APPLYING FOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Dear Mr. Jones:
I write to apply for the Research Associate position in the Asia Studies program at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). I have read and cited many publications by the program director Dr. Elizabeth Economy. With a profound interest in the Chinese political economy and US-China relations, I believe that working as a Research Associate in CFR’s Asia Studies program would be a very rewarding next step.
My research and writing experiences have thoroughly prepared me for the research that is central to this position. As a political science and environmental studies student in the Honors Program at Swarthmore College, I am skilled at conducting research using various kinds of digital databases as well as written texts. For an honors seminar on comparative Chinese politics, I wrote a research paper on China’s state interests and historical lessons as shaping forces of Chinese foreign policy. This piece of work has been accepted for publication by both the Journal of Undergraduate International Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Sigma Iota Rho Journal of International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania.
During my research internship with the Foreign Policy In Focus (FPIF) program at the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), I worked on several security-related research projects that involved research in digital databases and libraries, interviewing scholars and journalists, and attending relevant policy events in order to produce reports on U.S.-Australia joint military facilities in Australia, Taiwan’s military spending, and U.S. bases in Japan. My work on these projects acquainted me with aspects of conducting research in a professional environment; it spurred my interest in working at a research-oriented think tank.
Organizing workshops, speaker events, and conferences has sharpened my organization, communications, and interpersonal skills. During my 2015 summer internship with the US-China Energy Cooperation Program in Beijing, I acted as a liaison among the U.S. agencies and their Chinese counterparts in organizing two U.S.- China high-level energy forums in Beijing. I not only gained more insight into Sino-American government relations and large-scale event planning from this experience, but also improved my ability to multi-task, prioritize and re-prioritize my tasks constantly, and to pay close attention to details. This experience bore fruit in my subsequent internship with the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program. Program Director James McGann appointed me to head the Program’s China project. As the project lead, I used my knowledge of conference planning to work with other team members to put together a full agenda of a conference on Chinese think tanks in Beijing in October 2015.
My research, writing, organization, and administrative experiences have prepared me for the responsibilities of a Research Associate at CFR. With a keen interest in the Asia-Pacific region and China in particular, I believe that working at CFR will be a truly enriching and growth-filled next step before starting my graduate school education in government or international relations. In the meantime, I hope to contribute my previous research and event management experiences to the research and administrative work at CFR. Thank you very much for your consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Source: https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/career-services/Resume%202015.pdf
STUDENT APPLYING FOR CONSULTING JOB
Dear Campus Recruiter:
I am a senior at MIT majoring in biology with a concentration in management from Sloan Business School. I was extremely impressed with Deloitte’s approach to consulting after speaking with Yelena Shklovskaya. Deloitte is unique in having the ability to form diverse teams to tackle all the problems a client may have. As a member of the Strategy & Operations group, I may have the opportunity to meet and work with a variety of people in this consulting group, in other areas of consulting, and outside of consulting as well. In particular, I like the amount of attention and dedication that Deloitte puts into working with its clients, not only by devising effective strategies to address the clients’ problems, but also by often implementing the recommendations on-site. Therefore, I am very interested in the Business Analyst position with Deloitte.
In the past two years, I have been involved in strategy consulting, pharmaceuticals, and government affairs for
a non-profit healthcare organization. This summer, I worked in strategy consulting for Putnam Associates. My 6-member team evaluated the marketing efforts for a major pharmaceutical company’s organ transplant drug. Through my management of recruitment and interviews with 98 physicians, I obtained primary research and analyzed it on national and regional levels to recommend and help implement improvements in the client’s marketing plan. I learned how to work in a deadline-oriented environment, held responsibility for large segments of a team project, and enhanced my quantitative skills through analysis of primary and secondary research data. In addition, I conducted independent research to form recommendations when launching a drug that follows a related product, and I presented these key considerations to all Putnam employees.
I have been a volunteer in public policy for 7 years with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. I lobbied Senators at both the Massachusetts and California State Capitols, as well as on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Lobbying has taught me negotiation skills, the need for contingency plans, and the ability to make quick yet innovative decisions. Two years ago, I was appointed Director of Massachusetts Youth Public Affairs and asked to be a member of the state’s Public Affairs Council. My responsibilities include developing, organizing, and implementing the Foundation’s annual public policy objectives in an ultimately results-driven environment.
Through my experiences at Putnam Associates and the March of Dimes, along with my modeling work in the MIT Sloan Business School, I used my management skills to negotiate and consult with others, analytically design a successful plan, and execute my ideas. I am confident that I can bring my strong, diverse technical and business background to best fit the current needs and future ventures of Deloitte.
I welcome the opportunity to speak with you about my qualifications and ways that I can contribute to Deloitte. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Source: https://capd.mit.edu/sites/default/files/about/files/career-handbook.pdf
STUDENT APPLYING FOR ENGINEERING POSITION
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am a recent graduate of MIT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management. I recently spoke with a Raytheon recruiter at MIT’s xFair in February to discuss potential mechanical engineering related opportunities. I admire Raytheon’s commitment to defense and security through the use of innovative technologies. With the combination of my engineering and management educational experiences, in addition to my work experience, I believe that I would make a great fit for the Systems Engineer position.
During my internship with Airbus working with fluid mechanic technology I evaluated wind tunnel and flight test data in order to reduce external airframe noise emissions. The analysis that I conducted involved examining data under varying flight conditions and extracting useful information. At the conclusion of my internship, I was able to provide my group with recommendations for improving the model scale testing in the wind tunnel to make better predictions for the flight test outcomes. My work was part of the group’s task to provide continual improvements to the company’s commercial aircraft. I would be excited to use my analytical skills to improve hardware systems, especially early in their life-cycle at Raytheon, when recommendations can have a high impact and positive result for the end user.
In addition to work experience, I have also practiced systems engineering in my coursework. Through my Optimization Methods in Management Science course I collaborated on a group project to optimize the constraints of a utility company in order to make residential demand response for the utility company a cost-effective tool. I specifically helped evaluate how transmission and distribution costs would incur through the implementation of a demand response program. This position helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills while delivering a project in a timely manner.
I am very excited about the work of Raytheon and welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about career opportunities at Raytheon and how I can contribute. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Source: https://capd.mit.edu/sites/default/files/about/files/career-handbook.pdf
EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL APPLYING TO PROGRAM MANAGER ROLE
Dear Recruiter,
I’m writing to express my interest in the position of Senior Program Manager at the Department of Internal Medicine (STARS requisition #31674BR). Over the past eight years, I have been employed at the Yale School of Public Health during which I received a promotion increasing my responsibilities to include strategic planning, program management and team leadership. As the first point of contact for Public Health students, I am most proud of the fact that our program was recently ranked 14th by US News & World Report, a ranking that is dependent on alumni feedback around their student experiences.
I began working with the Public Health program shortly after its launch and have been an integral part its development and evolution. This fall, we experienced a recent growth of 32% in student enrollment and have expanded to include two new focus areas: global health and health care management. As a result of the program expansion, I have been tasked with examining many of our processes to discern what we are doing and how we can do it better. As the first point of contact for programming, I develop and cultivate relationships with students, faculty, alumni and staff. The end goal: to deliver a premier program and an incredible student experience.
Throughout my career, I have gained extensive program development and management experience in very diverse settings. My years of professional work in this arena has created opportunities to deliver and provide experiences in a collaborative culture. The most important lesson learned: the success of a program is not the sole responsibility of one individual, but in fact, depends on leadership that reflects a collaborative style and a team that is mission driven.
It would be a tremendous privilege to bring my training and program development skills to your position. Thank you for considering my application. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (203) 222-8989 or [email protected].
Source: https://your.yale.edu/sites/default/files/maximizing_your_coverletter_guide_2016.pdf
APPLYING FOR POSITION IN HEALTHCARE
Dear Mr. Cardiac:
Please accept my application for the Advocacy Director position in the Columbus, Ohio office advertised on your website. I will graduate from the H. John Heinz III College at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in May of 2010 with a Master of Science in Health Care Policy and Management. My experiences and education, combined with my career aspirations, position me to help achieve the mission and goals of the American Heart Association.
Over the last four years, I have dedicated my work and studies to the research of health policies that deal with the access to and funding for underserved populations’ health and welfare programs. Through my experiences, I have gained a comprehensive working knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, universal health coverage, electronic medical records, smoking cessation programs, and many other health issues and the political debates surrounding them. My qualifications are built on a solid foundation of classroom skills and real-world experiences. The skills I have acquired leave me poised for a career in advocacy. I feel confident that with this background I will be able to face any challenges as Advocacy Director with the strength and resolve to accomplish the goals of the American Heart Association.
This past summer during my internship with Consumer Health Coalition, I had an opportunity to help organize a grassroots consumer advocacy campaign against a $300 million cut to Pennsylvania’s Medicaid budget. A network of non-profit organizations, lead by Consumer Health Coalition, devoted themselves to an extensive lobbying effort. The team at Consumer Health Coalition and I recruited Medicaid beneficiaries as consumer advocates and extensively researched alternatives to budget cuts. We also facilitated local press conferences with consumer advocates who spoke of the devastating effects that reduced health services would have on their lives. I attended the legislative meetings with the Medicaid beneficiaries in Harrisburg, PA; and after they presented their stories, I discussed funding alternatives for Medicaid with the legislators. Our proposed alternative funding included increasing taxes on tobacco products, which is a portion of the advocacy work that the American Heart Association pursues. I thoroughly reviewed the Campaign for Smoke Free Kids literature during my research. Our efforts resulted in a reduction of the proposed cuts to $130 million; this was seen as a tremendous success. The American Heart Association campaign against tobacco products is extremely comprehensive; and I am excited about furthering all of the American Heart Association’s efforts for increased funding support and research on cardiovascular diseases.
My thorough knowledge of the American Heart Association’s mission and my commitment to a career in consumer advocacy is evidence of my future success as Advocacy Director. I am available to meet with you in Columbus at anytime. I can be reached at (412) 123-4567, or via email at [email protected]. Thank you very much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Source: https://www.heinz.cmu.edu/heinz-shared/_files/img/career-services-pages/career-academy-cover-letter-guide.pdf
APPLYING FOR MARKETING INTERNSHIP
Dear Hiring Manager:
I am writing to apply for your summer intern position posted on JonsonInc.com. I have experience in fashion journalism through my work with the online magazine One Line to You and have a background in event planning through my work as a Marketing Intern this past summer. Currently, I am a junior at Stanford University studying Communication and International Relations and I plan to pursue a career in fashion upon graduation. Jonson would be a great springboard in achieving that goal.
My passion for fashion and art comes from my grandmother who was a fabric designer
in New York during the 1940s and 50s. From her, I learned a great deal about color and design. Since the age of 10, I have been consumed by the industry and have studied Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle magazines. In addition, I analyze and examine the work of designers and follow fashion critics like Suzy Menkes. After beginning to write for the online magazine, One Line to You, I had the opportunity to parlay my depth of knowledge into written pieces about various aspects of the fashion world. My expression through this medium also allowed me to further my education of the industry.
I believe the marketing internship at the San Francisco Symphony best prepared me for
the responsibilities of an intern at Jonson. In this position I was trusted with a great deal of responsibility. I wrote newsletters, researched artists to compile performance programs, helped with event planning, ran errands, composed press releases and edited and proof read written material. Through these tasks I learned the importance of being thorough while working in a fast paced environment. My attention to detail and organization allowed me to thrive in this context and they will do the same at Jonson.
After reviewing Johnson’s spring ready-to-wear collection, I feel it would be amazing to work toward the new creative director Heather London’s vision. It must be a very exciting time for the Jonson label.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future and am available for an interview at your convenience. Please contact me with any questions you may have. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Source: https://education.scripps.edu/_files/pdfs/postdoctoral/resumes-cover-letters-stanford.pdf
MASTERS STUDENT APPLYING FOR CONSULTING
Dear Mr. Kassenberg:
Kamina Jackson suggested I apply for the associate position with Management Consulting, Inc. when I recently spoke with her at your information session for Harvard University students at the Charles Hotel. Please accept this letter as an application for the position of associate consultant with Management Consulting, Inc. Based on my research of your firm and my qualifications, I am confident you will agree that I am a good match for your organization. I will complete my Master’s in Statistics Science in May 2017 from Harvard University and look forward to the possibility of joining Management Consulting, Inc.
My interest in a business career is long standing and is coupled with strong research, analytical, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. While exploring my passion for statistics during my master’s degree, I have kept up my interest and knowledge of the industry through the business press. I also have taken part in various business classes at Harvard. In one project, while working in teams of four, we analyzed a case and presented recommendations to consultants. I received positive feedback on my analytical abilities and teamwork skills, and I am confident I can make a significant contribution to your firm and its clients.
I look forward to speaking to you about the possibility of my joining your team at Management Consulting, Inc. I am most interested in working in your offices in Boston or Los Angeles as, through my research, I have discovered that many of the firms these offices serve fit best with my area of expertise. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Source: http://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/ocs/files/masters_resume_cover_letters.pdf
STUDENT APPLYING TO CONSULTING CO.
Dear Ms. Wideman:
I am writing to express my interest in securing an Associate position at Great Strategy Consulting Firm. I am a Master of Liberal Arts degree candidate at Harvard Extension School, specializing in Information Technology. I come from a solid technical background with a strong interest in business and a passion towards strategy. My area of focus and interest varies from quantitative analysis to project management. I have maintained a 3.95 GPA through a well-balanced program of study, which is not only very analytical and technical by nature but also helps to build leadership and team building qualities. I am extremely impressed with Great Strategy’s approach to strategy consulting, especially within the Business Development and Innovation practice areas. I believe my academic background, business knowledge and industry experiences have provided me with the credentials needed to thrive as an Associate.
Prior to Harvard, I worked as a technology professional, primarily resolving strategic issues related to technology process improvement. I gained solid research, analytical and problem solving skills while working in Fortune 500 companies. My background in generating innovative ideas and strategies to improve processes has provided me with a deeper understanding of multifaceted problems that companies encounter in their daily operations. Moreover, because of my work experiences, I fully understand how important it is to have great team dynamics in today’s multi-disciplinary business environment.
To date, my experience as an IT professional has been extremely rewarding and productive. However, it is through strategy consulting that I can use my analytical aptitude and creative problem solving skills to their fullest. I strongly believe that consulting is a discipline that will force me to view problems not only from the client’s standpoint but also from a marketplace, best practices and “think out of the box” point of views.
I would appreciate the opportunity to interview with Great Strategy Consulting Firm for the Associate position. Please find enclosed my resume for your review. I can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (617) 555-3456. I enthusiastically look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Source: https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/files/ocs/files/hes-resume-cover-letter-guide.pdf
PHD STUDENT APPLYING FOR SENIOR LEVEL POSITION
Dear Ms. Jones,
I am writing to apply for the Leadership Giving Officer position at Yale University (STARS requisition #31959BR). As an Advancement Officer at the same institution, I have had the opportunity to prove myself as a skilled fundraiser. In my first year at Yale, I surpassed all of my individual fundraising goals. Some of my most notable accomplishments are: leading a team of 60 volunteers to raise over $1.1M in unrestricted funds, achieving an 82% proposal commitment rate and raising over $325,000 in gifts and multi-year pledges. I have also had the opportunity to build relationships with school leaders and fundraising prospects, which will enable me to quickly adapt to a new position with enhanced responsibility and greater campus collaborations.
I started my career in the Army, where I built relationships with local civilians, domestic and foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations. I was responsible for leveraging those relationships to obtain resources such as money, expertise, and cooperation. I have been able to use this training in my current position to build and leverage relationships with prospects to help achieve the highest priorities of the University. In addition to my professional experience, I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. part-time in Higher Education Administration and Policy with a focus on philanthropy in higher education. My dissertation will examine the impact of public recognition in the decision-making process of major gift donors. Outside of work and school, I strive to give back to my community by volunteering with local nonprofit organizations and helping plan yearly fundraising events. I have served in leadership capacities with several different organizations. This has given me the opportunity to build fundraising and marketing initiatives with very limited resources.
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be interviewed for this position and to discuss how my education and experience fits the needs of Yale University. Please feel free to contact me at (203) 432- 5555 or [email protected]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Source: https://your.yale.edu/sites/default/files/maximizing_your_coverletter_guide_2016.pdf