Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to express my strong interest in applying for the position of
Research Fellow in Applied Health Research in the Institute of Advanced
Healthcare Economics.
After studying for a BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Midtown
(where I scored an average of 82%) I continued my academic career by
studying for an MSc in Public Health. I was then accepted to study for a PhD
in the Department of Applied Social Studies at South Midshire University
(ranked 8th in the UK in the Sunday Times Good University Guide) which
I began in September 2009 and finished in June this year. This involved
competing for research council funding with 20 other applicants.
My dissertation title was ‘Health Disparities and the impact of Social Class
on Clinical Outcomes’. My supervisor was Dr W Jennings. I have
contributed to a number of publications, including the “Healthcare Science
Review”, “Journal of Health Economics”, “Clinical Commissioning Digest” and
“Review of Socio-Medical Studies”. I have also attended a recent conference
on Democratic Healthcare Structures within Socially Excluded Communities.
I am eager to further my career at your institution and am now seeking a
position where I can apply my extensive research interests and skills.
The Institute’s tradition of excellence and its reputation for intellectual rigour
are matched by my own passion for quality and my commitment to the
future development of health policy research. Your goal of ‘eradicating
health poverty through improving patient outcomes’ is congruent with my
own beliefs and aspirations.
I have had extensive experience in policy research, data analysis , research
evaluation and statistical modelling . I also studied Advanced Research
Methods as part of my MSc. I have had experience of using SPSS and
ATLAS-Ti software as well as having skills in advanced Excel.
I have had held two research assistant positions, one in my academic
department and one with the Department of Health and I found these
experiences both rewarding and valuable.
I am a dedicated team worker, excellent communicator and accomplished
project manager with strong organisational and planning skills. I spent three
years as a member of the PhD Staff Student Liaison Group, attending regular
meetings and disseminating information to my fellow students. I play a great
deal of sport and like to challenge myself physically, regularly attending
sessions at my local gym.
I am very excited about this position. It would be a huge honour to work
for the Institute and I would be very grateful for the opportunity to further
my career in this area.
Yours respectfully and in anticipation of your swift response.
Yours sincerely
98
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Example cover letter – with comments
7
Example cover letter – improved version
1: Always address the letter to a named
person where possible, ideally the hiring
manager.
2: This is obvious.
3: You don’t need to give a plotted history
of your career – this can be found on
the CV. The first main paragraph is your
chance to capture the employer’s interest
and should immediately highlight your
credentials for the post.
4: This kind of academic success is assumed
and will not give you an edge over
other candidates at this stage in your
career. Work experience, or more recent
successes will be more persuasive.
5: This kind of detail can be found on the CV
and does not need to be repeated in the
cover letter.
6: This sentence adds very little and
is assumed.
7: This sounds like platitudes.
The quote may have been taken from the
employer’s website and is not showing
any evidence of researching the position.
8: Beware inserting long lists of activities
and skills which are not backed up with
evidence of achievement.
9: Again, this information is clear from
the CV.
10: More unsubstantiated lists!
11: This just shows you carried out the role
– not that you were any good at it.
12: If you are going to mention interests
outside work, make sure that they are
relevant e.g. they demonstrate personal
13: The cover letter needs to answer the
question ‘What could I do for you if
you hire me?’ not ‘What could you do
for me?’ qualities which are key to the
job and also that they differentiate you
from other candidates. Popping to the
gym regularly does not improve your
credentials for the job.
Dear Dr Schmidt
I would like to express my interest in the position of Research Fellow
in Applied Health Research which I saw advertised on jobs.ac.uk.
I have recently completed my PhD in “Health Disparities and the impact
of Social Class on Clinical Outcomes’ at the University of South Midshire.
My PhD involved primary research with clinicians and patient advocates
and culminated in a set of recommendations for local Clinical Commissioning
Groups. Prior to that I completed a Masters in Public Health at the University
of London, where I gained a distinction.
This position appears to be an ideal blend of my experience in evaluating
patient healthcare outcomes using statistical modelling and my expertise
in clinical commissioning policy.
I am particularly impressed by the Institute’s commitment to improving
patient outcomes in deprived communities. As an active member of my
local NHS Patient Concern group, this is an area about which I am passionate.
I am also drawn to the Institute’s multidisciplinary approach to research.
Having collaborated extensively with academics in the Department of
Economics during my PhD, I believe in the importance of thinking beyond
narrow academic disciplines.
I have held research assistant posts in both academia and in central government
making me ideally suited to a role focusing on the interface between researchers
and clinicians. My experience of evaluating the impact of changes in clinical
commissioning on local patient groups whilst at the Department of Health
has given me a real understanding of the practical applications of health policy
on communities. I also took the opportunity to learn advanced data analysis
techniques, for example using SPSS and ATLAS-Ti to investigate the correlation
between local commissioning structures and patient outcomes.
At the Department of Health I worked as part of a close-knit team of researchers
from different disciplines and nationalities. This increased my confidence in
communicating my research to those outside my field and improved my
intercultural skills . As an active member of the PhD Staff Student Liaison Group,
I learnt how to problem solve, build relationships and to negotiate practical
solutions. These influencing skills stood me in good stead during my internship,
where I successfully persuaded the South Midtown Clinical Commissioning Group
to participate in my research project and to implement some of its findings.
I am confident that my expertise in clinical commissioning and patient
impact, my broad experience in both academic and government research,
my focus on a multidisciplinary approach and my strong organisational and
influencing skills make me an ideal match for this position.
I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss my experience in more detail
at interview and I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Yours sincerely
1: Always say where you saw the position
advertised.
2: Succinct but informative. The
employer can check out more detail
on the CV itself. Bear in mind that the
CV may be read by non-specialists and
non-researchers too (such as HR Staff).
3: This statement is more persuasive as
it is better tailored to the post, and
focuses on the applicant’s Unique
Selling Points as a candidate.
4: The statement of admiration is backed
up by evidence of where the candidate
has demonstrated those beliefs.
5: This shows that the candidate is
aware of what makes the department
distinctive, and that they have given
some thought as to why the position
would suit them.
6: Here the skills required for the
job are evidenced with actual
concrete achievements. Select those
achievements most relevant to the
target job.
7: Team working is likely to be a key part
of the person spec for a researcher
position; Even if not stated on the
spec, it is often assumed so always
show you can work in teams as well
as independently.
8: This could be important for a role in a
department with a large international
staff and/or student body.
9: This time, actual evidence of
influencing skills is given.
10: Finish on a statement which is well
tailored to the person specification
and which answers the question,
‘Why would I be a perfect fit for
this position?’
11: End on a note of confidence.
8