The Real Goal of Your Cover Letter

When I work with biostatisticians trying to break into competitive roles, one thing becomes clear fast: most people misunderstand what a cover letter is actually for. It’s not about regurgitating your resume. It’s not about showing off every technical skill you’ve learned since grad school.

It’s about connection.

Your cover letter is your professional icebreaker. It’s your first impression—not just of your skills, but of you as a communicator, a collaborator, and a contributor. Especially in biostatistics, where we often need to translate complex analysis into actionable insights for non-statistical audiences, your ability to write clearly and personally matters.

Here’s what your cover letter should do:

• Show you understand the company’s mission – This shows you’ve done your homework. It’s not about flattery—it’s about alignment.

• Highlight the technical value you bring – Not everything, just the most relevant things. Think R, SAS, longitudinal data, clinical trials—whatever fits the role.

• Add a human element – Hiring managers want to work with people, not robots. Let a bit of your personality and motivation come through.

When you do this right, you stop sounding like “Applicant #248” and start sounding like a colleague.

The Culture Fit Decoder: Use the SIS Method

This is a technique I teach biostatisticians when they’re trying to nail the tone and relevance of a cover letter.

SIS = Size, Industry, Structure

• Size – A small start-up will value initiative and flexibility. A major CRO or hospital will likely emphasize protocol, collaboration, and regulatory knowledge.

• Industry – Are you applying to a pharma company, a university, a nonprofit, or biotech? Each has different vibes, priorities, and jargon. Mirror that in your tone and focus.

• Structure – Is the organization a public company? A private firm? A research institute? Each will expect slightly different things in how you position yourself.

Understanding this context allows you to write a cover letter that feels like it belongs—not a generic message, but something custom-fit to their world.

💡 Action Step: Analyze One Job Using SIS
Pick a role you’re interested in and break down the company using the SIS Method. Is it a small biotech startup or a global CRO? What’s their industry and structure? Based on that, jot down 2–3 ways you could adjust your tone, examples, or values in your cover letter to match their culture.