sample cover letter postdoc

How to Write a Great Postdoc Cover Letter

While a good cover letter makes an explicit connection between how your past experience will help you succeed in the postdoc position, a great cover letter sparks the PI’s interest and ensures they read your CV. Here are some tips to make sure your cover letter is a great one.

Before you start writing, learn as much as you can about the position and the lab. Do some research on the department’s website and talk to your mentors about the group. It’s also a good idea to take a look at their recent papers to familiarize yourself with the kind of work they do. Once you have a good understanding of the position and group, you can determine which of your qualifications would be most applicable. Be sure to emphasize them in your cover letter.

The Cover Letter Format

A cover letter starts like a formal letter with the date at the top followed by the name and work address of the job poster. This is followed by the salutation. For a postdoc position, you will often be addressing your letter to the PI. However, if it is not clear from the advertisement who the job poster is, you can always address the letter to “members of the search committee).

The Introduction

The opening paragraph should explain why you are writing this letter. Indicate the specific position you are applying for and where you saw it advertised. If another professor at the university or someone the PI knows suggested that you apply for the position, mention it here. Follow it up with a short description of yourself that will allow the reader to place you academically. This could be something like “I am in the final year of my PhD in (field) at (name of university) and will be graduating/defending/finishing in (month). My dissertation is titled (title) and is supervised by Professor (name)”.

The Body Paragraphs

The bulk of your cover letter will be spent demonstrating how you are the right candidate for this postdoc by highlighting your qualifications and showing how they will benefit this specific project. One of the biggest mistakes you make is not tailoring this section to each position you apply for.

In a postdoc cover letter, it is common to dedicate one paragraph to your dissertation or current research project. Summarize your research topic, your key findings or arguments and why they matter to the field.

Now, this next step is important: you must translate your dissertation and previous research to the postdoc project. What expertise will you bring to the project by virtue of your past research that no one else can? Give specific examples that show you understand the proposed projects. Work in reference to you major awards and accomplishments while doing so. Depending on the requirements of the position, it might also be relevant to discuss your teaching experience here. Remember, the theme throughout the body paragraphs should be how your research experience will make this postdoc project successful.

The Final Paragraph

This last paragraph covers some job applicant formalities. In it, you should write that you have attached your CV and other necessary documents in your application. Mention that you look forward to hearing from them and are available to discuss the position further in an interview. Finally, thank them for their consideration before signing off.

Get Feedback

Once you have written your postdoc cover letter, ask your supervisor or a mentor to review it for you. They are likely to have had some experience hiring and will be able to make valuable suggestions from the other side of the table. They can also check that your cover letter is formatted according to the conventions of your field.

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How to write a killer cover letter for a postdoctoral application

Many graduate students applying for their first postdoctoral positions underestimate the importance of the cover letter. While it may be true that your awesomeness is beautifully outlined on your curriculum vitae, your cover letter often will dictate whether the busy principal investigator puts your application at the top of the heaping pile or into triage.

First impressions are everything for some people, so leave nothing to chance. If you provide only your CV, you aren’t being very personable, and you lose a precious opportunity to highlight some things that make you stand out. On the other hand, a cover letter is also an opportunity to shoot yourself in the foot, so here are a few do’s and don’ts.

A few do's

Start off right. Address your potential future PI properly, as “Dr. (insert surname here).” If you begin your letter with “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern,” your application could be dismissed as generic and untailored for the position. A letter that appears to come off an assembly line is likely to ride directly into the trash bin. If you do not invest the time to learn about the PI and his or her research, then the PI is not likely to invest the time to read your application.

After the salutation, the first statement should be a formality that states why you are writing to the PI. It is important to respect how hectic a day in the life of a PI can be, so get right to the point — something like, “I am applying for the postdoctoral position available in your laboratory that was recently advertised (where).”

The second sentence should specify your current position, place of work and mentor. If you are not immediately available for hire, it is useful to mention when you will be able to start. End the first paragraph with just one or two concise sentences that hint at why you are the ideal candidate for the position — you will expand on these points next.

In the second paragraph, elaborate on why you should be considered for the postdoc — not just any postdoc, mind you, but this particular postdoc in this particular lab. Yes, it is infinitely easier to use the same cover letter for the dozens of postdoctoral positions for which you are applying, but that is not going to cut it. These uniform letters are easy to detect and usually dismissed as lazy and insincere. If you fail to convince the PI that you are taking the postdoc search seriously, then the PI is not likely to take you seriously. It is essential that you customize your letter, emphasizing how your background is aligned to the PI’s studies and the specifics called for in the advertisement. Consider this the first demonstration to your future PI that you are resourceful and thoughtful — if you fail to do your homework, it does not build confidence that you will be diligent with your project. Equally important to convincing the PI that you have the right stuff is conveying your excitement for learning something special that is studied by his or her lab. Strive to balance what you would give to the lab and what you would gain from it.

In paragraph three, it is time to brag about a few key achievements, such as your most important paper or two, a grant or fellowship, or other notable honors (an award-winning presentation at a conference, for example). You also can briefly mention that you have experience training more junior people if that is the case. But don’t give a laundry list of every minor award — that is why you submit a CV. The cover letter is the trailer, and your CV is the movie.

End your cover letter with the same professionalism you used at the opening. Thank the PI for his or her time and consideration. Be sure to provide your contact information and state that you look forward to hearing from him or her. Everything discussed above should fit onto a single page — 1 ½ pages at most.  

A few don'ts

There are a number of important don’ts that apply to cover letters. Things that might seem trivial to you actually can be turnoffs. Use plain email stationary free of distracting backgrounds or pictures. Choose a font that is not too big, not too small, not in color, definitely not comic sans and NOT IN CAPS. A plain, boring font like 12-point Arial or Helvetica is easy on the sore eyes of a PI struggling to read the 87th postdoc application. At midnight. After struggling with an online manuscript submission. I can hear the chorus of nonconformists arguing that unconventional fonts and graphics make their applications stand out. Of course it does, but I contend that it is a gamble to present yourself in this manner. If you have the goods, you don’t need the glam.

Some applicants waste valuable sentences describing how they “deeply admire” the “esteemed” laboratory or how they always dreamed about working with the PI. When the cover letter is heavy on flattery, the applicant usually is light on talent or productivity. If your cover letter contains significant blocks of text copied straight from the advertisement, you may be construed as someone with poor language skills or unable to paraphrase. It should go without saying that spelling and grammatical mistakes are inexcusable and often taken as a sign of laziness and carelessness — two of the worst attributes a scientist could possess. Finally, avoid slang and attempts at humor, and do not end your sentences with an exclamation point!

I hope these tips help you land that perfect postdoctoral position.

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Bill Sullivan is a professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and the author of several books.

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Cover Letter Best Practices

A cover letter introduces you to a potential employer and should accompany your résumé, unless the employer requests otherwise. If there is an option to include a cover letter, we always recommend doing so. While a résumé provides a summary of your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements, a cover letter allows you to develop a narrative for your career, demonstrating the skills you have honed, and articulating your enthusiasm for the role.

If you think of your résumé as a map to a new city that the hiring manager has not visited before, the cover letter would be the guidebook. It will not cover everything on the map, but it will highlight the most relevant stops along the way and provide additional context. Cover letters and résumés work together and should be in conversation with the job posting.

• Strong Cover Letters
• Anatomy of a Cover Letter
• Give a clear indication of the skills and experiences that make the applicant a good fit. Your cover letter should translate how your experiences have developed both technical and non-technical skills necessary for the role.
• Provide evidence of the skills in action. Show, do not tell—provide concrete examples that craft a compelling narrative.
• Make an explicit connection between applicant and job. A cover letter should articulate your understanding of the organization you are applying to and how you fit in.

Use a business-letter format and stick to one page of 3-5 paragraphs. Like a résumé, each cover letter you write should be tailored to the specific position and employer to align with the organization’s culture and the requirements of the role.

• Use the same header on both your cover letter and résumé for a cohesive and polished look.
• When available, include the name, title, company, and address of the person you are writing.
• If you do not know the recruiter or hiring manager’s name, address your letter to “Recruiting Team” or “Hiring Manager.” Avoid using “To whom it may concern.”
• Use the opening paragraph to introduce yourself. State why you are writing and how you learned about the position. If someone referred you or you have established a contact through networking, include the person’s name and affiliation with the employer.
• The first paragraph should also articulate what you know about the organization and what draws you to a role. Be sure to review the job posting and carefully research the company to identify the most important skills to highlight as well as why you want to join the team. Conveying genuine enthusiasm is essential! It is often helpful to conclude the opening paragraph with a clear assertion of your skills, much like a thesis statement for your cover letter. This last sentence also helps structure your body paragraphs.
• The body paragraphs should emphasize and elaborate on your strongest qualifications and key relevant experiences. Address qualifications specified in the job description and give concrete examples of when you have demonstrated the skills the employer is seeking. Do not repeat all the content from your résumé; instead, select 2-3 experiences that showcase the positive impact of your relevant skills.
• The final paragraph reiterates what draws you to the organization and the skillsets and experiences you bring to the table. You should also use the closing paragraph to express thanks for consideration and to request an opportunity to discuss the position.
• If you are using the header from your résumé, do not repeat your contact information in the signature.

Once you have a draft, get feedback! Graduate students can make career advising appointments at NCA through Handshake to receive individualized feedback from our dedicated PhD advisers on application materials. They can also pop into our virtual drop-in hours for quick questions. Postdoctoral fellows can contact the  Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for feedback on their materials. The Graduate Writing Place is another wonderful resource for both grad students and postdocs, and their fellows provide feedback on academic and non-academic application materials.

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Postdoctoral Researcher Cover Letter Sample

Get invited for more job interviews & learn creative tricks to use in your cover letter with our free, easily editable Postdoctoral Researcher cover letter sample. Copy and paste this cover letter example for free or edit it directly using our easy-to-use cover letter creator.

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Postdoctoral Researcher Cover Letter Sample (Full Text Version)

Angela Ellis

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the postdoctoral researcher opportunity as a Doctorate of Environmental Sciences graduate with a strong passion for addressing climate change crises. Currently, I work as a part-time Research Coordinator at the University of Sunnybank’s Office of Biotechnology and Environment, focusing on research that drives environmental and social change. Additionally, I serve as an undergraduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Environmental Sciences, where I am responsible for instructional planning, grading papers and tests, proctoring labs, and teaching Microbiology and Bioremediation.

My research areas have centered around social and legal aspects of the environment, as well as energy planning and the intricate human-environment relationship. I have contributed to the research and writing of "Chapter 2: Energy Planning" in Erick Miska’s (2017) publication on Environmental and Social Change in the 21st Century. Furthermore, I have conducted fieldwork and interviews with environmental scientists and microbiology experts across Europe for the University of Sunnybank’s Environmental Heritage Report.

With 6 years of research and teaching experience, along with a recent doctorate, Master of Biotechnology, and Bachelor of Environment and Society, I am well-equipped to excel in this role. I have also participated in professional workshops and courses in environmental ethics philosophy.

I have greatly valued my time at the University of Sunnybank and am now seeking a full-time research position to delve deeper into climate change crises alongside a team of experts. I have attached my curriculum vitae for your review and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills align with the needs of your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing next steps.

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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Table of Contents

Cover letter for a postdoc (5 samples)

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

This blog post will show samples of “cover letters for a postdoc.”

Samples of postdoc cover letters

To get a postdoc position, you need a well-written cover letter that showcases your passion for and dedication to the industry. When writing a postdoc cover letter, these are some of the essential things to include in your letter:

• Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient or hiring manager).”
• The next step is to state the position you are applying for and how you found the opening. 
• Write a short sentence about why you’re interested in the position.
• State your skills and work experience; ensure they are similar to the job position. When stating your skills, provide the accomplishment you have achieved. 
• Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement. For example, “I look forward to discussing the position further.”

“01/06/2021

Dr. Harold Bergman

Enteny University

113 Sunnyside Circle

Enteny, Illinois, 60002

Dear Dr. Bergman,

I am writing to express my sincere interest in Enteny University’s open postdoc laboratory position. I would love to pursue my postdoctoral studies as a member of your team. I am a recent graduate of Bertrum University where I gave my presentation on hydrogen fuel cell viability. You may remember Juan Sosa mentioning my interest in your laboratory at the end of the last school year.

In my research, I focused on developing hydrogen fuel cell delivery and storage solutions focusing specifically on portable applications for military use. In my doctoral studies, I worked to develop charging and backup systems for portable electronic devices (PEDs). Current military operations cannot effectively use fuel alternatives because emergency and frequent charging solutions remain unavailable. Most of my work has revolved around alternative energy-harnessing systems and long-lasting batteries. In my work, I produced fuel cells less susceptible to environmental degradation factors and extreme temperatures. I look forward to continuing my research and working toward miniaturizing fuel cells to improve their PED compatibility as a member of your research team.

I would appreciate the opportunity to continue my research in your laboratory and pursue a long-term future with Enteny University. I believe the nature of my research relates to your lab because, as the leading institution in fuel cell research, my chosen field of study is extremely relevant to your efforts. I think my knowledge and experience surrounding PEDs and battery longevity could aid in your research.

I am a self-motivated, independent researcher with eight years of experience. As a detail-oriented, qualified and creative candidate, I feel my fuel-cell research, grant proposal writing and tutoring experience could be a major asset to your laboratory. I’ve attached my CV and would be very interested in setting up a time to further discuss my skills and qualifications with you. Please let me know if you have questions and I look forward to hearing from you.

Harriet Browne”

“[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]

[123 Company Address]

[Company City, State xxxxx]

[(xxx)-xxx-xxxx]

[[email protected]]

Dear [Dr./Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Last Name],

I am writing to express my interest in a postdoctoral position in your lab. I am a PhD Candidate in the Andrew Dwyer lab at James Hill University expecting to graduate in June 2022. My graduate work, published in Science this year, investigated the RNA virome in various aquatic environments using metagenomic analysis. My future research goals are to apply my computational skills and develop my skills working with non-human primate models to better understand and design therapeutics against pathogenic viruses. I believe my strong background in virus biology, library preparation, and next-generation sequencing analysis make me an ideal candidate to study respiratory disease viruses in your lab.

In my thesis lab, we use viral evolution to find trends that unite eukaryotic disease viruses. However, our current picture of RNA virus taxonomy is still incomplete, with the five-clade organization largely informed by human and agricultural animal and plant studies.

Therefore, to refine and complete our understanding of the global RNA virome, I sampled multiple complex aquatic environments and performed metagenome analysis. Confirming that the five-phyla classification based on RdRP sequence comparisons holds true, my analysis nearly tripled the number of currently known RNA viruses.

Host assignments proved to be tricky during my thesis. But I tackled this problem through various methods, including developing machine learning algorithms and comparing RNA viruses to size-separated microbial preparations subjected to DNA and RNA sequencing. I am continuing to characterize the novel and more highly divergent RdRPs discovered by our sampling. Also I mentor one graduate and one undergraduate student with their independent projects drawn from my work.

While I have focused primarily on RNA virus ecology and evolution during my graduate work, I am comfortable extending my research to studying RNA viruses in human disease. I collaborated with Dr. Henry Fields on a publication, currently under review at Frontiers in Immunology, studying rhesus macaque responses to MERS-CoV. The skills I learned through our collaboration, as well as from electives and literature search in immunology and human virology, have prepared me well to transition from studying viruses to studying virus-host interactions. Additionally, I look forward to applying my computational skills toward single-cell sequencing analysis examining the effects of age, diet fat content, and viral strain on primate responses to SARS-CoV-2 challenges, building on the methods and results in your recent Cell Reports Medicine paper. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to talk with you more about my fit in your lab. Thank you for your time and consideration.

“Anshu Mahajan

Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

+91 84 90184020

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/anshu.mahajan

Pondicherry, 10.01.2022

Kajol Samra

Head of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Pondicherry University

Chinna Kalapet

Kalapet, Puducherry

Dear Ms. Samra,

As an alumnus of Pondicherry University, I was thrilled to learn about the Post-Doctoral Fellow position available at the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. During my PhD studies at Pondicherry University, I researched the relationship between circadian regulation and neurodegenerative diseases and wrote my doctoral thesis “Circadian activity and memory performance in Alzheimer’s patients” under the supervision of professor Qadim Ray. Seeing that Pondicherry University hopes to move to the forefront of neurodegenerative disease research with a new team led by professor Abbas Sengupta, I believe that my analytical skills and academic experience could be a great asset to this programme.

The fellowship offer mentions you’re looking for candidates skilled in the areas of lab management, cytometry for apoptosis detection, and data collection. I am happy to say that I possess all of those qualities:

• Lab management: During my PhD research, I collaborated with fellow doctoral students to create a lab maintenance plan, which included up-to-date information on equipment booking, planned activities, instrument inventory, scheduling details, and a list of consumables and chemical supplies for restocking. By implementing this system, we were able to reduce the instances of conflicting activities by 67% within two months, and we maintained a stock of consumables and chemical supplies 88% of the time.
• Cytometry for apoptosis detection: I am familiar with various methods of apoptosis detection, having conducted flow cytometry to detect changes appearing in organelles, monitor activation of caspase 3, oversee changes to the plasma membrane, and changes in the nuclear DNA, using cells at a concentration of 1×106 cells/ml.
• Data collection: For my doctoral thesis, I have conducted 74 detailed interviews with Alzheimer’s patients, covering their current memory-related symptoms, overall health, family history, and sleeping habits. I have compared this information with data gathered using sleep trackers that collected information about sleep cycles. Instead of paper copies, I have used Excel spreadsheets and Cloud solutions for storing information, which helped to speed up the process of pulling up specific data by 89%.

What makes me particularly interested in your post-doctorate fellowship program is the chance to continue my research. Having worked with Alzheimer’s patients, I have seen first-hand how this disease influences the quality of life of not just the patients themselves, but also their loved ones. I believe that working together with other researchers under the guidance of professor Abbas Sengupta can lead to significant discoveries in the nature of neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, I have observed how another team of researchers at Pondicherry University achieved a major breakthrough in the study of endosome function and dysfunction. I believe that professor Sengupta’s team can replicate this success and lead to a better understanding of diseases that afflict over 50 million people worldwide.

I can’t wait to discuss my ideas for managing data gathered by professor Sengupta’s team and for introducing changes to laboratory procedures to create a smooth workflow. Could we schedule a meeting next week to discuss how my research experience can contribute to this project?

Anshu Mahajan

linkedin.com/in/anshu.mahajan”

“Dear Professor Knightly,

Having completed my doctorate in Slavonic Studies last semester, I am applying to continue my Postdoc research in the area of the Old Church Slavonic language.

Researching the homeland and language of the Slavs has always been a passion and I have undertaken many translation projects that have contributed to the modern understanding of how language influenced the early Slavonic church in the Moravian Empire.

I will be spending much of my Postdoc period in libraries across Eastern Europe, presenting at local symposia and writing my second book on the development of early Proto Slavic and Common Slavonic languages in conjunction with a number of leaders in the field. My travel has mostly been funded by the publishers, but given the considerable expense in my work I am continuing to request the bursary from the university.

I teach classes for local students and will continue to lead seminars six times a year on my return trips to Chicago. I enclose my latest research paper for your interest. It has received critical acclaim in over 15 industry publications. After analyzing over 2,000 church manuscripts, it is fascinating to see the evolution.

I was proud to receive my doctorate, but the work is just beginning. Understanding the origins of language is helping to unlock the secrets of the early Slav Church – exploring many of the rituals that still hold firm to this day.

Simon Bartley”

“New Haven, June 26, 2020

Professor B. Hawthorne

Faculty Search Committee

Stanford University

Stanford, CA 94305

Dear Professor Hawthorne,

I am writing to apply for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford. I am completing my PhD in Clinical Psychology and Criminology at Yale University under the direction of Professor Mark Fisher with an expected graduation date of May 2021.

Within my research, I have focused on a multidisciplinary approach to examining the nature of self harm and how social support networks affect the likelihood of self-harm being fatal. The thesis ‘Cry for Help: Non-Suicidal Self-Harm Characteristics’ takes 128 participants aged 15-39, 50% male and 50% female. Analyzing quantitative statistical data on the angle and depth of NSSH, the comparison versus factors such as time of contact with therapist, standardized family awareness of issues, number of social support network points as well as self-reported severity of suicidal ideation found the following.

It was found that severity of suicidal ideation didn’t reliably predict the severity of NSSH, i.e. its actual objective risk to life. However, it was found that gender was a reliable predictor of location of NSSH, with females mostly harming their arms and legs, while males were more likely to harm their chest and private areas. It was also found that the combined strength of social support was a significant predictor in the severity of NSSH, i.e. depth and angle. Early time of contact with a therapist was not affecting severity of NSSH, but had a significant correlation with frequency of harm.

With the NCHS reporting a 30% increase in death by suicide in the United States between 2000 and 2016, it is a highly pressing issue to reverse engineer the factors that lead to heightened risk, and many scholars consider NSSH a stage in the development of fatal suicidal ideation. The next part of my study intends to look at the relationship between strength of social support for young males and risk of online political and religious radicalization, another great risk to our civilization in these uncertain times, and there aren’t many better places to conduct this study than Stanford. My approach is highly informed by the modern machine learning cross-factor analysis that has been innovated by Professor Musk, and upon which I based my own analysis.

I am well-prepared to do my part teaching as well as researching, having taught a range of courses in Psychology, Criminology, Sociology and Statistics, such as ‘Radicalization: Social and Scientific Factors’ which has been wildly successful with the undergraduates at Yale, and grew from 7 students signed up in 2018 to over 55 in 2020. All in all, I have taught 400+ undergraduates and mentored 20+ master’s students, and achieved increasing participation in courses designed by me year and year, and higher than average results on all previously-established courses.

I am enclosing my curriculum vitae, research and teaching statements, as well as copies of transcripts. I also attach letters of reference from Dr Smith, Dr Jones, and Robert Martinson. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I could provide additional information or materials that will aid you in the evaluation of my application. I am available for interview during the next Criminology conference at Stanford, or by phone or email at any other time.

Best Regards,

Sam Marks PhD

211-978-1043

[email protected]”

Frequently Asked Questions:

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“I am writing to express my interest in applying for the [specific position name] listed on your website. Between my educational background and relevant experience, I am confident that I can help support your hospital’s mission of [reference to facility’s specific values and mission].”

How do you grab attention in a cover letter?

How to Create an Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter: 

• Write a compelling introduction.
• Use tasteful humor in your cover letter. 
• Research about the company. 
• Demonstrate your confidence. 

If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.

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https://resumegenius.com/cover-letter-examples/postdoc-cover-letter

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Sample Cover Letters & Correspondence

The following documents include sample cover letters and other correspondence:

• Acceptance Letter Sample
• Withdrawal Letter Sample
• Yale College Student: Sample Cover Letters
• Yale College Alum: Sample Cover Letter
• GSAS/Postdocs: Sample Cover Letter
• GSAS Postdoc Alum: Sample Cover Letters

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Effective Cover Letters

A cover letter quickly summarizes 1) why you are applying to an organization or for a particular position, and 2) what skills and knowledge you bring that make you a strong candidate for that position. It’s an opportunity to create a narrative that emphasizes & demonstrates the skills you’ve used or are developing.

Cover letters are often viewed as a demonstration of your writing abilities, so make certain that it is free of spelling mistakes, grammar issues, and typos.

• Tailor your cover letter to the specific organization & role. Generic form cover letters are easy to spot and can indicate a lack of interest.
• Use a standard size font (11 to 12 point)
• Use standard margins (1 to .65)
• Stay on 1 page (for non-academic position applications).
• Use the same header (with your name & contact information) as used on your resume.
• If it’s unclear, you can say “Dear Name & Hiring Committee” or just “Dear Hiring Committee”.

Don’t:

• Write more than 1 page
• Write “My name is…”
• Address it with “To Whom It May Concern”

How to Address the Letter:

Your Name & Contact Info ( tip: use the same format as your resume )

Today’s Date

Hiring Manager/Recruiter’s Name Title / Organization

Dear ______:

Content + Structure

Opening Paragraph: Briefly introduce why you are applying to this organization / for this role specifically. What about them or this opportunity specifically made you excited to apply? This shows that 1) this is not a generic form letter, and 2) you did a little extra research & are familiar with the organization & their work. It is also helpful to include an overall summary of the key skills, knowledge areas, or experiences that you are bring to this role right here in the first paragraph.

Middle paragraph(s): Use specific stories, examples, or anecdotes from your background to show the kinds of relevant and/or transferable skills the employer is seeking. It’s always more effective and persuasive if you can demonstrate skills in the context in which you’ve used them; how have your experiences from your resume honed these particular skills? Are there stories or examples that would show times you’ve used or developed specific skills?

Remember, they also have your resume, so your cover letter doesn’t need to include all your experiences. Try to avoid restating what’s already in your resume. Rather than saying, “ I can make a uniquely valuable contribution to your organization ,” give the employer enough relevant, targeted information to allow the reader to reach that conclusion independently.

Be specific and tell stories that have a touch of drama: “ When I was working as the president of X student group, one of the challenges that we faced was XYZ “. Then describe how you used your skills to overcome it: “ Building relationships with administrators on campus allowed us to create X event or enabled us to take on Y  initiative “. You can also reflect on how this is relevant for the reader: “ I really enjoyed being placed in a position where I had to reach out to contact and bring them all together by creating a shared vision for everyone to buy into. I would be excited to bring this combination of strong marketing skills and relationship building to the role of Advertising Associate “.

Closing Paragraph: Explain why the position and the particular organization is attractive to you. Provide an authentic reason why you are exited about bring your skills to the role. Speaking with former or current employees at the organization as part of your networking can also help in this regards. You can end by thanking them for their consideration or stating that you look forward to hearing from them.

Elements of a Strong Cover Letter

• Tailor your cover letter. Employers can tell when they receive a generic cover letter. The fastest way to stand out is to be specific to them and to you. What skills or qualifications are they looking for? What related or transferable skills & experiences could you highlight from your background?
• Show the reader your skills in context. Avoid simply listing your skills (i.e. “I have strong skills in communication, collaboration, and teamwork.”) or stating your qualifications (i.e. “I am an innovative thinker.”) Instead, demonstrate that you are those things by talking about accomplishments and experiences that show it. Can you use a brief story or example that would show times you’ve used or developed those skills?
• Go beyond restating your resume. It’s better to go in depth on two or three experiences than just restating what’s already on your resume. How have your experiences from your resume honed skills that are related to what you’re applying for?
• Focus on why you’re a strong candidate. Don’t exclusively focus on why this opportunity would be a good fit for your development or career. Instead, take some of the space where you’re talking about your interest and focus it on your aptitude. How do some of your experiences demonstrate the kind of skills they’re looking for?
• Strike the right tone. Avoid saying “I’m the perfect candidate” or “I’m the best person for this role” or words like unparalleled/overjoyed – it can easily come across too strong or even as arrogant. It’s also good to avoid the word ‘passion/passionate’, which can easily be overused and come across as disingenuous in cover letters. Instead, show that you’re a strong candidate, or excellent candidate, or that you’d be excited to bring (or further hone) your skills & experience to this opportunity.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Ask yourself 2 questions:

• This may require you to do some background research on the employer’s website, or else talk to someone you know (or don’t yet know) who already works there. Briefly explain why you want to work at that particular organization and/or doing that particular job.
• This is the majority of a cover letter. Go through the job/internship description and pay attention to any requirements and skills the employer is looking for. Pick out a couple of the most important skills that the employer is looking for. You want your cover letter to illustrate that you have these skills and show examples of when you’ve used them effectively (whether that was through academics, extracurriculars, jobs, internships, etc.). For many jobs/internships, you may want to focus on transferable skills or skills that you used in a different context to the one you’re applying for.

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How graduate students can best use ai in job searches.

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Check out this post from the Carpe Careers blog published on the Inside Higher Ed website – written by graduate student/postdoc career advisors specifically for the graduate students and postdoc population:

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To Whom It May Concern,

It’s Episode 187 – and we’re talking all about Cover Letters! Cover Letters are opportunities to showcase YOU to employers – join us as we discuss everything you need to know about Cover Letters, including:

Cover Letter Tips for Recent Graduates

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Searching for your first job after graduation can seem daunting, but with the right tools, like a polished cover letter , you can stand out from other candidates. Here are five tips to craft an impressive cover letter as a recent …

How Grad Students/Postdocs can Optimize their Career Preparation

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Check out this post from the Carpe Careers blog published on the Inside Higher Ed website – written by PhD/postdoc career advisors for PhD students and postdocs:

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Career Resources

Weingarten center.

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The Weingarten Center provides academic support services and programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at the University of Pennsylvania …

PhD Career Training Platform

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Aurora is now the “PhD Career Training Platform” and provides you with an eLearning Platform with on-demand, self-paced learning modules …

Beyond Graduate School

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Beyond Graduate School’s mission is to empower graduate students to build impactful careers and engaged lives, wherever smart people are …

Cover Letter Guide for Design Graduate Students

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Interested in learning more about how to write a cover letter and see some examples?  Check out the Cover Letter …

Career Services Resume Action Verbs

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Career Services’ Action Verbs for Resumes and Professional Profiles.

Inspiration for writing strong resume bullet points, crafting cover letters, and …

Career Services Anatomy of a Cover Letter

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Career Services’ Anatomy of a Cover Letter Guide.

LinkedIn Learning

Writing a Cover Letter

Featured videos, prep series: job & internship essentials, livestream prep workshop: resume, interview and search strategy, mastering the cover letter in 10 steps, telling stories – give your cover letters an energy and emotional boost, telling your story in cover letters for phds/postdocs.

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Goldin Family Postdoctoral Fellowship in Jewish Studies, 2024-25

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