A cover letter is a one-page written introduction that accompanies a résumé or CV when applying for jobs, internships, fellowships, or graduate programs. While a résumé lists what a candidate has done, a cover letter explains why those experiences matter for the specific position and why the candidate wants this role at this organization.
For students entering international affairs, policy, or think-tank work, the cover letter is often the decisive screening document. Hiring managers at organizations like the Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings, RAND, or UN agencies typically use it to evaluate writing quality, analytical clarity, and genuine knowledge of the institution's mission.
A standard cover letter contains four functional parts:
- Opening: Names the role, where it was found, and a concise hook stating the candidate's core qualification.
- Fit paragraph: Connects two or three specific experiences to the job's requirements, using concrete results rather than restating the résumé.
- Motivation paragraph: Demonstrates familiarity with the organization's recent work — a published report, a program area, a regional focus — and explains why the candidate is drawn to it.
- Closing: Indicates availability, thanks the reader, and signals next steps.
Conventions vary by sector and country. U.S. employers generally expect a single page (roughly 250–400 words) in business-letter format. European applications, especially in Brussels-based EU institutions, may follow the Europass template or request a longer "motivation letter." Academic and fellowship applications (Rhodes, Fulbright, Schwarzman) typically call for a longer statement of purpose rather than a cover letter, though the genres overlap.
Common pitfalls include generic language ("I am passionate about international affairs"), repeating the résumé verbatim, addressing the letter to "To Whom It May Concern" when a hiring contact is named, and exceeding one page. Strong letters are specific, evidence-based, and rewritten for each application.
Example
In 2024, a Georgetown SFS senior applying for a research assistant role at the Carnegie Endowment opened her cover letter by citing the program director's recent paper on semiconductor export controls, then linked her undergraduate thesis on CHIPS Act implementation to the position's responsibilities.
Frequently asked questions
One page, typically 250–400 words across three to four paragraphs. Going over a page is generally seen as a red flag in U.S. and U.K. hiring.
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