter for a remote job: 1. Your experience working remotely. Much like with any other job search, your past experience is going to carry a lot of weight. So, if you already have some remote work under your belt, make sure that you call attention to that in your cover letter. By showing that you’ve already worked successfully in a remote environment, you’ll prove to the employer that you have suitable skills and can navigate the various challenges involved with not working side-by-side with your coworkers. I know what you’re thinking now: what if you don’t currently have any remote work experience? Don’t panic yet, and instead move on to the next key competency on this list. 2. Any skills relevant to remote work. Alright, so maybe you don’t have a long history of working remotely- that doesn’t mean you don’t have what it takes. Even if you have experience, it never hurts to shine the spotlight on some of your most relevant skills. But, this becomes even more important if you need to show that you’re a no-brainer fit- even when your past roles aren’t quite as traditional. Think through some of the skills that are necessary to work effectively and efficiently as a remote employee. You’re probably thinking of things like: Communication Time management Organization Self-motivation Do you possess any (or all) of those skills? Find ways that you can work those into your cover letter. Bonus points if you can include real examples of how you’ve used them to make a difference with past employers. 3. Your value. Here’s an important thing to remember: first and foremost, employers care that you can not only do the job, but that you can do it well. That’s why it’s important to spend most of your time focusing on the value you can provide for that company, as opposed to what they can do for you. It’s easy to fall victim to using your cover letter to talk about the benefits from landing that position. You want that job because you want better work-life balance. You want to be more available for your family. You want a job with increased flexibility, because you need to move a lot for your partner’s career. I get it- there’s no shortage of reasons why that role is perfect for you. But, you know what? That employer doesn’t care. So, resist the temptation to focus on what you’ll gain and turn your attention to what the employer will receive. The more you can use your cover letter to outline the undeniable value they’ll get from hiring you, the better off you’ll be. 4. A glimpse of your personality. Since you’re applying for a remote position, you might not have the benefit of getting to meet these people in person before you’re hired. While you still always need to remain polished and professional, it can be helpful to let a little of your personality shine through in your cover letter. Employers want a solid understanding of who you are, and that’s tough to ascertain from a generic cover letter. This doesn’t need to be anything over the top. Maybe you’ll start with a brief anecdote about how you discovered your passion for your career field. Or, maybe you’ll end with something clever. There are tons of different ways you could inject just a little life, and it’s a great way to set yourself apart. You might never look forward to drafting your cover letter, but it’s a task you’re going to have to tackle when you’re on the hunt for a new job. Make sure to emphasize these four qualities when applying for a remote role, and you’ll be that much more likely to present yourself as a no-brainer fit. Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- you’ll get a month free service and they’ll get 30% off!