ux research cover letter

UX Researcher Cover Letter Example

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Start your UX Researcher cover letter with a compelling hook that showcases your enthusiasm for user experience and the specific company you're applying to. Begin with a brief introduction of yourself, highlighting your relevant experience and passion for understanding user behaviors. Tailor the opening to the company's values or mission statement, demonstrating your knowledge of their work and how your expertise aligns with their goals. For example: "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], As a dedicated UX Researcher with over 5 years of experience in turning user data into actionable insights, I was thrilled to see the opening at [Company Name]. Your commitment to creating intuitive and user-centered designs resonates with my professional philosophy and track record of enhancing user satisfaction for digital products." This approach immediately connects your skills to the employer's needs and sets a professional, personalized tone for the rest of your cover letter.

The best way for UX Researchers to end a cover letter is with a concise and confident closing that reflects their understanding of user experience principles. They should reiterate their enthusiasm for the role, express their eagerness to contribute to the company's user research goals, and invite the hiring manager to continue the conversation. For example: "I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise in qualitative and quantitative research to [Company Name] and contribute to creating intuitive and user-centered designs. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills and insights can support your team in delivering exceptional user experiences. Thank you for considering my application. I hope to connect with you soon." This ending is polite, professional, and aligns with the collaborative and user-focused nature of UX research, suggesting a readiness to engage further and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

UX Researchers should include the following elements in their cover letter to make a compelling case for their candidacy: 1. **Introduction and Intent**: Start with a brief introduction that includes your name, your current role or professional status, and a clear statement of your intent to apply for the UX Researcher position. 2. **Relevant Experience**: Highlight your experience in UX research, including any specific methodologies you are proficient in, such as usability testing, interviews, surveys, ethnographic field studies, or data analysis. Mention any notable projects or companies you have worked with, emphasizing the impact of your research on product design and user experience. 3. **Understanding of the Company**: Demonstrate that you have researched the company and understand its products, services, user base, and market position. Explain why you are interested in working for them and how your skills and experience align with their current needs and future goals. 4. **Skills and Tools**: Mention any specific UX research tools or software you are skilled in, such as UserTesting, Lookback, Optimal Workshop, or any other relevant analytics or prototyping tools. Also, include soft skills like communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, which are crucial for a UX Researcher. 5. **Problem-Solving Abilities**: Provide an example of a complex problem you encountered in your research and how you approached solving it. This demonstrates your analytical thinking and ability to translate research findings into actionable insights. 6. **Collaboration and Communication**: UX Research is highly collaborative. Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, and developers, and your ability to communicate findings effectively to different stakeholders. 7. **Educational Background**: If you have a degree or any formal training in UX, HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), psychology, sociology, or a related field, be sure to include this information as it adds to your credibility as a UX Researcher. 8. **Personal Touch**: Share a brief personal statement about what drives you as a

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Writing a UX Designer Cover Letter: Everything You Need to Know

Few written documents possess the same power potential as a UX cover letter. Get it right, and your design career could be propelled along. 

Get it wrong or don’t include one at all, and landing a UX role often becomes a lot trickier.

We’re here to help you avoid the pitfalls, and walk you through how to write a UX cover letter that will make a great first impression.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is a UX cover letter?
• Do UX designers need a cover letter?
• What should a UX cover letter look and feel like?
• What should a UX cover letter include?

Final thoughts

1. what is a ux cover letter.

A UX design cover letter is a letter you submit—along with your resume and all-important portfolio —when you apply for a UX designer job. 

The goal of a cover letter is to make your application stand out and convince the hiring manager or recruiter that you are the best candidate for the role, or at least that you deserve an interview.

A good cover letter will show them you have researched the company and the role, how enthusiastic you are about both of these, and why your experience and achievements make you a great fit.

We’ll go over what should be included in a UX designer cover letter later in the article but, in a nutshell, your cover letter should include:

• A customized greeting
• A strong opening line to catch the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter
• A brief explanation of why you want the job
• A brief explanation of why you’d be great at the job, with evidence
• An invitation to reach out to you and a thank you

2. Do UX designers need a cover letter?

As you’ve probably guessed by now: yes, UX designers do need cover letters. 

More specifically, they need well-written and well-designed UX cover letters that are tailored for each company and job they apply to, as well as drawing attention to suitable elements of their portfolio.

Recent research by ResumeLab showed that 83% of recruiters agree that a well-written cover letter gives you the opportunity to show you’re a great fit for the company. 

The same percentage of respondents also agreed that a great cover letter can secure you an interview even if your resume isn’t as strong as others. And 74% of recruitment decision-makers preferred to receive applications with cover letters.

Why is including a tailored cover letter so important? There are several reasons, but let’s look at the key ones. A strong cover letter will:

• Show the recruiter or hiring manager you’re genuinely interested in their position and give you a chance to tell them why
• Show how your accomplishments and experience make you a great fit
• Show them your application is not a generic, copy-pasted version (this will immediately set it apart from the majority of other applications)
• Add character and context to your resume and portfolio, tying them together in a relevant way for the job

Writing a tailored covering letter to go with every application you submit might seem like more hassle than it’s worth. But when you’re applying for jobs in UX design, the quality of your applications is more important than the quantity.

This means you should choose the jobs you apply to carefully, and prioritize them.

A strong, tailored UX designer cover letter is not something you can write quickly—you need to give yourself enough time for thorough research, writing and editing, and getting feedback from a friend or family member who’s good with words.

But before you get started writing, let’s explore what the content should be like.

3. What should a UX cover letter look and feel like?

By “look and feel” we mean how the content should be written and designed to make the biggest impact.

Your UX design cover letter should be written and designed to make it as easy as possible for the hiring manager or recruiter to read and understand. This means it should:

• Fit on one page
• Get straight to the point
• Use common (and ideally short) words
• Be clear and flow logically from one sentence and paragraph to the next
• Be scannable with short paragraphs and plenty of white space
• Be visually designed to be consistent with your resume—this can mean using fonts, styling, and formatting that match your resume (just make sure it’s still identifiable as a cover letter)

Following these basic principles will stop your letter being discarded because of avoidable issues, like being too long or using overly complex language.

It will also increase the chances of the hiring manager or recruiter finishing the letter, and you’ll hopefully find your way to the recruiter phone screen in no time.

Now we’ve covered how your cover letter should be written and designed, let’s take a look at what the content should actually include.

4. What should a UX cover letter include?

As you only have a maximum of a page to work with, it’s crucial to make the most of your space. Sticking to this structure will help:

• The job you’re applying for 

Explain what appeals to you about the company and why you want the job

Explain why you’d be great at the job, with evidence (reflected in your cv or portfolio), invite them to reach out to you and thank them.

Let’s dive a little deeper into each component of the structure.

Include a customized greeting

A customized greeting will make a great first impression. Occasionally the recruiter or hiring manager’s name is included in the job advert. If not, they’re often findable using a combination of Google, LinkedIn, and other social media.

If you can’t find the name of the recruiter or hiring manager, a simple “Hello,” or “Hi there,” is better than “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “To Whom It May Concern,” — these are way too formal for 2024.

Include the job you’re applying for

It might sound obvious, but you should include the name of the job you’re applying for. This can either be in the cover letter title or in your opening sentence. 

Include a strong opening line

Your opening line is the one you should think about the most.

A good one will probably mean the rest of your cover letter gets read. An extremely strong one can actively grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager. Amy Gallo, a workplace dynamics expert and contributing editor at Harvard Business Review, recommends being direct and dynamic, but not trying to be funny.

A great opening line—for a Product Designer position at Wise for example—could be something like:

“I’ve used Wise 43 times over the last 5 years and I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than a minute or two going through your flow, so I think it’s fair to say I love your product.”

This is obviously dependent on you having used the product in question (it should go without saying, but your UX cover letter must be accurate). If you haven’t used the product you could start with something like:

Here are three reasons I’d love to join Volvo as a UX Designer: Reason #1 that shows you’ve done a lot of research Reason #2 that shows why the job and company appeal to you Reason #3 that shows why you’d be a great fit because of your skills and achievements

Although using a list like this in a covering letter is slightly unconventional, it shows the recruiter extremely quickly how passionate and well-suited you are about the job and company. Listicles are also quick and easy to read and digest, which is why they’re one of the top content types .

In fact, this approach is well-suited to a UX designer cover letter, as it shows that you’re applying some psychological principles of design to it. Why not practice what you preach?

This is a chance to show you’ve done your research. Give yourself plenty of time to understand the company’s needs and goals. 

For starters, you can: 

• Familiarize yourself with their mission and values. 
• Read interviews with or profiles of their executive team.
• Review their recent PR and new stories about them.
• Check out their design blog (or even better, their design system).
• Watch their videos or YouTube channel.

Ultimately you should use this space to show them that you understand the problem they’re trying to solve and why it resonates with you.

After showing you understand the problem they’re solving, now you need to show them why you’d be great at the job. In other words, why you’d be able to help them solve the problem through the context of the job you’re applying for.

The key here is evidence. After you’ve read the job advert several times, try to understand the core underlying themes. 

Don’t just tell them you’d be a great fit, show them exactly how a key achievement in your resume is directly relevant to what they’re looking for. Clearly link it back to one or two of the key themes in the job advert.

Make it easy for the recruiter or hiring manager to see the unique value you’d bring to the team.

The final section is fairly self-explanatory, but inviting them to reach out is another way of showing your enthusiasm for the job and openness in general.

Thanking them for their consideration shows an appreciation of how busy they are—most recruiters and hiring managers are extremely busy.

Perhaps the art of the UX cover letter is balancing the hard and fast rules (keep it under one page, get straight to the point, avoid overly complex language and long paragraphs) with the more personal elements.

A truly great cover letter will present a compelling case without being generic. It will engage the reader by showing some of your character and personality, without being over the top, desperate, or arrogant.

Try to tailor your letter to the company’s tone and voice. If it’s a quirky startup, try and make them smile with a line or two. For a corporate law firm, you might want to keep it more straight down the line.

If you aren’t a super confident writer, ask that wordsmith friend or relative to give it a read and scrub out any typos. Write it ahead of time, edit ruthlessly, and sleep on the results.

Maybe most crucially, a winning UX cover letter will allow your authentic passion and suitability for the role shine through .  

Hopefully this gave you some inspiration and an insight into best practices! Now you can start working on polishing your UX portfolio , as well as preparing for design interview questions .

If you’d like to read more about getting hired as a UX designer, check out these articles:

• How to Get a Job in UX With No Industry Experience
• A Guide to UX Designer Job Descriptions & How to Interpret Them
• This Is How to Prepare for Your Next UX Design Interview

How To Write an Effective Cover Letter for a UX Researcher (With Examples)

As a UX researcher, your cover letter is your opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and passion for the job. It's your chance to persuade the hiring manager why you are the perfect fit for the role.

Here are some tips on how to write an effective cover letter:

• Research the company: Before writing your cover letter, take some time to research the company. Look for their mission statement, values, and current projects. This will help you understand their needs and tailor your cover letter accordingly.
• Address the hiring manager: If possible, address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name. A personalized greeting shows that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in the job.
• Start with a strong opening: Your opening sentence should grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more. Start with a statement about your experience or passion for UX research.
• Highlight your relevant experience: Your cover letter should showcase your relevant experience and how it can benefit the company. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
• Show your passion: UX research is a field that requires passion and curiosity. Use your cover letter to show your enthusiasm for UX research and why you enjoy it.
• Explain why you want to work for the company: In addition to demonstrating why you're a good fit for the job, explain why you want to work for the company specifically. Mention any projects or initiatives that excite you or align with your values.
• Closing: End your cover letter with a strong closing statement that expresses your enthusiasm for the role and your willingness to contribute to the company's mission.

Remember, your cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression. Use it to showcase your skills, personality, and passion for UX research.

Example Cover Letters

Dear Hiring Manager at XYZ Inc.,

I am excited to submit my application for the UX Researcher position at your company. I came across your products recently and was impressed by the user experience on your website and mobile app.

As an experienced UX Researcher, I specialize in evaluating and improving user experiences by conducting qualitative and quantitative research. My experience includes working with cross-functional teams, conducting usability tests, and analyzing user feedback to inform product decisions.

I am passionate about creating user-centered designs and I am confident that I can contribute to the success of your company's products.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications and how I can contribute to XYZ Inc.

Sincerely, Firstname Lastname

Dear hiring manager at XYZ Company,

I am writing to express my sincere interest in the UX Researcher position at your company. With my extensive background in user research and my passion for creating seamless user experiences, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

I was particularly drawn to your company's mission of promoting accessibility and inclusivity for all users. As a UX Researcher, I believe it is crucial to prioritize the needs and experiences of all users, regardless of their background or abilities.

In my previous roles, I have successfully led user research projects from start to finish, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement, and presenting actionable insights to cross-functional teams. I am also skilled in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, mapping user journeys, and facilitating user testing sessions.

Thank you for considering my application. I would love the opportunity to bring my skills and expertise to XYZ Company and contribute to its continued success. Please find my resume attached for your review.

Best regards,

[Your name]

Dear Marvelous UX Team, I am writing to express my interest in the UX Researcher position advertised on Remote Rocketship's job board. My name is Jane Doe, and I have three years of experience in UX Research, including conducting user interviews, usability testing, and persona development. I am impressed by your company's focus on user experience and your innovative approach to product design. Your work on the new mobile app sounds particularly interesting, and I would love to contribute to your team's success. In previous roles, I have worked with cross-functional teams to design and launch successful products. I am passionate about understanding user needs and bringing their perspectives into the design process. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and learn more about this opportunity. Thank you for considering my application. Best regards, Jane Doe

Writing an effective cover letter for a UX researcher is crucial to make a good first impression to potential employers. By making use of the tips above, you can create a cover letter that highlights your skills and experience, and make you stand out from the competition.

One of the next steps is to write a great resume . Click to learn more about writing a compelling UX Researcher resume.

Preparing for interviews is also important as it will give you the confidence to showcase your skills and experience effectively.

Finally, if you're looking for a remote UX Researcher job, check out our dedicated page to remote UX Research jobs .

If you're preparing for your interviews, we're here to help! We've created comprehensive guides that cover interview questions and answers for various ux researcher specializations, including Qualitative Research , Quantitative Research , Usability Testing , Information Architecture , and Persona Development .

Professional UX Researcher Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your UX researcher cover letter needs to immediately grab attention. Highlight your experience in understanding user behavior and translating it into actionable insights. Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate UX research into the product design. Your cover letter should reflect your passion for creating seamless user experiences.

Cover Letter Guide

UX Researcher Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience UX Researcher Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

You've found the ideal UX researcher job, and you're ready to apply, but then you hit a snag: crafting a compelling cover letter. It's not just about repeating your resume; your cover letter should spotlight a major success, weaving the story behind your proudest professional moment. Steer clear of the overused phrases that hiring managers see daily and keep it concise—aim for a single page that captures your unique qualifications and passion for user experience research.

• Making excellent use of job-winning real-life professional cover letters;
• Writing the first paragraphs of your ux researcher cover letter to get attention and connect with the recruiters - immediately;
• Single out your most noteworthy achievement (even if it's outside your career);
• Get a better understanding of what you must include in your ux researcher cover letter to land the job.

Let the power of Enhancv's AI work for you: create your ux researcher cover letter by uploading your resume.

If the ux researcher isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

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UX Researcher cover letter example

Vanessa Ford

Charlotte, North Carolina

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Highlighting relevant work experience by providing specific details about past projects can strengthen a candidate's position. In the cover letter, the mention of leading the research process for a significant project at IBM and the resulting user satisfaction increase demonstrates tangible success and relevant experience.
• Quantifying achievements such as the 30% increase in user satisfaction provides concrete evidence of the candidate’s impact. Such metrics can be very persuasive, as they offer a clear measure of success and competency.
• Expressing how the candidate's skills align with the company's goals bridges the gap between individual experiences and organizational needs. In the cover letter, the candidate's ability to realign stakeholder goals with user needs showcases an understanding of key UX Researcher responsibilities.
• Showing enthusiasm for the role and the company can help to differentiate the candidate from others. The cover letter should reflect an understanding of the company’s values and articulate a genuine interest in contributing to its goals, as seen in the candidate's eagerness to bring a blend of methodical research and user-centric focus to the team.

What are the basics of the design or format of your ux researcher cover letter?

To start, here's a reminder for you: the Applicant Tracker System (or software that is used to assess candidate profiles), won't be reading your ux researcher cover letter.

Recruiters enjoy reading ux researcher cover letters with a standardized format that uses:

• the same font as the resume (e.g. modern ones like Raleway or Volkhov are prefered over the clichéd Times New Roman or Arial);
• single spacing to keep the content concise and organized (this is all ready for you in our cover letter templates );
• a one-inch margin to wrap around the text, like in our cover letter builder ;
• PDF as a file format, as it allows your design (and visual element) to stay the same.

Finally, we can't go on without mentioning the key sections of your ux researcher cover letter.

In the top one-third, make sure to include a header (with your contact information, name, role, and date), a salutation, and an introduction.

Next, follows the heart and soul of your ux researcher cover letter or its body.

End your ux researcher cover letter with a closing paragraph and, if you wish, a signature.

The top sections on a ux researcher cover letter

• Header: Includes your contact information, the date, and the recruiter's details, which is essential for a professional presentation and ensures the recruiter can easily contact you after reviewing your application.
• Greeting: Addresses the hiring manager or recruiter by name if known, which demonstrates attention to detail and personalization, qualities valuable in user experience research where understanding the audience is key.
• Introduction: Clearly states your interest in the UX Researcher position and briefly mentions your background, as it hooks the reader's interest and establishes the relevance of your application to the role.
• Body: Describes relevant experience, skills, and specific accomplishments in UX research, emphasizing how these can contribute to the success of the prospective employer, which is crucial for highlighting your qualifications and fit for the job.
• Closing: Ends with a call to action, such as expressing eagerness to discuss your application further in an interview, and a courteous sign-off, indicating professionalism and your proactive interest in the UX Researcher role.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Proven track record of conducting user research: Demonstrates hands-on experience in employing various research methods such as usability studies, interviews, surveys, and A/B testing, showing the candidate can gather and analyze user feedback effectively.
• Strong analytical skills: Essential for interpreting data, identifying patterns, and converting user feedback into actionable insights to inform design and product decisions.
• Empathy for users: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is crucial in UX research to advocate for user needs and design meaningful, user-centered solutions.
• Collaboration and communication abilities: Necessary for working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams and communicating findings to stakeholders, designers, and developers in a clear, impactful manner.
• Understanding of UX design principles: Shows that the researcher can align their research with design objectives and contribute to creating intuitive and effective user interfaces.
• Experience with research tools and technologies: Familiarity with platforms like UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, or similar user research software indicates the ability to leverage the right tools to gather and analyze user data efficiently.

Personalizing your ux researcher cover letter salutation

Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your ux researcher cover letter.

• the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
• the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
• the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Company Name] Team,
• Dear [Department Name] Hiring Committee,
• Dear [Specific Contact Person's Name],
• Esteemed Colleagues,
• Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],

What to include in those first two sentences, or your ux researcher cover letter introduction

Have you ever wondered what the best way is to present your profile in the ux researcher cover letter introduction ?

There's no right or wrong answer if you're being concise and authentic to yourself.

Some professionals start their ux researcher cover letter by:

• congratulating the company - focusing on something impressive, whether that's an award, an industry-leading project, or a key event;
• aligning their passion for the field or industry with the job - if you're enthusiastic about what you do, you'd thus grow your skill set and value as a professional.

What to write in the body of your ux researcher cover letter

Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your ux researcher cover letter.

It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs . This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.

Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your ux researcher resume.

Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.

But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.

Select your achievement that:

• covers job-crucial skills;
• can be measured with tangible metrics;
• shows you in the best light.

Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.

Closing remarks to end your ux researcher cover letter

Of course, you'll have to show gratitude to the recruiters, who have assessed your profile at the end of your ux researcher cover letter .

A "Thank you for the consideration" would work wonders, instead of the standard "Sincerely yours".

Do you want to make an even better impression?

Close off your ux researcher cover letter by promising how you see yourself excelling in the role and the positive impact you'd bring about.

A sentence that encourages some further action on the recruiter's end could also be a good way to close off the communication (e.g. provide your availability for an interview).

No experience ux researcher cover letter: making the most out of your profile

Candidates who happen to have no professional experience use their ux researcher cover letter to stand out.

Instead of focusing on a professional achievement, aim to quantify all the relevant, transferrable skills from your life experience.

Once again, the best practice to do so would be to select an accomplishment - from your whole career history.

Another option would be to plan out your career goals and objectives: how do you see yourself growing, as a professional, in the next five years, thanks to this opportunity?

Be precise and concise about your dreams, and align them with the company vision.

Key takeaways

Summarizing the most important aspects in writing your ux researcher cover letter, remember to:

• Create a personalized ux researcher cover letter for each role you apply for, that includes the recruiter's name in the salutation;
• Format your ux researcher cover letter with single-spacing, one-inch margins, and a modern, yet ATS-friendly font;
• Always start off your ux researcher cover letter with two sentences that reflect what is most important about your application;
• Your ux researcher cover letter body should feature your biggest accomplishments and the job-relevant skills it has taught you;
• Instead of opting for the "Sincerely yours" ending, close your ux researcher cover letter with a nod to the future with what you aim to achieve in this potential role.

Cover letter examples by industry

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
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14 entry-level ux researcher cover letters.

Approved by real hiring managers, these Entry-Level UX Researcher cover letters have been proven to get people hired in 2024. A hiring manager explains why.

Table of contents

• Entry-Level UX Researcher
• Junior UX Designer
• UX Design Intern
• Junior UX Researcher
• UX Research Intern
• Alternative introductions for your cover letter
• Entry-Level UX Researcher resume examples

Entry-Level UX Researcher Cover Letter Example

Why this cover letter works in 2024, quantifiable accomplishment.

By mentioning a specific accomplishment with a measurable outcome, the cover letter effectively demonstrates the value the candidate can bring to the company. This is a great way to showcase your skills and achievements.

Connecting Skills to Company

This sentence highlights the candidate's excitement to apply their skills and experience to the company's projects. It shows that they have researched the company and understand its values and goals.

Extracurricular Involvement

Including extracurricular activities related to the role demonstrates passion and commitment to the field. It also provides an opportunity to discuss additional skills and experiences that might not be mentioned in the resume.

Show tangible results

By mentioning the 30% increase in user engagement due to your project, you're giving me hard proof of your impact. Employers love this! It's one thing to say you're good at something, but showing me the results? That's pure gold.

Highlight versatility in skills

Your mention of conducting user tests, analyzing data, and creating wireframes tells me that you're well-rounded. But better yet, you mentioned that these skills lead to better user experiences. Always tie your skills back to how they benefit the company.

Linking Academic Background to Role Requirements

In this sentence, the candidate does a fantastic job connecting their academic background and internship experience to the UX researcher role at Google. By highlighting their understanding of user research methodologies and data analysis, the candidate demonstrates that they have the necessary skills for the role. This tells me, as a recruiter, that you know your stuff and can hit the ground running.

Enthusiasm for Applying Skills

Showing enthusiasm to apply your skills at a new company can send a strong positive signal to recruiters. Including this sentiment shows you're not just looking for any job, but are eager to bring your unique blend of skills to their company specifically. This can be a refreshing sentiment to see in a cover letter.

Highlighting Project Success

It's fantastic when you can reference a specific project you're proud of and how it positively impacted your previous company. You're not just talking about your skills in a vacuum, but demonstrating how you've used those skills to drive real, quantifiable results. This can be a convincing demonstration of what you could potentially bring to the table at the new company.

Alignment of Personal Interest and Company Mission

Expressing excitement about the company's mission and how it aligns with your personal interests can show a recruiter that you're likely to be a passionate employee who's invested in the company's success. It demonstrates a level of thoughtfulness about why you want to work specifically at their company, rather than just any company in the industry.

Show enthusiasm for the entry-level ux researcher role

Starting your cover letter with excitement shows you genuinely care about the position.

Link your experience to the ux researcher job

Discussing your direct experience with the company’s tools makes your background more relevant and impressive.

Quantify your research impact

Mentioning specific results, like a 15% increase in user engagement, directly shows the value you can bring.

Express eagerness to work with diverse clients

This highlights your interest in facing new challenges and learning from varied experiences.

Close with a call to action for the ux researcher position

Politely asking for an interview shows initiative and wraps up your letter on a forward-moving note.

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Connect personal experience with the company

Sharing your positive experience as a user of the company's products demonstrates a genuine connection and understanding of their value, making your application stand out as more authentic.

Showcase your impact in previous roles

Providing specific examples of how your research led to increased engagement gives a clear picture of your abilities and what you can bring to the table.

Illustrate your contribution to revenue growth

Mentioning a study you designed that boosted revenue by a certain percentage proves that you can directly contribute to the company's success, making your skills highly attractive.

Express motivation to make a difference

When you talk about using your skills to help people achieve their financial goals, it shows that you’re driven by more than just job duties; you’re motivated by impact, which is appealing to employers.

Invite further discussion

Ending your cover letter by looking forward to discussing how you can contribute to the company’s mission suggests confidence in your ability to add value and eagerness to be part of the team.

Show your passion for UX research

When you share how the app fits into your life, it shows you're not just looking for any job, but you are passionate about improving user experience. This makes you a more attractive candidate.

Highlight your desire to improve user experiences

Your eagerness to contribute skills in user research signifies a proactive attitude, which is highly valued in the UX field.

Demonstrate impact with numbers

Mentioning the 25% increase in user retention is powerful. It shows you can deliver results that matter, making you stand out.

Align with the company's values

Showing that you value what the company stands for connects your personal goals to the company’s mission, establishing a deeper interest.

Communicate your key strengths

Stating your strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and communication abilities directly addresses what hiring managers look for in a junior UX researcher.

Junior UX Designer Cover Letter Example

Express the positive effect of your work.

When you talk about the project you led causing a 25% increase in customer satisfaction and a 15% reduction in customer support requests, you are showing me two things: You’re able to lead projects successfully, and your work makes a measurable difference. That's a win-win in my book.

Exhibit your understanding of the company's needs

Your eagerness to contribute design skills and empathize with users is great. But by aligning it with Apple's goal of creating products that millions love, you show me that you understand what we need. And trust me, we notice when candidates do their homework like this.

UX Design Intern Cover Letter Example

Understanding the company's value proposition.

This sentence makes it clear that you've taken the time to understand the company's mission and how it translates into their product design. This shows the recruiter that you appreciate the unique value proposition of the company and are not just interested in the job, but in what the company stands for too.

Showcasing Project Accomplishments

Discussing a past project where you successfully improved user satisfaction is a great way to show that you're capable of delivering results. You're not just telling me you're good at your job, but providing concrete evidence. This helps the recruiter visualize the kind of impact you might have at their company.

Aligning Past Experience with Company’s Approach

Explicitly linking your past experience to the company’s approach shows the recruiter that you understand their values and how your skills align. This can help to differentiate you from other candidates who might have similar experiences but don't articulate how they directly relate to the company's approach.

Passion for Company's Impact

Expressing excitement about the potential impact of working at the company shows that you're not just interested in the role, but in the larger goal of the company. This tells me that you're likely to be a motivated employee who's invested in the company's mission.

Desire to Learn and Contribute

Expressing enthusiasm for both learning from and contributing to the team can be a powerful closing statement. This suggests that you're not just interested in taking from the company, but in giving back and growing as part of the team. Recruiters want to see candidates who are eager to contribute and evolve within their roles.

Junior UX Researcher Cover Letter Example

Highlight passion for user-centered design.

Showing your enthusiasm for the core of UX research indicates you’re not just looking for any job, but the right job.

Demonstrate tangible success in ux research

Sharing specific outcomes, like improving conversion rates by 20%, provides clear proof of your abilities.

Admire the company's innovation in ux research

Complimenting the company’s achievements shows you’ve done your homework and are excited about their work.

Show readiness to join and contribute to the team

Expressing eagerness to learn and add value to the team suggests you are both humble and ambitious.

Request further discussion about the junior ux researcher role

Ending with an invitation to talk more shows you are proactive and interested in the next steps.

Share your personal experience with the product

Mentioning your use of the company’s product and how it benefits you personally demonstrates a genuine interest in their work. It helps employers see you as a potential user advocate on their team.

Highlight specific research achievements

Describing a project where your research led to measurable improvements shows your ability to translate insights into action. Employers value candidates who can identify problems and help solve them effectively.

Illustrate the impact of your research on product development

Explaining how your findings influenced product decisions showcases your integral role in the design process. It’s important to show that your work leads to tangible improvements.

Reflect on company values that resonate with you

Demonstrating alignment with the company’s values suggests you’ll integrate well into their culture. Highlighting shared values is key to showing you’re a good match for the team.

Express your eagerness to contribute

Ending your cover letter with an invitation to discuss your fit for the role shows initiative and genuine interest. It's beneficial to signal your readiness to take the next step in the application process.

Connect personal experiences to the job role

Using personal stories of how you've engaged with Airbnb highlights a genuine connection and understanding of the platform, making your application memorable.

Emphasize your research experience

Talking about your background in conducting user research shows you have the necessary skills and experience, reassuring the hiring manager of your capability.

Show results of your research

Quantifying achievements, like a 30% increase in satisfaction, proves your ability to make significant improvements through research.

Express your passion for innovation

Your excitement for using research to drive innovation links your personal motivation with the company’s goals, suggesting a good fit.

Be polite and forward-looking

A simple thank you shows professionalism and eagerness for a future discussion, which is a positive tone to end on.

UX Research Intern Cover Letter Example

Show your enthusiasm for the ux research intern role.

When you express admiration for the company and its products, it shows you're not just looking for any job, but you're passionate about contributing to the company specifically. This makes your application more memorable.

Demonstrate real-world impact

Detailing a project where you improved user satisfaction by a specific percentage highlights your ability to apply user research methods effectively. It provides clear evidence of your skills in action.

Highlight learning as a motivation

Stating that you're excited to learn from talented individuals in the field illustrates a growth mindset. Employers value candidates who seek learning opportunities, as they're likely to keep growing and contributing to the company.

Align with the company's mission

Showing that you're inspired by the company’s goals and how you want to contribute to them indicates that you're likely to be a dedicated and motivated member of the team.

End with a strong call to action

Expressing eagerness to discuss how your skills align with the company's mission encourages a hiring manager to imagine you in the role and moves them towards inviting you for an interview.

Connect with the company's mission

Expressing your admiration for what the company does creates a personal touch. It shows you're not just looking for any job but are interested in this specific company because you value their work.

Blend your academic background with your career goals

Highlighting your studies related to user experience shows you have a solid foundation to contribute meaningfully to the team. It’s important to show how your education aligns with your career path.

Detail your teamwork and project outcomes

Talking about a specific project where you worked with others and achieved positive results demonstrates your ability to collaborate and your impact. Employers look for candidates who can work well in teams and drive success.

Align with the company’s values

When you show that your values match the company’s, it suggests you’ll fit well with the team. It’s crucial for employers to know you share their vision and mission.

Show enthusiasm for the role

A polite closing with a call to action indicates your eagerness to discuss how you can contribute to the company. It’s a good practice to end your cover letter by expressing your desire to engage further.

Connect personal interest with the company's mission

When you share your genuine enthusiasm for the company's product, you show that you're not just looking for any job, but you're specifically interested in contributing to their mission. This makes your application more memorable.

Detail your relevant experience in ux research

Describing specific projects where you've applied your UX research skills demonstrates that you have practical experience. This assures hiring managers that you can handle the tasks required in the internship.

Highlight the impact of your work

By quantifying the success of your past projects, you provide clear evidence of your ability to contribute positively. Mentioning the increase in engagement and retention shows you understand the goals of UX research.

Align with the company's core values

Expressing your admiration for the company's use of research to guide product decisions illustrates your alignment with their values. This suggests you will fit in well with their culture and approach to product development.

Show appreciation and eagerness to engage

Ending your cover letter by thanking the reader for their consideration and expressing a desire to discuss your contribution further is polite and proactive. It opens the door for the next step in the application process.

Alternative Introductions

If you're struggling to start your cover letter, here are 6 different variations that have worked for others, along with why they worked. Use them as inspiration for your introductory paragraph.

Cover Letters For Jobs Similar To Entry-Level UX Researcher Roles

• Entry-Level UX Researcher Cover Letter Guide
• UX Researcher Cover Letter Guide

Other Design Cover Letters

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• Production Assistant Cover Letter Guide
• UX Designer (User Experience Designer) Cover Letter Guide

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

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User Experience Researcher Cover Letter Example

Enhance your career prospects and learn creative tricks to use in your new cover letter with our free, carefully composed User Experience Researcher cover letter example. Make a copy of this cover letter example at no cost or edit it directly using our simple yet powerful cover letter creator.

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User Experience Researcher Cover Letter Example (Full Text Version)

Selina Ghesquiere

Dear Recruitment Manager,

As a UX Researcher with a passion for investigating novel ways to improve end-user interactions to increase satisfaction, loyalty, and overall use, I was delighted to discover the User Experience Researcher opportunity with your organization.

For the past 3 years I have worked as a UX Researcher at MB Games, Inc., where I primarily focus on collecting and analyzing market data and communicating with users to identify their requirements. Furthermore, I:

• Worked on improving existing data analysis models to reduce unnecessary costs: I helped decrease costs by 15% within just one year
• Investigated user experience problems and completed detailed reports with immediately actionable recommendations
• Hired and trained 3 interns who were subsequently offered junior UX roles at MB Games

In addition to my work experience, I am a Cornell University graduate with a Bachelor of Information Design and Corporate Communications. At Cornell, I won the Dean's Award for exceptional academic achievement and served as a Class Representative for 2 years. My professional and academic experiences have helped me to become an effective team player with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Finally, I am adept at using all mentioned software programs including Optimizely, Usabilla, Slack, and Trello.

While I have enjoyed my time at MB Games, unfortunately there are currently no suitable career progression opportunities. I am therefore eager to join an ambitious, cutting-edge organization where I can make a similarly meaningful impact and grow as a professional.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any questions about my application.

Yours faithfully,

555-555-5555 | [email protected]

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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UX Cover Letters

What are ux cover letters.

UX cover letters are short letters or emails that designers send with their portfolios and resumes to apply for jobs. Designers personalize these to introduce themselves and briefly explain why they are a good fit for the business. These cover letters or emails often give recruiters their first impression of designers.

“A great, relevant cover letter can make me think twice even about weak candidates—think what it can do for strong ones.” —Joel Califa, Senior Product Designer at GitHub

Hook Recruiters with Powerful UX Cover Letters

When you apply for a job as a user experience designer, you need a cover letter to introduce yourself and support your UX portfolio and UX resume . A cover letter is therefore a vital spearhead in your initial contact with any recruiter. It must pack maximum persuasion into the least space and in the right words to make the best first impression. As recruiters consider applicants for UX roles , they evaluate what they declare and how. In one page, you should convince a recruiter why you ’re the best fit for:

1. The UX role offered.

2. Their organization overall.

When you bring your passion and dedication to life on your cover letter, you’ll help a recruiter envision how you might be the best candidate for that role and their team and working culture. Your UX portfolio and resume should reinforce that impression. While your portfolio will carry the most weight as recruiters consider your application, your cover letter is how you get them interested enough to do so.

Make your cover letter / email stand out and sound friendlier when you personalize it to the person who will receive it.

How to Write a UX Cover Letter

Email generally suits most situations. However, judge how formal your approach should be when you research the organization (e.g., banks may require paper letters) regardless of if someone you know has put you in touch with a recruiter. In any case, you should:

Personalize your letter.

Don’t begin with “ Dear Sir/Madam ” . This sounds lifeless and gives the impression you’re applying to a generic recruiter in a scattershot approach. To prove a dedicated effort to reach that recruiter, find and use the name of the contact (typically in HR). Decide whether to use a title-and-surname approach (safer) or a first-name approach to access them in a friendly, professional way.

Match your tone of voice with the company’s personality. If your recruiter is trendy and bubbly, reflect that nature in your email. If it’s a more traditional organization, a formal writing style is better.

Keep it short and sweet.

Use one page . Recruiters are usually time-starved individuals who won’t handle lengthy letters. This puts pressure on you to fine-tune a concise message in which you show extensive knowledge about the company and role.

Show why you’re a good fit by explaining:

Why you want to work for their organization. Say what they have that attracts you: e.g., their values, teamwork style.

Why you want that UX role. Ensure you show you’d love it as a valuable next step in your career, rather than somewhere to escape to because you dislike your current situation.

How they will benefit from hiring you. You should declare your strengths and interests by showing how these can add value to a team. Flip your words around to hear how you sound from their side. Try to portray a proactive problem-solver who wants to grow with team-mates.

Read and re-read the job posting carefully.

Provide the materials they request. To filter out inattentive applicants, many recruiters include a question or prompt to mention a word/phrase.

Proofread, re-read and read it aloud.

One tiny typographical error will almost certainly ruin your application. So, use your spellchecking and grammar-checking software, re-read your letter and read it aloud until you’re sure about it.

Remember, your cover letter is critical to what happens next with your application. You have only moments to represent yourself to the recruiter through it—every word must count.

Learn More about UX Cover Letters

Take our UX Portfolio course for extensive insights and an essential template.

• Transcript loading…

Read Smashing Magazine’s incisive piece on writing UX cover letters .

Case Study Club shares useful points to consider when crafting your UX cover letter .

See some additional tips and links to sample UX cover letters.

Literature on UX Cover Letters

Here’s the entire UX literature on UX Cover Letters by the Interaction Design Foundation, collated in one place:

Learn more about UX Cover Letters

Take a deep dive into UX Cover Letters with our course How to Create a UX Portfolio .

Did you know the average UX recruiter spends less than 5 minutes skimming through your UX portfolio? If you want to join the growing and well-paid field of UX design, not only do you need a UX portfolio— you’ll need a great UX portfolio that showcases relevant skills and knowledge . Your UX portfolio will help you get your first job interviews and freelance clients, and it will also force you to stay relevant in your UX career. In other words, no matter what point you’re at in your UX career, you’re going to need a UX portfolio that’s in tip-top condition.

So, how do you build an enticing UX portfolio, especially if you’ve got no prior experience in UX design? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll learn in this course! You’ll cover everything so you can start from zero and end up with an incredible UX portfolio . For example, you’ll walk through the various UX job roles, since you can’t begin to create your portfolio without first understanding which job role you want to apply for! You’ll also learn how to create your first case studies for your portfolio even if you have no prior UX design work experience. You’ll even learn how to navigate non-disclosure agreements and create visuals for your UX case studies.

By the end of this practical, how to oriented course, you’ll have the skills needed to create your personal online UX portfolio site and PDF UX portfolio. You’ll receive tips and insights from recruiters and global UX design leads from SAP, Oracle and Google to give you an edge over your fellow candidates. You’ll learn how to craft your UX case studies so they’re compelling and relevant, and you’ll also learn how to engage recruiters through the use of Freytag’s dramatic structure and 8 killer tips to write effectively. What’s more, you’ll get to download and keep more than 10 useful templates and samples that will guide you closely as you craft your UX portfolio. To sum it up, if you want to create a UX portfolio and land your first job in the industry, this is the course for you!

All open-source articles on UX Cover Letters

How to create the perfect ux resume and cover letter.

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How to Write a Good Cover Letter for a Research Position

Writing a cover letter can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be!

Some people believe cover letters are a science. Others seem to think they are more akin to black magic. Regardless of how you feel about cover letters, they are one of the most important parts of the job application process. Your resume or CV may get you an interview, but a good cover letter is what ensures that the hiring manager reads your resume in the first place.

Writing a cover letter for any job is important, but the art of writing a good cover letter for a research position can make or break your application. While writing a cover letter for a research position, you have to walk a fine line of proving your expertise and passion while limiting jargon and dense language.

In this post, we will explain cover letter writing basics, and then dive into how to write a research specific cover letter with examples of both good and bad practices.

What Is A Cover Letter and Why Do Cover Letters Matter?

A cover letter is your opportunity to tell a story and connect the dots of your resume. Resumes and curriculum vitae (CVs) are often cold and static—they don’t show any sort of character that will give companies a hint about if you will fit in with their culture. 

Your cover letter gives you the chance to demonstrate that you are an interesting, qualified, and intelligent person. Without proving that you are worth the time to interview, a company or research organization will set your application in the rejection pile without giving it a second look. 

So, what is a cover letter, exactly? It is an explanation (written out in paragraph form) of what you can bring to the company that goes beyond the information in your resume. Cover letters give a company a glimpse into the qualities that will make you the ideal candidate for their opening. 

Note that a cover letter is not the same as a letter of intent. A cover letter is written for a specific job opening. For example, if I got an email saying that the University of Colorado was looking for a tenure track faculty member to teach GEO 1001, and I chose to apply, I would write a cover letter. 

A letter of intent, however, is written regardless of the job opening. It is intended to express an interest in working at a particular company or with a particular group. The goal of a letter of intent is to demonstrate your interest in the company (or whatever type of group you are appealing to) and illustrate that you are willing to work with them in whatever capacity they feel is best. 

For example, if I loved the clothing company, Patagonia and wanted to work there, I could write a letter of intent. They may have an opening for a sales floor associate, but after reading my application and letter of intent, decide I would be better suited to a design position. Or, they may not have any positions open at all, but choose to keep my resume on hand for the next time they do. 

Most organizations want a cover letter, not a letter of intent, so it is important to make sure your cover letter caters to the specifics of the job posting. A cover letter should also demonstrate why you want to work at the company, but it should be primarily focused on why you can do the job better than any of the other applicants.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter: The Basics 

Writing a cover letter isn’t hard. Writing a good cover letter, a cover letter that will encourage a hiring manager to look at your application and schedule an interview, is more difficult (but certainly not impossible). Below, we will go over each of the important parts of a cover letter: the salutation, introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as some other best practices.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Salutation

Don’t start with “Dear Sir/Ma’am” (or any iteration of a vague greeting, including “to whom it may concern”). Avoiding vague greetings is the oldest trick in the book, but it still holds a lot of weight. Starting a cover letter with the above phrase is pretty much stamping “I didn’t bother to research this company at all because I am sending out a million generic cover letters” across your application. It doesn’t look good. 

The best practice is to do your research and use your connections to find a name. “Dear Joe McGlinchy” means a lot more than “Dear Hiring Manager.” LinkedIn is a great tool for this—you can look up the company, then look through the employees until you find someone that seems like they hire for the relevant department. 

The most important thing about the salutation is to address a real human. By selecting someone in the company, you’ve demonstrated that you’ve done some research and are actually interested in this company specifically. Generic greetings aren’t eye-catching and don’t do well.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Introduction

Once you’ve addressed your cover letter to a real human being, you need a powerful introduction to prove that this cover letter is worth the time it will take to read. This means that you need a hook. 

Your first sentence needs to be a strong starter, something to encourage the hiring manager not only to continue reading the cover letter, but to look at your application as well. If you have a contact in the company, you should mention them in the first sentence. Something along the lines of “my friend, Amanda Rice (UX/UI manager), suggested I apply for the natural language processing expert position after we worked together on a highly successful independent project.” 

The example above uses a few techniques. The name drop is good, but that only works if you actually have a connection in the company. Beyond that, this example has two strengths. First, it states the name of the position. This is important because hiring managers can be hiring for several different positions at a time, and by immediately clarifying which position you are applying for, you make their job a little bit easier.  Next, this sentence introduces concrete skills that apply to the job. That is a good way to start because it begins leading into the body, where you will go into depth about how exactly your experience and skills make you perfect for the job. 

Another technique for a strong lead-in to a cover letter is to begin with an applicable personal experience or anecdote. This attracts more attention than stereotypical intros (like the example above), but you have to be careful to get to the point quickly. Give yourself one or two sentences to tell the story and prove your point before you dive into your skills and the main body of the cover letter.

A more standard technique for introductions is simply expressing excitement. No matter how you choose to start, you want to demonstrate that you are eager about the position, and there is no easier way to do that than just saying it. This could take the form of “When I saw the description for X job on LinkedIn, I was thrilled: it is the perfect job for my Y skills and Z experience.” This option is simple and to-the-point, which can be refreshing for time-crunched hiring managers. 

Since we’ve provided a few good examples, we will offer a bad example, so you can compare and contrast. Don’t write anything along the line of: “My name is John Doe, and I am writing to express my interest in the open position at your company.” 

There are a few issues here. First, they can probably figure out your name. You don’t need that to be in the first sentence (or any of the sentences—the closing is an obvious enough spot). Next, “the open position” and “your company” are too generic. That sounds like the same cover letter you sent to every single employer in a hundred mile radius. Give the specifics! Finally, try to start with a little more spice. Add in some personality, something to keep the hiring manager reading. If you bore them to death in the first line, they aren’t going to look over your resume and application with the attention they deserve. 

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Body

So, you’ve addressed a real human being, and you’ve snagged their attention with a killer opening line. What next? Well, you have to hold on to that attention by writing an engaging and informative cover letter body. 

The body of a cover letter is the core of the important information you want to transmit. The introduction’s job was to snag the attention of the hiring manager. The body’s job is to sell them on your skills.  There are a few formatting things to be aware of before we start talking about what content belongs in the body of the cover letter. First, keep the company culture and standards in mind when picking a format. For example, if I want to work for a tech startup that is known for its wit and company culture, I can probably get away with using a bulleted list or another informal format. However, if I am applying to a respected research institution, using a standard five paragraph format is best. 

In addition, the cover letter should not be longer than a page. Hiring managers are busy people. They may have hundreds of resumes to read, so they don’t need a three page essay per person. A full page is plenty, and many hiring managers report finding three hundred words or less to be the idea length. Just to put that into context, the text from here to the “How to Write a Good Cover Letter Body” header below is about perfect, length-wise. 

Now, on to the more important part: the content. A cover letter should work in tandem with a resume. If you have a list of job experiences on your resume, don’t list them again in the cover letter. Use the valuable space in the cover letter to give examples about how you have applied your skills and experience. 

For example, if I have worked as a barista, I wouldn’t just say “I have worked as a barista at Generic Cafe.” The hiring manager could learn that from my resume. Instead, I could say “Working as a barista at Generic Cafe taught me to operate under pressure without feeling flustered. Once…” I would go on to recount a short story that illustrated my ability to work well under pressure. It is important that the stories and details you choose to include are directly related to the specific job. Don’t ramble or add anything that isn’t obviously connected. Use the job description as a tool—if it mentions a certain skill a few times, make sure to include it!

If you can match the voice and tone of your cover letter to the voice of the company, that usually earns you extra points. If, in their communications, they use wit, feel free to include it in your letter as well. If they are dry, to the point, and serious, cracking jokes is not the best technique.

A Few Don’ts of Writing a Cover Letter Body   

There are a few simple “don’ts” in cover letter writing. Do not: 

• Bad: I am smart, dedicated, determined, and funny.
• Better: When I was working at Tech Company, I designed and created an entirely new workflow that cut the product delivery time in half. 
• Bad: When I was seven, I really loved the monkeys at the zoo. This demonstrates my fun-loving nature. 
• Better: While working for This Company, I realized I was far more productive if I was light-hearted. I became known as the person to turn to in my unit when my coworkers needed a boost, and as my team adopted my ideology, we exceeded our sales goals by 200%. 
• Bad: I would love this job because it would propel me to the next stage of my career.
• Better: With my decade of industry experience communicating with engineers and clients, I am the right person to manage X team. 
• Bad: I know I’m not the most qualified candidate for this job, but…
• Better: I can apply my years of experience as an X to this position, using my skills in Y and Z to… 
• Bad: I am a thirty year old white woman from Denver…
• Better: I have extensive experience managing diverse international teams, as illustrated by the time I…  

The most important part of the cover letter is the body. Sell your skills by telling stories, but walk the razor’s edge between saying too much and not enough. When in doubt, lean towards not enough—it is better for the hiring manager to call you in for an interview to learn more than to bore them.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter Conclusion

 The last lines of a cover letter are extremely important. Until you can meet in-person for an interview, the conclusion of your cover letter will greatly affect the impression the hiring manager has of you. A good technique for concluding your cover letter is to summarize, in a sentence, what value you can bring to the company and why you are perfect for the position. Sum up the most important points from your cover letter in a short, concise manner. 

Write with confidence, but not arrogance. This can be a delicate balance. While some people have gotten away (and sometimes gotten a job) with remarks like, “I’ll be expecting the job offer soon,” most do not. Closing with a courteous statement that showcases your capability and skills is far more effective than arrogance. Try to avoid trite or generic statements in the closing sentence as well. This includes the template, “I am very excited to work for XYZ Company.” Give the hiring manager something to remember and close with what you can offer the company. 

The final step in any cover letter is to edit. Re-read your cover letter. Then, set it aside for a few hours (or days, time permitting) and read it again. Give it to a friend to read. Read it aloud. This may seem excessive, but there is nothing more off-putting than a spelling or grammar error in the first few lines of a cover letter. The hiring manager may power through and ignore it, but it will certainly taint their impression. 

Once the cover letter is as flawless and compelling as it can be, send it out! If you are super stuck on how to get started, working within a template may help. Microsoft Word has many free templates that are aesthetically appealing and can give you a hint to the length and content. A few good online options live here (free options are at the bottom—there is no reason to pay for a resume template).

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Research Position

Writing a cover letter for a research position is the same as writing any other cover letter. There are, however, a few considerations and additions that are worth pointing out. A job description may not directly ask for a cover letter, but it is good practice to send one unless they specifically say not to. This means that even if a cover letter isn’t mentioned, you should send one—it is best practice and gives you an opportunity to expand on your skills and research in a valuable way.

Format and Writing Style for a Research Position Cover Letter

Research and academics tend to appreciate formality more than start-ups or tech companies, so using the traditional five paragraph format is typically a good idea. The five paragraph format usually includes an introduction, three short examples of skills, and a concluding paragraph. This isn’t set in stone—if you’d rather write two paragraphs about the skills and experience you bring to the company, that is fine. 

Keep in mind that concise and to-the-point writing is extremely valuable in research. Anyone who has ever written a project proposal under 300 words knows that every term needs to add value. Proving that you are a skilled writer, starting in your cover letter, will earn you a lot of points. This means that cover letters in research and academia, though you may have more to say, should actually be shorter than others. Think of the hiring manager—they are plowing through a massive stack of verbose, technical, and complex cover letters and CVs. It is refreshing to find an easy to read, short cover letter. 

On the “easy to read” point, remember that the hiring manager may not be an expert in your field. Even if they are, you cannot assume that they have the exact same linguistic and educational background as you. For example, if you have dedicated the last five years of your life to studying a certain species of bacteria that lives on Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, all of those technical terms you have learned (and maybe even coined) have no place in your cover letter. Keep jargon to an absolute minimum. Consider using a tool like the Hemingway Editor to identify and eliminate jargon. While you want to reduce jargon, it is still important to prove that you’ve researched their research. Passion about the research topic is one of the most valuable attributes that a new hire can offer. 

Use your cover letter to prove that you have done your homework, know exactly what the institution or group is doing, and want to join them. If you have questions about the research or want to learn more, it isn’t a bad idea to get in touch with one of the researchers. You can often use LinkedIn or the group’s staff site to learn who is working on the project and reach out.

What Research Information Should be Included in a Cover Letter

A research position cover letter is not the place for your academic history, dissertation, or publications. While it may be tempting to go into detail about the amazing research you did for your thesis, that belongs in your CV. Details like this will make your cover letter too long. While these are valuable accomplishments, don’t include them unless there is something  that pertains to the group’s research, and your CV doesn’t cover it in depth. 

If you do choose to write about your research, write about concrete details and skills that aren’t in your CV. For example, if you have spent the last few years working on identifying the effects of a certain gene sequence in bird migration, include information about the lab techniques you used. Also, try to put emphasis on the aspects of your resume and CV that make you stand out from other candidates. It is likely that you will be competing with many similarly qualified candidates, so if you have a unique skill or experience, make sure it doesn’t get lost in the chaos—a cover letter is the perfect place to highlight these sorts of skills. 

Industry experience is a great differentiator. If you have relevant industry experience, make sure to include it in your cover letter because it will almost certainly set you apart. Another valuable differentiator is a deep and established research network. If you have been working on research teams for years and have deep connections with other scientists, don’t be afraid to include this information. This makes you a very valuable acquisition for the company because you come with an extensive network

Include Soft Skills in Your Cover Letter

Scientific skills aren’t the only consideration for hiring managers. Experience working with and leading teams is incredibly valuable in the research industry. Even if the job description doesn’t mention teamwork, add a story or description of a time you worked with (or, even better, lead) a successful team. Soft skills like management, customer service, writing, and clear communication are important in research positions. Highlight these abilities and experiences in your cover letter in addition to the hard skills and research-based information. 

If you are struggling to edit and polish your letter, give it to both someone within your field and someone who is completely unfamiliar with your research (or, at least, the technical side of it). Once both of those people say that the letter makes sense and is compelling, you should feel confident submitting it.

Cover letters are intended to give hiring managers information beyond what your resume and CV are able to display. Write with a natural but appropriately formal voice, do your research on the position, and cater to the job description. A good cover letter can go a long way to getting you an interview, and with these tips, your cover letters will certainly stand out of the pile.

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