What a data analyst cover letter is actually for
It answers the one question the resume cannot: why this company, and why now. A resume is a record. A cover letter is an argument. If the letter does not make an argument, it is filler and the reader can tell within a sentence.
- Under 200 words. Four short paragraphs at most.
- Specific to the company in a way that could not be copied to another one.
- One concrete piece of evidence from your history, not a summary of your resume.
- A close that states what you want without apologising for wanting it.
The structure that works
Open with the reason you are writing to them specifically. Follow with the single strongest piece of evidence. Add one line on what you want to do next and why this role is that. Close.
- Line 1: the specific thing about this company or role that made you apply.
- Paragraph 2: one project of yours that maps onto their problem, with the outcome.
- Paragraph 3: what you are looking for and why this is it.
- Close: one sentence. No "I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience".
What to cut
Most cover letters are twice as long as they should be because of four habits.
- "To Whom It May Concern". Find a name, or open with the substance instead.
- Restating your resume. They have it. It is attached.
- Adjectives about yourself. "Passionate", "detail-oriented", and "hard-working" are unfalsifiable, so they carry no information.
- Explaining that you saw the role advertised. They know where they posted it.
Evidence a data analyst should reach for
The strongest paragraph names a problem you have already solved that resembles theirs. For data analyst roles, that usually means something involving SQL, Python, dbt, and Tableau.
- Found something measurable, and say what it was worth to the business.
- Quantified something measurable, and say what it was worth to the business.
- Built something measurable, and say what it was worth to the business.
- Automated something measurable, and say what it was worth to the business.
- Informed something measurable, and say what it was worth to the business.