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Data Analyst Cover Letter: 2023 Sample and Guide

Write a winning cover letter to help you get those data analyst job interviews.

Your cover letter often serves as your introduction to a potential employer. While not all recruiters or hiring managers will take the time to read your letter, a well-written cover letter could mean the difference between a hiring manager looking at your resume and considering an interview or moving on to the next candidate for those who do. For a role you’re passionate about, it’s worth the extra effort.

If you’re looking for your first job as a data analyst, whether you’re just out of school or switching careers, you may be wondering what to include in your cover letter. Even if you don’t have previous experience in a data analyst role, you likely still bring transferable skills that can benefit you (and your employer) in your work as a data analyst.

In this article, we'll walk through a sample cover letter for an entry-level data analyst job, then go step by step through what you should include in each paragraph of your own cover letter. We’ll wrap up with some tips and best practices to make your cover letter stand out.

Entry-level data analyst cover letter sample

Before we get into the specifics of what to include in your cover letter, it may be helpful to look at an example. Feel free to use this sample cover letter as a template to customize your own version.

[Today’s date]

[Hiring manager’s name]

[Company address]

[Company phone number]

[Hiring manager email]

Dear Ms./Mr. [Manager’s name] ,

My name is Cindy Liu, and I’m a tech-savvy manager looking to flex my talents to identify new growth strategies for Corelight as a Junior Data Analyst. I’ve always been fascinated by numbers, and working in data analytics has been a long-term goal of mine. My career in the restaurant business has taught me to think strategically about problems and identify solutions. I believe this experience has prepared me for Corelight’s Junior Data Analyst role.  

Your job posting mentioned that you’re looking for an analyst with experience in SQL, proficiency in a statistical programming language, and strong time management skills. During my previous role as a restaurant manager, I had to multitask to balance the needs of the company (revenue) and the customer (service and quality standard). I’ve also been pursuing my passion for data, both at work and in my spare time. Over the past year, I’ve been able to achieve the following:

Automated repetitive restaurant payroll and accounting tasks with Python, freeing up three hours per week

Completed a case study using point-of-sales data from the restaurant to optimize our menu and pricing, leading to a revenue increase of 10 percent

Completed the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, which included extensive coursework in both SQL and R

I’m thrilled at the opportunity to use these experiences to fuel data-driven decisions at Corelight, and I’m keen to continue developing my skill set on the job. I am available for a Zoom call or in-person meeting to discuss how I can help Corelight with improving market product performance through data.

Thank you for your consideration,

Cindy Liu, Data Analyst

What to include in a data analyst cover letter

Now that you’ve seen an example of what a data analyst cover letter might look like, let’s take a closer look at what to include in your own cover letter. Cover letters should typically fit on a single page and include three key paragraphs. 

TIP: Complement your resume with additional information.

Resist the temptation to rehash the same bullet list of accomplishments. Instead, use this as an opportunity to highlight what the reader should look for in your resume. If your resume lists Python as a skill, your cover letter is your chance to tell a story about how you’ve applied it to solve a problem.

First paragraph: Introduce yourself

Begin your letter by addressing the hiring manager by name if you have that information. Your first paragraph is your opportunity to introduce yourself and introduce the value you can bring to the company. In this paragraph, be sure to state clearly:

Who you are 

What position you’re applying for

What company you’re applying to

Why you’re a great fit for this specific role

This is also an excellent place to point out your enthusiasm for the company, highlight a mutual connection you have, express your passion for data, and explain why you’re interested in a career change.

TIP: Focus on the positive.

Don’t apologize for your lack of job experience. Highlight the skills and talents you do have, and express your enthusiasm for learning and growing.

Second paragraph: Relevant skills and achievements

The second paragraph is typically the most important part of your letter. This is where you connect the requirements from the job description to your skill set and unique experiences. 

Take a look at the job listing and pick out three to four skills or requirements that you feel you can best highlight. Think about a specific accomplishment or experience that demonstrates each skill. These could be academic accomplishments or achievements from a previous job, even if it’s unrelated to data analysis. 

For example, strong communication skills are often required for data analysts, who are tasked with presenting their findings to management and stakeholders. If you’ve given presentations as part of a university class or in a previous role, call out this experience. How many people attended? What were the results of the presentation?

Back up each accomplishment with data or metrics, when possible. 

TIP: Include keywords from the job listing.

Using the exact phrasing of skills and qualifications from the job description can help applicant tracking systems identify your application as a good match. Use both long form and acronym versions where appropriate, for example Structured Query Language and SQL.

These data analyst skills , including SQL, R or Python, and machine learning, are the most in demand by Coursera’s community of 87 million global learners (as of December 2021). If you have experience with one or more of these, mention it in your cover letter, especially if they match the job description.

Third paragraph: Wrap up and call to action

The final paragraph of your cover letter should summarize why you’re the best fit for the job. More importantly, it should include a call to action. Express that you’d like to discuss the role further. Offer some availability for an interview. Ask about next steps.

The idea here is to get the hiring manager thinking about the next step in the hiring process with you as a part of it. 

TIP: Proofread.

Data analytics requires attention to detail, a skill you’ll want to demonstrate in your cover letter. It’s also a good idea to verify whether your cover letter should be sent as an attachment, pasted into the body of an email, or uploaded to a website. Some companies have specific requirements for subject line formatting and attachment naming conventions—check before you send.

Get job-ready in data analytics

Learn how you can apply your current skill set to a career as a data analyst with the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate on Coursera. Learn the tools and techniques you’ll need, including SQL, R, and Tableau. Learn at your own pace, and finish in as little as six months.

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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Professional Data Analyst Cover Letter Example for 2023

Read for inspiration or use it as a base to improve your own Data Analyst cover letter. Just replace personal information, company application data and achievements with your own.

Read a real data analyst cover letter example

What to write in a data analyst cover letter, key takeaways.

Data analyst cover letters are a must if you are really passionate about interviewing for a certain job.

They are the perfect opportunity to outline your technical and soft skills and also to highlight your enthusiasm.

If you have never written a cover letter, or you need a quick reminder of what to include, we have the perfect step-by-step guide for you.

So read on to find out how to write that job-winning data analyst cover letter, and remember to check out our sample below.

Cover letters denote the most important elements (skills, achievements) within your resume - and also highlight your commitment to the application process.

The thing to remember is to keep them short and sweet.

If you’re not sure how long your cover letters should be - check out this guide about the perfect length of your cover letter .

But more information about writing your data analyst cover letter, you will find in the article below.

We'll also be showcasing:

• the art of the salutation and powerful introduction;
• skill-word optimization;
• how to seize the opportunity to show you've done your homework;
• ending on a high note;

…and a few practical tips that may come in handy when you're writing your cover letter for a data analyst role.

Choose the right salutation

Your data analyst cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your attention to detail.

Thus, those small, insignificant - or so you may think - details make a world of difference.

That's why it's essential to start your cover letter the right way - with the correct salutation.

Of course, this would depend on whether you do or don't know the name of the recruiter.

In the first scenario, you can use any of the following salutations:

• Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs [Last Name],
• Dear [First and Last Name],

While in the second scenario, we recommend:

• To the [name of team you are applying for a position in] Department,
• Dear [title of the person you would report to],
• Dear [position title] Hiring Manager,
• Dear [name of team or department you’re applying for a position in],

This may be common knowledge, but you want to put your best foot forward from the very start.

And still not sure how to start off your cover letter?

Check out our extensive guide on the best way to address your data analyst cover letters here .

Craft a strong introduction

Now that you've written a proper greeting, we come across one of the most important parts of your cover letter.

The introduction.

Most recruiters may just read these first few sentences - that's why you should put a bit more thought into them.

The introduction should consist of two parts - each long about a sentence, as the cover letter isn’t a detailed retelling of your resume. But rather telling the story of your most-prominent professional achievements.

On a side note - if you want to find out more about how to tell stories within your cover letter, check out this article – How to Tell a Story on Your Cover Letter .

Within the first part of your introduction, you should answer why the company should choose you for the data analyst role.

Consider why your experience makes you the best candidate for the role.

So here you can briefly mention your 2 or 3 proudest achievements - with a focus on outcomes and results.

For example - "The databases I've created, serves as a company-wide knowledge center used to train new employees."

Rather than - "I have done 2 databases."

If you're still struggling, you can do a bit of reverse engineering in your writing.

Here's how:

• Check out the requirements within the job advert and list 2/3 skills that are most common.
• Use your experience to illustrate those skills with achievements (again, results first).
• What follows is the second part of your introduction - which looks at the future.

Think about how you'd make the team, role, or company better - what you'd bring to the table.It could be your technical knowledge, but also a set of soft skills that you possess.

Your cover letter introduction is the opportunity to make a memorable, focused, and systematic experience for the recruiters.

Emphasizing your data analyst skills in your cover letter

Next follows the body of your cover letter - it's an opportunity to go further into detail about your specific skill set .

When writing about your skills, always quantify your achievements.

This goes to show that you haven't merely done a specific task, but rather that you're focused, results-oriented, and wish to achieve more.

Also, remember how in the introduction we recommended you use the job description for inspiration?

Well, this strategy is also good for passing the applicant tracking system (ATP) with your cover letter.

If the job description lists specific skills and requirements, make sure you include them in the body of your cover letter.

Sort of like keywords.

An example of such technical skills could be your knowledge of:

• Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets),
• Mathematical/statistical skills.

And if you're still wondering what skills you should write about - consider what you're best at or what you love the most about your current position.

Including this within your cover letter would show a sense of emotion and attachment to your work.

On a final note about the cover letter body - don't forget about your soft skills. Within the panel below, you'll find our recommendations.

Top Data Analyst Soft Skills for Cover Letters

Interpersonal communication - your role would be to make data accessible for different departments within the organization/company. That's why an ability to communicate with different departments and colleagues is a definite must.

Presentation skills - data analysts make complex data sets more user-friendly. Think about a scenario where you have translated and presented data using both your technical and communication skills.

Problem-solving - the ever-present question within your work: "how to get from x to y"? Make sure your cover letter can illustrate scenarios where you have faced similar situations.

Show that you did your research before applying

How do you further highlight your engagement for the data analyst role within your cover letter?

Within the second-to-last paragraph of your letter, you have the opportunity to show that you've done your homework about the company.

In a couple of sentences, you can write about:

• the problems they are facing and how you aim to solve them,
• company-wide achievements and recognitions and what impresses you about them.

Think of this as a section where you can present more than just technical and soft skills - but rather that passion to work in this company.

The final call to action

And so you’ve finally reached the ending of your cover letter.

This is the time to express gratitude to the recruiters for reviewing your application and also to propose the next action steps.

The final paragraph of your cover letter should include an active call to action - whether that’s to organize an interview or an initial call to find out more about the role.

It really is up to you, but make sure you leave a good impression.

• Data analyst cover letters are an opportunity to outline your experience by showcasing your interest in the position
• Always keep your data analyst cover letters short, sweet, and with intent
• When listing your achievements, make sure you quantify them
• When in doubt, check back the job requirements for inspiration regarding skill set and achievements

Make sure you proofread your cover letter - paying special attention to formatting, precise numbers, and paragraph style. A clear, concise, and formatted cover letter shows not only purpose but also a keen eye for details.

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Updated for today’s recruitment standards

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" Enhancv gave me a sense of relief and a feeling of confidence when passing it along to a potential employer. "

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Land a job interview by pairing your Data Analyst cover letter with a great resume

Want to become the center of attention? Pair your cover letter with an eye-catching resume. Check out our Data Analyst resume examples and build yours in minutes.

Use templates that match in design to prove your strong attention to detail.

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Data Analyst Cover Letter: 3 Sample Templates for 2023

• Data Analyst Cover Letter
• Senior Data Analyst Cover Letter
• Analytics Manager Cover Letter
• Writing Your Data Analyst Cover Letter 101
• Data Analyst Cover Letter FAQs

As a data analyst, you turn numbers into insights. Your typical work means collaborating with other data professionals (data scientists, business analysts, database administrators) to locate pertinent data, transform data into useful information, generate reports, and create findings to assess business initiatives’ success.

Being a data analyst requires many  skills , and, while you can’t fit all your successes on your  data analyst resume , the cover letter provides another avenue to provide this info to a potential employer. Hint: This isn’t the place for modesty. 

Creating a good cover letter may feel on par with going to the dentist. Nonetheless, it’s an important task, and we’re here to help by providing three data analyst cover letter examples with some easy-to-follow guidance.

Data Analyst Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

Google Docs

Block Format

Senior Data Analyst Cover Letter Example

Analytics Manager Cover Letter Example

Analytics Manager Resume

Try this matching analytics manager resume .

or download as PDF

Data Analyst Cover Letter Writing Steps

We break it down into three easy steps; you’ll have a data analyst cover letter primed and polished in no time.

Step 1: Research the role & its data analyst role

It’s important to customize your cover letter to match the  job description for the data analyst  position you’re applying for, and you’ll need to connect the dots between your expertise and the potential role.

On the company’s website, dig for info about the data analyst role, the area you’d be working in, and information related to their data processing and data analysis efforts. 

• Try to understand the company’s mission, visions, values, and goals.
• Think about your achievements in report generation, data acquisition, projects, etc. Tie these to the company’s goals, objectives, initiatives, and issues they care about.

Step 2: Go into detail about your data accomplishments

One of the most important things to remember when writing your cover letter is not to duplicate your resume. Focus on telling a story about your achievements rather than repeating your job history.

Focus on telling a story about your achievements rather than repeating your job history.

This is your chance to address the specific needs or goals for the data analyst role by touting one or two (maybe three) major accomplishments that connect and align with what the company wants and needs. Use your best and most recent work when possible. 

Targeting your examples to hit on the information you obtained when you researched the company and the role will impress them and demonstrate how you’ll benefit their organization. 

Step 3: Communicate the right tone

Keep your cover letter brief—one page or less. Similar to  writing a resume , if you include too much, recruiters may be overwhelmed, grow bored, or, worse, skip reading it entirely.

Data analysts like direct and clear communication. So, be straightforward, genuine, and professional. On the flip, be personable to distinguish yourself from other candidates. It’s a bit like a college application—outstanding grades and academic achievements are great, but extracurriculars can make the difference between getting in or not.

Now that you’ve written a great data analyst cover letter, what’s next? Proofread! Make final revisions, save your document (something professional), and send your cover letter to your prospective employer along with your resume, application, and any other requested information.   

Your Data Analyst Cover Letter Outline

So, you’re starting with an empty page and want to know how to start. You need a jumpstart and a structure. Start with our comprehensive outline that breaks down your data analyst cover letter into discrete sections and clearly shows you what to include in each part:

Begin your cover letter for a data analyst

Your contact info: Most people don’t write cover letters from scratch. If you’re using one of our cover letter templates above, you may want a matching  resume template ; just replace the filler with your info.

As a data analyst, you know the importance of details, so don’t accidentally leave any of the generic information intact or forget to include your name, email, and number. 

• Formatting:  If you create a block business letter (instead of using a template), then including your address is fine. Many letterheads will have your name prominently displayed on the template, but a block letter shouldn’t include your name with the address as your name on the signature line is sufficient. 

Date:  Hopefully, you’re not procrastinating and are writing your letter in advance of when you want to send it. If this is true, update the date before sending it! Also, make sure that any of your data analyst supporting documentation is up-to-date and has the same delivery date as your cover letter.

• Formatting:  Always use the full date, e.g. January 13, 2023.

Inside address:  This is the name and address of the recipient. Include their name, position title, and the company’s address.

• Formatting:  Each section of the address should be on a new line. Double space between the inside address and the greeting. 

Katie Kelly Liberty Mutual Insurance, Recruiter  175 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116

Greeting:  The salutation can set a positive tone or dull first impressions. Whenever possible, direct your cover letter to the specific person in charge of hiring you as a data analyst. 

• Dear Manager, 
• Dear Hiring Department,
• To Whom it May Concern:

Figuring out who the hiring manager is can sometimes take extensive sleuthing skills. Include figuring this out as part of your research into the company and job role. This is another way to make your cover letter stand out from others:

• Dear Ms. Kelly: 
• Dear Ms. Ortega: 
• Formatting:  Using a colon after the name is the formal way to do it. A comma is probably okay but will depend on how “professional” a company is.

Write your cover letter with data in mind

Body:  The main section of your data analyst cover letter will be three to four—maybe five—paragraphs explaining your interest in the job, what makes you a good candidate, and your enthusiasm for future discussion. Next, we’ll break it down.

• Formatting:  Single-space your lines but double-space between paragraphs. 

Opening paragraph:  Think compelling! Skip generic stuff that will bore the reader. Instead, start with a short sentence or two showing how you came to know about the position and why it speaks to you.

Don’t use something like this:

I found your posting online and am interested in filling the data analyst position.

That’s a non-starter and a snoozer! Instead, try:

As someone who has spent the last 6 years striving to improve my financial literacy, I am intimately familiar with SmartAsset’s value. For instance, I used your retirement calculator to set my 401(k) contribution rate after college graduation. Improving financial literacy is the best vehicle to address income inequality, and I would love to help SmartAsset in that fight as a data analyst.

This lead-in demonstrates a personal connection, shows a strong interest in the job, and pulls the reader in. It also demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and understand how you can contribute to the company’s goals.  

Paragraphs 2-3:  Now that you have their attention, hit them with some facts and figures regarding your great accomplishments. Reminder: don’t repeat your resume. This is a good opportunity to expound on a couple of your biggest accomplishments.

For example:

As SmartAsset works to scale growth, I know one of the most difficult challenges is setting up proper marketing attribution to assess the efficacy of each marketing channel. While at Sensio Marketing, I was instrumental in developing real-time dashboards showing the ROI of ad spend across channels. This required coordination between data engineering to create query-able databases, marketing to understand important KPIs, and the testing team to validate different attribution models for the creation of dashboards. This attribution framework helped our team increase paid ad spend ROI by over 29 percent year over year.

We  do  want to emphasize the connection between your resume and cover letter. Put your strongest and most tangible accomplishments on your resume. However, your cover letter gives you more space to explore your success in light of what the company specifically needs out of a data analyst. 

This also shows the importance of customizing both your resume and cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for. Your cover letter should introduce your resume and present complementary information that directly ties to the desired role.

Closing paragraph:  This is your last chance to make your case and finish strong. Show hiring managers and recruiters how your values and qualifications align with the needs of the role and the company. 

Keep your momentum going and don’t end on a flat note like this:

I feel I am a great candidate for this data analyst position, and I am anxious to discuss the opportunity with you soon. 

Yuck. This is generic and boring. Nothing at all to make them remember you.

Return to the value you’ll bring value to the company, and creatively restate your interest in the job. Include a call to action, stating your anticipation of follow-up communication and an interview. The following closing paragraph shows your commitment to finding a career-forwarding role:

I am excited about the prospect of helping SmartAsset reach more people like myself who are struggling with what to do with their finances as early professionals. I welcome the opportunity to share more with you about how my experience can help SmartAsset’s marketing team reach more potential users through accurate attribution, product analytics, and automation. 

End your data analyst cover letter

Signature:  Say “thank you” if you haven’t done so in your closing paragraph. Use a professional close with your real name. 

• Formatting:  If you print your data analyst cover letter, quadruple space to leave room for signing your name in blue/black ink. 

Thank you for your consideration, 

Adele Gallia 

Enclosure(s):  Here, you can provide any additional information that the job requires such as applications, references, or data analyst-related certifications.

• Formatting:  Use the singular or plural form of “enclosure” depending on how many documents you’re enclosing. List each item on a separate line.

Enclosures: Resume Application Copy of certifications 2 letters of recommendation

Including your supporting documentation with your cover letter is always the professional thing to do. Don’t make them ask for it.

Next Stop To Your Data Analyst Job

With your top-notch data analyst cover letter in hand, consider your resume. If you’re looking at your resume, and it doesn’t seem up to snuff, no worries.

It’s normal to need to revise your resume to match each job position you apply for and, as we noted, you want to make your resume and cover letter work together seamlessly to be synchronized with the job description.

Never fear, our  resume tips  can offer some fresh ideas from our  professional resume templates  and  resume examples  like this editable one below. 

Data Analyst Resume

Need a resume to pair with your data analyst cover letter?

Creating and revising career documents is never a fun job; we understand, and we’re here to lend a helping hand. Use our  resume builder  and expert-approved guidance as stepping stones to make your data analyst resume and cover letter outstanding. Before you know it, you’ll be interviewing and starting your next role in your data analysis career.

Adding a personal touch by addressing the hiring manager by name can elevate your whole job application, so we strongly recommend trying out all options first. This includes checking the company on LinkedIn, browsing its website, or even emailing or calling to ask for a name. However, if it’s not possible, you can always use “Dear Hiring Manager.”

Make your interest in the company an echoing sentiment throughout the cover letter. For instance, mention that your experience in Python has led to a 30% increase in efficiency in your past role and how excited you are to bring it to the new company. Don’t forget to mention how using big data technologies, such as Hadoop or Apache Spark, has allowed you to handle complex and large datasets, providing vital insights that drove strategic decisions. Add some relevant metrics as a cherry on top.

Focus on transferable job skills . For instance, if you previously worked in tech support, mention how your ability to explain complex topics to a non-technical audience means you’ll excel at translating large data sets into actionable insights for the company’s stakeholders.