Looking for a new internship, assistantship, or entry-level job? Without an outstanding formal sciences student cover letter your chances at securing the spot shrink to smithereens.
Steer clear of this scenario by delving into our easy-to-follow guide. Inside, you'll discover the best cover letter templates to use, numerous inspiring examples to draw inspiration from, and real cover letter samples submitted by students just like you.
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Keep reading to uncover all about how to:
- Create a formal sciences student cover letter header and headline
- Personalize the greeting on your formal sciences student cover letter
- Write a compelling intro for your formal sciences student cover letter
- Showcase your top skills and accomplishments as a formal sciences student
- Conclude your formal sciences student cover letter effectively
- Find the best work opportunities for formal sciences students
Without further ado, let’s dive into how to write a formal sciences student cover letter!
1. Create a proper formal sciences student cover letter header and headline
The start of your cover letter writing process should always begin by creating a header and headline.
A cover letter header contains key introductory details, like your name and contact information. Meanwhile, a cover letter headline is a short sentence that acts as a title for your cover letter, providing the reader with a quick and compelling introduction for the information to come.
In your header, certain information is essential to always include, such as:
- Your name and job title/area of study
- Your contact information
- The name of the company you are applying to
- The address of the company
Here is an example of a well-formatted formal sciences student cover letter
Jack King, Formal Sciences Student
(123) 456-7890 | jacking@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-doe
To: Prism Mathematics
Internship Department
1234 Street Address
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Once you've written and formatted your header to your liking, you can then write your headline.
A headline should be crafted with the intention to hook the reader’s attention, including compelling details, numbers, keywords, and other concise information.
Here is an example of a well-written formal sciences student cover letter headline
My Top 3 Academic Experiences in Formal Sciences & How They Prepared Me to Work in This Field
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2. Personalize the greeting on your formal sciences student cover letter
With your header and headline written and out of the way, your next step is to write a formal address to the person you're sending your cover letter to.
It's crucial to always address a cover letter to a specific person when possible. This makes your cover letter sound more personalized, making it all the more captivating to the person reading it.
To uncover who to address your cover letter to, you'll need to do some basic research into the company. It never hurts to ask, either, as this can help you discover the best person to reach out to regarding an internship or paid position.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Hiring Manager Jane Doe,
- Dear Ms. Jane Doe,
- Dear Head of PR John Smith,
3. Write a compelling introduction for your formal sciences student cover letter
As a formal sciences student, you apply many different types of skills to complete your studies.
To impress an employer, professor, or other professional with your cover letter, you must now apply those skills to craft a compelling introduction that grabs the reader’s attention.
In a great formal sciences student cover letter introduction, you should include:
- A brief overview of your professional and academic history (in many cases, a student will not yet have a long work history. You can substitute work experience for academic experience — just make sure to clearly note the difference in your descriptions)
- A statement on why you are applying to this position
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible, naming a mutual acquaintance can be an excellent way to establish a connection with an employer immediately)
Here is an example of a strong introduction from a formal sciences student cover letter
Dear Hiring Manager Jane Doe,
I am a formal sciences student with more than 3 years of experience working in a laboratory setting. During my time as a student at Boston University, I had the pleasure of meeting and presenting research to your company’s CEO, Mr. Henry Caldwell. After hearing my presentation, Mr. Caldwell strongly recommended I apply for this position.
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4. Showcase your top skills and accomplishments as a formal sciences student
After writing your introduction, it's finally time to begin writing the true heart of your cover letter — the body paragraphs. A body paragraph should delve more in-depth into your exact skills and accomplishments, including how you can apply such skills at the position you are applying for.
When describing your skills and accomplishments, make sure your descriptions are:
- Truthful: Though it can be tempting to over-exaggerate your skills on a cover letter, keep your descriptions honest. The more truthful you are while explaining your skills, the easier time you'll have later on during the interview stage.
- Relevant: All people possess a multitude of different skills and abilities — including formal sciences students. When choosing which skills to include in your cover letter, make sure to prioritize those that are most relevant to the position you're applying to.
- Quantifiable: Whenever possible, include quantifiable information about your skills and accomplishments. For example, don’t just say you increased customer satisfaction — instead, list the exact percentage of the increase in customer satisfaction rates.
Here are 6 examples of formal sciences student skills to describe in a cover letter
- Information theory
- Analytical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Mathematics and logic
- Knowledge of formal systems
- Computer science
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a formal sciences student cover letter
As a classroom assistant for the Head Professor of the Formal Sciences Department at my university, I was responsible for tutoring the professor’s undergraduate students. Resulting from my tutoring, not only did I help to improve test scores by 15% but I also identified and solved problems in the curriculum structure that improved overall classroom grades by 35%.
5. Conclude your formal sciences student cover letter effectively
The final step when writing a cover letter as a formal sciences student is to write an effective conclusion.
Conclusions can be tricky, as you want to be quick and to the point while still using the space on your letter to further encourage the employer to contact you.
An effective cover letter conclusion should include:
- How and when you can best be contacted (including when you would like to hear from them)
- How and when you will follow up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a formal sciences student cover letter
Allow me to express my thanks for taking the time to review my cover letter and application. I am eager to hear from you and would be delighted to discuss this opportunity more in person or over the phone. You may reach me to schedule a meeting any day of the week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I hope to hear from you by next Monday and will follow up that afternoon if I have not.
Warm Regards,
[Applicant Name]
6. Valuable job search resources for formal science students
Job hunting for formal science students, especially when seeking internships or first jobs, can be a daunting process. From crafting tailored resumes to preparing for interviews, every step requires careful consideration and effort. However, with the right online resources, your job search can be made significantly easier:
- Industry-specific job boards: Depending on your specialization, take a look at opportunities offered by websites like MathJobs.org, Dice, or the IEEE’s jobs.
- Academic job boards: Do you wish to start a career in academia? If so, platforms such as HigherEdJobs, Jobs.ac.uk, and Times Higher Education Jobs are your best shot at finding suitable job postings.
- General job search platforms: But don't forget to also check out platforms with broad focus, such as Glassdoor, Indeed, SimplyHired, LinkedIn, or Monster. More often than not, these can yield compelling results.
- Internships: In case you're looking for internships specifically, WayUp, Job Teaser, and GradConnection might be just what you need to find one (or a couple) that interests you.
- Professional associations: Alternatively, you can find more relevant resources (including access to networking events, job listings, further development, and more) at websites of organizations like the American Mathematical Society (AMS), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the American Statistical Association (ASA).
- Specialized publications: Even when you leave school, you must stay updated on the latest news, research findings, and trends in your respective field. One way of achieving that is following media like “Journal of the ACM,” “Journal of Mathematical Logic,” “SIAM Review,” or “Journal of Symbolic Logic.”
And remember to always engage in networking opportunities, reach out to alumni or professionals in your field, and seek advice from mentors that can provide valuable insights and guidance. With determination and resilience, you can overcome challenges and achieve success in your job search endeavors.
Formal Sciences Student Cover Letter FAQ
Should I mention my GPA or academic achievements in my cover letter for formal sciences positions?
If your GPA or academic achievements are particularly impressive (3.5 and higher) and relevant to the position, you can mention them briefly in your cover letter. However, focus more on highlighting your experiences, skills, and accomplishments that demonstrate your suitability for the role and align with the employer's needs.
How long should my cover letter be for formal sciences positions?
Always aim for a concise and focused cover letter that is no longer than one page.. Opt for brief paragraphs and don't be afraid to use bullet points (when suitable) to present all key information in a clear and organized manner. But avoid including unnecessary details or repeating information that is already covered in your resume.
How can I effectively use keywords in my cover letter to enhance my application for formal sciences positions?
Firstly, you need to review the job description carefully and identify key skills, qualifications, and terminology used by the employer. Then you incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your cover letter to demonstrate alignment with the position and to optimize your chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
What can I do to stand out from the competition in my cover letter?
We recommend personalizing your cover letter for each position by researching the company or organization and tailoring your content to their needs and values. Showcase your enthusiasm for the field and the specific role by expressing genuine interest and enthusiasm in your introduction and throughout the letter. Additionally, use concrete examples and quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your unique contributions and potential impact.
Should I include a summary of my academic background in my cover letter for formal sciences positions?
At this point in your career, your education is probably the only thing that can be used to showcase your skills. So, of course, mention it! Briefly summarize any relevant coursework, research projects, or academic achievements that demonstrate your qualifications for the position. However, focus on providing context and insights into how your academic experiences have prepared you for the role, rather than simply listing credentials.
