How To Write A Cover Letter - Jobs.ac.uk
How to Write a Cover Letterfor Research JobsAn ebook with tips and examples to create the perfect cover letter
2Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google www.jobs.ac.uk How to Write a Cover Letter for Research Jobs21The purpose of your cover letterThe power of the cover letter in making an effective jobapplication should never be underestimated. A good coverletter will grab the employer’s attention and make them wantto read your CV. The purpose of your cover letter and CVtogether is to whet the employer’s appetite, to establishyou as a serious contender for the post and to persuadethe recruiter that you are worth an interview.The cover letter exists to: Demonstrate your enthusiasm for thepost, based on the research you havedone about the role and the institution(after all, you are applying for a job asa researcher!) Explain your rationale for applying andhow the role fits with your career plans Answer the question “Why should we hireyou?” by demonstrating how you meetthe key criteria for the post and what setsyou apart from other candidates Provide evidence of your writtencommunication and language skills,including the ability to be clear, succinctand articulate. This is especially importantfor research roles as the combinationof strong technical research ability andexcellent communication skills is highlysought after.This ebook focuses on cover letters forroles in research and addresses: When to send a cover letter What format to use How to tailor it to a particular role Marketing yourself in the cover letter The do’s and don’ts of coverletter writing An example ‘before’ and ‘after’ coverletter with detailed explanationsof the improvements made A checklist for you to ensure yourcover letter is as effective as possible.3When to send a cover letterYou should always send a cover letter with your CV unless you areexpressly asked not to. The only exception is if you are posting yourCV on a database/ with an agency where it will be seen by numerousemployers, in which case a Profile on the CV itself is helpful.Even if you have explained your motivation for applying on theapplication form, it is still worth sending a separate cover letter.This is because the cover letter gives you another opportunityto market yourself and can strengthen your chances.3The format of a cover letterFor jobs in research, you should aimfor your letter to be no longer than apage. In order to make an impact, andto prove that you can explain ideasfluently and clearly, the letter needs tobe succinct. This is not the place to givein-depth detail about your research;remember that the letter may be read bynon-researchers too, such as staff fromHuman Resources. You can always givefurther details of your research activitieson your CV or in an Appendix to your CV.Keep paragraphs short and yourtypeface clear (a font size of 11 or 12is recommended) as the employer’sattention span will be brief.It is traditional to write the cover letter inparagraph format, and this is the formatwe have used for our example letter,although some candidates choose to usebullet points and/or bold to highlightkey points.The order of paragraphs is not critical,but the following is recommended:Address and salutation: Addressthe letter to a named person i.e. thehead of the research group. A quickemail or check of the institution’swebsite should elicit this information.First paragraph: An introduction,explaining which job you areapplying for, how you heard aboutthe post, and some brief backgroundon who you are e.g. in terms of yourresearch interests and background.Middle section: Evidence of howyou meet the top 3 or 4 criteria forthe role, with brief illustrations of yourresearch and your achievements.Final section: Explain what attractsyou to this role in this institution andhow the role fits in to your career plans.Concluding paragraph: A conclusionsummarising what makes yousuitable for the job and a statementexpressing interest in an interview.
44Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google www.jobs.ac.uk How to Write a Cover Letter for Research JobsTailoring your letterThe best way to tailor your letter effectively is to:4aDo your researchYour cover letter needs to show what a great matchyou are for the job. The job and person specification willonly give you so much. In order to understand the jobcontext, how your own research interests will fit into thedepartment’s research programme, what the recruitersare really looking for and how the job might develop infuture you need to make your own enquiries.This could include:4bIncluding other researchers who have worked incollaboration with them. For internal roles, you can use yourinternal networks to find these people. For external roles, youmight ask the recruiting manager to put you in touch – oruse your networks to see who knows someone in the rightdepartment and institution.The depth of your research will show in your application andcan really distinguish serious applicants from the rest of thepack. It’s also great preparation for the interview stage.4eOnline researchFor example: into the University and Department’s research programmes, it’sresearch profile, the research interests of key staff and so on. There is muchinformation available publicly (for example; the department’s latest researchranking, Research Body websites and on researcher forums). For externalappointments, you may be limited to what is available publicly so do use yournetworks to access these.4c Conversations with other researchers4din the research group and departmentDiscussion with the recruiting managerMost recruiters are only too happy to answer questions about the job frompotential applicants beforehand. This can also help you get your ‘name in theframe’ early. Just ensure that your questions are intelligent and be warned thatthe conversation might turn into an informal interview. You should reflecton why the employer should hire you , and refine your ‘elevator pitch’ beforearranging the call.Be selectiveThe best way to tailor your letter is to pick out only the top threeor four criteria for the post and focus your evidence on these. If theemployer is convinced you have the right credentials, experience andskills for the areas that matter most, the chances are that they willinvite you to interview. Your CV and your interview can cover the rest.Remember to include your skills outside researchWhilst the focus of your cover letter may beabout communicating the relevance and depthof your research expertise and your rationale forseeking this post, don’t forget to give evidenceof those softer skills which may also be relevantto the job. These are likely to be outlined in theperson specification and may include projectplanning, writing funding bids, managingother staff and communicating with colleaguesoutside your institution.4f5
65Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google www.jobs.ac.uk How to Write a Cover Letter for Research JobsMarketing yourself effectivelyBefore you write your letter, you need to be clear on whatyour Unique Selling Points are for the role in relation to thekey job criteria.Think about what will differentiate you from the competition.Consider who else might apply, internally and externally, andwhat they might offer. Consider what makes you stand outfrom them. This might include: Greater depth of expertise in this field or a higher researchprofile than other likely applicants A particular blend of experiences which give you a uniqueperspective (e.g. having worked in both academic researchand industry, or having research experience in more thanone discipline) Specific achievements in your current and previous roles A qualification which is highly relevant to the role,but which not all the other applicants will have A passion for and commitment to this area of research orworking for this institution (e.g. perhaps you completedyour PhD there) Well developed research or funding networks which couldprove helpful in the job Or anything else you think might make the standout in a way which is relevant to the role.67Tips for successDo: Put your most convincing evidence first. You need tomake an impact in the first few sentences. Talk aboutyour current or most relevant job first Focus on achievements in your current and previousroles rather than merely your responsibilities. Quantifythese wherever possible Illustrate your achievements with brief but specificexamples, explaining why these are relevant to this role.You can refer the employer to the CV for more detail Concentrate on the areas which differentiate you from the competition ratherthan the basic job criteria Demonstrate how well you have researched the role and the job context whenexplaining your career motivation Explain your rationale if you are seeking a career change or sideways move Be succinct. Ask a friend to go through it with you and edit out any wordysentences and redundant words End on a note of enthusiasm and anticipation.Don’t: Try to summarise your CV or give too much detail – youneed to be selective about the points that you highlight Make unsubstantiated statements about relevant skillsand experience without giving examples Send the same or a similar letter to more than oneemployer. Never ‘cut and paste’ as employers willsuspect a lack of research and career focus Make generalised statements about why you want towork for the institution (e.g. referring to ‘a top 50 globalinstitution’ or ‘a department with a high reputation’) Use jargon specific to your employer or professionwhich the employer might not understand Focus on what the employer can do for you – it’s moreabout what you can do for the employer.
87Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google www.jobs.ac.uk How to Write a Cover Letter for Research Jobs8Example cover letter – with commentsDear Sir or MadamI am writing to express my strong interest in applying for the position ofResearch Fellow in Applied Health Research in the Institute of AdvancedHealthcare Economics.After studying for a BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Midtown(where I scored an average of 82%) I continued my academic career bystudying for an MSc in Public Health. I was then accepted to study for a PhDin the Department of Applied Social Studies at South Midshire University(ranked 8th in the UK in the Sunday Times Good University Guide) whichI began in September 2009 and finished in June this year. This involvedcompeting for research council funding with 20 other applicants.My dissertation title was ‘Health Disparities and the impact of Social Classon Clinical Outcomes’. My supervisor was Dr W Jennings. I havecontributed to a number of publications, including the “Healthcare ScienceReview”, “Journal of Health Economics”, “Clinical Commissioning Digest” and“Review of Socio-Medical Studies”. I have also attended a recent conferenceon Democratic Healthcare Structures within Socially Excluded Communities.I am eager to further my career at your institution and am now seeking aposition where I can apply my extensive research interests and skills.The Institute’s tradition of excellence and its reputation for intellectual rigourare matched by my own passion for quality and my commitment to thefuture development of health policy research. Your goal of ‘eradicatinghealth poverty through improving patient outcomes’ is congruent with myown beliefs and aspirations.I have had extensive experience in policy research, data analysis , researchevaluation and statistical modelling . I also studied Advanced ResearchMethods as part of my MSc. I have had experience of using SPSS andATLAS-Ti software as well as having skills in advanced Excel.1: Always address the letter to a namedperson where possible, ideally the hiringmanager.2: This is obvious.3: You don’t need to give a plotted historyof your career – this can be found onthe CV. The first main paragraph is yourchance to capture the employer’s interestand should immediately highlight yourcredentials for the post.4: This kind of academic success is assumedand will not give you an edge overother candidates at this stage in yourcareer. Work experience, or more recentsuccesses will be more persuasive.5: This kind of detail can be found on the CVand does not need to be repeated in thecover letter.6: This sentence adds very little andis assumed.7: This sounds like platitudes.The quote may have been taken from theemployer’s website and is not showingany evidence of researching the position.8: Beware inserting long lists of activitiesand skills which are not backed up withevidence of achievement.I have had held two research assistant positions, one in my academicdepartment and one with the Department of Health and I found theseexperiences both rewarding and valuable.9: Again, this information is clear fromthe CV.I am a dedicated team worker, excellent communicator and accomplishedproject manager with strong organisational and planning skills. I spent threeyears as a member of the PhD Staff Student Liaison Group, attending regularmeetings and disseminating information to my fellow students. I play a greatdeal of sport and like to challenge myself physically, regularly attendingsessions at my local gym.11: This just shows you carried out the role– not that you were any good at it.I am very excited about this position. It would be a huge honour to workfor the Institute and I would be very grateful for the opportunity to furthermy career in this area.Yours respectfully and in anticipation of your swift response.Yours sincerely10: More unsubstantiated lists!12: If you are going to mention interestsoutside work, make sure that they arerelevant e.g. they demonstrate personal13: The cover letter needs to answer thequestion ‘What could I do for you ifyou hire me?’ not ‘What could you dofor me?’ qualities which are key to thejob and also that they differentiate youfrom other candidates. Popping to thegym regularly does not improve yourcredentials for the job.9Example cover letter – improved versionDear Dr SchmidtI would like to express my interest in the position of Research Fellowin Applied Health Research which I saw advertised on jobs.ac.uk.1: Always say where you saw the positionadvertised.I have recently completed my PhD in “Health Disparities and the impactof Social Class on Clinical Outcomes’ at the University of South Midshire.My PhD involved primary research with clinicians and patient advocatesand culminated in a set of recommendations for local Clinical CommissioningGroups. Prior to that I completed a Masters in Public Health at the Universityof London, where I gained a distinction.2: Succinct but informative. Theemployer can check out more detailon the CV itself. Bear in mind that theCV may be read by non-specialists andnon-researchers too (such as HR Staff).This position appears to be an ideal blend of my experience in evaluatingpatient healthcare outcomes using statistical modelling and my expertisein clinical commissioning policy.3: This statement is more persuasive asit is better tailored to the post, andfocuses on the applicant’s UniqueSelling Points as a candidate.I am particularly impressed by the Institute’s commitment to improvingpatient outcomes in deprived communities. As an active member of mylocal NHS Patient Concern group, this is an area about which I am passionate.4: The statement of admiration is backedup by evidence of where the candidatehas demonstrated those beliefs.I am also drawn to the Institute’s multidisciplinary approach to research.Having collaborated extensively with academics in the Department ofEconomics during my PhD, I believe in the importance of thinking beyondnarrow academic disciplines.5: This shows that the candidate isaware of what makes the departmentdistinctive, and that they have givensome thought as to why the positionwould suit them.I have held research assistant posts in both academia and in central governmentmaking me ideally suited to a role focusing on the interface between researchers 6: Here the skills required for thejob are evidenced with actualand clinicians. My experience of evaluating the impact of changes in clinicalconcrete achievements. Select thosecommissioning on local patient groups whilst at the Department of Healthachievements most relevant to thehas given me a real understanding of the practical applications of health policytarget job.on communities. I also took the opportunity to learn advanced data analysistechniques, for example using SPSS and ATLAS-Ti to investigate the correlation7: Team working is likely to be a key partbetween local commissioning structures and patient outcomes.of the person spec for a researcherposition; Even if not stated on theAt the Department of Health I worked as part of a close-knit team of researchersspec, it is often assumed so alwaysfrom different disciplines and nationalities. This increased my confidence inshow you can work in teams as wellcommunicating my research to those outside my field and improved myas independently.intercultural skills . As an active member of the PhD Staff Student Liaison Group,8: This could be important for a role in aI learnt how to problem solve, build relationships and to negotiate practicaldepartment with a large internationalsolutions. These influencing skills stood me in good stead during my internship,where I successfully persuaded the South Midtown Clinical Commissioning Group staff and/or student body.to participate in my research project and to implement some of its findings.9: This time, actual evidence ofinfluencing skills is given.I am confident that my expertise in clinical commissioning and patientimpact, my broad experience in both academic and government research,10: Finish on a statement which is wellmy focus on a multidisciplinary approach and my strong organisational andtailored to the person specificationinfluencing skills make me an ideal match for this position.and which answers the question,I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss my experience in more detailat interview and I look forward to hearing from you shortly.Yours sincerely‘Why would I be a perfect fit forthis position?’11: End on a note of confidence.
10www.jobs.ac.uk How to Write a Cover Letter for Research Jobs9Cover letter checklistBefore you send off your letter, use our final checklist toensure your letter is as strong as possible.Have you: Done your homework so that you are clear about whatthe employer wants? Given clear evidence of how you meet the mostimportant criteria of the job? Kept it to one page or less? Put your most important evidence in the first halfof the letter? Explained your research clearly in a way thatnon-researchers could understand?Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google 10 About the authorLisa Carr is a careers consultant andcoach who works with a range of publicand private organisations includingthe University of Warwick and WarwickBusiness School, where she coachesExecutive MBAs. She began her career asan HR manager in the energy industryand spent a number of years lecturingfor the Chartered Institute of Personneland Development. After qualifying as aCareers Guidance practitioner she hasworked with a wide range of clientsfrom undergraduates through to senioracademics and company directors. Asked a friend to proof read it and ensure the languageis succinct and clear? Addressed it to the right person? Given a convincing explanation of why you want the job? Ended with a summary of why you would be perfectfor this role?You may like these other ebooks from jobs.ac.uk:How to Apply for an Academic Job ebookThe market for jobs in both academia and othersectors is competitive, and you therefore need toplan ahead, be strategic in your job search and lookat ways to stand out from the crowd. This ebook willhelp you understand how to interpret a job advert,tailor your application, covering letter and CV andsucceed at a panel interview.12 Key Lecturing Skills ebookNeed help with your CV? Visit our website forexample CVs, guidelines and tips as well as anAcademic CV Template.Whether you are still doing your PhD and areteaching for the first time, or are starting a temporaryor permanent contract, this ebook will guide youin developing your skills. It offers practical tips andadvice on how to cope with common problemsinside and outside the classroom.11
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