Cover Letter for a Student Position in a Laboratory - Summer job application

I am applying for a student position at a laboratory, which I about learned from my sister who was recently employed there as a student. I have just graduated from high school, and I've been looking for my first summer job (got to start somewhere right? :D).

Your help is greatly appreciated!!

The cover letter:

I am interested in applying for a student position at Activation Laboratories, which I learned about from a family member who was recently employed by your company.

I am a recent graduate from Ancaster High School. Through school, I have been able to develop my interest in sciences, particularly in chemistry and biology. This was achieved through my time in Ancaster High School's Biotechnology course, which integrated biology and chemistry in a cross-curricular setting. To further my interest, in the previous year I took part in the 2011 University of Toronto Biology Competition, completing it with a score double the average and placing in the top 88.5%. I have developed communication and organizational skills through participation in school clubs and volunteering. My organizational skills will definitely be an asset, allowing me to complete tasks with efficiency. They were a help in my final year of high school, where I juggled between academic endeavours while practicing the piano, flute and trombone daily, participating in both Concert Band and Jazz Band, teaching introductory piano, assisting fellow students as a peer tutor, preparing for a university level piano audition, studying for the Biology Competition, and volunteering for Canadian Blood Services.

I would appreciate meeting with you to discuss potential employment opportunities and am available for an interview at your convenience. You can contact me through my email, xxxxxxx@gmail.com, or through my cell phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Hmmm... I'm thinking of chopping off that last sentence in the second body paragraph...

Hi Ariel,

What is the specific position? What do you think is important to the people doing the hiring? What are they afraid of, as far as the hiring process?

You are essentially writing a sales letter with yourself as the product.

To get someone to hire you, you want to speak in terms of their desires and needs, not yours.

If your sister did an excellent job for them, you are in a far stronger position.

The first sentence about how you heard about the job is fine. If she was an outstanding employee there, you should mention her specifically.

What do they stress in the description of the position? Organizational skills? Proficiency in working in a lab? Reliability?

Your letter should affirm those attributes and then offer some proof that you possess them.

It's hard for me to give you much guidance without knowing a lot more about the position and what is important to the person making the hiring decision.

You might write it:

I would like to apply for your opening for a (position) that I heard about from (name of person), who worked for (entity) as (position) during (time period). She has spoken very highly of your company and of her experience there.

In the description of the position, you mention the importance of (attribute, skill, etc). As a high school student at (school), I had to do (activity), which helped me to develop (attribute) because I had to (proof statement).

Your advertisement for the position also mentions your need for a person who can (skill). I believe that I fill that need because (reason with proof).

In addition to meeting your basic requirements, I have a strong interest in a career in science, so working at (entity) is a logical way to further enhance my skills in preparation for a career in (field of study). You ought to do some research on the part of Activation Labs you want to work for. If you can demonstrate some specific knowledge about the company, you will stand out as someone who has done their homework. The statement might be something like, I know that (business unit) is working on (project). I have a special interest in helping with this work because XXXXX. Read the annual reports, President's message and company history and other public materials about Activation Labs. If you can determine who the person hiring is, research them on social networks to see if you can learn anything about their employment history and background. All of this will help, if you get an interview.

Please call me at your convenience for an interview. You can reach me by phone at or by e-mail at XXXX. I look forward to hearing from you.

It's likely your science experience is relevant. One edit that I would suggest is to not say that you placed in the top 88.5%. That's not impressive, because it's probably not what you mean to say. It's easy to get into the top 88.5% of competitors. All but 12% of the people who participate make that level of performance. You probably mean you were better than most people who competed, so say that you scored in the top 12%.

Good luck,

Eric

Hi Eric!

Thanks for the quick reply! As for the 88.5% thing, I was also really confused when my teacher told me that, telling her that that was terrible. But apparently thats how they express top 12% (weirdos lol). I'll definitely switch to top 12% to avoid confusion.

I guess I have some research to do!

I don't think this sentence should have such a prominent place in the essay. You can put it within the paragraph, but don't make it the first sentence of the paragraph. Begin the paragraph with a sentence about one of the most important benefits of hiring you.

When you write a letter to get a job, think about it like a little research project. Show that you KNOW what kind of work is done at Activation Laboratories, and if you show that you know what kind of person they need you will have a real advantage.

I admire your diligence! Now... go write an essay that is ABOUT Activation Laboratories. :-) That is the trick.