A cover letter allows you to express interest, differentiate yourself from other applicants, and add a layer of context to your resume. When two applicants' resumes are similar in education and experience, a well-written cover letter may be the differentiating factor. If optional, it is always our recommendation to submit a cover letter to demonstrate your willingness to go above and beyond.
While there are many cover letter samples available online, including those in the links below, our formatting suggestions are as follows. We recommend aiming for a succinctly-written, 3/4 page letter that provides specific context to how your experiences have prepared you for the role's responsibilities.
Salutation
Consider de-gendering your greeting if no formal title is available (e.g. Dr. or Professor), instead writing 'Dear ___," (first name)
Paragraph 1
A hiring manager should be able to quickly learn why you're interested in the role with specific ties to the role's responsibilities. For example, "I am excited at the prospect of joining ___ (organization name) because its ___ (e.g. health-equity-focused) mission aligns with my academic preparation, work experiences, and long-term professional goals. The role's responsibilities of ___, ___, and ___ also align with my background."
Paragraph 2
Demonstrate how you've prepared yourself for the position academically, connecting specific examples of skills you've learned with how they could be applied to this role.
Paragraph 3
Explain how you've prepared yourself via work, research, and/or extracurricular activities, again providing specific contextual examples.
Closing
Short closing line thanking the hiring manager for their continued consideration. Avoid overt expectations of an interview. Example: "I would be delighted to further discuss my interests in this role; I can be reached at ___ (email) or ___ (phone). Thank you for your consideration." Add a scanned signature to make your cover letter more personal.
Most common cover letter feedback
Incorporate more curiosity as you provide context to your experiences, as you want to demonstrate your willingness to expand on your foundations in the job vs. just highlighting expertise from prior experiences. This demonstrates willingness to learn/grow in the position.
Cover Letter Resources