What to Cover in Your Letter
An Upwork cover letter should mention the following key elements:
Greeting
The salutation starts with the title of the hiring manager if recognized, otherwise speech the letter to “Hiring Manager” or the business name alone.
Present Yourself
Briefly present who you are as a freelancer and then the facilities you offer in one or two judgements. Agree the job you are applying for.
Qualifications
Highlight two to three qualifications directly tied to the requirements. Explain how your past experience is relevant in concise bullet points or short paragraphs.
Demonstrate Understanding
Refer to details from the job ad to show comprehension of the client’s needs. Discuss one or two project specifics from the description.
Closing and Call to Action
Thank the client and reiterate your interest in an engaging closing. Express enthusiasm to discuss the role further should you be selected.
See the table below for a sample cover letter outline incorporating these elements.
Beyond addressing the basic elements, keep in mind several additional best practices for your Upwork cover letter:
- Limit length 3 to 4 paragraphs or 150 to 250 words to maintain readability.
- Proofread thoroughly for typos and grammatical errors which undermine credibility.
- Customize each letter specifically rather than reusing generic text.
- Optimize your letter with 1 to 2 professionally written samples of previous work if applicable.
- Anticipate concerns over experience gaps and then discuss strategies for overcoming limitations.
- Make sure formatting is easy on the eyes with a basic font like Times New Roman or Arial size 11 or 12.
