Navigating the jungle of a nature scientist's career starts with a well-crafted cover letter. With the right combination of passion for the natural world and examples of your hands-on experience, your application can stand out from the rest.
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to dig into our collection of handy tips, inspiring examples, and user-friendly templates to pen a cover letter that'll make employers sit up and take notice.
Keep reading and learn all about:
- Creating your nature scientist cover letter header and headline
- Personalizing your nature science cover letter for specific employers
- Writing a great introduction for your nature scientist cover letter
- Highlighting your key skills and accomplishments as a nature scientist
- Concluding your nature scientist cover letter correctly
- Accessing top resources for job-seeking nature scientists
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1. Create an effective nature scientist cover letter header and headline
Creating a good-looking cover letter header and cover letter headline is the first key step in the cover letter writing process.
These elements help give your letter visual appeal and a better sense of organization.
Starting with your header, this should include:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- A formal address of the employer
Here is an example of a well-formatted nature scientist cover letter header
Jack Doe, Nature Scientist
(123) 456-7890 | jackdoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jack-doe
To: Blue Nature & Ocean Research Center
Nature Science Department
1234 Street Address
Charleston, SC 29401
Following your header is your cover letter headline.
Think of this as similar to an article or blog title — it should be concise and attention-grabbing, all while accurately portraying the content found within your letter.
When writing a headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, and a powerful adjective or verb.
Here is an example of a great headline from a nature scientist’s cover letter
My Top 3 Successes as a Nature Scientist & How I Can Achieve Similar Feats at Your Research Center
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2. Personalize your nature science cover letter for specific employers
Anytime you write a nature science cover letter, it is important to include personalized details that are highly specific to each employer you reach out to.
Personalizing a cover letter in this way requires you to research the employer thoroughly, searching for key information about the employer’s values, current projects or research they are conducting, and more.
Moreover, you should take the time while researching to discover who handles hiring at the employer’s business. Then, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this person by name.
Here are 3 examples of personalized nature scientist cover letter greetings
- Dear Head Scientist Joe King,
- Dear Dr. Joe King,
- Dear Dr. Joe King & the Nature Science Department,
3. Write a great introduction for your nature scientist cover letter
After you have the personalized notes ready at your side to reference in your letter, you can begin writing your cover letter introduction.
This introduction should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and specializations
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) — professional mutual acquaintances can help build rapport and trust with an employer right away
Here is an example of a well-written introduction for a nature scientist cover letter
Dear Dr. Joe King & the Nature Science Department,
I am a nature scientist with 9 years of specialized experience studying the migration patterns of whales. Given your research center’s current focus on marine life, I believe I am a valuable addition to your team and express my great enthusiasm for this opportunity. My mentor, Mr. John Green, is on your center’s board of directors and strongly recommended I apply.
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4. Highlighting your key skills and accomplishments as a nature scientist
With your introduction out of the way, you can now dive into a deeper exploration of your top skills and accomplishments as a nature scientist.
To showcase these qualifications properly, you should include details that are highly relevant, contextual, and — whenever possible — quantifiable.
Here are 6 nature science skills to describe in a cover letter
- Nature science specializations (botany, biology, etc.)
- Conducting experiments
- Writing research reports
- Presenting research and experimental findings
- Submitting research for peer-review
- Collaborating with other science professionals
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a nature science cover letter
As a nature scientist at [Former Employer], one of my vital roles was to lead a research team in investigating an invasive species of plant found in the American South. My team and I were able to not only identify the source of this species but also an effective means for getting the plant’s invasion under control, reducing the growth of this plant in the region by 85%.
5. Conclude your nature scientist cover letter correctly
To finish off your nature scientist cover letter strong, you need a great conclusion that persuades the employer to contact you promptly.
This conclusion should contain:
- A reiteration of your enthusiasm for the position
- An explanation of how and when you can be best contacted
- Your plans to follow up, including when and how
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a nature scientist’s cover letter
I am eager to learn more about this opportunity and your department, and I hope to hear from you within the next week regarding this position. You may call me at any time between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays at (123) 456-7890 or email me at jackdoe@email.com on weekends. If I have not heard from you by next Wednesday morning, I plan to follow up via phone call at that time.
Many Respects,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
6. Top resources for job-seeking nature scientists
You've got the passion, the skills, and now, an enchanting nature scientist cover letter ready to charm employers. It's time to uncover where the best opportunities lie in the wild world of nature science. Let’s explore top resources brimming with potential job opportunities:
- ResearchGate and Academia.edu: These are crucial platforms where researchers share their work, making them ideal for spotting job ads in academia or research organizations.
- EnvironmentJobs: As its name suggests, this platform is a big network of environmental jobs including opportunities for nature scientists.
- Ecological Society of America: The ESA's job board features a wealth of opportunities in ecology and related fields.
- Conservation Job Board: This is a one-stop-shop for conservation-related jobs, including many that would be a great fit for nature scientists.
- USAJobs: For those based in the US, the federal government's official job site includes positions related to nature science.
- LinkedIn: Don’t overlook it — many companies and recruiters use LinkedIn to post nature science-related jobs.
- Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter: General job search sites often list opportunities in the science sector - and nature science is no exception.
Remember to make the most of these sources and let your nature scientist cover letter shine!
Nature Scientist Cover Letter FAQ
What are the key elements to include in my nature scientist cover letter?
Your nature scientist cover letter should contain your contact information, the date, and the recipient's details. Also, include a clear and engaging introductory paragraph, detailed body paragraphs that highlight your relevant experiences and skills, a strong concluding paragraph, and a formal sign-off. Don't forget to mention your passion for nature science.
How do I structure my nature scientist cover letter?
A well-structured Nature Scientist cover letter starts with a compelling introduction and is followed by body paragraphs detailing your experience, skills and achievements relevant to the job posting. This should then be concluded with a closing paragraph reiterating your interest in the role and gratitude for being considered.
How long should my nature scientist cover letter be?
Your nature scientist cover letter should ideally be a maximum of one page long. Employers typically prefer concise, well-crafted letters that get to the point quickly while demonstrating your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Should I customize my nature scientist cover letter for each job application?
Certainly. Tailoring your cover letter for each job application helps demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you fit perfectly with that specific position. It shows you took the time to understand the company's needs and that you're not simply sending out generic applications.
Can I still write a compelling Nature Scientist cover letter even if I lack experience?
Yes, even if you lack professional experience, you can still craft a compelling cover letter. Highlight relevant courses, internships, research projects, or transferable skills from other fields. A strong cover letter is about potential as much as it is about past achievements.
