Data Scientist Cover Letter Example

Whether you’re a researcher with years of experience or a recent grad fresh out of a computer science program, landing your next data scientist position doesn’t have to be complicated. An exceptional data scientist cover letter can provide the winning edge you need in a competitive job market.

From machine learning and data analysis to data mining and data visualization, data science is one of the most exciting fields of the 21st century. Going after the best jobs requires an application that shows off your strengths, highlights your accomplishments and maximizes your chances of landing your dream position. Naturally, a well-crafted resume that effectively summarizes your qualifications is an essential component. But by design, the resume has limitations as a stand-alone document. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss one of the most important steps overlooked by many applicants — writing a great cover letter. This document gives you the chance to focus on your data scientist work experiences that matter most. It’s your best opportunity to impress the employer by making a personal connection.

With Resume.io’s tips, tools and resources, you’ll be able to create a highly polished data scientist application that makes your credentials stand out. Our  cover letter examples from many different professions may offer some inspiration. 

This guide, along with an effective data scientist cover letter example will:

• Explain the purpose of a data scientist cover letter and the importance of tailoring your cover letter to each individual position
• Break down the cover letter format and advise how to maximize the impact of each component: header, greeting, introduction, body and conclusion
• Detail one of the most powerful writing tips to connect with prospective employers
• Help you avoid some of the biggest mistakes made by other candidates

Why you need a data scientist cover letter

Primary purpose

Before we dive into the how of writing a cover letter, let’s clarify the what. A cover letter is one of the most requested application materials for good reason. This one-page document (roughly 200 to 400 words) allows you to make a great first impression without ever having to set foot in the door for an interview.

You’ve probably noticed that your resume is great for conveying certain pieces of information like dates, names and degrees. But that’s not everything you have to offer. Your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to discuss your perspectives, personality traits and the relevant soft skills that make you the right fit. You can even use this document to answer any potential questions that may arise from your resume, like gaps in work history.

Now let’s take a look at an actual data scientist cover letter sample:

Secondary purpose

A great cover letter is all about one thing: maximizing your chances of landing your dream position. While it’s true that data scientists are in high demand, not all jobs are created equal. If you’re looking for opportunities with comfortable salaries, room to grow and the chance to make a difference, then you’re going to be competing with the best of the best.

Let’s imagine a hypothetical applicant pool for a data scientist job. Only half of the candidates, including you, have some knowledge of machine learning and big data. Out of those, only half have mastered Python. Now it’s down to you and just a handful of others. 

On paper you all seem relatively equal, but as the hiring manager reviews your cover letters, she notices you’ve made an effort to address why you’re the right candidate to help the publisher use data to market books in the digital age. Your attention to detail and interest in the industry is impressive, and your cover letter has helped you land an interview. 

Best format for a data scientist cover letter

Many applicants fear the cover letter writing process because they think it lacks structure. Luckily, you don’t have to be among them. In this chapter, we’ll break cover letter organization into manageable sections so you can quickly check off all the essentials.

Here are the key components:

• The cover letter header
• The greeting
• The introduction
• The letter body
• The conclusion
• The signature.

Learning to write a great cover letter is a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your career, since the format doesn’t change much between positions or industries. 

Cover letter header

Your cover letter header serves two important roles. The first is to help identify your document with your name and the necessary contact information. When submitting your cover letter through an online application system, you’ll want to keep the header brief. Just make sure those who come across your letter know who you are and how to get in touch should they want to set up an interview.

You don't have to include a full home address in the cover letter and you definitely shouldn't include an inside address of the employer. That convention can be left in the past.

The second purpose of your cover letter header is to add a touch of attractive formatting to an otherwise bland document. This will help catch the reader’s eye and make your application stand out.

The goal of this section: Identify your cover letter with your name, phone number and other personal data; create professional and attractive formatting.

Cover letter greeting

The cover letter greeting is a small but mighty section. This is where you have the opportunity to establish that all-important personal connection and set a polite tone for the rest of the letter. In general, “Dear” followed by the correct salutation and the last name of the hiring manager works well for most professional situations. If you already have a relationship with the employer or you’re submitting your cover letter in the body of an email, “Hello” or “Hi” may also be appropriate.

The goal of this section: Establish a personal connection and a respectful tone by using the hiring manager’s name in your greeting.

Cover letter introduction

Your cover letter should be written for human beings. That means it needs to be interesting and fresh enough to catch and hold a reader’s attention. Nowhere is this more important than in the introduction paragraph. A hiring manager might only have the time to read your opening sentence before deciding whether or not to continue, so it’s worth paying attention to make sure this section conveys the right tone. A relevant anecdote, exciting personal statement or useful fact can all help lead into the body section of your letter.

The goal of this section: Catch the hiring manager’s attention with a relevant fact, interesting anecdote or exciting statement and encourage them to continue reading into the body section.

Cover letter body 

The cover letter body is where you can finally dive into all the relevant experiences and skills that make you the right candidate for the job. Since this is the largest part of your cover letter, you can simplify the writing process by breaking it down into two subsections.

In the first, you can use the STAR method to describe a Situation, the required Task, your Action and the positive Result you achieved. Make sure to choose anecdotes that relate to situations you may encounter in your prospective position.

In the second paragraph you can focus on a mix of hard and soft skills and use strong action verbs to describe your potential contributions to the new workplace. Make sure that you share context where possible.

The goal of this section: Use the STAR method to describe previous successes and milestones, and give your prospective employer an idea of the potential contributions you could make to their workplace.

Cover letter conclusion and signature

Now that you’ve made the best argument for your employment, it’s time to finish your letter with the appropriate closing. To increase your chances of hearing back, you’ll want to create a call to action. This sentence expresses enthusiasm for the position and invites the hiring manager to contact you. 

Then, end your letter with the appropriate signature based on the formality of the company and your relationship with the employer. “Best regards,” “Sincerely” and “Thank you for your consideration” can all work well.

The goal of this section: Create an effective call to action that encourages a hiring manager to contact you, then use with the appropriate signature to close on a positive note.

Persuade with a story

Humans love a good story. In fact, the positive response storytelling has on our brains has been well documented by science. Advertisers and businesses have long used this fact to their advantage (think about those inspiring and heartfelt commercials during the Olympics).

You can also make use of storytelling to create an emotional connection with the letter reader and compel them to give you a shot.

For those outside of the field of data science (likely your employer and the hiring manager), it may be hard to understand exactly what you do and how you do it. Instead of overwhelming the employer with technical knowledge, focus inside on the impact your work will have on them and their business.

A concrete example of a time when your research allowed a company to implement positive change is one of the best examples to share with your potential employer. Choose stories that mimic the type of work you’ll be doing in this new position and use a mix of quantitative and emotional evidence to support the fact that your work was well-received.

You may not be able to make the employer understand the ins-and-outs of data science, but you should convey an understanding of their needs and how you can work to solve their problems.

Common mistakes in a data scientist cover letter

Here are some all-too-common mistakes made by many candidates for data science positions:

• Jargon and too many technical details: Keep in mind that the first hiring manager who reads your cover letter likely isn’t a data scientist. Make sure to hit the most relevant skills without filling your document full of unnecessary or overly complicated terminology.
• Grammar and spelling mistakes: Typos and grammatical errors give the impression you don’t have the attention to detail or the great communication skills you say you do. Make sure to use spell check and have a friend proofread your cover letter before submitting.
• Formatting errors: Visual appeal might seem secondary, but unprofessional formatting can turn an employer off from reading your cover letter entirely. Luckily, online tools like Resume.io’s cover letter templates and builder can help you create great formatting in just a few clicks.
• Generic letters: A hiring manager can quickly flag a candidate as lacking effort and interest in the position just based on a copy-paste generic letter. Make sure to tailor your letter with the right skills and experiences for each job.

Key takeaways

1. A thoughtful cover letter is a key component of any high-quality application. Unless an employer specifically asks you not to include one, it’s always a good idea to submit one with your resume.
2. Tailoring your cover letter with the most relevant examples and skills for each individual position shows an employer you’re an invested and interested applicant and maximizes your chances of landing the position.
3. Follow the trusted cover letter structure to make sure your document is well organized and includes all the necessary information.
4. Don’t forget to include relevant numbers and statistics to back up your accomplishments and show the value you can bring to a potential employer.
5. Great formatting shouldn’t be an afterthought. Online tools and templates can help you put together a polished application in just a few minutes.

With resume.io, you can create a perfect cover letter in just a few minutes. No uncertainty, no hassle. Go out there and win!