Embarking on your freelance developer career, you've likely hit the snag of crafting a compelling cover letter. While your resume lists your skills, your cover letter is your chance to dazzle with a professional story about your proudest achievement—without just echoing your resume. Steer clear of tired clichés and aim for authenticity within a concise one-page narrative. Let's unlock the secret to a cover letter that captivates and convinces, setting you apart in your job applications.
- Write a freelance developer cover letter that helps you stand out (and get the job);
- Understand how to start and end your freelance developer cover letter with the appropriate greeting;
- What to include in the body of your freelance developer cover letter to put your best foot forward;
- Your most important achievements - how to present them as part of your freelance developer cover letter.
And if you want to make your life even easier, simply drag and drop your freelance developer resume into Enhancv's AI cover letter generator, and it will write your cover letter for you in just a few moments.
If the freelance developer 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 developer cover letter example
Olivia Davis
Jacksonville, Florida
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Highlighting relevant project experience: Emphasizing involvement in a specific back-end project that achieved measurable results (e.g., a 40% reduction in data retrieval times) demonstrates a proven track record and showcases direct expertise in the field.
- Demonstrating technical skills and knowledge: Mentioning the database migration from MySQL to Oracle shows familiarity with widely-used technologies and the ability to handle complex data management tasks which are essential for a back-end developer role.
- Pointing out tangible outcomes: Including the impact of the work on customer satisfaction and company performance (increased customer satisfaction by 15%) conveys the real-world value of the applicant's skills and work ethic.
- Expressing willingness to discuss fit and contribution: Offering to engage in a conversation during an interview about how one's background and skills align with the company's goals illustrates both eagerness and a proactive attitude, as well as interest in the company's direction and needs.
The visual appeal of your freelance developer cover letter: format, font, and structure
When using our cover letter builder, make sure to include these vital sections:
- Header (with your name, contact details, the role, and date);
- Greeting (that's personalized to the recruiter);
- Introductory paragraph (to capture attention);
- Body paragraph (to tell a story of how you've obtained your job-crucial skills);
- Closing paragraph (ending with a nod to the future ahead);
- Signature (that is not a must).
Our cover letter templates are already set up for you with the best freelance developer cover letter design with single-spaced paragraphs and a one-inch margin.
As for the font of your freelance developer cover letter, use the same one as you did in your resume (where modern and simple fonts, like Rubik and Bitter, take precedence over Arial and Times New Roman).
Your freelance developer cover letter is created with the recruiters in mind - as no Applicant Tracker System looks over this part of your profile.
When sending over your freelance developer cover letter, download it in PDF. This format allows your information and design to stay intact and to keep the same visual quality.
The top sections on a freelance developer cover letter
- Header: Includes your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact information, providing a professional look and making it easy for the recruiter to reach out to you.
- Greeting: A personalized salutation addressing the hiring manager by name demonstrates that you have done your research and are serious about the position.
- Introduction: Captures the recruiter's attention with a concise summary of your freelance experience and states the position you are applying for, setting the tone for why you're the right fit as a developer.
- Body: Details your relevant skills, projects, and achievements as a freelance developer, showcasing your expertise and how it aligns with the job requirements and the company's needs.
- Closing: Ends with a strong, confident statement that includes a call to action, like arranging an interview, and thanks the recruiter for considering your application, leaving a professional and memorable impression.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proven experience with relevant programming languages and frameworks: Recruiters seek evidence of proficiency in the specific technical skills required for their projects, as demonstrated through a portfolio or work examples.
- Demonstrable history of successful project delivery: Freelancers should highlight past projects they've completed on time and on budget, indicating reliability and project management skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Being able to effectively collaborate with clients and team members remotely is crucial for freelance developers, as they often need to convey complex information clearly.
- Adaptability and problem-solving capabilities: Recruiters look for freelancers who can adapt to new challenges and technologies quickly, as well as troubleshoot and solve problems independently.
- Time management and organizational skills: Freelancers must manage their schedules and prioritize tasks without direct supervision, showing that they can handle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Testimonials or references from previous clients: Positive feedback from past clients reassures recruiters of the freelancer's professionalism, work ethic, and ability to meet client expectations.
How to start your freelance developer cover letter: with a greeting, of course
Have you ever considered just how powerful a personalized salutation can be?
We sure have news for you! Your freelance developer cover letter should start with the right salutation to recruiters, nurturing a sense of respect and individuality.
Greet recruiters by using their first name (e.g. "Dear Tom" or "Dear Patricia") if you've previously established contact with them.
Otherwise, opt out for the less familiar, "Dear Ms. Peaches" or "Dear Ms Kelsey", if you've found the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or a corporate website.
"To whom it may concern" is never a good option, as it creates a sense that you've been sending out your freelance developer cover letter to anyone. Instead, use "Dear HR team" or "Dear (company name) recruiter" for a feeling of exclusivity.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Team,
- Dear [Recipient's Full Name],
- Dear [Recipient's Title] [Recipient's Last Name],
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Recipient's Last Name],
What to include in those first two sentences, or your freelance developer cover letter introduction
Have you ever wondered what the best way is to present your profile in the freelance developer cover letter introduction?
There's no right or wrong answer if you're being concise and authentic to yourself.
Some professionals start their freelance developer cover letter by:
- congratulating the company - focusing on something impressive, whether that's an award, an industry-leading project, or a key event;
- aligning their passion for the field or industry with the job - if you're enthusiastic about what you do, you'd thus grow your skill set and value as a professional.
What to write in the body of your freelance developer cover letter
Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your freelance developer cover letter.
It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs. This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.
Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your freelance developer resume.
Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.
But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.
Select your achievement that:
- covers job-crucial skills;
- can be measured with tangible metrics;
- shows you in the best light.
Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.
Thinking about the closing paragraph of your freelance developer cover letter
Before your signature, you have extra space to close off your freelance developer cover letter.
Use it to either make a promise or look to the future.
Remind recruiters how invaluable of a candidate you are by showing what you plan to achieve in the role.
Also, note your availability for a potential next meeting (in person or over the telephone).
By showing recruiters that you're thinking about the future, you'd come off as both interested in the opportunity and responsible.
Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience freelance developer cover letter
Even though you may not have any professional experience, your freelance developer cover letter should focus on your value.
As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.
Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.
If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.
Key takeaways
Turning your freelance developer cover letter into a success is all about staying authentic to yourself and relevant to the job:
- Be creative with your freelance developer cover letter introduction by stating something you enjoy about the company (that is genuine) or about your skill set (to get the recruiters' interested);
- Use single spacing and have a one-inch margin wrapping all around the content of your freelance developer cover letter;
- Select just one past achievement from your career or life to tell a story of how you've obtained job-crucial skills and how they'd be beneficial to the role;
- The finishing paragraph of your freelance developer cover letter doesn't necessarily have to be a signature but could be a promise of what you plan to achieve in the role;
- Instead of focusing on your lack of experience, spotlight your transferable skills, one relevant achievement, and career dreams.
