Drafting your social sciences student cover letter can be your golden ticket to diving deeper into your chosen field, be it in a job, internship, or any other role.
Count on us for practical tips, insightful examples, and versatile templates to guide you in crafting a cover letter that truly showcases your passion and expertise. Let's get you a step closer to that dream position.
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Read on to learn all about:
- Creating a well-formatted header for your cover letter
- Tailoring your social sciences student cover letter to a specific job position
- Key details to include in your social sciences student cover letter intro
- Ways to describe your skills and achievements as a social sciences student
- Concluding your social sciences student cover letter concisely
- Accessing valuable job search resources for social sciences students
1. How to create a well-formatted header for your social sciences cover letter
Before you begin writing the actual body text of your cover letter, your first key step is to create a well-formatted cover letter header.
A cover letter header is a highly important element on any cover letter, as it contains crucial information about who you are and how the employer can contact you.
In your header, you should include:
- Your name and professional title (in the case of a student, you may not yet have a professional title. To solve this problem, you can use your ideal job title, followed by the word “Student” to indicate to the employer that you are still completing your degree.)
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the company or organization you are applying to
Here is an example of a well-formatted social sciences student cover letter header
Madison Memphis, Social Sciences Student
(123) 456-7890 | madmemphis@email.com | linkedin.com/in/madison-memphis
To: Houston Cultural Center
Social Sciences Department
1234 Street Address
Houston, TX
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2. How to tailor your social sciences student cover letter
Tailoring a cover letter to a specific job or employer is crucial, no matter what field you work in.
For a social sciences student, tailoring a cover letter is a great way to make your cover letter stand out from competing applicants. To achieve this, you must first research the employer beforehand, looking for key details such as:
- Major projects or programs the company is involved in
- The company’s overall goals and values
- The person at the company responsible for hiring and interviewing
This last detail can be used to create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name. By using this type of greeting, you let the reader know immediately that your letter is tailored.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Head Social Scientist Jane Humphries,
- Dear Mrs. Jane Humphries,
- Dear Dr. Jane Humphries,
Pro Tip: In instances where a person has a title such as “Dr.,” it is generally a good idea to use this title when addressing them as a sign of respect.
3. Key details to include in your social sciences student cover letter intro
With your tailoring research complete, you can now begin writing your cover letter introduction.
Since you have already listed your name and contact information in your header, you can skip over these details and jump straight into your most impressive qualifications.
A strong introduction on a social sciences student cover letter should include:
- A brief summary of your academic and professional history (in many cases, a student may not have a long work history just yet — this makes academic experiences that are comparable to work experiences invaluable to include in your cover letter)
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying
- Any specialized areas of expertise you possess in the field of social sciences
Here is an example of a well-written introduction from a social sciences student cover letter
Dear Dr. Jane Humphries,
I am a fourth-year student at Brown University seeking an entry-level role at your social sciences organization. With a specialization in child psychology, I believe I am a great fit for your organization and can provide many meaningful contributions to your ongoing research into local populations of homeless youth.
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4. Ways to describe your skills and achievements as a social sciences student
After finishing your introduction, your next step is to write the body paragraphs of your cover letter.
There should be approximately 2 to 4 body paragraphs in your cover letter that discuss the specifics of your most relevant skills, accomplishments, and other qualifications.
To describe these qualifications, aim to use simple sentences that are easy for the employer to skim over. You can also utilize bullet points to add extra visual organization to your letter.
Here are 6 examples of skills to describe in a social sciences student cover letter
- Clear verbal and written communication
- Excellent collaboration and teamwork
- Leadership and independence
- Compassion
- Research and data collection methods
- Critical thinking
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a social sciences student cover letter
During my time at Brown University, I have served for three years as the President of the Social Sciences and Psychology club. Within this club, we offer tutoring services in partnership with departmental professors that have led to a 45% improvement in overall test scores for social sciences students.
5. How to conclude your social sciences student cover letter concisely
Last but not least, you need to write a concise conclusion that encourages the employer to contact you.
In this conclusion, make sure to include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- How and when you can best be contacted
- How and when you plan to follow-up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a concise conclusion from a social sciences student cover letter
Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter and application. I hope to hear from you within the next week regarding this position and am available to meet any day of the week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. As I am eager to learn more about this opportunity, I plan to follow up via phone call next Wednesday morning if I have not yet heard from you.
Kind Regards,
[Applicant Name]
6. Valuable job search resources for social sciences students
As a social science student, your path to a rewarding career in the diverse fields of human culture and civilization starts with arming yourself with the right job search tools. Here are some valuable resources to enhance your search:
- Academic job boards: Sites like HigherEdJobs and Inside Higher Ed Careers often post job opportunities in academia that are suitable for social science students.
- Professional networking platforms: LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for building professional connections in your field of study. It provides job listings, career advice, and networking opportunities.
- Professional associations: Join organizations like the International Social Science Council for networking events, career resources, job postings, and more.
- Career services: Don't forget about your university's career services office. They can provide job search resources, resume help, and potentially even connections to alumni in your field.
- Internship platforms: Websites like Chegg Internships and Idealist often offer entry-level and internship opportunities perfect for social science students.
Remember, a successful job search strategy combines various resources, a clear career goal, and perseverance. Good luck with your job search!
Social Sciences Student Cover Letter FAQ
Your cover letter should include your contact details, a professional greeting, and a brief introduction, followed by a paragraph about your academic achievements and skills developed during your study. Include any relevant internships or volunteer experiences and wrap up with why you’re interested in the role and the company.
Ideally, your cover letter should not exceed one page. It's important to keep information concise yet compelling, focusing on your most relevant experiences and skills in relation to the role.
Yes, it’s essential to tailor your cover letter to each job you apply for. The employer will appreciate seeing how your skills and experiences directly match the job requirements.
To stand out, include specific examples of how you've applied your social science knowledge and skills during your time as a student. Discuss any relevant research, projects, or engaging classwork. Also, showcasing your critical thinking and analytical skills can make a strong impression.
Absolutely. Academic achievements, particularly those relevant to the job you're applying for, can add considerable substance to your cover letter. Remember to relate these achievements to practical skills and knowledge you've gained that is relevant to the role.
