cover letter for applying lecturer position

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How to Write a Job Application Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is essential when applying for jobs. This is the perfect way to express how your specific skills are relevant to the open position. Wow your future employer with this simple cover letter example format.

Write a First Draft

Writing a first draft makes your letter concise and professional, states The Balance Careers. Organize your thoughts by making a list of what you’re trying to convey. Make sure you prioritize certain aspects like your previous job experience and why you would be a good fit for the position. Clearly state what position you’re interested in and why. Think about why you’re applying and what caught your eye about this specific position. Your cover letter will be easier to write after your thoughts are collected and organized.

Customize Your Salutation

When writing a salutation, make sure you know who you are writing to. Is this person the owner of the company or a Human Resources administrator? If you’re not sure, research the company to find out. Addressing your cover letter to a specific person shows initiative and attention to detail. After your salutation, start your letter with a short introduction of yourself. This gives future employers insight into who you are and the purpose of your cover letter.

Write Intentionally

Your cover letter should be no more than one page, so keep your points brief. Clearly state what position you are interested in and why. Explain why you are a good fit for the company because of your past job experience. If you have no similar job experience, let the employer know why you are changing career paths. Expand on your skills and give specific examples of how that skill set helped you at your last position. Name projects you’ve worked on and show results.

Close Your Letter

End your cover letter with a brief sentence and sign off. Thank the employer for their time and express your interest towards the job again. Let them know you’ll follow up with them if you do not hear back within a week and leave your contact information. Sign off with a professional farewell and leave room for a signature if sending a hard copy.

Edit and Proofread

As you finish writing your cover letter, make sure you take time to edit and proofread your document. Make sure it’s structured in a professional format with the company’s information, the salutation and introduction, the body of the letter, a brief closing sentence and farewell. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes to ensure a formal result. Make sure all names are spelled correctly, as well.

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Lecturer Cover Letter Example (Free Guide)

Create an lecturer cover letter that lands you the interview with our free examples and writing tips. use and customize our template and land an interview today..

A great lecturer cover letter is essential to landing the job you want. Our guide will help you craft an effective and professional cover letter that will give you the best chance of success. We'll explain how to structure your cover letter, the key elements to include, and the do's and don'ts of writing a good cover letter.

We will cover:

• How to write a cover letter, no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a cover letter to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a cover letter fast with our professional Cover Letter Builder .
• What a cover letter template is, and why you should use it.

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Lecturer Cover Letter Sample

• Dance Teacher Cover Letter Sample

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the Lecturer position at your educational institution. I am confident that my education, professional work experience, and enthusiasm for teaching make me an ideal candidate for this role.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s in Administration from a prestigious university. I also have five years of teaching experience in a variety of subjects including English, Math, Science, History, and Social Studies. I am passionate about education and have a great deal of enthusiasm for teaching. I am a patient and understanding instructor who enjoys helping students learn and grow.

My professional experience has prepared me for the Lecturer role. I have a deep understanding of the different teaching methods and can easily adjust my teaching style to meet the needs of my students. Additionally, I am able to effectively manage a classroom and ensure that students are engaged in the material. I am also proficient in various educational technologies and am comfortable incorporating them into my lessons.

I am confident that my skills and experience make me an excellent fit for this position. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the role in more detail and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Why Do you Need a Lecturer Cover Letter?

• A lecturer cover letter is an important tool to show potential employers that you are the right fit for the position.
• It allows you to highlight your academic qualifications and professional experience, and explain why you are the ideal candidate for the job.
• A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of being interviewed.
• It can also be used to demonstrate your knowledge of the field and your passion for teaching, as well as your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
• A lecturer cover letter is also a chance to show employers your organization, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as your ability to effectively present information.
• Ultimately, a lecturer cover letter is an opportunity to make a good impression on potential employers and show them why you are the best candidate for the job.

A Few Important Rules To Keep In Mind

• Include a professional greeting that includes the hiring manager's name.
• Explain why you are the best candidate for the role.
• Highlight your qualifications and experience.
• Include any relevant awards or publications.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the college and its mission.
• Include a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you.
• Proofread and edit your cover letter to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
• Close your cover letter with a polite and professional sign-off.

What's The Best Structure For Lecturer Cover Letters?

After creating an impressive Lecturer resume , the next step is crafting a compelling cover letter to accompany your job applications. It's essential to remember that your cover letter should maintain a formal tone and follow a recommended structure. But what exactly does this structure entail, and what key elements should be included in a Lecturer cover letter? Let's explore the guidelines and components that will make your cover letter stand out.

Key Components For Lecturer Cover Letters:

• Your contact information, including the date of writing
• The recipient's details, such as the company's name and the name of the addressee
• A professional greeting or salutation, like "Dear Mr. Levi,"
• An attention-grabbing opening statement to captivate the reader's interest
• A concise paragraph explaining why you are an excellent fit for the role
• Another paragraph highlighting why the position aligns with your career goals and aspirations
• A closing statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for the role
• A complimentary closing, such as "Regards" or "Sincerely," followed by your name
• An optional postscript (P.S.) to add a brief, impactful note or mention any additional relevant information.

Cover Letter Header

A header in a cover letter should typically include the following information:

• Your Full Name: Begin with your first and last name, written in a clear and legible format.
• Contact Information: Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your mailing address. Providing multiple methods of contact ensures that the hiring manager can reach you easily.
• Date: Add the date on which you are writing the cover letter. This helps establish the timeline of your application.

It's important to place the header at the top of the cover letter, aligning it to the left or center of the page. This ensures that the reader can quickly identify your contact details and know when the cover letter was written.

Cover Letter Greeting / Salutation

A greeting in a cover letter should contain the following elements:

• Personalized Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the specific recipient of the cover letter by their name. If the name is not mentioned in the job posting or you are unsure about the recipient's name, it's acceptable to use a general salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team."
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and respectful tone throughout the greeting. Avoid using overly casual language or informal expressions.
• Correct Spelling and Title: Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name and ensure that you use the appropriate title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., or Professor) if applicable. This shows attention to detail and professionalism.

For example, a suitable greeting could be "Dear Ms. Johnson," or "Dear Hiring Manager," depending on the information available. It's important to tailor the greeting to the specific recipient to create a personalized and professional tone for your cover letter.

Cover Letter Introduction

An introduction for a cover letter should capture the reader's attention and provide a brief overview of your background and interest in the position. Here's how an effective introduction should look:

• Opening Statement: Start with a strong opening sentence that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Consider mentioning your enthusiasm for the job opportunity or any specific aspect of the company or organization that sparked your interest.
• Brief Introduction: Provide a concise introduction of yourself and mention the specific position you are applying for. Include any relevant background information, such as your current role, educational background, or notable achievements that are directly related to the position.
• Connection to the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company or organization and establish a connection between your skills and experiences with their mission, values, or industry. Showcasing your understanding and alignment with their goals helps to emphasize your fit for the role.
• Engaging Hook: Consider including a compelling sentence or two that highlights your unique selling points or key qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates. This can be a specific accomplishment, a relevant skill, or an experience that demonstrates your value as a potential employee.
• Transition to the Body: Conclude the introduction by smoothly transitioning to the main body of the cover letter, where you will provide more detailed information about your qualifications, experiences, and how they align with the requirements of the position.

By following these guidelines, your cover letter introduction will make a strong first impression and set the stage for the rest of your application.

Cover Letter Body

As a Lecturer, I am an experienced educator and communicator with a strong record of success in developing and delivering engaging courses and activities both in the classroom and online. I am well versed in teaching both traditional and modern methods, and have a proven ability to motivate students and maximize their learning potential.

I am adept at designing course materials, assessments, and activities that encourage active engagement and critical thinking. My many years of experience working with diverse student populations in both secondary and higher education has enabled me to create and lead courses that span a range of disciplines and levels. Additionally, I am highly organized and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

As a Lecturer, I am passionate about creating a positive learning environment and providing students with the information and tools they need to succeed. I am strongly committed to aligning my teaching practices with evolving educational standards, and have a track record of successfully adapting and improving curriculum and activities to meet the needs of different audiences.

I am confident that I possess the necessary skills and experience to make a positive contribution to your institution. I have included my resume for your review and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further. Thank you for your consideration.

Core Strengths Include:

• Developing engaging and effective course materials
• Innovating teaching methods to maximize student understanding
• Adapting course materials to meet educational standards
• Utilizing technology to enhance the learning experience
• Managing a variety of student populations
• Building positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents

Complimentary Close

The conclusion and signature of a cover letter provide a final opportunity to leave a positive impression and invite further action. Here's how the conclusion and signature of a cover letter should look:

• Summary of Interest: In the conclusion paragraph, summarize your interest in the position and reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the organization or school. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role and briefly mention your key qualifications or unique selling points.
• Appreciation and Gratitude: Express appreciation for the reader's time and consideration in reviewing your application. Thank them for the opportunity to be considered for the position and acknowledge any additional materials or documents you have included, such as references or a portfolio.
• Call to Action: Conclude the cover letter with a clear call to action. Indicate your availability for an interview or express your interest in discussing the opportunity further. Encourage the reader to contact you to schedule a meeting or provide any additional information they may require.
• Complimentary Closing: Choose a professional and appropriate complimentary closing to end your cover letter, such as "Sincerely," "Best Regards," or "Thank you." Ensure the closing reflects the overall tone and formality of the letter.
• Signature: Below the complimentary closing, leave space for your handwritten signature. Sign your name in ink using a legible and professional style. If you are submitting a digital or typed cover letter, you can simply type your full name.
• Typed Name: Beneath your signature, type your full name in a clear and readable font. This allows for easy identification and ensures clarity in case the handwritten signature is not clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Lecturer Cover Letter

When crafting a cover letter, it's essential to present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances of making a strong impression. By being aware of these pitfalls and avoiding them, you can ensure that your cover letter effectively highlights your qualifications and stands out from the competition. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you create a compelling and impactful introduction that captures the attention of hiring managers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, understanding these mistakes will greatly enhance your chances of success in the job application process. So, let's dive in and discover how to steer clear of these common missteps and create a standout cover letter that gets you noticed by potential employers.

• Not including the name of the hiring manager or department head in the letter.
• Not including specific details about the position.
• Not tailoring the letter to the specific job and institution.
• Not providing evidence of qualifications.
• Using the wrong tone (too informal or too formal).
• Using long, complicated sentences.
• Using too much "I" or "me."
• Including irrelevant information.
• Not proofreading for typos, grammar, and spelling errors.

Key Takeaways For a Lecturer Cover Letter

• Highlight your experience as a lecturer and any awards or recognition you have received for your teaching.
• Focus on how your experience and qualifications make you an ideal candidate for the position.
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm for teaching and your commitment to helping students succeed.
• Mention any relevant research or publications you have done.
• Showcase your knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
• Provide concrete examples of your teaching style and methods.
• Explain any educational or technological tools you have used in the past.
• Be sure to include the contact information of your references.

Professional Senior Lecturer Cover Letter Example for 2023

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

Easy-to-follow cover letter writing tips for Senior Lecturer

What’s the best thing about writing a Senior Lecturer cover letter? You get to decide which parts of your experience need to be highlighted and which should better be skipped!

And what’s the thing that will make every hiring manager want to learn more about you? Mentioning the tools that have helped you overcome challenges and improve your skillset.

Let's look at our professional tips and examples that will help you write a memorable cover letter and land an interview.

By now you’ve probably learned that a well-written cover letter will complement your resume and increase your chances of getting the job.

It will also introduce the recruiter to your strengths and your capacity to handle challenges.

In short - it will make them want to learn more about you!

Check out our guide on what your cover letter should include for some additional inspiration.

Now it’s time to move on to what you actually came for – our professional tips and examples that will help you write a memorable cover letter and land an interview.

Address your cover letter to the right person and make your introduction strong

In general, the salutation you use depends on the tone of voice you’ve decided to go for but also on the company culture.

However, it’s always a good idea to address your letter to the person responsible for the recruitment process. If you don’t know their name, try to find it out. And only if that proves to be impossible, choose a generic salutation.

Here are some phrases you can use (note that some of them require you to know the hiring manager's name):

• Dear Mr. James
• Dear Human Resources Manager
• To the [team you're applying for] Department
• Dear [company name] Recruiter

You wonder what the key to good introductions is? (Moderate) Creativity!

You’ve probably heard that many people out there have started using phrases like “I found your job advert on platform X and decided to apply”, right?

And what’s wrong with such phrases, you may ask. They’re outdated and they definitely won't make you stand out, to say the least.

So go for something different. Begin your cover letter by sharing your excitement about the company, the position, and even the field.

Don't skip on your Senior Lecturer soft and hard skills

While the resume is considered the best place to showcase your hard skills and achievements, the cover letter should tell a story and prove your enthusiasm for the field.

This is why we advise you to focus on soft skills and results. Think about all your soft skills and how they have helped you grow as a professional and crush your goals. Then turn this into your own very short success story.

Make sure to include some hard skills too, especially the ones listed as part of the requirements section of the job advert. This will guarantee that you pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen applicant documents for keywords.

And remember – the cover letter should include new information without repeating your whole resume. It needs to offer additional value to the recruiter.

Show that you did your research before applying

Proving that you’re familiar with the company is a great way to win the recruiter’s heart. It shows that you’ve taken some time for research and that you’re attentive to detail.

What’s more, it will also help you find out the issues at hand. This way, you can link your own skills and qualifications to some potential challenges the company might have to deal with in the future.

Choose the right closing line

Using the right words to end your Senior Lecturer cover letter is essential for two reasons.

First, it supports the great first impression you’ve already made. Second, it’s a way to express your gratitude for the recruiter’s time and consideration.

The closing line you choose depends on your preferences and the company culture. If you want to be on the safe side, stick to more traditional phrases, such as “Looking forward to hearing from you” and “Thank you for your consideration”.

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Cover letters helped people get noticed

Updated for today’s recruitment standards

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Pair your cover letter with a resume that leaves an impression

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

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

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Academic Cover Letters

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When you're applying for a faculty position with a college or university, the cover letter is your first chance to make a strong impression as a promising researcher and teacher. Below you'll find some strategies for presenting your qualifications effectively in an academic context.

Distinctions between Academic and Business Cover Letters

A cover letter for an academic job has a function similar to one for a business job, but the content differs significantly in quantity and kind. While the general advice for business cover letters—such as tailoring your letter for the specific job and selling your strengths—still applies, a cover letter for an academic position should be long enough to highlight in some detail your accomplishments during your graduate education in research, teaching, departmental service, and so on. The typical letter is thus usually one and a half to two pages long, but not more than two—roughly five to eight paragraphs.

The First Paragraph

In the opening of your letter you need to convey some basic information, such as what specific position you are applying for (using the title given in the job notice) and where you learned of the opening. Since a cover letter is a kind of persuasive writing (persuading a hiring committee to include you on a list of candidates for further review), the first paragraph of your letter should also make the initial claim as to why you are a strong candidate for the position.

Tailoring for Your Audience

In an academic context knowing your audience means reading the job notice carefully and knowing the type of institution to which you are applying. Most graduate students have studied a broad range of material within their discipline before specializing in a narrow field for the dissertation project. Since it is rare to find a job notice specifying your exact qualifications, you need to emphasize those aspects of your graduate training that seem particularly relevant to the position advertised.

• Job notice: If you've written a political science dissertation on populism in early twentieth-century US national politics, you probably won't respond to a notice seeking a specialist in international politics during the Cold War. But you may wish to apply for a position teaching twentieth-century US political parties and movements. In this case you would want to stress the relevance of your dissertation to the broad context of twentieth-century US politics, even though the study focuses narrowly on the pre-World War I period. You might also highlight courses taken, presentations given, or other evidence of your expertise that corresponds to the job notice.
• Type of institution: Often the job notice will provide a brief description of the college or university, indicating such factors as size, ownership (public, private), affiliation (religious, nonsectarian), geography (urban, suburban, rural), and so on. These factors will influence the kind of information emphasized in your letter. For example, for a job at a small liberal arts college that focuses on undergraduate teaching, you would emphasize your teaching experience and pedagogical philosophy early in the letter before mentioning your dissertation. On the other hand, for a job at a large research university you would provide at least one detailed paragraph describing your dissertation early in the letter, even indicating your plans for future research, before mentioning your teaching and other experience.

Other Advice

If you're still working on your dissertation, you should mention somewhere in the letter when you expect to be awarded the Ph.D., even being as specific as to mention how many chapters have been completed and accepted, how many are in draft version, and what your schedule for completion is. Last-paragraph tips include the following:

• Mention your contact information, including a phone number where you can be reached if you will be away during a holiday break.
• If you will be attending an upcoming major professional conference in your field, such as the MLA convention for language and literature professionals, indicate that you will be available for an interview there. Be sure to mention that you are available for telephone or campus-visit interviews as well.
• If you have some special connection to the school, type of institution, or region, such as having attended the school as an undergraduate or having grown up in the area, you may wish to mention that information briefly at some point.
• Mention your willingness to forward upon request additional materials such as writing samples, teaching evaluations, and letters of recommendation.

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Cover letters for faculty job applications

The cover letter serves as an introduction to your application package and answers the following questions: Who are you? When will you defend your dissertation (if you’re currently ABD)? Why are you interested in applying for this assistant professor position? Why are you interested in this institution? What is your dissertation research about? What are your research plans? What kind of teaching experience do you have? How will you contribute to our department and institution? Why is the school a good fit for you and vice versa? A strong cover letter will be tailored to the institution to which you’re applying. For the humanities and social sciences, it is typically two to three pages long, and for STEM fields, it is typically one to two pages but will vary depending on the specific discipline.

The purpose of a cover letter

Sometimes called a “ letter of intent ” or “ letter of interest “, a cover letter is an introduction to the rest of your job application materials. The purpose of a cover letter is to quickly summarize why you are applying to an organization or for a particular position, and what skills and knowledge you bring that make you the most suitable candidate for that position. The cover letter is often the first impression that a prospective employer will have of you, especially if they do not know you, or have not heard about you from their network of contacts. First impressions count, and so getting your cover letter right is a critical step in your job application process. Like all your job application materials, it may take time and focus to write your cover letters well. You will likely have several drafts before you come up with a final version that clearly articulates your skills and your understanding of the employer and the job requirements.

While your CV briefly states your skills, knowledge, experience, and (most importantly) what you have achieved using your abilities, the cover letter gives you an opportunity to create a narrative that shows the path you have taken in your career or education, emphasizing the skills you’ve used along the way, and explaining why the position you are applying to is the next desirable step on this path.

Timeline: Getting Started with your Cover Letter

Step 1: The first step to writing a good cover letter is to first have a good CV. Your cover letter expands upon some of the information you include within these documents, and describes the role you have played in achieving your academic  goals (i.e., showing how your experiences have made you the best candidate for the position).

Step 2: The next step is to find an open position that interests you. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all cover letter, as each should be tailored to each job you apply to, but there will certainly be parts of the letter that will stay much the same, and be appropriate for multiple jobs. A 1-3 page cover letter might be the norm when applying for a tenure-track, faculty position, but you need to check with your own department to find out what the norms are in your field.

Step 3: Go through the job ad and carefully note all of the requirements and skills the employer is looking for. Based on your background research of the employer and the people you have spoken to who know about this employer (whether a business or a university department), try to identify the two or three most important skills that the employer is looking for. You should then try to create a cover letter that illustrates that you have these skills and have used them effectively.

When applying for faculty positions, especially those that involve both teaching and research, you will be expected to spend some time in your cover letter talking about your research and goals, as well as your teaching – even though you may have covered these in more detail in your research statement and teaching philosophy documents. How much time you need to spend talking about teaching and research will depend on the nature of the position and your field of study. For some humanities and social sciences applications, you will not be asked for a separate research statement, and this information will need to be integrated into the cover letter. Cover letters for scientific positions will generally be shorter as more (but not all) of the information about research will be covered in the research statement. Academic letters also need to cover everything that non-academic cover letters address, however, because you need to show that you are not only a good academic, but that you are a good person to work with who is committed to working at that particular institution. Make sure that you address the requirements of the position as stated in the job ad. Speak to faculty in your department to get a sense of what is expected in cover letters used in faculty job applications for your discipline. See if any faculty you know have been involved in search committees, and find out what they looked for in cover letters.

Explore other application documents:

Cover letter for a faculty position

Criteria for success.

• Demonstrate scientific accomplishments and scholastic achievement.
• Clearly define the vision and impact of your future research program.
• Differentiate yourself from colleagues, e.g. your advisors and other faculty candidates.
• Establish what your niche will be in the department.
• Clearly display excitement and passion.
• Keep the cover letter to 1 to 2 pages . The optional second page may contain a list of publications/presentations or a list of references.

The faculty cover letter, as with cover letters for other positions , is the first part of your application to be read by the Faculty Search Committee. Therefore, the primary purpose of a faculty cover letter is to summarize your application by connecting your Research and Teaching Statements, CV, and references.

Analyze your audience

Knowing what the Faculty Search Committee is looking for will help you tailor your application.

Searches for new hires may focus on specific research areas ( e.g.  nanomaterials, systems engineering, therapeutic science, renewable energy). In this case, you should customize your application to highlight your work in the specified research area.

Alternatively, departments may concentrate solely on the best candidates regardless of pre-selected scientific disciplines, in which case you have more flexibility in how you present yourself.

In addition, academic employment opportunities differ based on whether positions are tenure-tracked or require teaching, and the type of institution (university, medical school, research institute). Research the responsibilities associated with each of these positions, and include only information relevant to the specific position – don’t waste valuable space on irrelevant experiences.

Structure of a Cover Letter

• Critical contact information: name, degree, current position, email, and phone number
• Your professional profile or webpage ( e.g.  LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Academia.edu)
• Date, department, and university name and address .
• Salutation – “Dear [Faculty Search Committee / Department Head],”
• Brief introduction – Display excitement. State specific terms related to the faculty position, department and university. For example, if you are applying to a “cluster” hire that includes faculty across multiple departments, such as Systems and Synthetic Biology , then state this directly. State the position for which you are applying ( i.e. tenure-track appointment, assistant faculty position).
• Strong opening statement – Declare your targeted research areas. Establish the foundation on which you will base your research. Emphasize novel interfaces and applications within your proposed research.
• Scientific achievements – Summarize successes highlighted in your CV that demonstrate the breadth and depth of scientific expertise. Demonstrate your productivity, as well as key scientific or technical strengths, with supporting details.
• Motivation & impact – State areas of expertise and indicate specific aims of your future research program. Clearly describe how these aims align with current research initiatives in the department or university.
• Teaching & mentorship – Highlight your experience in the classroom and as a research mentor, and service in the profession or community.
• Wrap-up – “Additional documents are enclosed. Please feel free to contact me if supplemental information is required.”
• Follow-up & thank you – Be clear that you expect to hear back (e.g. “I look forward to your reply”). Thank the committee for their time and consideration.
• Closure – Maintain professionalism. “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” and “Kindest regards” are appropriate closing phrases. Include your electronic signature.

Advocate for yourself

The faculty cover letter emphasizes your past and present academic career, while promoting your future potential. For many of us, exuding confidence in an open letter of introduction is challenging, but you have to believe in yourself before you can convince others to believe in you.

State your pedigree

In academia, the institutions and departments you have attended and the advisors for whom you have worked do matter. State this information in Scientific Achievements . Inform your audience if you have co-taught classes with distinguished professors in Teaching & Mentorship or emphasize existing collaborations in the Motivation & Impact section.

Quantify your productivity

Academia identifies scientific contributions by the following conventions: number of publications, quality, and impact. In addition to research articles, noteworthy contributions may also include opinion articles, book chapters, or your role as a journal reviewer. Emphasize alternative sources of scientific communication (and funding) such as distinguished merit-based fellowships.

Engineering students are likely to be co-authors of patents; state this information.

Describe your future potential

Beyond reiterating your past accomplishments, you must also show that you are prepared to handle the future challenges of being a Principal Investigator. By far, the most difficult paragraph to write in the faculty cover letter focuses on the Motivation & Impact of your future research program. Clearly articulate the vision of your future research program and describe how your leadership will facilitate an environment of scientific and teaching excellence. Demonstrate expert understanding of your field, and confidently state your qualifications as a leader in research, an educator, and a citizen of the university.

Define your niche

Your application will be one out of hundreds. You must differentiate yourself and your research program from other candidates, as well as previous or current advisor(s). Ask yourself what you will do that is unique compared to any of your past or future colleagues. How will you fit uniquely into the department — what is your niche?

The Motivation & impact section provides an opportunity to concisely define your niche. State specific aims of your proposed research that expand upon the department’s core strengths while simultaneously diversifying the university’s research portfolio ( e.g.  emerging research fields, state-of-the art technologies, novel applications). Carefully consider research centers, core facilities, affiliated institutes or medical centers at the university. In many cases, campus- or state-wide research initiatives may complement your research program.

Finally, take advantage of any experiences you’ve had outside of academia. Have you previously worked in industry or consulted? Would these former and future relationships lead to additional funding for your lab? If so, suggest more unusual avenues of additional funding. It may no longer suffice to focus primarily on traditional grants sponsored by government agencies. Think of creative alternatives and diversify your future financial portfolio. This, in turn, differentiates your research program from colleagues.

Finally, you will more than likely apply to multiple departments and universities. Therefore, modify your niche for every application!

Make important information concise and identifiable

Again, your application is one out of hundreds. Helping the Faculty Search Committee easily identify important information in your cover letter will only improve your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. A faculty cover letter should not exceed 1 page , so you must present your qualifications to the Faculty Search Committee in a concise manner.

Maximize impact of words. Use verbs that illustrate impact (“led,” “developed,” “innovated”) over verbs that make you sound passive (“participated”). Aim for verbs that are more specific to the actual contribution you made.

Minimize redundancy and wordiness. For every sentence, challenge yourself to remove as many words as possible without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Use keywords. Keywords cited by grant-funding agencies, easily recognizable by any faculty member, should be included in relevant sections of your faculty cover letter. Using field-specific vocabulary may demonstrate your understanding of the field and the department’s needs, but be aware that Faculty Search Committees with mixed expertise may require simpler vocabulary and/or explanations accessible to a broader audience.

Maintain abundant white space. In terms of formatting, inclusion of white space is easy on the eye while providing a precise transition from one section to the next.

Devote time!

Crafting your faculty application is a process that will continue indefinitely.

• Devote time to your faculty application, working in consistent increments over the course of weeks not days.
• Take time to brainstorm, reflect, write, edit, critique, and revise accordingly.
• Seek guidance in terms of technical content, emphasis of soft skills, as well as grammatical improvements and aesthetics from colleagues and friends.

Above all else, remember that the faculty application is a creative process. Enjoy it!

This content was adapted from from an article originally created by the  MIT Biological Engineering Communication Lab .

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

Example Faculty Cover Letter 887 KB

Annotated Example 2

Example Faculty CV 85 KB

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Academic Cover Letter Template

(Teaching-Focused Lectureship Post)

This is an academic cover letter template that you can use together with the Academic CV template.

                                                                                  < Write your address

                                                                                  and phone number

                                                                                  and email address

                                                                                  in this area >

< date >

Application for position of

< In the first paragraph introduce yourself generally and list the reasons why you should be considered for the job., For example :>

I would like to be considered for the above position and hope to demonstrate how much I could bring to it. My research and teaching interests fit extremely well with the requirements of this post and with existing members of staff. I have extensive teaching experience in the department of x at university y , most of it focused on < name a field relevant to this job >. My work provides a useful link between < name two related fields > in the department, encouraging research and teaching collaborations.

< Move on to discuss your PhD in the second paragraph >

I was awarded my Ph.D . by the x department at y university in< give date >. My thesis was entitled < give title > . In it, I explore < give 150 words or so of explanation about your project. What did you look at, what was your methodology, what were your findings and what makes your PhD unique and original >. My publication plans for the thesis are as follows: < list any interest from publishers that you have had and/or a timetable for publication >

< In the next paragraph discuss your future research plans >

< Now move on to teaching experience >

I have x number of years’ teaching experience on < list module names >. As required I would be happy to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate modules of both a research-led and a methodological nature. < Suggest possible new modules that you could offer. Give titles and a one-sentence description of what they are about and which level of student they are aimed at >.

I am also aware of the importance of the pastoral care of students and take the role of tutor very seriously. I am experienced in liaising with colleagues to help students with a variety of problems < give details of particular pastoral care you have offered or student-focussed work you have done >.

< Now you should make a list with full details of any other factors you believe will make you attractive and show how you lead a full and active academic life. E.g. conferences, editing journals etc .>

To summarise, I fill the criteria of the person specification thus: < here is your chance to end on a snappy note, directly comparing yourself to the requirements listed in the job advertisement >

< Make a statement about qualifications and their relevance; your teaching experience; your research record and publications; your participation in academic culture on an international basis >

< Finally, ask explicitly to be interviewed >

I would be grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities further at interview . I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

< Your name >

Related Articles:

• Academic CV Template
• Cover Letter: A Step-by-Step Guide
• CV Cover Letters With Impact
• Academic Cover Letter

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Sample cover letter for Full Time position at University

Assistant lecturer.

I am pleased to attach my résumé for consideration for the post of Lecturer II (Pharmaceutical Microbiology) in your institution. I am confident that my academic background and vast skills make me the ideal candidate for this role.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Microbiology (Pharmaceutical Microbiology) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology. Both degrees have accorded me professional mastery of Microbiology. I am proficient in public speaking and adept at sharing knowledge with varying audiences. I have demonstrated this through research papers and seminars that I presented at work places and in the course of my degrees. Furthermore, I am exceptionally skilled at employing computer packages as teaching aids, with attendant testimonials from past supervisors and students alike affirming my ability to bring ease of understanding to the most difficult of subjects.

My previous engagement as Research Assistant in the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) in addition to rigorous course loads both at graduate and postgraduate studies, have enhanced my writing and research skills. I have also garnered teaching strength, especially in genetics, industrial microbiology and pharmaceutical microbiology. Additionally, I am inclined to active involvement in all aspects of academia: design of appropriate teaching and assessment methodologies, development of individual teaching materials as well as motivating students to attain their full academic potentials. Furthermore, I spent nearly six years working in public sphere, including marketing and customer service positions. These experiences afforded me the opportunity of developing administrative and organizational skills in addition to excellent communication and people-management skills.

I am desirous of utilizing these skills and experiences to advance the cause of your institution. The accompanying résumé can serve to provide you with greater details of my background but I welcome an opportunity to discuss in person, on the many ways in which I can bring value to this role.

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration.