This post, like the first one, was first published on Facebook Groups for online freelancers. I’m happy to give it a permanent home on this site today:
Hello again, fellow Filipino freelancers.
Several people said the last list of tips I wrote helped so here goes more. You have no idea how warm you made my heart by saying I helped inspire. This is my gift to my countrymen.
Short backstory if you didn’t see my first post: I’ve been an online freelancer for over a dozen years and an Upwork top-rated freelancer. I love what I do and I want to pay it forward by giving away free tips.
Here goes Set #2 of online freelancer tips:
This post is all about the mighty cover letter (aka Application letter):
How to write an effective cover letter that will catch the eye of clients when you’re applying for an online job.
(Aside from the cover letter, I also included tips to help your job application stand out.)
I once worked as a virtual assistant for one client, an SEO/web design company in the US. The client asked me to screen job applicants several times.
The experience put me in the shoes of a client going over dozens of applications. Here’s what I learned:
1) Many people are lazy! Several submitted very generic cover letters. Some obviously didn’t read the instructions of our job posts.
TIP: Have a cover letter template to reuse, yes, BUT do edit it to suit every application you send.
It’s very obvious to the person recruiting when you’re sending out a generic cover letter and you didn’t bother to fine-tune it.
And, no, “Hi sir/ma’am, I saw your job post. Please see my attached resume. Have a nice day.” is not a good cover letter.
Please Google templates of cover letters.
NEXT-LEVEL TIP: When I need to apply for jobs, I have a different cover letter template for every type of position. Meaning, I have a cover letter template for writing jobs, another for social media content creator position, and another for sales jobs. And I still tweak the appropriate template a bit before sending it out so it sounds more personalized.
Extra tip: Grammarly.com is a great tool. You don’t need the paid version.
2) Even experienced freelancers can miss the details. There was a secret word to mention in our job post (this helped us screen who actually read the entire post).
Guess what? About 25% of the applicants failed to do so. Keep in mind the positions were for experienced digital freelancers such as advance-level WordPress developers.
This means even experienced freelancers make mistakes. If you go the extra mile early on, you can develop a work ethic that will beat even many seasoned freelancers. More on that magical “extra mile” in the next tip.
TIP: Read the job post you’re interested in, then read it again. Clients want people who pay attention to details.
3) Going the extra mile will reward you.
During this experience, we would immediately place people on the top of the pile if they went the extra mile.
I don’t mean writing 2,000 words if you’re applying for a writing position where the client clearly asked for 500 words (this would instead mean you weren’t paying attention to the details). Don’t be THAT extra.
But if the job post leaves a lot of room for creativity and effort (such as those that don’t specify application requirements and simply ask you to send an application), go the extra mile by recording a short video or audio clip selling yourself.
This tip works extra well if you speak good English.
And if you don’t? Learn how. Now. Every day.
If you want the best clients later on, the work you put in today and each day on your English skills will pay you back multiple times over.
If it’s a graphic-related or social media content position (and the job post didn’t provide specific application rules), go the extra mile by creating a customized graphic or piece of Instagram content based on the company’s brand or type of product.
4) The competition is fierce so should you be.
We would receive dozens of applications for every job post we published on Upwork. Be aware of this so you will be motivated enough to always improve your craft.
Also, don’t let the competition scare you, rather let it inspire you.
TIP: Yes, it can be hard to find a client. It was hard for us experienced freelancers when we started and it can still be hard. Nobody is an exception. So relax your mind and get to work instead. Your mindset should that applying for jobs is a job in itself. This isn’t the time to be lazy.
And a healthy competitive streak is not a bad thing if it means you become the best version of yourself.
5) People often don’t put in work into their profile pic.
Your profile pic matters. No, you don’t have to look like a celebrity. Yes, you have to look professional, confident, and someone who will make the client feel they would want to work with you.
TIP: Check out Oprah’s LinkedIn photo. She was my inspiration for my own LinkedIn photo. Eyes on the camera, smile confidently yet warmly, look inviting while maintaining a professional demeanor.
That’s it for now. I hope this helps! Bring in the wages for our country and your family. What we earn is not just good for our family, it is good for our local economy.
Don’t give up! And remember, everything worth having requires sacrifice and dedication.
I post motivating quotes to help us get through these challenging times
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