Member-only story
Why a writer hired me, a freelance writer, to write her cover letter
The job was like plenty of others I’ve bid on at Upwork. The client, I will call her “Lois”, needed a cover letter for a job application. She needed it quickly.
There was no other information.
I wrote a version of my usual bid (everything is individualized — though there are some stock descriptions I use in nearly every bid, there is very little cutting and pasting for me). I started by restating her needs as I understood them, then I briefly explained my extensive history hiring people and helping others apply for college and for work.
I hit send. And, as usual, I didn’t hear back.
That’s the most common outcome of bids on Upwork and, we understand, in job applications everywhere. Two days passed.
She needed the work done by Wednesday, so on Wednesday I checked back.
“So it looks like your deadline has passed. : / Still need my help?”
Another day passed. I assumed the work was given to another freelancer. Then, this:
We exchanged some details, and I sent her a questionnaire I use to make sure I have all the relevant information before getting started. When she sent me the contract information and the completed questionnaire, I was surprised to see her profession.
