Embarking on your freelance translator career, you've likely found yourself facing the daunting task of crafting a compelling cover letter. A common pitfall is regurgitating your resume; instead, your cover letter should narrate the triumph of your proudest professional moment. Striking a balance between formality and originality, sparing clichés, is essential. And remember, brevity is key - a powerful cover story is best told within the confines of a single page. Let's tackle this together and ensure your cover letter opens doors to new opportunities.
- Write a freelance translator cover letter that helps you stand out (and get the job);
- Understand how to start and end your freelance translator cover letter with the appropriate greeting;
- What to include in the body of your freelance translator cover letter to put your best foot forward;
- Your most important achievements - how to present them as part of your freelance translator cover letter.
And if you want to make your life even easier, simply drag and drop your freelance translator 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 translator 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 Translator cover letter example
Peter Segura
New York, NY
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Professionally stating relevant experience such as the candidate's previous tenure with LanguageLine Solutions emphasizes the practical application of the role's requirements, such as interpreting medical sessions, which directly relates to the potential employer's needs.
- Quantifying achievements with specific metrics, like the "1000 medical sessions" and "99% accuracy rate," provides credible evidence of the candidate’s capabilities and commitment to high standards in their field of work.
- Aligning personal goals with the organization's mission and values, as evidenced by the candidate’s emphasis on cultural inclusivity and dedication to servicing non-English speaking communities, helps establish a connection and potential cultural fit within the organization.
Structuring and formatting your freelance translator cover letter
Here's what the structure of your freelance translator cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your freelance translator resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your freelance translator cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your freelance translator cover letter.
The top sections on a freelance translator cover letter
- Header: This should include the translator's name, contact information, and date to provide the recruiter with essential details for further communication.
- Opening Greeting: Start with a professional salutation, addressing the hiring manager by name if possible, to personalize the cover letter and establish a respectful tone.
- Introduction: The intro should briefly present the translator's language proficiency, specialty (e.g., legal, medical, technical translation), and enthusiasm for the role, capturing the recruiter's interest right away.
- Experience and Skills: Detail relevant translation projects, language pairs the translator is fluent in, and special skills such as CAT tools proficiency, which demonstrate the candidate's capability to perform the job.
- Closing and Call to Action: Close with a strong conclusion, reaffirming the translator's fit for the position, thanking the recruiter for their consideration, and expressing a desire for a follow-up meeting or interview.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proficiency in the source and target languages: Native-level understanding ensures accurate and culturally relevant translations.
- Specialization in a specific field: Expertise in areas like legal, medical, or technical translation demonstrates the ability to handle relevant terminology with precision.
- Attention to detail: Ensures translations are free from errors and maintains the original content's meaning and style.
- Adaptability and research skills: Ability to adjust to different text types and subjects and efficiently research unfamiliar terms or concepts.
- Meeting deadlines: Demonstrates reliability and the ability to manage time effectively, which is crucial for client satisfaction.
- Experience with translation software and CAT tools: Familiarity with industry-standard tools can increase efficiency and consistency in translations.
How to start your freelance translator 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 translator 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 translator 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] Director,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear Project Coordinator,
- Dear Recruitment Committee,
First introductions in your freelance translator cover letter
Within your freelance translator cover letter introduction, genuinely state what you like about the organization.
Research the latest company projects, honorary awards, company updates, etc.
Write up to two sentences to let recruiters know what impresses you about the company,
This would help you to set a good tone for the rest of the communication.
What comes next: your freelance translator cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your freelance translator cover letter) you have to prove your unique value.
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your freelance translator cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Finishing off your freelance translator cover letter with what matters most
So far, you've done a fantastic job in tailoring your freelance translator cover letter for the role and recruiter.
Your final opportunity to make a good impression is your closing paragraph.
And, no, a "Sincerely yours" just won't do, as it sounds too vague and impersonal.
End your freelance translator cover letter with the future in mind.
So, if you get this opportunity, what do you plan to achieve? Be as specific, as possible, of what value you'd bring to the organization.
You could also thank recruiters for their interest in your profile and prompt for follow-up actions (and organizing your first interview).
Freelance Translator cover letter advice for candidates with no experience
If you're worried about writing your Freelance Translator cover letter and have no professional experience, we sure have some advice for you.
Turn recruiters' attention to your transferable or relevant skills gained thanks to your life and work experience.
Instead of writing about past jobs, focus on one achievement (whether from your volunteering experience, education, etc.) and the skills it has helped you build.
Alternatively, you could focus your Freelance Translator cover letter on your career objectives and goals. Always remember to make those relevant to the job you're applying for by detailing how you see yourself growing as part of the company.
Recruiters would be way more impressed with candidates who fit the job profile and can bring about plenty of skills and vision to the table.
Key takeaways
Writing your freelance translator cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:
- Select a freelance translator cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
- Make your freelance translator cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
- Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
- Use your freelance translator cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
- If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your freelance translator cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.
