Beyond the basics: Writing a STEM cover letter

When it comes to application materials, the cover letter is one that’s particularly nebulous. Almost every internship, fellowship or job application requires a resume or CV, but not every application requires a cover letter. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write one.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is an important opportunity to set your application apart from the competition and show the reviewer why you would be the perfect fit for the role. It’s also your chance to include information that you don’t have room for on your resume and leave a strong impression with a well-written, informative, and interesting document that showcases the value you will bring to the role.

If you haven’t already, you can learn how to write a cover letter from one of our previous blog posts. This is a great resource for learning what information you need to include. To learn more about the specifics of a STEM cover letter, keep reading.

Four tips for writing an effective STEM cover letter

When writing a cover letter for a role in STEM, the goal is to highlight both technical qualifications and soft skills. Your resume/CV are relatively short documents, so if you have relevant experience that you’d like to expand upon, the cover letter is your opportunity to do so.

1. Use specific examples and numbers from your past experiences, highlighting anything that’s relevant to the posting.
2. If the opportunity description is looking for someone with a research background, then your cover letter should include a few sentences on the type of research you have done, relevant duties, accomplishments that are relevant to the research and why the opportunity to expand your skills matters to your career.
3. Don’t have much experience in the area yet but want to learn? Tell them that and why it matters to you. Your passion and commitment to the goals of the project are often more important to the mentor/reviewer, especially in learning-based opportunities like the internship and fellowship programs at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. They want to know why you will bring value to the role and why you want to learn and the cover letter gives you the chance to make that connection and hopefully get to the interview to tell the full story.
4. If you list any names of former mentors, principal investigators, faculty, and/or supervisors, be sure to get their permission first and send them a copy of the letter in case they are contacted.  

When writing a cover letter for a role in STEM, the goal is to highlight both technical qualifications and soft skills. Your resume/CV are relatively short documents, so if you have job-relevant experience that you’d like to expand upon, the cover letter is your opportunity to do so. Use specific examples and numbers from your past experiences, highlighting anything that’s relevant to the job listing. If the job description is looking for someone with a research background, then your cover letter should include a few sentences on the type of research you have done, relevant duties, and your significant accomplishments. You may also want to mention the name of your supervisor (as long as you have their permission).

Because a cover letter is a different format than a resume, you have the unique opportunity to integrate more storytelling into your writing. Instead of saying “I took lab samples,” say “I oversaw 300 lab samples a day.” The latter example fulfils the same purpose as the first, but it also demonstrates an important character trait that an employer would like to see. Strong action verbs are key when it comes to writing application materials: use phrases like “delivered,” “oversaw,” “assisted,” “initiated,” or anything similar, rather than a passive word like “was.”

Include relevant experience

When deciding what relevant experience to share in your cover letter, use the posting description as inspiration. You should always tailor your resume to each opportunity, making sure to include the title or reference code for the position you’re applying for, the name of the organization/company, and including language from the description in your cover letter and resume/CV. Include one or two relevant stories that highlight your experience, skills, and personality. It’s good to share both your hard skills (technical skills you’ve gained through experience and/or education) and soft skills (interpersonal qualities such as communication, teamwork or time management).

Cover letter format and design

Design is a nuanced element of cover letters and resumes, especially in the STEM field. Because your qualifications are what need to shine, it’s important not to overdesign. But you still need to make sure your application materials are easy to read. A small, but impactful touch is to make sure that your cover letter and resume/CV match. Use the same header (name, contact info, etc.) on both documents, and use the same body font for both. In addition, your cover letter should use a 12-point font and have very little empty space. Cover letters are generally 250-400 words, so you should have plenty of information to fill your page.

If you’d like, you can also add your signature to your cover letter. This is a small detail that can add a personal touch to the letter. To create a digital copy of your signature, find a drawing app on your phone or tablet, and use your finger (or a stylus if you have one) to sign. Save the file as a .png and place it on the bottom of your letter.

Final thoughts

Lastly, be sure to close your letter by re-emphasizing your interest in the position and the impact you can make at the organization. At the conclusion of your letter, readers should feel excited about your candidacy and motivated to follow up with you.

References:

• Cornell.edu: Cover Letter Examples Guide
• MIT.edu: How to write an effective cover letter