When writing your data scientist cover letter, focus on how you can generate statistical insights for the organization that posted the job. Also, emphasize your related skills like algorithm testing, process streamlining, or data visualization.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a data scientist.
Data Scientist Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Data Scientist Cover Letter
An effective cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. To write a great data scientist cover letter, connect each section to the employer and its hiring needs. The following advice and examples will show you what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
- Your resume contact header, which should give your full name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn if applicable
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, organization, and contact information (when available)
Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email. But keep your contact details below your signature. Double-check that your phone number is current and accurate and your email address matches the one you’re sending from. These simple details are easy to overlook but as important as any information on your cover letter.
Example
Dan Doe
Data Scientist | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 456 Address Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319
June 2, 2024
Jenny Smith
Hiring Manager
Data Labs
(967) 684-3230
[email protected]
2. Salutation
When possible, address your recipient by name – the quickest way to indicate you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If the person’s name isn’t available, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each application.
Examples
Dear Ms. Mata,
Dear Seattle Genetics Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key credential the company seeks in applicants. Then, connect that highlight to your main strengths and overall candidacy for the advertised data scientist role. Refer to the hiring organization by name here to further convince the recipient you’re applying to them specifically.
You can also make your introduction stand out by networking. Cite any personal or professional connections you have with the hiring manager. If someone at the organization alerted you to the job, use a line like “I was excited to hear from your colleague [Name] about [Company]’s new data scientist position.” Or, if you’ve already met your recipient, mention that with a line like “It was great speaking with you at the [event] last month.”
Example
My shortlisting for a Beckenbach Book Prize in 2023 for my publication on applied mathematics was my proudest achievement to date as a mathematician. I hope to demonstrate my extensive knowledge of mathematical modeling and strong leadership style in the principal mathematician role at Edivna.
4. Body paragraph(s)
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this data scientist position or employer interests you. What details on the job posting caught your attention, and how do they compare to your experience?
When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have at least two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening at hand. By making these sentences a central part of your letter, you’ll have the best chance of persuading the manager to give you a call.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your data scientist skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
With three years of data science experience and two promotions under my belt, I was attracted to the position at Data Labs due to the company’s reputation for high performance. I also appreciate Data Lab’s approach to employee well-being and feel I would thrive within the company.
If I were to secure this role, I plan to bring even more success to Data Labs. Some of my past responsibilities and achievements include:
- Improving the efficiency of data collection techniques, resulting in 15% faster collation
- Undertaking a new approach to data regression analysis, which helped the company predict future sales with a 95% accuracy rate
5. Closing
Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their time and attention. Consider briefly restating why this job opportunity interests you. You can also use this section to refer to your resume or other application materials. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I have the qualities necessary to become an inspiring and effective leader at Seattle Genetics and would appreciate discussing the position with you further. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to schedule a meeting.
Sincerely,
Diana Kaiser
Data Scientist Cover Letter Tips
1. Show you can derive data-backed insights
Start your letter strong with a clear example or measure of your success as a data scientist. Consider how you’ve developed or bettered companies’ use of data and how those improvements helped clarify business issues or opportunities.
Example
Since undertaking my current data scientist role at Science Labs Corporation, I have successfully expanded the company’s data by 30%. I achieved this by incorporating third-party sources and using my initiative, for which I receive regular compliments. I hope to bring this same level of success to Data Labs as a data scientist.
2. Tell why you’re drawn to this data scientist job
For example, maybe the role requires executive consulting and creative data visualization, two focus areas of your most recent job. Or maybe you identify with the firm’s stated values around data accuracy and confidentiality.
Example
With eight years of specialist training in the field and over two years in a leadership role, my skills and experience make me the perfect fit for Seattle Genetics’ prominent position in the genetic research sphere.
3. Highlight your technical and soft skills
Add a short list of bullet points to show your success in related work areas for your target job, such as data gathering, client relations, or process streamlining. Also, consider using this section to present your expertise in web-scraping, data visualization, or other relevant software programs.
Example
My recent accomplishments include:
- Leading a team to develop an algorithm that directly contributed to a revenue increase of 43%
- Streamlining and improving analytical processes to reduce cases of fraud and abuse by 67%
- Creating an innovative system to solve client problems that led to the development of the company’s most successful product to date
Data Scientist Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Diana Kaiser
Lead Statistician | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 321 My Road, San Francisco, CA 12345
June 1, 2024
Habibah Mata
Senior Hiring Manager
Seattle Genetics
(111) 222-3333
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Mata,
Being shortlisted for the International Prize in Statistics for innovations in the field of clinical trial statistical methods was the pinnacle of my career to date. I hope to bring the same revolutionary thinking and attention to detail to the Principal Statistician role at Seattle Genetics.
With eight years of specialist training in the field and over two years in a leadership role, my skills and experience make me the perfect fit for Seattle Genetics’ prominent position in the genetic research sphere. My key achievements include:
- Designing a software program to improve bioinformatics for lung cancer detection, resulting in a multimillion-dollar research grant
- Achieving 25+ publications in genetic statistics and computation
- Spearheading a team to develop methodologies that improved data analysis accuracy by 45% in 2020
I have the qualities necessary to become an inspiring and effective leader at Seattle Genetics and would appreciate discussing the position with you further. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to schedule a meeting.
Sincerely,
Diana Kaiser
Data Scientist Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
Do hiring managers still read cover letters?-
Some don’t, but many do. And all hiring managers seek fast ways to cut a large pile of applications down to just a few promising candidates. One common way they do this is by focusing on applications that include cover letters, then on cover letters that speak to their hiring needs. Send a custom cover letter with your resume, and you can be confident you’d end up in that select group.
How should I format my cover letter?-
Like your resume. Carry over that document’s basic format settings, such as font style, line spacing, and page margins.
How long should a data science cover letter be?-
No more than one page, or around 250 words. Resist the urge to tell your whole career story, even if you have extensive background in your target role. Give just enough detail to pique hiring managers’ interest so they look closely at your resume.
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