Landing your dream remote job may seem next to impossible, but one step towards the success you have always longed for is to write an impressive cover letter. This document gives you the chance to introduce and sell yourself to your prospective employer. 

To set yourself apart from the rest of the applicants and get the best chance of getting an interview, here are some clever ways you can follow to make your cover letter stand out:

Make your cover letter as personalized as possible

The salutation in your cover letter is important. While starting with “Dear” makes a good enough salutation, prioritize making it as personalized as possible. Therefore, avoid using the generic, vague opening statement, “To whom it may concern.”

Knowing your contact person’s name shows that you are resourceful and you care about your prospective employer. Verify their appropriate contact name, use it in your cover letter’s greeting, and include a formal title when you can. If you don’t know the HR manager or hiring manager’s name, try conducting a search online. Many companies’ LinkedIn pages or websites will have this information. 

Should you be unable to find a name to use in your cover letter, use a general salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager”. Try to avoid mistakes like using a gender-specific term when you aren’t sure of the person’s gender. Additionally, avoid starting off with “To Whom This May Concern”—this often seems dated and may not help you put your best foot forward.

Define your purpose

State why you are applying for the position. You can also indicate how you found out about the job, especially if a current employee referred you. 

This is your chance to showcase why you think this role at this company is ideal for you. Mention how your skills, knowledge, and experience will be an asset to your prospective employer. Avoid describing yourself with overused words, like “passionate” or “team player.” instead, show off your abilities with descriptive statements.

Use the STAR method

Your cover letter’s body is the part where you will explain why you are the perfect person for the work-from-home job you are applying for. A good rule of thumb is to allot two to three paragraphs for the body.

Use the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. All you need to do is describe a career situation you faced, the tasks you handled, the actions you took, and the results. This approach can also be used in job interviews. 

Indicate how you can help them

While the cover letter is all about you, consider including what you can do for the company. This way, your job application can stand out from the rest. For instance, if you are applying for a growth marketing position, be sure to mention results you have brought about in your past roles. Showcasing the numbers will definitely act in your favor! Securing a growth marketing role in any industry is much easier when you have proven results under your belt. A portfolio and a few lines on how your skills align with their needs can help you stand out from the crowd.

Incorporate relevant keywords

Read the job posting carefully and notice the words or phrases that are often repeated. These may be keywords that are likely important to your prospective employer, so identify them and include them in your cover letter.

Conclusion

Getting the hiring team to notice you can be challenging, especially if you are competing against lots of other qualified candidates. Although there are no guarantees that you will land the job, following the clever ways to make your cover letter stand out will surely improve your chances of being scheduled for a job interview.

Whether you are a candidate looking for a remote job or an employer searching for top remote workers, you can depend on us at Tamborin. We provide professionals with job opportunities, hiring solutions, resources, and support. Sign up today to get started in reaching your career goals!