What TO Do: Use the 5-Point Format

Let’s make your cover letter both easy to write and powerful to read. One of the biggest breakthroughs I had when applying to biostatistics roles was realizing that the perfect cover letter isn’t long—it’s clear, focused, and tailored. 

That’s where the 5-Point Format comes in. I started using this when I wanted to spend less time staring at a blank screen and more time actually getting interviews. It’s structured, flexible, and takes 10 minutes or less to personalize for each application.

Here’s how to do it.

What Your Cover Letter Should Include

1. A specific reference to the company
   Show them you’ve done your homework. Mention a study they published, a therapeutic area they focus on, or a product or announcement that grabbed your attention.

2. Your top 3 biostatistics-relevant strengths
   Pull these directly from the “requirements” section of the job ad. Think: advanced modeling techniques, programming proficiency (R/SAS), clinical trial phases, regulatory experience, or therapeutic expertise.

3. Address any barriers (if applicable)
   Are you relocating? Changing industries? Don’t leave it to chance—briefly explain and reframe it as a positive.

4. Add one standout detail that’s personal or passion-driven
   This is the human piece. Maybe it’s your contributions to an open-source package, your excitement for cancer research, or the fact you’ve analyzed 15M-row EHR datasets and loved every minute of it.

5. End with value
   Make it clear you want to contribute, not just get hired.

Template: High-Impact Biostatistician Cover Letter

“Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],

 

I’m excited about the work you’re doing at [Company Name], especially [reference a specific project, recent publication, or product launch]. I’ll keep this short—here are 5 reasons why I’d be a great fit for the Biostatistics role:

 

• Experience applying advanced statistical models (e.g., mixed-effects, survival analysis) in real-world clinical studies  
• Proficient with large EHR datasets (10M+ records) to generate evidence for decision-making  
• Familiar with CDISC standards (SDTM, ADaM) and regulatory submissions (including FDA Phase III trials)
• I’m relocating to the Boston area in May and am excited to join a collaborative biostatistics team in a city with a strong life sciences ecosystem.
• I contribute to the GTSummary R package to improve the presentation of publication-ready tables in cardiovascular outcomes research—an area I’ve been passionate about since undergrad. I’d love to bring that same attention to clarity and rigor to your next study.

 

I’d love to bring this expertise to your team and contribute meaningfully to your next study.

 

Best,  

[Your Name]”

You can make a copy of this template here.

Why This Format Works

• It’s skimmable: Bullet points draw attention to what matters most.

• It’s personalized: That first line makes it clear this letter isn’t generic.

• It’s relevant: Each bullet is tailored to what the company is asking for.

• It’s human: That last bullet reminds them there’s a person behind the stats.

💡 Action Step: Write Your First Draft Using This Template

Choose one real job you’re interested in. Then, copy the template above and have a think about how you could fill in your own details using the 5-point format. Match your strengths to the job’s language. Add one personal bullet that reflects your passion or experience. Keep it under 250 words. This is now your master draft to reuse and personalize for every application.