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Economics Professor Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Use these Economics Professor cover letter examples and writing tips to help you write a powerful cover letter that will separate you from the competition.

Table Of Contents

• Economics Professor Example 1
• Economics Professor Example 2
• Economics Professor Example 3
• Cover Letter Writing Tips

Economics professors teach and conduct research in the field of economics. They must be able to understand complex economic theories and communicate them in a way that students can understand.

In order to be considered for an economics professor position, you’ll need to submit a well-written cover letter. Use these examples and tips to create a cover letter that will make hiring managers want to meet you in person.

Economics Professor Cover Letter Example 1

I am excited to be applying for the Economics Professor position at the University of Southern California. I have a PhD in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and more than 10 years of experience teaching Economics at the university level. I am confident that I have the skills and experience to be an excellent professor at USC and contribute to the department’s long-standing tradition of excellence in teaching and research.

I am passionate about teaching Economics and helping students understand the complex theories and models that make up this field. My teaching philosophy is based on the idea that students learn best when they are able to see the relevance of Economics to their own lives. I strive to create a classroom environment that is supportive and challenging, where students are encouraged to ask questions and think critically about the world around them.

I am also a dedicated researcher, and my work has been published in several leading journals. I am excited to share my research with students at USC and help them see the importance of Economics in understanding the world around them.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting you in person and discussing how I can contribute to the Economics department at USC. My resume is enclosed for your reference.

Economics Professor Cover Letter Example 2

I am writing to apply for the Economics Professor position that was recently advertised on your website. I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications that you are looking for, and I am eager to put my experience to work in this role.

I have been teaching economics at the college level for the past three years. During that time, I have developed a strong understanding of the principles of economics, and I have become adept at explaining complex concepts in a way that is easy for students to understand. I am also well-versed in using various teaching methods and technologies to engage students and help them learn.

In addition to my teaching experience, I have also worked as a research economist for a number of years. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the economic principles that drive the world economy. I am confident that I can use this knowledge to help your students gain a better understanding of economics and how it affects their lives.

I am eager to put my skills and experience to work in this role, and I believe that I can make a significant contribution to your department. I would be happy to discuss my qualifications in further detail with you at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Economics Professor Cover Letter Example 3

I am writing to express my interest in the economics professor position at your university. I have been working as an assistant professor at the University of Michigan for the past three years, and I am now looking to move on to a more senior position. My research has focused on the relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability, and I have published several papers on this topic in leading academic journals.

I believe that my experience as an assistant professor will be valuable to your department. As you know, being an assistant professor is a challenging job. You need to be able to work independently and manage your own time effectively. I have found that these skills are essential for success in academia, and they have helped me develop into a highly productive researcher.

My experience as an assistant professor has also given me valuable teaching experience. I have taught undergraduate courses in macroeconomics and microeconomics, as well as graduate-level courses in environmental economics. I believe that teaching is one of the most important parts of being a professor, and I enjoy it immensely. I find that it helps me stay current with new developments in my field, and it also gives me the opportunity to share my passion for economics with others.

I would like to thank you for considering me for this position. I am confident that my background and experience make me an ideal candidate for this job. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Economics Professor Cover Letter Writing Tips

1. show your teaching experience.

When applying for a job as an economics professor, you need to show how well you communicate with people from all walks of life. You’ll be communicating with clients, opposing counsel, expert witnesses and your team on a regular basis. So it’s important that you show your strong communication skills to the hiring manager in the cover letter.

To do this, talk about how effective you are at verbal and written communication. The more examples of each type of communication (written and verbal) that you can provide in your cover letter the better!

2. Customize your cover letter

Law firms are used to receiving cover letters—so many of them in fact, that they’re often just skimmed over and not given the attention they deserve. To get noticed, you need a killer opening line and customized content outlining why you want to work for their firm.

To write an effective opening line for a law firm cover letter:

• Reach out to people working at the agency through LinkedIn and ask for advice or help in crafting your resume/cover letter.
• Use specific examples from past work experiences that highlight how you can contribute to this particular company’s goals.
• Ask someone who works there what aspect of the job they found most interesting/challenging. Use this information as inspiration when writing about why you want this position.

3. Highlight intellectual curiosity and motivation

Lawyers are always looking for candidates who have a strong track record of success, but they also want to make sure they’re hiring individuals with the drive to keep learning.

To show that you have what it takes to be successful as an attorney, highlight your intellectual curiosity and motivation in your cover letter. For example, explain how you prepared for exams by reading recent case precedent or how you regularly attend networking events hosted at local law firms.

4. Proofread your cover letter

When applying for a position as an attorney, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of grammar and proper sentence structure. In your cover letter, you’ll want to avoid any mistakes in spelling or grammar. Remember that employers will look at your writing style and see if you have the necessary skills needed for the job before inviting you for an interview.

Collections Representative Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

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Sample Motivation Letter For Your Economics PhD Application

Read a summary or generate practice questions using the INOMICS AI tool

When you apply for an economics  PhD , you will need to write not just a research proposal but also a letter of motivation. This letter describes why you wish to undertake a PhD and why you would be well-suited to researching your proposed topic. But what needs to go in this letter, and what tone is appropriate for it?

To give you some ideas, INOMICS is sharing a sample economics letter of motivation, as well as offering advice on how to write your own, so you can maximize your chances of getting accepted. If you plan to start your PhD application this autumn, you can download our free guide " How to successfully apply to a PhD in Economics ".

It should be noted that a European-style motivation letter focuses on academic background and research history, avoiding too much personal information. The US-style personal statement, on the other hand, is much more 'life experience' based. Here, we focus on the European style.

1. What to include in a motivation letter

There are a number of essentials you should include in your motivation letter when applying for your PhD. The introduction should (perhaps obviously) clearly state which economics program you are applying for. This will lead nicely into the next section, which should contain your reasons for wanting to do a PhD and specifically why you wish to do the program for which you've applied.

It is important to show what impact your proposed research will have on the industry, including perhaps the gaps in the literature/research that currently exist and how your research fills these in. Following on from this, your own academic background should be explained, including any academic achievements or awards you may have garnered aside from your degrees. Finally, your future career plans, and how your PhD and research proposal will help you achieve them, could be your closing statement of the motivation letter.

2. Be specific

One bad habit that many people have when writing their motivation letter is being too vague. Saying that you enjoyed your economics undergraduate course or that you find economics interesting is too vague to be meaningful. After all, it can already be assumed that you enjoyed studying economics or you wouldn't be applying for a PhD.

Instead, try to be more specific: mention which particular courses or topics appealed to you most, what you learned from them, and why you want to learn more about them. This is also a good way to mention your research areas of interest and how they will benefit the field.

3. Give concrete examples

Another common mistake is to make claims without giving any evidence to back those claims up. For example, you'll often see people say 'I work well independently' or 'I am highly organized and good at managing all of my assignments'. Without demonstrating how these things are true, there is no reason for the hiring committee to give weight to your self-assessment.

For better results, give concrete examples of your claims in action, such as 'My high level of organization was demonstrated when I completed my economics undergraduate courses while also working a part-time job, which required excellent time management skills' or 'In my second year, I successfully organized an undergraduate conference with 50 attendees.'

4. Show your personality

It is important to be professional in your motivation letter, so the letter should not contain jokes, sarcasm, or irrelevant personal information. However, you also needn't be dull and impersonal. You can and should allow your personality to shine through in your letter, and show how you are different from other candidates.

Maybe you have strong opinions about a particular topic in economics, or perhaps you have taken an unconventional career path. In these cases, you needn't hide your individuality. Show how your background gives you a unique perspective on your subject's issues and your approach to academic work. Remember, the point of the motivation letter is not to show how similar you are to an imagined perfect candidate – it's to show off your unique personal approach and how you could be a great PhD student.

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5. focus on skills.

An adjustment issue that some people have in during a PhD program is the gulf in requirements between an undergraduate or Master's course and a PhD. In an undergraduate or Master's course, you have to attend classes, complete assignments, and perform well in assessments. In a PhD, you will often have to come up with your own research questions, choose the best methodology to answer those questions, and motivate and organize yourself to complete your work.

If you don't have direct experience with doing these PhD tasks, that's okay – you won't be expected to know everything before you even start the PhD. However, you do want to show in your motivation letter that you have the capacity to perform this kind of work. In order to do this, you should focus on the skills that you have – such as data analysis, writing, research, presentation, and so on. Try to give examples of how you have used these skills in the past to show that you're ready for the challenge of a PhD now.

6. Talk about your future plans

Something that hiring committees like to see is that you are interested in working in your chosen field in the future. This means that you need to talk about what your post-PhD plans are if you want to be accepted. For most people applying for a PhD, the interest will be in doing a postdoc once they have completed the PhD. Other people may know that they want to work in industry, or for an NGO or for the government.

Any of these answers is fine, but the committee will want to see that you have thought about your long-term career. Do mention your long-term plans near the end of your motivation letter to show that you are serious about a career in your chosen field.

7. Sample motivation letter for an economics PhD

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my interest in pursuing a PhD in economics at Imperial College London.

I am particularly keen to apply for the doctoral program in the economics department at Imperial as its research interests are an excellent match for my academic background. I studied Business Management for my BA at Kingston University and during this time I developed a particular interest in the relationship between government policies affecting small businesses and economic outcomes country-wide. Furthering this interest, my BA thesis, which was supervised by Prof. Helen Smith, used statistical techniques to analyse the rate of growth of small businesses before and after new legislation regarding wages was put into place. My aim was not only to consider the ethical arguments regarding minimum wages and small businesses, but also to find evidence about whether policies encouraged or discouraged the growth of small businesses.

After completing my BA, I undertook an MSc in economics at University College London. From this course I gained deeper knowledge of statistics and modelling, which I made use of in my thesis project – an investigation into how the number of people employed by a small business affects the ability of that business to weather changes in wage laws. My aim throughout this project was to gather more evidence on the effect of new wage laws on the long-term stability of small businesses.

I now wish to continue my academic career with a PhD in economics, and I cannot imagine a better place to study this than the business school at Imperial. I admire the economics department’s commitment to both fairness and to accuracy, and I wish to further my work on minimum wage increases and small businesses in a way that respects both the dignity of workers and the needs of business owners. I particularly wish to work with Dr. Jane Brown, whose work on small business ethics has been a great source of inspiration for me.

This research has the potential to contribute to the theoretical models of small business growth in economics, but it also can contribute real-world value to policymakers and small business owners. As small businesses are often touted as the counterbalance in the move towards large multinational corporations due to globalisation, greater understanding of how to support these small businesses, and how to help them grow, will only become more valuable in the future.

Owing to my extensive knowledge of small business and wage laws, and my experience with statistical analyses and modelling, I am confident that I can complete the research project which I have proposed to a high standard. While both my previous thesis projects were on a smaller scale, I have recently been volunteering as a research assistant in a co-operative project focussing on cultural differences in small business creation, which has given me experience on large-scale projects too. This experience has helped me to plan out the time for my PhD realistically and confidently.

After completing the PhD, I plan to either pursue a postdoc placement within academic economics, or to work as a consultant for small business associations and policymakers. I believe that with my knowledge and experience in this increasingly important field, I can make important contributions to both the Imperial Business School and wider discipline of economics. I hope to be considered for this position.

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Cover Letter for PhD Application: Guide for Writing One & Example From a Real PhD Student

• Klara Cervenanska , 
• Updated March 27, 2023 9 min read

When applying for a PhD research position, you usually need to submit certain documents, including an academic CV and a cover letter for PhD application .

A PhD cover letter, also referred to as an academic cover letter, should be carefully crafted, well-formatted, and contain specific sections.

We'll show you how to do exactly that, along with a sample of an academic cover letter from a real person admitted to a PhD program at Lyon University in France.

And if you're not sure how to go about writing your PhD CV, check out this article: CV for PhD Application: How to Write One Like a True Scholar (+CV Example) .

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is an academic cover letter?

What to include in a cover letter for phd application, how to write a cover letter for phd application, how to format an academic cover letter, phd cover letter sample.

An academic cover letter is a document that PhD candidates submit alongside their academic CV when applying for a PhD. 

Essentially, it's a cover letter for a PhD application.

It's not exactly the same as your regular business cover letter. Nor is it the same as a personal statement or a motivation letter .

The purpose of a cover letter for PhD application is to explain to the reader, who's likely a researcher or a professor, what you can contribute to their institution and/or field.

Moreover, in a PhD application cover letter, you should explain why you're a good match for the research position on the program.

Differences between academic cover letter and business cover letter

Both these documents serve different purposes and people use them in different settings:

• Academic cover letter is used when applying for positions in academia — most often for a PhD. More emphasis should be on education, research background and scholarly accomplishments. Moreover, it should explain what your contribution to the institution or field could be. It should also point the reader to your academic CV.
• Regular (business) cover letter is normally used when applying for any kind of job . Hence, more emphasis should be on skills and past experience while being tailored to a specific job position. You should also explain why you're a good fit for the position at the given company. It should point the reader to your resume.

There are also other documents people often mistake for an academic cover letter. These include:

• Motivation letter is especially relevant for fresh graduates when applying to a university, a non-profit organization, or voluntary work. A motivation letter focuses more on your interests and motives for applying.
• Personal statement. Also used in an academic setting. It's always written by an applicant, often a prospective student, applying to college, university, or graduate school. You explain why you've chosen a particular course and why you'd be good at it. Other names include a statement of purpose or a letter of intent .

Like every cover letter, an academic one also needs to include specific elements and content sections. These are:

• Header. Here, provide your contact information, such as your name, address, phone number, and email in the header of the document.
• Formal salutation. In an official letter like this one, you should address the reader in a professional and formal way. If you know who'll be reading your cover letter, go with Dear Dr. [Surname] or Dear Professor [Surname] . If you don't, go with Dear Sir/Madam .
• The specific PhD program or position. Clearly state in your letter which research position you're applying for or the name of the PhD program. A cover letter is usually read before a CV, so you need to make sure everything is clear.
• Your motivation. Explain why you're interested in the specific PhD position — it's one of the key elements you should include.
• Your academic background. Now, we don't mean you should list in detail every single university course you ever took. Instead, focus on the most relevant course for the PhD and describe in detail what you learned, any projects you worked on, why it was interesting (and optionally, what knowledge gap you identified). In this way, you also show a certain level of understanding of the field.
• Your ambition. Briefly mention what your ambitions, intentions, and plans are regarding your contribution to the field when securing your PhD position. How is your research going to enrich the field? How will the institution benefit from it?
• Conclusion. Keep the conclusion short. Contrary to a regular cover letter ending , there's no place for reiterating everything here. Simply thank the reader for your consideration and prompt them to read your academic CV.
• Formal sign-off. Just pick from the usual: Sincerely, Respectfully, Regards... Then throw in your full name in the following line.

And that's all you need to include!

Now, let's take a look at how to write your cover letter step-by-step.

Applying for a PhD will be a lot less stressful if you follow these tips on how to write a cover letter for a research position:

Consider researching the background of the organization, department, ongoing research projects, and their past and current projects. All that before you start writing your cover letter. Knowing these things will help you tailor your letter to the specific PhD opening.

Before you actually start writing, try to sit down and take a moment to think first. Assess how your past experiences helped you prepare for the PhD position and scribble down those that are most relevant and significant for the specific program. These include any research experiences, research projects, courses, or internships.

In the first few sentences of your letter, you need to convey some basic information about yourself and what specific position you're applying for. The opening should also state firmly why you're a strong candidate for the position/program, by using a persuasive and convincing wording. Here's an example: "As an MChem Chemistry graduate with a narrow focus on the sustainable synthesis of biologically active molecules from the University of Dundee, I am excited to apply to a "Synthesis Of Small Molecule Inhibitors Using Enzymes" PhD programme at an institution with such a strong foundation and numerous research groups in this field."

This is the place where you may explore more extensively on the educational journey that brought you here. Set the foundation for demonstrating how your Master's degree and research experience seamlessly translate into the next phase — the PhD program. Emphasize how your thesis contributes to the field's body of knowledge. Mention any other publications that support your thesis. And, if you can, identify any knowledge gaps or topics that can be explored further.

This paragraph provides the opportunity to neatly tie in together everything the reader has learned about you so far. You can show how your previous experience, coupled with what you'll learn during the PhD program, will come together to produce something novel to enrich the field. First, identify the courses or topics within the PhD program that interest you the most and how they relate to you developing your research further. Second, introduce your future research aspirations and goals. Third, point out how this future work will enrich the field and what will the intellectual merit be.

When ending your PhD cover letter, briefly refer your reader to your academic CV and encourage them to examine all of the remaining projects, courses, publications, or references . Finally, thank the reader for their time and consideration and let them know you look forward to hearing from them. Sign off.

Put the letter in a drawer and don't think about it for a day or two. Then, when you read it again, you'll have a fresh pair of eyes to see the cover letter in a new light. Maybe you decide some things are redundant, or you think of something that's more relevant. Or you know, find a typo here and there.

Just like an academic cover letter needs to contain certain content components, the formatting should also align with the structural expectations for this type of document.

How long should a cover letter be? How to finish a cover letter? And what about the cover letter font and spacing?

Here's a recommended academic cover letter format:

• Length. While STEM PhD candidates should aim for half a page to one page, humanities candidates can do 1–2 pages.
• Font. Use one of the classics: Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial. Just no Comic Sans, we beg you. Keep the size between 10–12 points. Also remember to keep the text clean — no underlining, no bolding, and no color. However, you can use italics if appropriate.
• Spacing. Cover letter spacing isn't complicated. Just single-space your text, make sure there's a space between each paragraph, and leave a space between the concluding paragraph and your formal sign-off.
• Margins. The only rule here is that the margins on your cover letter should match those on your CV.
• Consistence with your CV. Your academic cover letter should match your academic CV in all formatting aspects — including the cover letter font and spacing. For example, Kickresume lets you choose a matching template for your CV and your cover letter, so no need to worry about this.

If the institution provided any instructions for formatting your academic cover letter, don’t get creative and follow their guidelines.

Finally, to help you tie everything we talked about together, here's a cover letter sample from a real person admitted to a PhD program at Lyon University in France.

These things ensured Herrera's cover letter was successful:

• She clearly states her motivation in the opening. In the first two paragraphs, Herrera introduces herself and her motivation to apply for the given PhD program.
• She describes educational and research background thoroughly. The main body of the letter is dedicated to describing Herrera's educational background, research projects, internships, and skills acquired throughout the way.
• She presents research aspirations in the letter. Herrera writes: "I have a history of proven results and profound findings. Given opportunity, I’m confident in my abilities to earn similar ground-breaking results while being part of your team."

Even though this example lacks some of the key elements, such as mentioning the specific PhD program or identifying the topics within the PhD program that interest her the most, this PhD cover letter still managed to impress the University of Lyon.

Lyon University PhD Student Cover Letter Sample

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

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Academic Cover Letters

The cover letter is a single spaced, two-page introductory document that creates a narrative for your application package. It introduces the search committee to your:

• Enthusiasm for the position and your expected availability (e.g., expected defense date)
• Teaching and teaching assistantships
• Other relevant experience (internships, previous professional experience, etc.)
• Fit (why you are the right person for the position, understanding of campus culture and values, etc.)

Because no cover letter can convey all this information appropriately in only two pages, you will need to tailor your letter depending on the department, the university, the requirements specified in the job call, your application package, etc.

Keep in mind, the cover letter should not directly lift content from other supporting material. For example, if a job call also asks for a Teaching Statement or Philosophy, you should not feel pressure to condense all of that content into a paragraph. Rather use the cover letter to illustrate how your teaching fits into your scholarly identity. Consider how it is informed by your research, commitment to equity and inclusion, etc.

• How the job call is written, which responsibilities are presented and in what order – is teaching prioritized over research?
• What application documents are requested – is there something not requested that you could elaborate on in the cover letter?
• What student populations would you engage with as a faculty member in the department – undergraduate? graduate? both?
• Is the institution mission-driven – how does that impact your professional narrative?

The cover letter could include a combination of the following paragraphs:

Opening Paragraph

Just like articles and dissertations have a central “thesis” or research question, this paragraph gives the letter’s thesis statement, clarifying how your mix of experience makes you the best candidate for the job. This paragraph lists the basics of the cover letter:

• Introduce yourself
• Explain your interest in the position and institution
• Basic rundown of who you are as a scholar in relation to the role

Body Paragraphs

This content could address your research project(s), areas of interest, methodological training, and future research agendas. Think about how you would fit into the department and the expertise you would provide. If you are applying to a research institution, your research paragraphs should come first.

You will want to include some of the following points:

• Your current research project (dissertation)
• Potential future projects (dissertation to book, next research project, etc.)
• Impact of your project(s) (publications, conference or poster presentations, public lectures, etc.)
• Other achievements (grants and funding won, awards earned, public-facing work, etc.)
• Potential collaborations within the department and/or across the institution, depending on the interdisciplinary nature of the position.

This content discusses your teaching experience, whether as an instructor of record or a TA, your pedagogical training, and any mentoring/advising. If the job is teaching-focused, this should be where you start. Use this space to introduce how your teaching is a part of who you are as a scholar.

• Your approach to teaching
• Other ways you have engaged with and/or mentored students (office hours, summer research opportunities, etc.)
• Expertise in relation to courses you are prepared to teach

This content communicates how you contribute to the collegial nature of the institution or department to which you are applying. It might range from a full paragraph to a few sentences supplementing your research or teaching paragraphs.

You can pull from:

• Graduate Assistantships or other service you have done within your department (e.g., serving on committees), the institution, or professional organizations
• Conference volunteering and service
• Search committee participation
• Other volunteer work and community involvement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This content discusses how your current and future experiences consider diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility. Commitment to DEI can be shown through:

• Research areas, pedagogical applications, or service in and outside of institutions
• Where you align with the mission statement of the institution and/or department
• How you can contribute to the student population or wider community

These considerations are communicated most seamlessly not as stand-alone paragraphs, but woven into your document as a whole.

Closing Paragraph

Think back to your thesis statement and reinforce your excitement about the role. Keep it short and to the point – thank them for their time and consideration, ending with a professional sign off and full name.

General Tips Before Submission

• Prior to submitting, double check that the cover letter is signed and saved as a PDF (preferably on Northwestern letterhead).
• As with all application documents, make sure to have multiple eyes on the content before submitting it to the hiring committee.
• Take advantage of the support Northwestern provides from the Graduate Writing Place and Northwestern Career Advancement.
• Postdocs can make appointments for individualized feedback with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Create Résumés and Cover Letters

Résumés and cover letters provide a critical first impression to potential employers and often are the only information an employer has to assess how qualified you are for a position and why you are interested in the position and company. Employers commonly spend 30 to 60 seconds reviewing each résumé/cover letter before making a decision, so having flawless and well-written materials can increase your chances of being invited to an interview.  

Review our training videos, sample documents and tips below for résumés, cover letters, references, and CV’s and make a career advising appointment to get feedback .  

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• Sample Master’s Résumés
• Refer to our Resume Writing Guide  and short video tutorial on Writing Résumés to ensure you are following standard résumé writing practices.
• Do not include any false or misleading information on your résumé.
• Check for typos! Many employers will immediately disqualify a candidate who does not proofread. Have a trusted person review for errors.
• Tailor your résumé to the job. Include information about your skills, experiences and education that is relevant to the position.
• Use action verbs to begin your experience descriptions (bullet points). Do not use the phrases, “responsible for” or “duties include.”  Learn more about How to Write an Effective Bullet Point .
• Demonstrate your accomplishments and use numbers when applicable . For example, explain how you improved a process, how much money you saved, or how many students you tutored.  
• Avoid using acronyms , unless they are specifically defined. Do not use highly technical jargon. If possible, have an industry professional critique your résumé.
• Do not include personal information (such as age, gender, marital status), photographs, or references on the résumé. References are provided to employers on a separate document if they are requested.
• Do not include information about high school unless you are a college freshman, if your experiences or accomplishments are highly relevant to the role or if your high school has a strong alumni network.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to show the employer  HOW your skills, experiences, and education make you the perfect candidate for the position, WHY  you are interested in that role and organization and is a SAMPLE of  your written communication abilities

• Review our video tutorial on Writing Effective Cover Letters and our Cover Letter Packet to learn structure and content basics.
• A cover letter should not exceed 1 page (typically 3-4 paragraphs).
• Use the same font and style as your résumé for consistency.
• Do not send the same cover letter for every position . Tailor the content of your letter to the position, otherwise the employer will be able to tell it’s a generic letter.
• Do not simply repeat the information on your résumé in the cover letter. The cover letter should connect your experiences and skills to the needs of the position or organization.  
• Get your cover letter reviewed by an Economics Career Advisor to make sure you are marketing your skills and experiences in a compelling way!
• Review The Right (and Wrong) Way to Ask Someone to be a Reference to learn basic resume etiquette.
• Create your references list , which typically includes 3 individuals who can positively speak about your professional or academic accomplishments – supervisors, colleagues, and professors who know you well are a good starting point.

Curriculum Vitae’s (CV’s) are typically only used in academia or when applying to Master’s or PhD-level graduate programs.  Some companies utilize the term CV interchangeably with a résumé, but they usually are looking for more of a standard résumé format.

• View our guide to writing a CV
• Review the   “Credentials” section on Graduate School website

Next steps: Find Internships or Jobs

Now that you have a flawless résumé and cover letter, time to start finding and applying for opportunities!

PHD Application cover letter examples

As the highest postgraduate qualification you can achieve, it’s no wonder that most PhD programs require a cover letter as part of the application process.

So, if you’re hoping to complete your doctorate, you need to brush up on your writing skills and prove why you deserve a place in the program.

To help you do that, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide, complete with PhD cover letter examples to support your application.

CV templates 

PHD Application cover letter example 1

PHD Application cover letter example 2

PHD Application cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your PHD Application cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a PHD Application cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your PHD Application cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of *specialist field PHD Applicant* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The main purpose of your cover letter is to excite recruiters and make them eager to open your CV. And you achieve this by quickly demonstrating your suitability to the job you are applying for.

Take a look at the job adverts you are applying for, and make note of the most important skills being asked for.

Then, when you write your cover letter, make your suitability the focal point.

Explain how you meet the candidate requirements fully, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider your application.

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your CV, you should sign off with a professional signature.

This will give your cover letter a slick appearance and also give the recruiter all of the necessary contact information they need to get in touch with you.

The information to add should include:

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Kindest regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network –  e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Jill North IT Project Manager 078837437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate documents that you could copy in.

What to include in your PHD Application cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your PHD Application cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

PHD Application cover letter templates

Copy and paste these PHD Application cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Dear Admissions Committee

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Ph.D. in Physics programme at the University of London. As a highly motivated and dedicated individual with a deep fascination with the fundamental principles of physics, I am eager to contribute my academic background and research experience to your faculty.

I hold an MSc in Physics from the University of Birmingham, where I achieved distinctions for quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and atomic & molecular physics. During this period, I was involved in evaluating quantum phenomena using computational methods, which honed my analytical skills and provided insights into the intricate nature of quantum systems. My passion for research has also led me to publish two peer-reviewed papers in reputable journals.

I am enthusiastic about continuing my journey in addressing challenges in the field of physics and have previously collaborated with renowned experts in securing £10M in funding to support projects, as well as improving experimental efficiency by 40% through implementing state-of-the-art quantum optics equipment. I have also delivered presentations to share research on condensed matter systems.

I am thrilled at the possibility of joining your institution. Thank you for considering me for the programme.

Kind regards

Matt Turner

I am writing to you concerning the Ph.D. program in Chemical Engineering at the University of Oxford. I possess a profound passion for advanced research and innovation in chemical engineering, with an eagerness to contribute my academic background and problem-solving abilities to your institution.

I hold an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London and had the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge projects alongside esteemed experts. We focused on sustainable practices in chemical manufacturing, as well as the efficient production, transformation, and transportation of various products. I helped design and conduct experiments to improve chemical operations and reduce environmental impacts, where my findings were published in two peer-reviewed journals.

Some key accomplishments during master’s studies include, obtaining research funding worth £2M to conduct experiments in catalysis and reaction engineering, and playing a role in improving industrial processes by 50%. In addition, I delivered five oral presentations at international conferences to share information on driving sustainable practices.

Thank you for considering my application, and I am available at your convenience for further discussions.

Sable Norris

Dear Members of the Graduate Admissions Committee

I am writing to express my interest in the Ph.D. programme in Archaeology at the University of Cambridge. I possess a profound fascination for uncovering the mysteries of the past, and I am focused on contributing my academic background, fieldwork experience, and research skills to your institution.

I obtained a master’s degree in Archaeology from the University of Manchester, where I had the privilege of working closely with esteemed faculty and engaged in research that ignited my passion for understanding the Sumerian civilisation.

During my studies I conducted original research on the excavation and analysis of burial sites to shed light on their ancient practices and cultural beliefs, completing 95 excavation seasons, which was 30+ more than any other student, co-authoring two research papers published in reputable journals, and securing £500K from the UK government to conduct a 3-month research trip in the Middle East.

My experience coupled with advanced coursework in archaeological methodologies and artefact analysis have equipped me with the skills to excel in the programme. Thank you for considering my application.

Dominic Ferdinand

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a place on a PHD, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

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Economist Cover Letter Example

Get the job you've always wanted and learn to perfect your new cover letter with our free, modifiable Economist cover letter example. Use this cover letter sample for free or rewrite it directly in our powerful cover letter maker.

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Economist Cover Letter Example (Full Text Version)

Rebecca Wall

Dear Hiring Manager,

As an Economist with 4 years of experience working in government and corporate settings, I apply with enthusiasm for this opportunity.

I am currently an Economist with the Sunnybank City Council, where I conduct economic research and review analyses of financing issues in order to assess their impact upon the local economy and market sectors. Mirroring your requirements, I provide regular insights about economic developments and trends, counsel key decision makers about the economy, and respond to individual requests for economic analysis. This builds upon my previous position as Junior Economist with Doppel Management Consultants, where I worked closely with government and corporate client accounts.

In addition to my experience, I hold a Master of Economics and am a member of the American Economic Association. I am familiar with the principles and practices of economic theory, econometrics, and applied economics, and am proficient with statistical software Stata, SAS, and R.

I am now seeking an opportunity to return to a consulting position, where I can directly support clients with microeconomic issues. competitor research, and consumer demand forecasting.

Please find attached my résumé for your consideration. Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps.

Yours sincerely,

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.

Edit this sample using our resume builder.

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Application process

Cover letters, introduction.

Many employers will ask you to submit a cover letter to provide complementary information in support of your application. This cover letter is your chance to express more directly and personally why you are interested in the role and the skills you bring.

You can highlight and expand on particular elements from your CV – work experience, academic experience or extra-curricular activities – and provide further detailed evidence of specific skills and motivation. You can show your personality and writing ability and, importantly, your enthusiasm and knowledge about the role and organisation you’re applying to. Your cover letter offers you the opportunity to ensure you stand out and will help move you one step closer to that interview invitation.

Preparing to write your cover letter

Put yourself in the employer's shoes.

An effective cover letter will always start with the employer’s needs in mind. Don’t just write down all the key achievements and the academic successes that you think set you apart – and of which you’re particularly proud. An effective cover letter will be framed around what the employer wants (and needs) to see and learn, rather than what you want to tell them.

Research the employer carefully

Before you start writing, thoroughly research the employer and think carefully about why you want to work for them. 

As you go through this process, ask yourself why you’d be a good match for the organisation and the kind of evidence you could use to back up your claim that would be likely to resonate with them.

Explore their website – making sure you go beyond the career pages, even if there’s a lot of useful information there too.

Read up about them in the press, in industry blogs – know what’s going on in their sector.

Make contact with current or former employees . 

Ask to speak to the hiring manager or HR to get more information about the role and what they’re looking for.  

Build a picture of what they value in their employees, get extra insight into current work priorities to help you write a stronger and more focused pitch in your letter.

Analyse the person and job specification

Familiarise yourself with any person specification and job description you’ve been given. Think about the key skills needed and which examples you can draw on from your past experience that show you have used these skills effectively. We would expect to see evidence that you meet all the core criteria across both CV and cover letter, but the cover letter itself should highlight and develop three or four core skills – or those where you are able to provide the most convincing and relevant examples and evidence.   

When you don’t have a detailed job description, or you’re making a speculative application , it’s particularly important to do some more detailed research to ensure your application is as strong as possible.

Structuring your cover letter

There are of course different ways you can structure a cover letter; whatever approach you decide to take, it’s important that your letter is personal, targeted and authentic. Steer clear of using any cover letter templates or proformas. Employers can easily spot these. A useful starting point – particularly if you are new to the business of cover letters – is to use the approach we outline below.

Begin by mentioning the role you’re applying for and where you saw it advertised. Next, you want to catch the reader’s attention. We’re looking for a hook, something specific about you that immediately relates to the role or organisation and will resonate with the recruiter – perhaps an element of your experience you know will interest them because of what you uncovered during your research. 

It’s important not to just repeat information that they can see on the CV – you should always be using the cover letter to add something extra – not just the fact that you are studying for a particular degree at the London School of Economics, but the reason you chose that course of study, or your particular area of specialisation or focus.

Start by articulating your motivation and enthusiasm. In other words, provide very specific reasons why you want to work in this sector, for this employer, in this role. Again, your prior research will put you in a strong position. What points stood out from what you learned, what recent work have they done, what sets them apart from their competitors? Why does this resonate with you? How do the points you make relate to your earlier experiences?  

Be careful of simply repeating what is written on their website or copying out lines of text you’ve read online. The employer wants to know why the facts you include interest you. Don’t just mention how interested you are that they’ve opened an office in X country in a particular location without explaining why and how that’s of interest to  you . Perhaps you speak the language, have lived there, have some regional expertise or have noticed that investment in this location distinguishes them from their competitors. Don’t just tell the employer what they already know about themselves, explain why it connects to you.

The next one or two paragraphs are focused on showing the employer that your skills, competencies and experiences match their role. We would generally recommend that you choose three or four key skills they have listed in the person specification and provide evidence of how you’ve demonstrated them in the past. The employer wants to see detailed examples setting out precisely and clearly what you did.  

It can be helpful to link back to the job description, illustrating how these skills will help you deliver and perform in their role. For example, if the person specification mentions effective stakeholder management, you might choose to refer to your time managing clients and donors at a corporate client’s charity during your marketing internship, and detail your specific involvement, how you worked with them and secured their cooperation. You could then set out how you would be able to draw on this experience to contribute to the new position.

Finish up your letter with a short paragraph, reiterating your enthusiasm for the role and if requested, your availability for any interview. This section does not need to be longer than a few lines and should avoid anything generic. Rather than ‘it would be a privilege to work for you and I believe I have the necessary skills and abilities for the job’ , confirm your interest with reference to something very specific and perhaps summarise some concrete points you have made in the letter to create a unique and convincing conclusion.

Strike the right tone

One of the reasons employers ask for a cover letter is to see an example of your written communication. Expressing yourself succinctly (usually no more than one page) and clearly is important. Writing clearly means avoiding complicated clauses, overly lengthy sentences and abbreviations. Writing professionally means avoiding any slang or colloquialisms (eg, undergrad instead of undergraduate).

There are of course cultural norms that you need to respect; as well as international differences, we also see that individual organisations adopt a communication style that can be more or less formal; seeking to match that can make sense. 

Positive framing

Frame your experiences positively. Don’t use negative language to talk about skills gaps you’re concerned about (eg. lacking, unfortunately, don’t); use the positive to explain how you can build or develop the skill. It’s a fine balance though, so don’t overdo the positive descriptive language (overjoyed, honoured, love, adore) - it’s much more powerful and convincing to give specifc reasons why you would love to work somewhere/for someone than to say it would be an honour to do so. 

Use active language

Write in a simple, direct style and keep your language active rather than passive.

• Avoid using too many general, imprecise descriptive words e.g, various, some, many, lots, several. Beware of clichés and buzzwords.

Where you can, quantify your achievements with results: if you met a target give the numbers; if you raised money say how much.

Look out for qualifiers such as ‘I feel that’, ‘I believe I could’. You need to sound confident.

Target, target and target some more

The more targeted and tailored your letter, the more likely it is to grab the attention of the recruiter. Tailoring authentically takes time so think about quality over quantity – four well written letters will put you in a stronger position than eight generic ones.  

Try swapping out one employer’s name for another in your cover letter. If it still makes sense, then you either need to do some more research to identify more specific points, or reconsider how you are expressing your thoughts.

Follow the employer’s instructions

Make sure you read carefully what the employer is looking for. Have they simply asked for ‘a cover letter’, or have they suggested specific points they want you to include? Have they asked you to describe how you meet all criteria for the role? Have they specified a particular length or word count?

Avoid writing out the CV

Your cover letter is much more than a prose version of your CV so don’t simply detail all your experience and expect the employer to sift through and establish what’s important. Think about the three or four areas you want them to know about; your CV can cover the rest. Remember, the cover letter also needs to address your motivation and enthusiasm for the role and organisation; it’s not just about you.

Keep it to a page

You might feel as though you have a lot to say, but brevity is greatly appreciated by employers! Try to stick to one page, unless the employer requests otherwise, and don’t use a font that’s too small to read easily, or make your margins very narrow in order to squeeze more into the page.

Get the layout and format right

Presentation is important. Remember to use business letter format and the same font as your CV.

Think about your language

Is your language professional, positive, in the active voice and specific? Does the reader get a sense of your achievements, impact and enthusiasm? Always proofread to check for any language or grammatical errors.

Always give evidence

Remember to back up claims with specific examples that demonstrate how and when you've used your skills and experience.

Related pages

Watch our latest session on how to write cover letters, find different cover letter examples on prospects, book a one-to-one appointment to get feedback on your cover letter.

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Job Placement

Placement timeline, faqs, and interview advice.

Placement Directors 2024/25: Gabriel Chodorow-Reich and Jeremy Stein To assist with the preparation and planning for the market, refer to the suggested timeline and FAQs. 

Timeline   (2024/25)

FAQ 1 (coming May 2024)

FAQ1a (coming August 2024)

FAQ2 (coming September 2024)

FAQ3 (coming October 2024)

Application List Template   (use this when you create your application list)

How to Do a Great Interview on Zoom  

Zoom Setup Tips: Lighting, Screens, Sound   (with thanks to Shengwu Li) 

Negotiating and Exploding Offers   (see also Advice from Chris Blattman 2014/15) 

CV, Resume, and Webpage

CV Curriculum Vitae Template  (6/25/23 version) for Harvard Economics Job Market Candidates (in Word using table layout; turn on "view gridlines" to fill it out ) and general information  ( The CV Guide ) on constructing your Curriculum Vitae. Note: The CV template is new for 2023/24 and specific to Harvard economics.

Resume For those applying to any private-sector job, a non-academic resume is your calling card. The Office of Career Services provides excellent help in the form of workshops and Resume and Cover Letter advice and templates. Previous Harvard students give OCS high marks, especially in helping with Resume writing.

Webpage Harvard is discontinuing the creation of Open Scholar pages. Paul Millett will work with every job market student to set up their webpages on Campus Press, the Harvard substitute for Open Scholar. Students with other websites (e.g., GitHub) can then add a line (e.g., "see my personal website") on the Campus Press page to enable access to their materials, including CV, JMP, and other papers.

Advice and Resources for the Job Market  

Compiling Your List

• JOE -  https://www.aeaweb.org/joe/    JOE will be your main resource.
• EJM -  https://econjobmarket.org / EJM will also be important.

Other platforms to search include:

• European Econ Assoc -  https://www.eeassoc.org/
• APPAM -  https://www.appam.org/
• Chronicle of Higher Ed -  https://jobs.chronicle.com/
• American Finance Assoc -  https://afajof.org/
• SSRN -  https://www.ssrn.com/index.cfm/en/
• Royal Ecoonomic Society RES -  https://res.org.uk/
• Academy of Management AOM -  https://aom.org/

Writing Resources

Writing well and effectively are important skills. These resources will help.

• Claudia Goldin, The Ten Most Important Rules of Writing Your Job Market Paper
• Deidre McCloskey, Economical Writing
• William Zinsser, On Writing Well; The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Tips and Advice (from Job Market Gurus and Harvard PhDs) and More Job Market Facts

• AEA Job Market Committee 2022 Report: Job Market Openings by Sector 
• American Economic Association, Communications from the Committee on the Job Market . Some recent information on supply and demand (what else?), plus the AEA’s advice to employers.
• Alex Albright, " So You Want to Go on the Job Market ." Reflections, sage advice, and a lot of data from one of our 2022 PhD graduates (and talented holiday party emcee).
• Chris Blattman, Managing the Academic Job Market . Chris Blattman (University of Chicago Harris School) offers some of the best advice we’ve seen. Read it. Some will be more relevant and some less relevant to your specific job search.
• John Cawley, Guide and Job Market Advice (2018-2019 edition). A standard resource in economics.
• Alex Chan, My Experience in the 2022-23 Job Market  Come to the Oct. 17, 2023 placement meeting and hear Alex. 
• Shoshana Vasserman's Job Market Tips  
• Eric Zwick, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Market . Zwick graduated from Harvard in 2014 and is an Associate Professor of Finance at University of Chicago Booth School.
• Anonymous, The Market in the Time of COVID (2021).
• Non-Academic Tips and Advice . Note the advice under “Job search through connections: Who.” You have lots of friends and family – previous Harvard PhDs. If they are working at a place you’d like to be, use them as a resource to find non-academic jobs.

GSAS Resources The  Office of Career Services  offers a wide range of services and resources tailored specifically to the needs of graduate students pursuing positions in academic and non-academic markets.

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Table of Contents

Cover letter for economics internship (5 samples)

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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

This article will show samples of “cover letters for economics internships.”

Samples of cover letters for an economics internship

When writing a cover letter as an intern here are some of the things to include in the letter:

• Mention your fresh knowledge. Use your recent learning experiences to your advantage; an employer might be more willing to hire you if they know you can help their business acclimate to new technologies or practices.
• Express your energy and enthusiasm. It shows the potential motivation you will bring to a job as a fresh college graduate.
• Check your grammar and proofread your letter. It is a way of showing employers your ability to write comprehensive, error-free messages.
• The first step is addressing the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient).” If you do not know the name of the recipient, you can refer to them as the hiring manager.
• The next step is to state the position you are applying for and how you found the opening. 
• Make a brief statement about why you’re interested in the position.
• Since you are a recent graduate, it would help to emphasize your college coursework, internships and other experiences that show your employability.
• Ensure your qualifications are similar to the job position. 
• Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement. For example, “I look forward to discussing the position further.”

Your Address

Your Contact details (phone and email)

Mrs Mary Stevens

Hiring Manager

ABC Company

15 South Parkway

Long Island, NY 11551

Dear Mrs Stevens

As a senior at the University of XYZ pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics, I am enthusiastically seeking an internship in which I can learn as much as possible while making a real contribution.

My academic and previous internship experience have greatly increased both my knowledge and passion for financial markets and economics and I am very serious about my future career in business within a major corporation. I am eager to further develop my skills through a challenging internship experience. Your company has an excellent reputation for its innovation, expertise and its commitment to developing people.

I approach all my work with discipline and focus as shown by my excellent academic performance. My professors and previous employers have commended me for my strong analytical and communication skills. I am highly motivated and enjoy the challenge of demanding assignments.

In addition I can offer advanced computer skills including familiarity with a number of programming languages. I am confident that the combination of my strong work ethic, interpersonal skills and enthusiasm will make me an asset in any capacity in which you are willing to place me.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss further how I would make a substantial contribution to your company as an intern and I look forward to meeting with you in the near future at a mutually convenient time.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

James Intern

“POSITION: Analyst

Dear sir/madam,

I am writing to apply for the position of Research Analyst at The Economist Group. I recently completed a Master of Science degree in Economics from the ABC in the United Kingdom. During my time as a graduate student, I developed a particular interest in econometrics as well as international economics. To work as a research analyst at the Economist Group would provide an excellent opportunity for me to utilize my econometric and analytical skills.

Graduate courses at the ABC such as econometrics (advanced track) provided me with valuable tools for conducting in-depth research. I learnt how to gather relevant data for projects, check it’s accuracy and make sure that it’s clean before progressing to perform econometric analysis. My econometrics and dissertation projects are further evidence of my strong data handing ability. Through these projects I also learnt how to write clear and concise reports. Upon graduation, my interest in international economics led me to obtain an internship in the Trade Policy Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London where I worked on immigration and trade related data of the United Kingdom. Since then, I have been working as a research assistant for Prof. X of the Economics department at the ABC.

Further details regarding my key competencies are given in the CV I attach herewith. I would welcome the opportunity to explain more about the skills and experience I can bring to this position. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future regarding my application.”

“POSITION: intern

Currently, I am in my second year studying for a degree in Accounting and Financial Management. I am extremely keen to succeed in the application for the Student Economist Placement role at Capital Economics. I heard about the placement opportunity through the Placements Vacancy Bulletin, advertised by the ********************

One of the key reasons for applying to Capital Economics is the opportunity to work for a company that believes strongly in providing original and insightful research to institutional and corporate clients across the globe, ranging from on the US to Asia. The Wolfson Prize won by Capital Economics, in 2012 inspires me to work at the company as I have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced and highly skilled economists. The analysis of financial markets, commodities and the consumer and property sectors, makes Capital Economics such a dynamic company to work for. I am applying to Capital Economics because I want to be part of a leading macroeconomic research company that actively works on issues which are on the forefront of modern economics. My ultimate ambition is to pursue a career as an economist in the company.

Being a member of the Keynes Society at Eton College, I have actively participated in debates such as, ‘The Future of the UK Economy’; these discussions have strengthened my interest in economic affairs. The small-knit yet global nature of Capital Economics would allow me to make a noticeable contribution alongside developing my economic knowledge in a challenging environment. I particularly enjoy retrieving data for analysis, having had an experience of creating queries and reports in my Business Information Management module, which I am keen to develop in the Student Economist Placement. Through my role in Enactus, I have worked closely with businesses, as mentioned in my CV, which has helped me become flexible to constant changes, such as the fluctuations in their popularity based on the analysis of their social media accounts; I enjoy working in a constantly changing environment and therefore, I believe that I will successfully perform in the Student Economist Placement.

I am a diligent individual with a deep interest in economics, which I am excited to explore during my placement at Capital Economics. I believe the skills learnt during my work experiences, positions of responsibility, and most importantly my enthusiasm to learn, would enable me to perform well in the role. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours Sincerely”

“Subject: Liz Lerner – Economics Intern Position

Dear Mr. Peters,

It was with much interest that I read your posting on the ABC College job board inviting applications for an economics internship at Brand Solutions Inc.

As an honors student in marketing, I have successfully completed upper-division coursework in marketing management, print and online advertising, social media management, and data analysis, which have provided me with a firm understanding of rising market strategies and technologies.

This coursework included on-site practicums with Boyd Brothers LLC and Boulevard Bistro, where I helped the owners of these businesses establish their first-ever social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. This involved setting up their accounts, creating photo and video content, writing posts, launching digital ad campaigns, and tracking user engagement via Google Analytics and Facebook Analytics. I am also well-versed in the use of Adobe Creative Cloud for graphic design and Microsoft Office suite.

Impressed by the press that Brand Solutions Inc. has received in Market Branding Today and on Forbes Online, I am eager for the challenges and opportunities I would experience as your next economic intern. My resume is attached; may we please schedule a personal interview to discuss my qualifications for this role in greater detail? Thank you for your time, consideration, and forthcoming response. 

[email protected]

555-123-4567”

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you start a cover letter for a medical assistant.

“Dear Hiring Manager, I’m excited to be applying for the Medical Assistant position at Cloud Clearwater. I am a certified AAMA Medical Assistant with more than six years of experience helping patients in a long-term care setting.”

Do you need a cover letter when applying for internships?

No. However, a cover letter is one of the best ways to convey why you are the best candidate for the internship, allowing you to expand on and showcase key skills and experiences.

If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.

https://www.best-job-interview.com/internship-cover-letters.html

https://www.mindsumo.com/cover-letters/The-Economist/Internship/4051

https://www.mindsumo.com/cover-letters/Capital%20Economics/Internship/7317

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