Cover Letter Examples - Cornell … - cover letter science example

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Cover Letter Examples
For Various Career Fields
From the broadest sense, cover letters serve two purposes:
Express your interest in the organization and position to which you are applying
Expand upon your skills and experiences highlighted on your resume
With that said, there can often be nuances in how to approach constructing a cover letter for various
industries. In addition, questions are often raised about which what types of experiences to include in a
cover letter. While some may choose to highlight work experience, others will focus on their personal
projects, or previous research, academic, or extracurricular experiences.
The goal of this packet is to break down the structure of a cover letter, and show you examples of how
to incorporate different experiences into your letters for various career fields.
The following pages consist of cover letters written by students interested in pursuing jobs in:
? Chemical Engineering
? Mechanical Engineering
? Computer Science
? Civil Engineering
? Finance
? Consulting
? Research
Crafting an Effective Cover Letter
Paragraph 1: Introduce Yourself
? Identify the position you are applying for, and how you learned of it.
? Explain why you are interested in applying for this role.
? You may want to include your year (e.g. junior), college, and major.
? Be sure to include something specific about the company (it's important to tailor your
letter; don't use generic language that could apply to any company in that industry).
? Answer the questions: Why is this position right for me? Why do I want to work for this
specific organization?
Paragraphs 2 & 3: Sell Yourself
? Indicate that you understand the position requirements and illustrate that you possess
the skills required to add value in the role.
? Highlight character traits and/or specific experiences that prove you are a good fit for
the organization and the role.
? Do not simply repeat what is on your resume.
? DO elaborate on skills and stories - be specific!!
? Look at the required skills section of the job posting for ideas of what to highlight.
? Answer the question: Why am I right for this position?
Paragraph 4: Closing
? Keep this paragraph short and sweet.
? Summarize your qualifications for the position and reiterate why you are a good fit.
? Provide contact information (cellphone and email).
? Say thank you!
? Answer the questions: Does the recruiter know how to contact me, and the type of
position I am seeking?
A Few Tips & Tricks
? If you don't have the name of a contact, address the letter to "Dear Hiring Manager," or "Dear
Human Resources Director." Don't address the letter to "To whom it may concern," or "Dear
Sir/Madam"
? Limit the letter to 3-4 paragraphs, and 1 page.
? Expand on your resume; do not repeat it verbatim.
? Don not copy exact words/phrases from sample cover letters.
? Confirm that you've included the correct company name and contact information.
? Be enthusiastic. Show off your personality!
Look at the examples below to better understand how to apply this outline.
Example 1
APPLYING FOR A POSITION IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
HIGHLIGHTING WORK/RESEARCH EXPERIENCE & A PERSONAL CONNECTION
I am writing to express my interest in the Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Intern position for
Summer 20xx at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. I am currently a junior in the College of Engineering at
Cornell University, majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Business. I have a strong interest in
process engineering, and would be excited to contribute to Air Product's sustainability efforts and
innovative, customer-first approach to developing gas products.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to experience both a research-based work environment, and
operations of a carbon capture pilot plant. For seven weeks, I interned at the Argonne National
Laboratory, spearheading a research project involving IrO2 nanostructure surfaces and electrocatalysis
for hydrogen production applications. I also studied abroad at Imperial College London for five weeks,
where I gained hands-on experience working on their carbon capture pilot plant. This dichotomy of
experiences made me realize that my true passion lies in chemical engineering processes and
applications.
Upon speaking with several Air Products representatives at my university's career fair, I was intrigued to
learn more about how your employees impact and contribute to your company's mission. From my
interview with Ms. Rita Ramos, I was inspired by her experiences as a Process Engineer and a Project
Manager. She spoke highly of the company and how she could not be as successful as she is now as a
Project Manager without the hands-on experiences she gained from being a Process Engineer.
After learning more about Air Products, I find that my values align with those of the company. With my
background in engineering and business, and desire for continuous learning and improvement, I know I
can contribute positively to Air Products' culture of discovery and success. I am a fast learner and an
innovative thinker, and I believe I can bring a high level of value to your organization. I would welcome
the opportunity to speak with you and can be reached at (xxx) xxx-xxxx and xxx@cornell.edu.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Analysis
In the second paragraph, this student highlights her relevant experience in a "research-based work
environment," which relates directly to the position at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. In the following
paragraph, this student highlights how the personal connections she made at the career fair enhanced
her interest. Drawing attention to details like this will separate applicants from those who simply applied
after reading an online description.


How to create a compelling cover letter?Writing a Compelling Cover LetterIntroduce Yourself. Grab the reader's interest with your opening paragraph. ...Explain Why You Are the Best Candidate. Next, describe what you can bring to the role. ...Be Enthusiastic About the Role. ...Summarize and Request a Follow-Up. ...

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