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Your CIA cover letter can’t be covert. It has to pull you up out of the pile of other would-be analysts and accountants. The CIA gets over 10,000 resumes a month. So how do you show the HR director you’ve got the legal, law enforcement, clerical, or other skills to do the job?
That’s a big assignment for a single sheet of paper. The good news? Writing a cover letter for CIA jobs follows a set of clear, regimented steps that anyone can learn fast. If you’ve got the experience and/or determination to work for the CIA, you’ve got what it takes to write a job-getting cover letter.
Let’s do this.
This guide will show you:
- A CIA cover letter better than 9 out of 10 others.
- How to write a cover letter for CIA jobs that lands 10x more interviews.
- How to write your letter quickly to get hired faster.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
This is vital:
What kind of CIA cover letter sample do you need? The CIA hires lawyers, psychologists, accountants, programmers, and more. See these career-specific guides:
- Accounting Cover Letter Sample
- Financial Analyst Cover Letter Sample
- Business Analyst Cover Letter Sample
- Cybersecurity Cover Letter Sample
- Data Analyst Cover Letter Sample
- Data Entry Cover Letter Sample
- Data Scientist Cover Letter Sample
- Software Engineer Cover Letter Sample
- Research Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Legal Cover Letter Sample
- Legal Assistant Cover Letter Sample
Don’t see your career listed? See this guide:
Applying to the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA)? See:
- Cover Letter for College Student
- Cover Letter for Scholarship Application
- Cover Letter for Graduate School
- High School Cover Letter
Changing careers? See:
This CIA cover letter template does it right. It’s for a data analyst, but the CIA hires for every job title under the sun. See the examples above for specific careers.
CIA Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
Job Title
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
LinkedIn Address
Date
CIA [Job Title] Hiring Team
Central Intelligence Agency
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear CIA [Job Title] Hiring Team,
I’m applying for the data analyst position listed in the CIA Career Center database. I was very interested when I found it because I believe my experience increasing data collection rates by 200% at ABC Retail gives me the skills to materially improve operational efficiency in your directorate.
The online job posting says you need a data analyst skilled in statistical modeling with the Teradata platform, trend analysis, and creating visualizations and presentations. Here are a few previous accomplishments that show my level of fit:
- Teradata. Designed and built 300+ statistical analysis models with the Teradata platform, integrating with custom R and Python elements.
- Trend analysis. Created custom software using the R programming language to create 20 real-time trend analyses resulting in a 30% revenue boost.
- Visualization. Developed data visualizations with Teradata using CFilter, Sessionize, and more. Shared with 9 executives. Result: 30% revenue growth.
Though my achievements so far have all been in the private sector, I believe my broad skills in Minitab, Qlik Sense, statistics, and communication will translate to improved efficiency for your directorate. I’d be grateful for the opportunity to discuss next steps by phone or in person.
Best regards,
[Your Name], [Job Title]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
That cover letter for CIA jobs cracks the code.
Don’t neglect your resume. See our guides: 500+ Resume Examples & Guides for Every Career
All CIA applications are submitted online, not mailed. To look for CIA jobs in every field from engineering to collections to (yes) investigations, visit the CIA Career Center.
You’ll search jobs in their database, fill out application forms, and complete and submit your application, all on the internet.
If you still feel the need to send your CIA cover letter by mail, here’s the address:
CIA Address for Cover Letter
CIA [Job Title] Hiring Team
Central Intelligence Agency
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20505
Now, here’s how to write CIA cover letters that get interviews:
1. Use the Right CIA Cover Letter Template
How many applications do you think the CIA gets? Hundreds? Thousands? Take your best guess, then multiply by 10. Your CIA cover letter has to elevate you above the mob of nuts and self-styled secret agents to get through. That means your cover letter’s format has to look professional.
Use this template:
Sample CIA Cover Letter—Checklist
- your contact info
- The CIA’s address
- Dear CIA [Job Title] Hiring Team,
- 1st paragraph: your hook
- 2nd paragraph: key skills they need
- 3rd paragraph: next steps
- best regards, name and title
Use the CIA’s Phoenix Checklist on your job search. It’s a 38-step checklist to go from stonewalled to “problem solved” as quickly as possible.
What font should your cover letter use? See our guide: Cover Letter Spacing and Margins
2. Start Your CIA Cover Letter Right
“I want to be in black ops.” Trash can. The CIA HR team’s biggest challenge is weeding through applications from kooks who think they’ll get to wear a trenchcoat and use spy gadgets. To get noticed in a good way, your cover letter should start by showing a specific accomplishment.
See these CIA cover letter examples:
CIA Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
| Right Example |
|---|
David Nemo Data Analyst 1821 Rivendell Drive Washington, D.C. 20237 davidznemo@gmail.com 330-775-2587 linkedin.com/in/davidznemo
3/25/20
CIA Data Analyst Hiring Team Central Intelligence Agency Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear CIA Data Analyst Hiring Team,
I’m applying for the data analyst position listed in the CIA Career Center database. I was very interested when I found it because I believe my experience increasing data collection rates by 200% at ABC Retail gives me the skills to materially improve operational efficiency in your directorate. |
That cover letter sample for CIA jobs works. The big, specific job achievement shows you’re not some James Bond wannabe. The job title mention in the first sentence eliminates confusion. Plus, “Dear CIA Data Analyst Hiring Team” shows right away your letter didn’t land there by mistake.
But this CIA cover letter example is a little too covert:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Dear Hiring Team,
I’m a highly skilled data analyst well versed in R, Python, Minitab, statistical modeling, and mathematics. I’ve wanted to work for the CIA since I was four years old. I’d love to serve our country, and I think this is the right time in my life to make the leap. I’m also a skilled leader with skills in MAXQDA and project scheduling. |
Tinfoil hat.
That’s a little too enthusiastic. There’s a time and a place to show your love of country, but that cover letter for CIA jobs looks over-zealous. Plus, that kitchen-sink list of skills won’t put you on their radar. Your key skills come in the next paragraph—but there’s a special way to add them.
Don’t have experience? Don’t panic. You can still start an entry-level CIA cover letter with no experience with an achievement from school, an award, or anything that shows your competence. You can also lead with a referral.
See these entry-level CIA cover letter examples:
CIA Cover Letter Samples with No Experience [First Paragraphs]
- When I won the CodeCanyon Coding Challenge for January 2020...
- Joanna Conley in the Finance Directorate suggested I apply. When I was in her class at...
- My internship as a legal assistant at Gilbert, Gilbert & Fazekas developed my skills in...
- When I received the Watson Fellowship to study pandemic statistics...
- My fluency in Farsi...
Hirable.
So much better than, “To Whom It May Concern...”
Pro Tip: You don’t need a federal resume for CIA jobs, even though they’re a federal agency. CIA hiring managers don’t have time for long federal resumes.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
3. Connect Your CIA Cover Letter to the Job
Want to stand out from the other 2,500 CIA job applicants this week? Then customize your cover letter for the CIA. Pay close attention to the job listing on the CIA Career Page. Then do some analysis on your career or schooling. Can you prove you have the skills they need, in fast-facts fashion?
Your second paragraph should:
- Be specific to the job listing.
- Offer proof of the skills shown in the job description.
See these CIA cover letter examples:
CIA Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
| Right Example |
|---|
The online job posting says you need a data analyst skilled in statistical modeling with the Teradata platform, trend analysis, and creating visualizations and presentations. Here are a few previous accomplishments that show my level of fit:
|
That’s one in a million.
But—
The next of our CIA cover letter examples goes dark:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
I have a deep passion for data analysis and ferreting out the meaning behind numbers. Even when I was young, I loved to make spreadsheets with formulas that could pull the sense out of the data. Now that I’m versed in R and Python, my skills in attacking big data problems have grown considerably. I think you’ll find my skills in those areas to be impressive. |
Redacted.
You can’t get hired for a CIA job (or any job) by giving your opinion. Your own judgement of your skills is weak compared to facts and accomplishments. To get them to call you, (1) learn the skills they need, and (2) prove them with numbers-based accomplishments.
Pro Tip: Don’t expect a call back right away. The CIA takes 45 to 90 days at a minimum to screen an application. The manager in the directorate you apply to will get to you eventually.
4. End Your CIA Cover Letter Strong
Your cover letter for CIA jobs will stay top secret if you don’t ask for the interview. But there’s a special way to do it. Offer more goodies they want. Pack in more skills from the job offer and an end-result they need. For instance, if you think you can bring improved efficiency to the table, say so.
See these cover letter ending examples:
Cover Letter Examples for CIA Jobs [Ending]
| Right Example |
|---|
Though my achievements so far have all been in the private sector, I believe my broad skills in Minitab, Qlik Sense, statistics, and communication will translate to improved efficiency for your directorate. I’d be grateful for the opportunity to discuss next steps by phone or in person.
Best regards,
David Nemo Data Analyst davidznemo@gmail.com 330-775-2587 |
Perfect.
You added Minitab, Qlik Sense, statistics, and communication from the job description. Next, you gave an outline of next steps.
But the next of our CIA cover letter samples lacks intelligence:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Thank you for considering my application. |
Spam emails, anyone?
A 2-page CIA cover letter is a bad idea. See our guide: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
Key Takeaway
Here’s how to write a CIA cover letter:
- Use the right cover letter format. Include the CIA cover letter address, and use the 3-paragraph approach.
- Get noticed. Start with a wow-getting accomplishment.
- Make it matter. Learn about the job on offer through the CIA Career Center’s database of job openings.
- Make an offer. Use your final paragraph to flip the script on the “please hire me” equation.
Not sure how to start your CIA job cover letter? Want to write a cover letter for CIA positions that gets through the firewall? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
