How to Make a Strong First Impression in Remote Hiring with a Cover Letter

Looking for remote work is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you have more options than if you were looking for a job the old-school way. At the same time, there are more applicants for every position. This makes your job of standing out considerably harder.

You only get one chance to make a first impression, but how does this translate into a digital environment? 

Most guides about making a good first impression focus on non-verbal communication. They suggest that you look straight into one's eyes when making a formal introduction, give advice on what tone of voice you should use, and even how firm your grip should be. None of this translates into remote hiring.

The best you can do is make a solid first impression through your cover letter. While it may not sound as impressive, it's really all you need. Here are a couple of tips to help you out with this. 

Straight to the point 

​Whenever you're writing a letter, you need to focus on the person reading it. Now, there are two things that recruiters and HR experts have in common:

●They're short on time

●They've heard it all

It's not just that they're short of time; they have so many cover letters and resumes to go through. They just don't have the time to go through your life story.

They have so much experience that they can just look through all the filler and fluff you include to make yourself feel more hirable. So, the best starting point is to make your letter skimmable. Executive resume writers recommend that you use the first two or three sentences to be extra creative and grab their attention, as this initial impression sets the tone for the rest of your resume and can significantly influence whether the reader continues to engage with your content.

You have the first two or three sentences to be extra creative and grab their attention. Past this, just stick to your skills, experiences, and qualifications. A good cover letter is usually not long. 

Personalize the template for your cover letter 

Downloading a template for your cover letter is a great idea. It helps give you structure and makes it easier to stick to the point. To make your cover letter work, you must customize and personalize it.

To personalize the letter, you must research the company and the role. While this is a simple tip, you would be shocked to learn how many applicants just skip this part. There's a difference between experience and relevant experience (for the position you're applying for). The only way to recognize it is to do some research.

Another thing you should do is research the company's mission and values. Understanding the company's corporate culture will help you portray yourself as a perfect fit. You can subtly do this and drastically increase your odds of getting hired.

One last trick that you could use is to address the recipient by name. Provided that it's not just a form where you don't know who you're addressing, using a person's name can enhance the hook of your letter. There's nothing wrong with "To whom it may concern," but it's better to use the name if you know it. 

Use job-specific keywords 

Imagine playing a game where you want the other person to guess what you do for a living without having to tell them directly. Chances are that you would be using some insider terminology and mannerisms. Why not do the same in your cover letter?

Remember, this is not a test of your abilities (this will come later). For now, you just want to add some originality to the letter and hint that you know exactly what you're talking about.

It is also a good idea to learn what tools they use for remote work and mention if you have any experience with it. This hints that your onboarding will be simpler.

It sounds simple, but it may be enough to set you apart from the other candidates. Remember, if just three people are applying for the position, you don't have to be the best in the industry to get the job. You just need to be better than the other two applicants. 

Final pitch 

The last impression is usually the lasting impression, so you want to end on a strong note. For this, you must learn how to write a solid final pitch. This is about more than just overviewing your qualifications and traits.

What usually works is adding a call to action. Tell them exactly what you expect the next step to be. To do this in a non-imposing manner, you can add a polite phrase like "hope to," "looking forward to," etc. 

Review the letter

Sending a cover letter with a spelling mistake is not just wrong; it showcases terrible manners. It proves that you couldn't be bothered to properly edit or review this ten-sentence-long text. So, why would they expect you to do any better should they hire you?

Go over the texts several times and, better yet, ask someone else to do so. A friend, a family member, or an acquaintance would do. They don't have to be professionals or editors. Sometimes, you'll miss something simple that another person notices immediately. This is called the author's blindspot, where you know what you want to say and attribute the non-existent meaning to a part of your text.

If you know someone from within the industry, ask them for some feedback. Ask them to roleplay being the recipient of the letter and evaluate if they would hire you based on the letter. To avoid a scenario where they try to appease you, ask them to suggest what they would add/omit to make you more hirable. 

Writing a good cover letter will increase your chance of getting hired for a remote work 

We suggest that you put more effort into your cover letter. This doesn't mean being extra creative when it comes to writing itself. It means researching, finding a suitable template, and customizing it to fit the company/position.

Also, you need to carefully review the letter when you finish writing it and ask for some external help. This way, you'll get all the competitive edge you need to make it in this challenging job market.