Is your video editor cover letter limping behind your resume? If so, you should give it the makeover it deserves!
With our easy-to-follow guide, packed with the best writing tips, nifty templates, real-life samples and detailed examples, you'll craft a persuasive cover letter that showcases all your best skills and experience. So, without further ado, let's begin!
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In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about writing a cover letter as a video editor. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Craft the perfect video editor cover letter header & headline
- Create a personalized greeting on your video editor cover letter
- Write an eye-catching video editor cover letter introduction
- Show your professional value in your cover letter body text
- End your video editor cover letter with a strong closing statement
- Access top resources for job-seeking video editors
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Craft the perfect video editor cover letter header & headline
When writing a cover letter as a video editor, the first elements to focus on are your cover letter header and headline.
A cover letter header is a small block of text – usually found in the upper left corner of the document – that includes all the necessary details about the company and applicant.
The cover letter headline is similar to a newspaper or magazine headline, taking the form of a short and engaging title that previews the information to come.
To help show you how to create each of these elements, check out the following examples of each:
Formatting the header
Your cover letter header can vary in format but will generally contain between 3 to 4 lines of text that include:
- The name of the company and department you are applying to
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, website, etc.)
When you put all this information together, it should look similar to this example
To: The Auto Dealership, Marketing Department
From: John Doe, Video Editor & Automobile Photographer
(123) 456-7890 | johndoe@email.com | johndoereels.com
Writing the headline
To format your video editor cover letter headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of a well-written headline on a video editor’s cover letter
3 Essential Video Editing Skills that Make Me the Ideal Addition to Your Marketing Team
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Essential Skills
Keyword: Video Editing
Adjective/Verb: Essential, Ideal
Promise: Your Marketing Team – this addition to your headline indicates that you will not only describe your key skills but also relate them directly to the company’s needs.
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2. Create a personalized greeting on your video editor cover letter
There are two main types of greetings to choose between for your cover letter: general or personalized.
A general greeting – such as “To Whom It May Concern” – can work in a pinch, but lacks specificity. Comparatively, a personalized greeting will directly address either a specific person or a specific company department.
The advantage to personalized greetings is that they show employers you have excellent attention to detail and have thoroughly researched the company beforehand.
If you are unable to discover the exact person who will review your cover letter, try out one of the following alternatives:
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. Write an eye-catching video editor cover letter introduction
Following your header, headline, and greeting is your video editor cover letter introduction. Ideally, you'll have already grabbed the employer’s attention with your greeting and headline – to keep their attention, your introduction should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write a video editor cover letter introduction
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am a professional Video Editor with 4+ years of experience working in the wedding filmography industry. After working under contract as a freelance Video Editor for your company, your recruitment manager – Jane Smith – reached out to me about applying for this full-time position.
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4. Show your professional value in your cover letter body text
After the introduction of your cover letter come the body paragraphs, where you'll detail all of your qualifications that make you a good fit for the job.
A strong cover letter will typically contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that provide in-depth answers to the following questions:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?
Including accomplishments should be a priority, as your achievements as a video editor help to show employers both your work ethic and the real-life value you can contribute to their company.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a video editor cover letter
As a Video Editor for [Former Employer], I created a 5-video series as part of a promotional spread that appeared on many major television channels, including MTV and VH1. This video series led to a sharp 85% increase in the company’s customer engagement on both their website and social media platforms.
5. End your video editor cover letter with a strong closing statement
To properly conclude your video editor cover letter, you'll need a closing statement that includes:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a well-written and effective closing statement from a video editor cover letter
As your Lead Video Editor, I will bring an exceptional quality of work and effective leadership to your company. I am eager to further discuss this opportunity and hope to connect directly via phone call or in-person meeting within the next week. You may best reach me at (123) 456-7890 to set up a meeting time.
Appreciatively,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
6. Top resources for job-seeking video editors
Now that you know how to create a video editor cover letter that impresses even the most demanding recruiters, let’s move to the next chapter — the actual job hunt. Looking for suitable work opportunities is far from simple, but these resources can help make things a little bit easier for you:
- Industry-specific job boards: First of all, you can visit websites that offer job postings with niche focus on video production like ProductionHUB, Mandy, or Staff Me Up.
- Online job search engines: Next, take a look at platforms aggregating job postings from all industries such as Indeed, LinkedIn, SimplyHired, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter.
- Creative freelance platforms: Wow potential employers with an online portfolio that puts your best work on full display. Use platforms like Fiverr, Behance, or Upwork.
- Professional associations: Job postings, networking opportunities, further training, access to the latest industry news and publications — all that under one roof. That's the benefit of following organizations like the British Film Editors and the American Cinema Editors.
- Specialized publications: Media such as “StudioDaily,” “CineMontage,” or “Post Magazine,” keep you in the loop about the latest industry news, trends, and innovations.
- Continuous learning: Stay on top of your game and learn how to use new software, editing programs, and techniques with online learning platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, edX, or Udemy, which offer a wide selection of courses.
Remember, it doesn't matter how many job postings you end up applying for, you always need to custom tailor each and every cover letter you send out. Because every job opportunity is unique, and your cover letter should reflect that. Good luck!
Video Editor Cover Letter FAQ
What's the key to maintaining the right tone and style in my cover letter?
Imagine you're speaking to the hiring manager in person. Keep it professional but conversational, demonstrating your passion for your work without coming off as too casual or overly formal. Be confident, but nor arrogant. Be professional, but not too stiff. It's all about finding the right balance.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a video editor cover letter?
Some of the common culprits include: typos, grammar mistakes, and spelling errors. However minor these may seem to you, they reflect badly on your attention to detail. Another sin you want to avoid is NOT customizing your cover letter to align as closely as possible with the requirements outlined in your job posting.
Is the cover letter the right place to talk about awards or recognitions I've received for my work?
Yes, absolutely! Feel free to mention any industry-related awards or recognitions you've received. Apart from vouching for your skills, it's a tangible way of showing the level of expertise you can bring to your potential employers. It can also add credibility to your statements.
Should I talk about the company I'm applying to within my cover letter?
It's important to show that you understand and fit with the company culture. So, you should set aside some time for researching your potential employer. Then, spend a sentence or two discussing what attracts you to the company's brand or mission, and how you see your video editing skills contributing to that.
Should I include links to my work or portfolio in my cover letter?
Certainly! Providing specific examples of your work allows potential employers to see your skills in practice. Be sure to direct them to your most relevant and impressive pieces. You can add the relevant links to your cover letter header, together with your other personal information.
