Why Your Cover Letter Matters More Than You Think

If you're a Vietnamese job seeker applying for remote jobs with US employers, your cover letter isn’t optional — it’s your first impression and your chance to stand out.

While your resume lists your experience, your cover letter tells your story. It shows:

• You understand the role
• You’re serious about the company
• You can communicate professionally in English
• You know how to work in a Western business environment

At VietAssist, we've helped hundreds of Vietnamese professionals get hired by US startups and global companies. One of the top reasons candidates get interviews?

✅ A clear, confident, and personalized cover letter.

🧠 TL;DR — What a Great US-Style Cover Letter Looks Like

• Keep it under 350 words
• Personalize it for each job
• Focus on what value you bring, not what you want
• Show examples, not just soft skills
• Match the tone to US business culture: friendly, confident, and clear
• End with a strong, polite call to action

🔍 Common Mistakes Vietnamese Applicants Make

• ❌ Too formal or robotic tone (“Dear Sir,” “To whom it may concern”)
• ❌ Talking only about what you want, not what you offer
• ❌ Writing one generic letter for every job
• ❌ Repeating your entire resume
• ❌ Not explaining why you’re a good match
• ❌ Overusing vague phrases (“I’m hardworking and fast learner”)
• ❌ Grammar or spelling issues that hurt first impressions

✨ The 4-Part Structure of a Winning Cover Letter

Use this simple, effective structure to make your letter flow naturally.

1. Strong Introduction

• Greet the company by name if possible
• Mention the specific role
• Express your interest and connection to the company

✅ Example:
“Dear [Hiring Manager],
I’m excited to apply for the Remote Marketing Assistant role at [Company]. Your focus on empowering small businesses aligns with my own values, and I’d love to contribute to your growth remotely from Vietnam.”

2. Highlight Relevant Experience

Choose 1–2 accomplishments or experiences that directly relate to the role. Be specific.

✅ Example:
“In my last role, I managed email campaigns for a Singapore-based eCommerce company using Mailchimp and saw a 22% open rate improvement. I also collaborated across time zones, managing tasks via Asana and communicating daily through Slack.”

3. Show Fit + Value

Explain how you can help their team succeed — based on what you’ve read in the job post or know about the company.

✅ Example:
“As a proactive and detail-oriented team member, I’m confident I can support your growing remote team. I’m comfortable working independently, managing deadlines, and adapting to tools like Notion, Trello, and Google Workspace.”

4. Confident, Professional Close

Reaffirm interest. Invite next steps. Thank them warmly.

✅ Example:
“Thank you for considering my application. I’d welcome the opportunity to contribute to your team and would be happy to discuss how I can support your marketing goals remotely.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]”

💡 Cultural Tips for Writing to US Employers

🧠 These subtle points make a big difference:

✅ It's okay to say, “I led a project that improved X by 20%.” That’s not arrogant — it’s expected in the US market.

✅ Cover Letter Checklist

• Personalized greeting and company mention
• Specific job title mentioned
• 1–2 examples of relevant results or tools
• Confident but respectful tone
• No grammar or spelling mistakes (use Grammarly)
• Under 350 words
• Clear ending with thank-you and call to action
• Attach resume and (if relevant) links to portfolio or LinkedIn

🔁 Before vs. After Example

❌ Weak Opening:
“Dear Sir, I would like to apply for your job. I am hardworking and have experience.”

✅ Strong Opening:
“Dear Hiring Team at Acme Inc.,
With 3 years of experience supporting remote teams across time zones, I’m excited to apply for the Customer Support Specialist role. Your mission to simplify small business accounting resonates with me, and I’d love to help serve your global customer base.”