Full Department Name
Name of Institution
Department Address
Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members:
Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself to the committee and your research interests. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community.
Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly explain your research to date. Consider mentioning your research questions, methods, key findings, as well as where and when you published and/or presented this work.
Paragraph 3 [4-5 Sentences]: Elaborate on your current research project. Consider mentioning your most prestigious funding awards for this project. Explain your key findings in more detail.
Paragraph 4 [3-5 Sentences]: Introduce your future research plans and goals. Point out the intellectual merit and/or broader impacts of this future work.
Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and strategies. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting.
Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Make a connection between your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the intellectual life of the department both inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague.
Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
Your Name
Credentials and Position
Institution/Affiliation Name
Date: Month Day, Year Search Committee Chair’s First and Last Name, Graduate Degree Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members: Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself to the committee and your research interests. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community. Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and pedagogical commitments. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting. Paragraph 3 [3-4 Sentences]: Provide a discussion of how you involved yourself with students or the broader university community outside of the traditional classroom setting. Discuss how those interactions influenced your teaching. Paragraph 4 [2-3 Sentences]: Briefly explain your current research interests to date and how it relates to your teaching. State your research questions, methods, and key findings or arguments. Point out the intellectual merit and/or broader impacts of this future work. Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Highlight when and where your research was published and/or presented this work or any forthcoming publications. Mention any prestigious funding or awards. Introduce your future research plans and goals. Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Make a connection between your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the intellectual life of the department both inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague. Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration. Sincerely, Your Name |
Remember your first draft does not have to be your last. Try to get feedback from different readers, especially if it is one of your first applications. It is not uncommon to go through several stages of revisions. Check out the Writing Center’s handout on editing and proofreading and video on proofreading to help with this last stage of writing.
Using the word dissertation. Some search committee members may see the word “dissertation” as a red flag that an applicant is too focused on their role as a graduate student rather than as a prospective faculty member. It may be advantageous, then, to describe your dissertation as current research, a current research project, current work, or some other phrase that demonstrates you are aware that your dissertation is the beginning of a larger scholarly career.
Too much jargon. While you may be writing to a specific department, people on the search committee might be unfamiliar with the details of your subfield. In fact, many committees have at least one member from outside their department. Use terminology that can easily be understood by non-experts. If you want to use a specific term that is crucial to your research, then you should define it. Aim for clarity for your reader, which may mean simplification in lieu of complete precision.
Overselling yourself. While your job letter should sell you as a great candidate, saying so (e.g., “I’m the ideal candidate”) in your letter may come off to some search committee members as presumptuous. Remember that although you have an idea about the type of colleague a department is searching for, ultimately you do not know exactly what they want. Try to avoid phrases or sentences where you state you are the ideal or the only candidate right for the position.
Paying too much attention to the job description. Job descriptions are the result of a lot of debate and compromise. If you have skills or research interests outside the job description, consider including them in your letter. It may be that your extra research interests; your outside skills; and/or your extracurricular involvements make you an attractive candidate. For example, if you are a Latin Americanist who also happens to be well-versed in the Spanish Revolution, it could be worth mentioning the expanse of your research interests because a department might find you could fill in other gaps in the curriculum or add an additional or complementary perspective to the department.
Improper sendoff. The closing of your letter is just as important as the beginning. The end of the letter should reflect the professionalism of the document. There should be a thank-you and the word sincerely or a formal equivalent. Remember, it is the very last place in your letter where you present yourself as a capable future colleague.
Small oversights. Make sure to proofread your letter not just for grammar but also for content. For example, if you use material from another letter, make sure you do not include the names of another school, department, or unassociated faculty! Or, if the school is in Chicago, make sure you do not accidentally reference it as located in the Twin Cities.
Name dropping. You rarely know the internal politics of the department or institution to which you are applying. So be cautious about the names you insert in your cover letters. You do not want to unintentionally insert yourself into a departmental squabble or add fire to an interdepartmental conflict. Instead, focus on the actions you will undertake and the initiatives you are passionate about.
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
Ball, Cheryl E. 2013. “Understanding Cover Letters.” Inside Higher Ed , November 3, 2013. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/11/04/essay-cover-letter-academic-jobs .
Borchardt, John. 2014. “Writing a Winning Cover Letter.” Science Magazine , August 6, 2014. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2014/08/writing-winning-cover-letter# .
Helmreich, William. 2013. “Your First Academic Job.” Inside Higher Ed , June 17, 2013. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/06/17/essay-how-land-first-academic-job .
Kelsky, Karen. 2013. “How To Write a Journal Article Submission Cover Letter.” The Professor Is In (blog), April 26, 2013. https://theprofessorisin.com/2013/04/26/how-to-write-a-journal-article-submission-cover-letter/ .
Tomaska, Lubomir, and Josef Nosek. 2008. “Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Cover Letter to Accompany a Job Application for an Academic Position.” PLoS Computational Biology 14(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006132 .
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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These resources will help you understand and write successful cover letters. To use these pages, you may select links in the navigation bar on the left, you may select links from the list below, or you may advance through the pages using the links at the bottom of each page. Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters. The cover letter pages are organized into the following sections:
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Sample portfolio cover letter Here is an example of a cover letter written for a portfolio: Gino Sanchez 5234 N 23rd St. Sarasota, FL 34230 [email protected] Aubrey Lopez Genuine Designs 7927 E 2nd Ave. Sarasota, Florida 34230 December 17, 2020 Subject: Application for position of art director Dear Mrs. Lopez, I am extremely interested in the opening you have for a qualified art director.
Below, we'll walk you through each step of building your portfolio cover letter: 1. Contact information and salutation. In the header of your portfolio cover letter, list all essential contact information, including your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL. Be sure to address the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name].
Student cover letter example Here is a sample cover letter for a student that you can use as a guide to write an impressive cover letter of your own: Kellen Daniels 555-555-5555 [email protected] December 10, 2020 Dear Hiring Manager, I am a sophomore business major at Houston University writing to express my interest in the Online Advertising Intern opportunity at Blueprint Digital.
The image is titled Cover Letter vs Resume. An example cover letter is on the left with tips written below it. The cover letter reads: Malik Rabb (123)456-7891 [email protected] May 1, 2020 Dear Hiring Manager, I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for the associate marketing position at Retail Ocean. Storytelling through marketing is a true passion of mine, and I graduated with a four-year ...
Student Portfolio Cover Letter Sample. Hello! I am a student at XYZ University and I am interested in obtaining an internship with your company. I have attached my resume and portfolio for your review. My portfolio includes samples of my work in various areas, such as web design, graphic design, and video production. I believe that my skills ...
The Core Writing team has provided an example from a cover letter written by a student seeking placement into 102. Use this example as a template to draft a cover letter. The Core Writing team has provided an example from a cover letter written by a student seeking placement into 102. Use this example as a template to draft a cover letter.
Here are 6 examples of skills to describe in a university student cover letter. Communication (always describe your style of communication) Collaboration and teamwork. Leadership. Critical thinking. Time management. Responsibility. Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a cover letter.
Example of a Cover Letter for a Career Portfolio. A career portfolio is a collection of academic awards, educational degrees, writing samples, volunteer experiences, personal references and job-relevant documents that can be presented in a job interview. These documents back up the academic achievements and experiences listed on your résumé.
Here are 2 examples of personalized student cover letter greetings. Dear Mr. Jack Green, Dear Hiring Manager Joe Johnson, If a name is not provided, start your letter with Dear Hiring Manager, or Dear Sir or Madam. In this day and age, the outdated To Whom It May Concern phrasing is no longer acceptable, so make sure to do your research! 2.
To ensure you include all the best aspects of your professional potential, follow the outline below. 1. Contact information and salutation. At the top of your cover letter, list your full name, location, email address, phone number, and a link to your online professional profile or portfolio. For the best impression, ensure your email address ...
To create your cover letter using the template: View the template document here. Click File in the upper left-hand corner. Select Make a Copy in Google docs or Download as a Word document. 4. If you made a copy, create a name for it and click OK. Write your cover letter, and tailor it for each application.
Begin your letter with a formal salutation, such as "Dear [Name]" or "Dear [Title]." If you couldn't find a specific name, use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Department] Team." Avoid generic greetings. Steer clear of outdated or overly casual greetings like "To Whom It May Concern" or "Hello."
Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one. I am interested in applying for the position of *Student job* with your company. I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393) I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department.
If you'll recall, your final Presentation Portfolio will include 3 documents: two (2) of your best essays--revised, edited, and proofread--and a cover letter or reflective essay. The choice of whether you write a cover letter or reflective essay will be your instructor's. Pay attention to what your instructor decides in this regard.
1 Student Cover Letter Example. Students are experts at absorbing new information, adapting to various subjects, and showcasing their understanding through tests and assignments. Similarly, your cover letter is a testament to your adaptability, demonstrating your ability to learn and excel in different roles. In this guide, we'll delve into the ...
Preparing a Resumé, Cover Letter, or Portfolio. ... Generally, a cover letter should accompany each resumé you send out. Learn more about cover ... Student Career Services 5500 Campanile Drive, MC 8255 San Diego, CA 92182-8255 Telephone: 619-594-6851 SDSU Mail Code: 8255
At their most basic level, academic cover letters accomplish three things: one, they express your interest in the job; two, they provide a brief synopsis of your research and teaching; and three, they summarize your past experiences and achievements to illustrate your competence for the job. For early-career scholars, cover letters are ...
5. Thank the recipient for their time. When you've finished conveying your suitability for the job, thank the recipient for taking the time to read your cover letter. You can mention your enthusiasm for the role a final time and that you look forward to discussing your candidacy further.
Academic Cover Letter Sample. November 2, 1998. Dear Dr. Sellers: I am writing to apply for the position as assistant professor of English with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition that you advertised in the October MLA Job Information List. I am a graduate student at Prestigious University working on a dissertation under the direction of ...
High school cover letter writing tips. If you're a teen with little or no work experience, finding a job might seem challenging.However, a well-written cover letter is the perfect way to convince employers that you're worth hiring and land some of the best jobs for teenagers.. A great cover letter for a part time job highlights your work ethic, passion, and the valuable skills you acquired ...
Introduction. These resources will help you understand and write successful cover letters. To use these pages, you may select links in the navigation bar on the left, you may select links from the list below, or you may advance through the pages using the links at the bottom of each page. Click here to download the PDF file containing sample ...
Middle paragraph (s) Closing paragraph. Letter ending and signature. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Show Transcript.
[email protected]. Eric Damiani. Goldman Sachs & Co. 3561 Hall Valley Drive. Birch River, WV 26610. Subject: Application for position of Portfolio Coordinator. Dear Mr. Damiani, I know that you are looking for a qualified Portfolio Coordinator for your career services firm, and I have included my resume with this cover letter, so that you ...