As a data scientist, you’re an expert when it comes to finding the overarching trends and translating them into meaningful insights — but what about when it comes to your own career achievements? A data scientist cover letter is the perfect place to share your strengths and show the employer why hiring you is the smart choice.
Data scientists are in high-demand, but to land your next position, you’ll need to break down your successes and the impact you’ve had in your previous position. A great data scientist cover letter gives you the chance to expand on experiences and qualities beyond a simple bullet point.
In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding data scientist cover letter example, we’ll cover the following topics to help you write the best cover letter possible:
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An effective cover letter should be clear and organised. That’s why it’s important to define the structure before you begin to write. The format of a data scientist cover letter should contain the following elements:
While you may keep a general cover letter that you return to when it’s time to apply for a new job, it’s important to update it and customise it for the exact position you’re applying to.
Although your duties as a data scientist may be similar from role to role, make sure to read the job description carefully and determine what makes this position or company unique. Use this research to guide both the tone and content of your cover letter and make sure that your writing answers the question “What makes me the right candidate for this particular job?”
A cover letter should be no longer than one page, so make sure every word counts. Choose only the most relevant examples and achievements to highlight and make sure your experience relates to the company’s needs. The goal of the cover letter is not to repeat the resume, but rather expand on accomplishments that can’t be explained in a simple bullet point.
Below you’ll find a data scientist cover letter sample that you can use as a starting point for your own application:
Dear Dr Reed,
I am a data scientist with varied experience in the public sector. I believe my knowledge would be an excellent fit for your current vacancy at Prysm.
Since graduating with my Master’s in Data Science two years ago, I have been employed in data positions in various governmental departments. Most recently my work with the Department for International Trade saw me developing statistical frameworks to identify supply chain vulnerabilities.
My highlights in the role have included successfully finding an emerging risk to food imports from third countries. This was possible thanks to a Natural Language Processing project that I had advocated for and executed. The resulting methodology synthesises qualitative data from a range of intelligence sources to events that could affect critical supply chains.
Other important responsibilities in my most recent role have included automating report generation and building relationships across governmental departments to determine opportunities for new analytical products. This helped me to understand the importance of these products for the public sector. I know that governmental contracts are an important part of the work that Prysm does. I would love to use this insight to help in projects with a wider scope.
I am aware that this is the first data science role that Prysm is hiring. Across my time in governmental roles, I have worked on truly interdisciplinary teams. My colleagues and managers have ranged from statisticians and economists, to social researchers and more. I am well-versed in the communication skills required to make data science principles clear to professionals from different backgrounds.
I hope that I will have the opportunity to demonstrate these communication skills and my enthusiasm about the role in an interview. I am confident my experience makes me a great fit for the team.
Sincerely,
Katarina
Check out our related cover letter guides for more inspiration:
The cover letter header is the first section at the top of the page that captures your name, contact information, and professional social media like LinkedIn. Hiring managers can receive hundreds of applications for a single opening, so the header helps them identify the document and quickly contact you to set up an interview. An attractive header with a professional accent colour or another design element can also help to build a credible image and make your application more likely to stand out. Check out our adaptable cover letter sample for a model header.
One way to create a positive first impression is to choose matching resume and cover letter templates. By using a consistent look across your application materials, you’ll come across as a polished candidate who is serious about the position.
The cover letter greeting is a short but powerful section. This is where you’ll address the hiring manager and set a friendly, yet professional tone for the rest of the cover letter.
For data scientist roles, “Dear” followed by the correct salutation and last name of the hiring manager is the most appropriate choice. You may also use the hiring manager’s full name to avoid any mistakes with the salutation.
If you’re applying to a large company and can’t identify the person who will read your cover letter, you may also opt to address it to the team leader or (Company Name) Hiring Team. Avoid casual phrases like “hey”, “hi”, or “hello”, and never address your cover letter using “To Whom It May Concern” as this phrase sounds impersonal and outdated.
Get the cover letter introduction right and you’re off to a good start. Put the hiring manager to sleep, however, and you can guarantee you won’t be getting the interview. These one-to-three sentences are what entices the employer to read the rest of the document. Aim to begin with a strong statement that demonstrates one of your top skills. If you have a connection to the company, you’ll also want to mention it early on.
Before finishing the introduction, you’ll need to include the company name and the position you are applying for. While it may seem obvious, a hiring manager can read hundreds of applications in a day and there should be no confusion about which role you’re after.
As a data scientist, one of the best ways to begin your cover letter is with a relevant achievement. Give the hiring manager a sense of what you can do for their company by sharing a recommendation you made based on your research and the positive results that followed. See how this is done in our adaptable data scientist cover letter example.
Dear Dr Reed,
I am a data scientist with varied experience in the public sector. I believe my knowledge would be an excellent fit for your current vacancy at Prysm.
The middle paragraphs of cover letters are the most freeform. While there are many ways to approach this section, it’s important to keep in mind the goal: highlight your best qualities and achievements in two paragraphs maximum. One way to do this is by using the STAR method. Start by describing a Situation and the Task required of you. Then explain your Action and the positive Result that followed. Two or three of these short anecdotes will allow you to create a convincing cover letter with ease. Check out our adaptable cover letter example below.
Since graduating with my Master’s in Data Science two years ago, I have been employed in data positions in various governmental departments. Most recently my work with the Department for International Trade saw me developing statistical frameworks to identify supply chain vulnerabilities.
My highlights in the role have included successfully finding an emerging risk to food imports from third countries. This was possible thanks to a Natural Language Processing project that I had advocated for and executed. The resulting methodology synthesises qualitative data from a range of intelligence sources to events that could affect critical supply chains.
Other important responsibilities in my most recent role have included automating report generation and building relationships across governmental departments to determine opportunities for new analytical products. This helped me to understand the importance of these products for the public sector. I know that governmental contracts are an important part of the work that Prysm does. I would love to use this insight to help in projects with a wider scope.
I am aware that this is the first data science role that Prysm is hiring. Across my time in governmental roles, I have worked on truly interdisciplinary teams. My colleagues and managers have ranged from statisticians and economists, to social researchers and more. I am well-versed in the communication skills required to make data science principles clear to professionals from different backgrounds.
As a data scientist, don’t forget to include numbers, statistics, and data that show how you’ve impacted your previous employers for the better and the outcomes you can take credit for. Concrete information is more likely to stand out in the hiring manager’s mind.
With the bulk of the cover letter out of the way, the last step is to create a conclusion that leaves a hiring manager wanting to set up an interview. One of the best ways to do this is to end with a call to action (CTA). This line expresses your enthusiasm for the position and invites the hiring manager to get in touch to continue the conversation further. While you don’t want to come across as presumptive, it’s okay to make a strong statement about the qualities that make you best for the role. A specific, thoughtful closing is more likely to be memorable. See our adaptable data scientist cover letter example for more insight.
I hope that I will have the opportunity to demonstrate these communication skills and my enthusiasm about the role in an interview. I am confident my experience makes me a great fit for the team.
Sincerely,
Katarina
Are you new to the realms of data science? If so, you can still impress a hiring manager by writing a stellar cover letter. Here are some of the topics you may want to cover:
Many candidates don’t fully understand the purpose of a cover letter and make basic mistakes that cause hiring managers to eliminate their application after a quick scan. If you can avoid the most common errors, you’ll be on your way to impressing the employer and landing on the interview short list. Here’s what to watch out for: