cover letter for teaching at university

University Lecturer Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Use these University Lecturer cover letter examples and writing tips to help you write a powerful cover letter that will separate you from the competition.

Table Of Contents

• University Lecturer Example 1
• University Lecturer Example 2
• University Lecturer Example 3
• Cover Letter Writing Tips

University lecturers are responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate students. They also conduct research, publish papers, and serve on committees.

To be successful in this role, you need to be an expert in your field and have a passion for teaching. In your cover letter, highlight your teaching experience and research achievements.

Use these examples and tips to write a cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition.

University Lecturer Cover Letter Example 1

I am excited to be applying for the University Lecturer position at the University of Southern California. I have been a college professor for the past 10 years and have experience teaching a variety of courses in the humanities and social sciences. I am passionate about teaching and firmly believe that education should be accessible to everyone. I am excited to join USC and contribute to its long-standing tradition of excellence in education.

I have been recognized as an excellent teacher by my students and colleagues alike. I have received several teaching awards, including the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award from the University of Texas at Austin. I am also a member of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers at UT Austin.

In addition to my teaching experience, I also have a strong research background. I have published extensively in leading journals and have presented my work at numerous national and international conferences. I am excited to share my knowledge and research with USC students and contribute to the intellectual life of the university.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting you in person and discussing how I can contribute to the University of Southern California as a University Lecturer. My resume is enclosed for your reference.

University Lecturer Cover Letter Example 2

I am writing to apply for the University Lecturer position that was recently advertised. I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications that you are looking for, and I am eager to put my experience to work for your institution.

I have been a university lecturer for the past three years, and during that time I have developed a reputation for being an effective and engaging instructor. I utilize a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, projects, online resources, and technology, to engage my students and help them learn. I am also well-versed in using various educational software programs.

I am committed to providing my students with the best possible education, and I am confident that I can do the same for your institution. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you in further detail. Thank you for your time and consideration.

University Lecturer Cover Letter Example 3

I am writing to express my interest in the university lecturer position that is currently available. I have been working as a lecturer at the University of Michigan for the past three years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I believe that my experience makes me an ideal candidate for this position.

I have been working as a lecturer at the University of Michigan for the past three years. My primary responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate students, developing course materials, and managing projects. I have taught a wide variety of courses including Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Social Psychology. I have also developed course materials for all of these courses.

I have always enjoyed working with students and helping them develop their academic skills. I believe that one of the most important aspects of being a good teacher is being able to connect with your students on a personal level. This allows you to better understand what they are struggling with and how you can help them overcome those struggles. I feel that I am very good at building relationships with my students and enjoy doing so.

I have also worked as a research assistant at the University of Michigan for the past two years. My primary responsibilities included conducting research, analyzing data, and writing reports. I have conducted research on topics such as social influence, conformity, and group dynamics. I have also written several papers on these topics which were published in various journals.

I would love the opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss my qualifications in greater detail. I am confident that my experience and enthusiasm will make me an excellent addition to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration.

University Lecturer Cover Letter Writing Tips

1. show your teaching experience.

When applying for a university lecturer position, it’s important to highlight your teaching experience. This can be done by providing specific examples of how you have helped students learn and grow in the past. You can also talk about your teaching philosophy and how it aligns with the university’s values.

2. Demonstrate your research experience

In addition to your teaching experience, it’s also important to showcase your research experience. This can be done by talking about your research interests and how they align with the university’s mission. You can also mention any awards or recognition you have received for your research work.

3. Show your commitment to education

As a university lecturer, you will be expected to be a lifelong learner. Demonstrate your commitment to education by talking about how you continue to learn and grow as a teacher. You can also mention any professional development courses you have taken in the past.

4. Proofread your cover letter

Just like with any other position, it’s important to proofread your cover letter for mistakes. Hiring managers will be looking for individuals who are detail-oriented and take their job seriously. Make sure there are no errors in your cover letter so that you can make a good first impression.

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How to Write a Teacher Cover Letter [with Template]

5 Resume Cover Letters for Teachers 

Start with structure: how to format your teacher cover letter, what else to include in your teacher cover letter, teacher cover letter faqs.

If you’re researching teacher cover letter tips and best practices, chances are you are either in the market for a new job or at least beginning to think ahead to your next opportunity.

As you’re well aware, your cover letter is a vitally important messaging document that must be thoughtfully crafted to A) catch the eye of potential employers/recruiters and B) entice them to learn more about you by reviewing your resume.

Well, you’ve come to the right place because — when it comes to teacher resume and cover letter advice — we’ve got you covered.

Designed to apply to both new and seasoned educators alike, this post serves as a guide to writing an effective teacher cover letter that will help you land your next job.

We’ll share key tips and best practices, along with several teacher cover letter examples that you can use for inspiration — plus, a downloadable template you can use to write an A+ cover letter!

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Download our template to start writing your best cover letter yet. 

LOOKING FOR TEACHING JOBS?

Before we get into any how-tos, it helps to know what the end result should look like. Below are five examples of winning teacher cover letters. 

1. This example offers guidance for the first-time teacher, since it can be difficult to write a cover letter without much experience to describe! This letter emphasizes volunteer work, student teaching and college experience. 

2. Here, the applicant listed out some of her experiences into bullet points. This is a wise formatting trick, since it’s likely the hiring manager looks at multiple cover letters a day, so the bulleted list makes it easier — and faster — to read.

3. Though it may not apply to every teaching position, some hiring managers like to see applicants back up their claims with hard data. This history teacher offers quantifiable proof of her abilities in her previous position.

4. What it lacks in volume it makes up for in succinct, to-the-point text. This cover letter says just enough while leaving the reader wanting to know more. Be careful with creating generic cover letter “templates” for yourself though — the content of this letter could apply to a wide range of roles and schools, so you’ll want to customize the details to each new position.

5. For a clearer breakdown of the essential parts of a cover letter, this example from Liveabout.com highlights where the applicant mentions her skill set, her unique value proposition and her desire for the position.

A teacher cover letter is much the same as a cover letter for any other position — the structure is fairly standard, with the content customized to the role and your experience. A cover letter should be one page, no more than four paragraphs, easily scannable and include the best way to reach you. The reader should not have to look very hard to find everything they need to know about you. 

The best teacher cover letters have the following components: 

• Your contact information: Provide your name, email address, phone number and where you live (just city and state is fine).
• The school’s contact information: Though you may not be sending your cover letter and resume by mail, this confirms your intention to apply to a specific school. 
• Date: The date you’re submitting your application materials.
• Salutation: A professional greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name. It’s customary to preface their name with “Dear.”
• Introduction: This is a one-or two-sentence statement that introduces you and expresses your intention to apply for the open position.
• Body paragraph 1: A brief paragraph describing your relevant professional experience, achievements, skills and education. 
• Body paragraph 2: A brief paragraph explaining your interest in and fitness for the role for which you’re applying.
• Closing paragraph: Once more, a brief closing statement that expresses your desire for further conversation and invites the hiring manager to contact you with any questions.
• Your signature: You may simply write your name or, for a more personal touch, you can add a real signature — hand-written or digitally placed. 

Why all the brevity? Hiring managers likely sift through dozens of applications a day, especially at competitive schools. You want your materials to stand out for their scannability, so that the reader can see whether you would be the right fit within just a few seconds. 

If you include all of the components above, you will have an excellent chance of capturing any hiring manager’s attention and (hopefully) starting a conversation with them. 

While most cover letters follow a similar format, with the introduction, body content and conclusion all containing relatively the same kind of information, the body paragraphs are where you can really highlight your uniqueness. The portion of your cover letter where you describe your skills and experience is your oyster — without repeating what’s on your resume, consider including any of the following elements:  

• Include teaching specialties such as subject expertise , special education curriculum design and even extracurricular responsibilities. 
• When it comes to your education, you’ll want to note whether you have your master’s degree in education . Having an MEd does not necessarily equate to teaching experience, but many schools will prioritize candidates with graduate degrees over those with only bachelor’s degrees . 
• Mention soft skills as well as hard teaching skills, such as organization, patience, adaptability, etc.
• Mention any relevant training or certifications. If you can point to a certificate in a specific teaching method or school leadership training , you may be considered for other open positions.
• Educational equity and inclusion is critical to school and student success. Even if you don’t have experience teaching units on disability activism or racial justice , expressing a commitment to learning about and teaching students of different backgrounds is a highly valued quality.
• Include related work you’ve done outside the classroom , such as tutoring, non-teaching work or volunteer experience that involves working with children.
• However, please note that teachers cannot freely share specific class or student data. It is your responsibility to adhere to school, state and federal restrictions concerning student privacy .
• Teachers are never done learning. Expressing a commitment to ongoing education and professional development in your cover letter will communicate that you are passionate about developing your craft. 

Each item should only take one to two sentences to explain. For scannability, you may want to format your skills and experience into bullet points.

Some teaching applicants include a postscript in their cover letters following their signature. While this is not necessary, it is a fine place to put something that doesn’t fit naturally into the body of your cover letter. However, only include a postscript if absolutely necessary ( “By the way, I remember competing against Sacred Heart’s epic debate club back in 1998 — if I couldn’t beat them then, joining them now would be the next best thing!” ). 

Your postscript should add value or personality, or be something the hiring manager absolutely needs to know, otherwise it can look extraneous and unprofessional. 

Tips to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

Think of your teaching cover letter like an elevator pitch. Pretend you have 30 seconds to “sell” your skills and enthusiasm for the role — how do you “hook” the reader? 

Before you set pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, be sure to research the school you’re applying to. It’s generally good practice to customize your cover letter for every job application, and that means knowing something about the school, department or role you’d be filling. It’s quite easy to tell if an applicant is just copy-and-pasting the same cover letter for multiple job applications. 

For example, is the school known for its competitive mathematics team? Does it have an award-winning drama department? Are its standardized test scores consistently in your state’s 90th percentile? If the role you’re applying for relates in any way to the school’s differentiating factor, be sure to acknowledge it in your introduction. 

Here are some other ways to bump your application to the top of the pile. 

• Keep it brief: No one wants to read your master’s thesis in a cover letter. Leave the longer explanations of your experience and teaching philosophy for your interview. 
• Accentuate the positive: Your application materials should not only convey why you want the position, but how your unique abilities and assets could benefit the school and its students. Emphasize why you’d be a great match with specific reasons — but don’t brag.
• Keep it personal: There are plenty of great cover letter templates and examples out there, but they should only serve as suggestions for what yours will be. This is your story to tell, not anyone else’s. Expressing your passion for teaching will position you as a dedicated, valuable asset to any school.
• Proofread: As a teacher, this should be a no-brainer — but don’t be the one teacher who forgets to proofread! Take your time, re-read and ask a colleague to give your cover letter a once-over before submitting your application. Many people treat their cover letter as an afterthought, but remember that it’s the cover to the rest of your application. 

To use another teaching comparison, remember that your cover letter counts for a significant portion of your “grade.” As Christian Eilers writes for Zety , “That means treating it like a crucial final exam instead of an inconsequential pop quiz.”

How long should my teacher cover letter be?

As a general rule, keep your cover letter brief — no one wants to read your master’s thesis as part of your application. Your cover letter should have a short intro, an explanation of your experience and skills, any significant accomplishments, awards or certificates, and a short conclusion summarizing your interest in the position. Always end with an invitation for the hiring manager to contact you, and sign your name (a signed letter is always a nice touch, even if it’s a digital signature). Leave the longer explanations of your experience and teaching philosophy for your interview.

How can I add data to my cover letter?

If you’re making any claims about your effectiveness in the classroom, try back them up with numbers. For example, you may want to say that you were responsible for increasing biology testing scores by 30%, or that attendance improved by 65% while you were a teacher. If you’re currently a teacher considering other schools, be sure to keep track of your own class’s performance so you can cite these metrics in future cover letters. Please note, however, that it is your responsibility to adhere to school, state and federal restrictions concerning specific student data and student privacy .

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A GUIDE FOR WRITING YOUR NEXT TEACHING COVER LETTER

• Master of Education

Related Posts

Academic Cover Letters

What is this handout about.

The long list of application materials required for many academic teaching jobs can be daunting. This handout will help you tackle one of the most important components: the cover letter or letter of interest. Here you will learn about writing and revising cover letters for academic teaching jobs in the United States of America.

What is an academic cover letter?

An academic cover letter describes your experiences and interest as a candidate for a specific position. It introduces you to the hiring committee and demonstrates how your academic background fits with the description of the position.

What do cover letters for academic teaching jobs typically contain?

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 typically no more than two pages (up to four pages for senior scholars). Occasionally, a third page may make sense for an early-career scholar if the application does not require a separate teaching statement and/or research statement. Digital versions of cover letters often contain hyperlinks to your CV or portfolio page. For some fields, cover letters may also include examples of your work, including music, popular articles, and other multimedia related to your research, service, or teaching available online. Typically, letters appear on departmental or university letterhead and include your signature. Above all, a strong cover letter presents your accomplishments and your familiarity with the institution and with the position.

How should I prepare to write my academic cover letter?

Like all writing, composing a cover letter is a process. The process may be as short as a few hours or as long as several weeks, but at the end the letter should present you as a strong candidate for the job. The following section has tips and questions for thinking through each stage of this writing process. You don’t need to answer all of these questions to write the letter; they are meant to help you brainstorm ideas.

Before you begin writing your cover letter, consider researching the institution, the department, and the student population. Incorporating all three aspects in your letter will help convey your interest in the position.

Get to know the institution. When crafting your cover letter, be aware of the type of institution to which you are applying. Knowing how the institution presents itself can help you tailor your letter and make it more specific.

• Where is the institution located?
• Is it on a quarter-system or semester-system?
• What type of institution is it? Is it an R1? Is it an R2? Is it a liberal arts college? Is it an HBCU? Is it a community college? A private high school?
• What is the institution’s culture? Is it teaching-focused or research-focused? Does it privilege experiential learning? Does it value faculty involvement outside the classroom? Is it affiliated with a specific religious tradition?
• Does it have any specific institutional commitments?
• How does the institution advocate for involvement in its local community?
• What are the professional development opportunities for new and junior faculty?

Learn about the department. Knowing the specific culture and needs of the department can help you reach your audience: the department members who will be reading your documents and vetting you as a candidate.

• Who is on the search committee? Who is the search committee chair?
• What is the official name of the department?
• Which different subfields make up the department?
• Is it a dual appointment or a position in a dual department?
• How does the department participate in specific types of student outreach?
• Does the department have graduate students? Does it offer a terminal Master’s degree, Ph.D., or both? How large are the cohorts? How are they funded?
• Does the department encourage or engage in interdisciplinary work?
• Does the majority of the department favor certain theoretical or methodological approaches?
• Does the department have partnerships with local institutions? If so, which ones?
• Is the department attempting to fill a specific vacancy, or is it an entirely new position?
• What are the typical course offerings in the department? Which courses might you be expected to teach? What courses might you be able to provide that are not currently available?

Consider the students. The search committee will often consider how you approach instructing and mentoring the student body. Sometimes committees will even reserve a position for a student or solicit student feedback on a candidate:

• What populations constitute the majority of the undergraduate population?
• Have there been any shifts in the student population recently?
• Do students largely come from in-state or out-of-state?
• Is there an international student population? If so, from which countries?
• Is the university recruiting students from traditionally underrepresented populations?
• Are students particularly active on campus? If so, how?

Many answers to these questions can be found both in the job description and on the institution’s website. If possible, consider contacting someone you know at the institution to ask about the culture directly. You can also use the institution’s course catalog, recruitment materials, alumni magazine, and other materials to get answers to these questions. The key is to understand the sort of institution to which you are applying, its immediate needs, and its future trajectory.

Remember, there is a resource that can help you with all three aspects—people. Reach out to your advisor, committee members, faculty mentors, and other contacts for insight into the prospective department’s culture and faculty. They might even help you revise your letter based on their expertise. Think of your job search as an opportunity to cultivate these relationships.

After you have done some initial research, think about how your experiences have prepared you for the job and identify the ones that seem the most relevant. Consider your previous research, internships, graduate teaching, and summer experiences. Here are some topics and questions to get you started thinking about what you might include.

Research Experiences. Consider how your research has prepared you for an academic career. Since the letter is a relatively short document, select examples of your research that really highlight who you are as a scholar, the direction you see your work going, and how your scholarship will contribute to the institution’s research community.

• What are your current research interests?
• What topics would you like to examine in the future?
• How have you pursued those research interests?
• Have you traveled for your research?
• Have you published any of your research? Have you presented it at a conference, symposium, or elsewhere?
• Have you worked or collaborated with scholars at different institutions on projects? If so, what did these collaborations produce?
• Have you made your research accessible to your local community?
• Have you received funding or merit-based fellowships for your research?
• What other research contributions have you made? This may include opinion articles, book chapters, or participating as a journal reviewer.
• How do your research interests relate to those of other faculty in the department or fill a gap?

Teaching Experience. Think about any teaching experience you may have. Perhaps you led recitations as a teaching assistant, taught your own course, or guest lectured. Pick a few experiences to discuss in your letter that demonstrate something about your teaching style or your interest in teaching.

• What courses are you interested in teaching for the department? What courses have you taught that discussed similar topics or themes?
• What new courses can you imagine offering the department that align with their aim and mission?
• Have you used specific strategies that were helpful in your instruction?
• What sort of resources do you typically use in the classroom?
• Do you have anecdotes that demonstrate your teaching style?
• What is your teaching philosophy?
• When have you successfully navigated a difficult concept or topic in the classroom, and what did you learn?
• What other opportunities could you provide to students?

Internships/Summer/Other Experiences. Brainstorm a list of any conferences, colloquiums, and workshops you have attended, as well as any ways you have served your department, university, or local community. This section will highlight how you participate in your university and scholarly community. Here are some examples of things you might discuss:

• Professional development opportunities you may have pursued over the summer or during your studies
• International travel for research or presentations
• Any research you’ve done in a non-academic setting
• Presentations at conferences
• Participation in symposia, reading groups, working groups, etc.
• Internships in which you may have implemented your research or practical skills related to your discipline
• Participation in community engagement projects
• Participation in or leadership of any scholarly and/or university organizations

In answering these questions, create a list of the experiences that you think best reflect you as a scholar and teacher. In choosing which experiences to highlight, consider your audience and what they would find valuable or relevant. Taking the time to really think about your reader will help you present yourself as an applicant well-qualified for the position.

Writing a draft

Remember that the job letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself and your accomplishments and to communicate why you would be a good fit for the position. Typically, search committees will want to know whether you are a capable job candidate, familiar with the institution, and a great future addition to the department’s faculty. As such, be aware of how the letter’s structure and content reflect your preparedness for the position.

The structure of your cover letter should reflect the typical standards for letter writing in the country in which the position is located (the list below reflects the standards for US letter writing). This usually includes a salutation, body, and closing, as well as proper contact information. If you are affiliated with a department, institution, or organization, the letter should be on letterhead.

• Use a simple, readable font in a standard size, such as 10-12pt. Some examples of fonts that may be conventional in your field include Arial, Garamond, Times New Roman, and Verdana, among other similar fonts.
• Do not indent paragraphs.
• Separate all paragraphs by a line and justify them to the left.
• Make sure that any included hyperlinks work.
• Include your signature in the closing.

Before you send in your letter, make sure you proofread and look for formatting mistakes. You’ll read more about proofreading and revising later in this handout!

The second most important aspect of your letter is its content. Since the letter is the first chance to provide an in-depth introduction, it should expand on who you are as a scholar and possible faculty member. Below are some elements to consider including when composing your letter.

Identify the position you are applying to and introduce yourself. Traditionally, the first sentence of a job letter includes the full name of the position and where you discovered the job posting. This is also the place to introduce yourself and describe why you are applying for this position. Since the goal of a job letter is to persuade the search committee to include you on the list of candidates for further review, you may want to include an initial claim as to why you are a strong candidate for the position. Some questions you might consider:

• What is your current status (ABD, assistant professor, post-doc, etc.)?
• If you are ABD, have you defended your dissertation? If not, when will you defend?
• Why are you interested in this position?
• Why are you a strong candidate for this position?

Describe your research experience and interests. For research-centered positions, such as positions at R1 or other types of research-centered universities, include information about your research experience and current work early in the letter. For many applicants, current work will be the dissertation project. If this is the case, some suggest calling your “dissertation research” your “current project” or “work,” as this may help you present yourself as an emerging scholar rather than a graduate student. Some questions about your research that you might consider:

• What research experiences have you had?
• What does your current project investigate?
• What are some of the important methods you applied?
• Have you collaborated with others in your research?
• Have you acquired specific skills that will be useful for the future?
• Have you received special funding? If so, what kind?
• Has your research received any accolades or rewards?
• What does your current project contribute to the field?
• Where have you presented your research?
• Have you published your research? If so, where? Or are you working on publishing your work?
• How does your current project fit the job description?

Present your plans for future research. This section presents your research agenda and usually includes a description of your plans for future projects and research publications. Detailing your future research demonstrates to the search committee that you’ve thought about a research trajectory and can work independently. If you are applying to a teaching-intensive position, you may want to minimize this section and/or consider including a sentence or two on how this research connects to undergraduate and/or graduate research opportunities. Some questions to get you started:

• What is your next research project/s?
• How does this connect to your current and past work?
• What major theories/methods will you use?
• How will this project contribute to the field?
• Where do you see your specialty area or subfield going in the next ten years and how does your research contribute to or reflect this?
• Will you be collaborating with anyone? If so, with whom?
• How will this future project encourage academic discourse?
• Do you already have funding? If so, from whom? If not, what plans do you have for obtaining funding?
• How does your future research expand upon the department’s strengths while simultaneously diversifying the university’s research portfolio? (For example, does your future research involve emerging research fields, state-of-the-art technologies, or novel applications?)

Describe your teaching experience and highlight teaching strategies. This section allows you to describe your teaching philosophy and how you apply this philosophy in your classroom. Start by briefly addressing your teaching goals and values. Here, you can provide specific examples of your teaching methods by describing activities and projects you assign students. Try to link your teaching and research together. For example, if you research the rise of feminism in the 19th century, consider how you bring either the methodology or the content of your research into the classroom. For a teaching-centered institution, such as a small liberal arts college or community college, you may want to emphasize your teaching more than your research. If you do not have any teaching experience, you could describe a training, mentoring, or coaching situation that was similar to teaching and how you would apply what you learned in a classroom.

• What is your teaching philosophy? How is your philosophy a good fit for the department in which you are applying to work?
• What sort of teaching strategies do you use in the classroom?
• What is your teaching style? Do you lecture? Do you emphasize discussion? Do you use specific forms of interactive learning?
• What courses have you taught?
• What departmental courses are you prepared to teach?
• Will you be able to fill in any gaps in the departmental course offerings?
• What important teaching and/or mentoring experiences have you had?
• How would you describe yourself in the classroom?
• What type of feedback have you gotten from students?
• Have you received any awards or recognition for your teaching?

Talk about your service work. Service is often an important component of an academic job description. This can include things like serving on committees or funding panels, providing reviews, and doing community outreach. The cover letter gives you an opportunity to explain how you have involved yourself in university life outside the classroom. For instance, you could include descriptions of volunteer work, participation in initiatives, or your role in professional organizations. This section should demonstrate ways in which you have served your department, university, and/or scholarly community. Here are some additional examples you could discuss:

• Participating in graduate student or junior faculty governance
• Sitting on committees, departmental or university-wide
• Partnerships with other university offices or departments
• Participating in community-partnerships
• Participating in public scholarship initiatives
• Founding or participating in any university initiatives or programs
• Creating extra-curricular resources or presentations

Present yourself as a future faculty member. This section demonstrates who you will be as a colleague. It gives you the opportunity to explain how you will collaborate with faculty members with similar interests; take part in departmental and/or institution wide initiatives or centers; and participate in departmental service. This shows your familiarity with the role of faculty outside the classroom and your ability to add to the departmental and/or institutional strengths or fill in any gaps.

• What excites you about this job?
• What faculty would you like to collaborate with and why? (This answer may be slightly tricky. See the section on name dropping below.)
• Are there any partnerships in the university or outside of it that you wish to participate in?
• Are there any centers associated with the university or in the community that you want to be involved in?
• Are there faculty initiatives that you are passionate about?
• Do you have experience collaborating across various departments or within your own department?
• In what areas will you be able to contribute?
• Why would you make an excellent addition to the faculty at this institution?

Compose a strong closing. This short section should acknowledge that you have sent in all other application documents and include a brief thank you for the reader’s time and/or consideration. It should also state your willingness to forward additional materials and indicate what you would like to see as next steps (e.g., a statement that you look forward to speaking with the search committee). End with a professional closing such as “Sincerely” or “Kind Regards” followed by your full name.

If you are finding it difficult to write the different sections of your cover letter, consider composing the other academic job application documents (the research statement, teaching philosophy, and diversity statement) first and then summarizing them in your job letter.

Different kinds of letters may be required for different types of jobs. For example, some jobs may focus on research. In this case, emphasize your research experiences and current project/s. Other jobs may be more focused on teaching. In this case, highlight your teaching background and skills. Below are two models for how you could change your letter’s organization based on the job description and the institution. The models offer a guide for you to consider how changing the order of information and the amount of space dedicated to a particular topic changes the emphasis of the letter.

Research-Based Position Job Letter Example:

Teaching-Based Position Job Letter Example:

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.

Potential pitfalls

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.

Works consulted

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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Teacher Cover Letter Example [10 Point Guide]

The education job market is an incredibly competitive landscape for both aspiring teachers and those seeking new roles. With limited openings and rigid qualifications, those in the job hunt are always looking for new ways to stand apart from fellow applicants. Thankfully, there is no better way to effectively represent your abilities and earn yourself an interview than with a well crafted teacher’s cover letter.

However, a cover letter for a teaching position isn’t usually structured like cover letters for general career applications. There are a series of different sections to include, and best practices to follow to help your cover letter stand out. Here is a quick guide to writing your teaching cover letter.

How to Write a Great Teacher Cover Letter

When drafting — and editing and redrafting — your cover letter, there are few things to keep in mind. First, think of a cover letter as the teaser for your resume. It shouldn’t just summarize everything that’s included in the resume, but instead should hook the reader and make them want to know more about you. A cover letter is the opportunity to paint a more complete picture of who you are as a person and an educator, rather than just a laundry list of experience and education. Here are the essential ingredients of a high quality teacher cover letter.

• Header: The header should contain all of your important personal information, including full name, email address, phone number and sometimes physical address. If possible, maintaining the same header design across both the cover letter and resume can really help your materials stand out.
• Date: Date the letter for the day you will be submitting your materials.
• Address of School and Hiring Manager: Include the full formal address of the hiring manager and the school you are applying to, just as you would address an envelope. It’s also helpful to include the phone number and email address for the hiring manager to demonstrate your attention to detail.
• Greeting: “Dear ______,” is the default greeting for all cover letters, so it’s a good one to stick with. if you are unable to find a specific person to address the letter to, “To Whom It May Concern,” is a safe backup plan.
• Body Paragraphs: The main body of the cover letter should include a series of paragraphs detailing the relevant information your potential employer should know about you. While this does include your teaching experience, relevant skills and educational philosophy, it should not just reiterate everything included in your resume. Use these sentences to illustrate your personality, passion for the field and your goals for this position. 
• Closing: The final paragraph should concisely wrap up your letter and include a brief thank you, reiterate your interest in the position and include a reference to your resume and list of references.
• Signature: Try to include your actual signature. If you’re submitting a physical copy that won’t be a problem, but if you’re applying digitally you can use Adobe Acrobat to insert your signature.

Beyond the must-include sections of an education cover letter, there are also a few pro tips that will help you stand apart from the other standardized letters:

• Be concise: Hiring managers are likely reading countless cover letters for the same position, so using flowery language and lengthy sentences won’t be effective. Finding a way to concisely state all of your best qualities without coming across as braggadocious will help leave a good first impression with hiring managers.
• Tailor each letter to each role: Odds are that you’re applying to multiple teaching jobs at once. And while it can be time consuming to edit and re-edit your letters for each job, this is an essential step. Hiring managers can sniff out a letter that has been created to be vague enough to work for multiple jobs, and that’s an easy way to get disqualified quickly. Go the extra mile and tailor each letter for each job you want — you’ll thank yourself in the long run.
• Show, don’t tell: Don’t just say that you helped your students meet the standard for reading proficiency — explain the specific steps you took and highlight relevant proof points or statistics to support your claims. This is much more effective than simply stating an accomplishment.

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Cover Letter Example Template

Here is a teaching cover letter example to help you get started.

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]

[123 School Address]

[School’s City, State, Zip Code]

[Hiring Manager’s Telephone No.]

[Hiring Manager’s Email]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my deep interest in the open elementary-level teaching position in your school district. As a 2020 graduate of the University of San Diego, I have student teaching experience in the third grade in a suburban school district. I believe my teaching pedagogy, classroom experience and passion for school engagement make me an ideal candidate and a perfect fit for your school community.

As an aspiring elementary teacher, I acknowledge that my classroom time is limited. However,  I’ve found that my passion for (and commitment to) teaching have only grown with every experience. The feeling of getting through to that student who just wasn’t “getting the hang of it,” or helping students achieve their goals, never gets old. 

In my teaching experience, I have taught in a third-grade classroom where I was relied upon to lead English instruction for 23 students throughout the term. This challenged me to adopt distinctive teaching methodologies, document all lessons, organize healthy group discussions and mentor troubled students. I had also previously volunteered as an education coordinator at a local museum, where I was able to create interactive lessons for a wide variety of age groups. 

It is clear that your school strives to engage the whole school community, a mission I would seek to support through my out-of-classroom initiatives. I have lots of experience incorporating service projects into my curriculum. As a student teacher I led a unit for third-graders on plant life, and we volunteered to build a community garden for our school that was harvested for school lunches.

Enclosed is my resume for your review. I welcome the opportunity to discuss with you personally how my skills and strengths can best serve your institution. Please contact me at (123) 456-7895 or [email protected]

FAQs About Getting a New Teaching Job

How do i prepare for a new teaching job.

One of the best ways to stand apart from other applicants is to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to improving your craft. While many schools offer varying professional development opportunities, you can also pursue continuing education courses for educators . These courses cover a wide variety of topics — from classroom management to restorative justice to Google classroom — and can really help a resume stand out.

How can I improve my chances of getting a teaching job?

Aside from having robust experience and demonstrable teaching skills, there is no replacement for a well written cover letter, resume and letters of recommendation. Schools want to hire a person, not just a list of accomplishments. Make sure your application materials highlight your strengths and show the hiring manager who you are. This will help you stand apart from other applicants. Secondly, consider reaching out to teachers already working in that school or district. They may have tips that will help you put your best foot forward with that particular hiring director.

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Professional Lecturer Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your lecturer cover letter must immediately highlight your academic expertise. Demonstrate your proficiency in the subject matter you wish to teach. Showcase your teaching experience and ability to engage with students. Include any accomplishments or recognitions that underline your suitability for the role.

Cover Letter Guide

Lecturer Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Lecturer Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Embarking on your job hunt, you've meticulously crafted your resume and are now facing the daunting task of writing a lecturer cover letter. You understand that this isn't just a reiteration of your CV; it's your shot to spotlight a monumental professional triumph and share the journey behind it. Juggling formality with originality, steering clear of clichés, all within a concise one-page limit can feel overwhelming. Let's navigate these challenges together and pen a cover letter that stands out.

• Personalize your lecturer cover letter and get inspired by other professionals to tell a compelling story;
• Format and design your lecturer cover letter to make an excellent first impression;
• Introduce your best achievement in your lecturer cover letter to recruiters;
• How to make sure recruiters get in touch with you, using your lecturer cover letter greeting and closing paragraphs.

What is more, did you know that Enhancv's AI can write your cover letter for you? Just upload your lecturer resume and get ready to forward your job application in a flash.

If the lecturer isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Lecturer resume guide and example
• Elementary Teacher cover letter example
• Piano Teacher cover letter example
• Sunday School Teacher cover letter example
• Paraprofessional cover letter example
• Computer Science Teacher cover letter example
• Academic cover letter example
• Academic Advisor cover letter example
• Tutor cover letter example
• Summer School Teacher cover letter example
• SLP Grad School cover letter example

Lecturer cover letter example

San Francisco, California

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Highlighting specific achievements, such as developing an online course on addiction recovery strategies, demonstrates the candidate's ability to create impactful and relevant curriculum.
• Emphasizing the positive outcomes, like the course attracting over 200 remote learners and achieving a 95% graduate employment rate, provides tangible evidence of the candidate's effectiveness and the value they could bring to the organization.
• Mentioning expertise in both face-to-face and digital instruction addresses the growing need for professionals who are adept in various teaching modalities, especially pertinent during times when remote learning is on the rise.
• Expressing a commitment to community engagement and development aligns with the ethos of many social work-based organizations, enhancing the candidate’s compatibility with mission-driven roles.

What about your lecturer cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information

Here is one secret you should know about your lecturer cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.

You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:

• Introduction
• Body paragraphs (and explanation)
• Promise or Call to action
• Signature (that's optional)

Now, let's talk about the design of your lecturer cover letter.

Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates ).

Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.

Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your lecturer cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.

When wondering whether you should submit your lecturer cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.

The top sections on a lecturer cover letter

• Header: Include your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact information, as it provides a professional presentation of your letter and makes it easy for the recruiter to contact you.
• Salutation: Begin with a proper greeting, such as "Dear [Search Committee/Department Head's Name]," to personalize your cover letter and demonstrate your attention to detail.
• Introduction: Open with a compelling statement about your enthusiasm for the role and how your experience aligns with the department's needs, as this sets the stage for your qualifications and teaching philosophy.
• Teaching Experience and Philosophy: Detail your relevant teaching history, strategies, and how they've benefited students or the institution to show your capability and fit for the lecturer position.
• Closing: End with a strong closing statement that reaffirms your interest in the position, invites further discussion, and thanks the reader for their consideration, leaving a positive final impression.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Expertise in the Subject Area: Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and mastery of the content that will be taught, positioning you as an authority who can confidently deliver course material.
• Teaching Experience: Showcases your ability to effectively communicate and engage with students, assess their learning, and adapt teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
• Research Accomplishments: Reflects your active engagement with the academic community, contributions to advancing knowledge, and integration of research with teaching.
• Curriculum Development Skills: Indicates your experience in designing courses, syllabi, and educational materials that enhance student learning and cater to a variety of learning styles.
• Commitment to Student Success: Highlights your dedication to mentoring students, providing academic guidance, and contributing to their professional growth and academic achievements.
• Collegiality and Collaboration: Conveys your ability to work harmoniously with colleagues, contribute to departmental initiatives, and participate in interdisciplinary efforts that enhance the institution's academic environment.

Greeting recruiters with your lecturer cover letter salutation

What better way to start your conversation with the hiring manager, than by greeting them?

Take the time to find out who the professional, recruiting for the role, is.

Search on LinkedIn, the company website. And for those still keen on making a fantastic first impression, you could even contact the organization, asking for the recruiter's name and more details about the job.

Address recruiters in the lecturer greeting by either their first name or last name. (e.g. "Dear Anthony" or "Dear Ms. Smarts").

If you're unable to discover the recruiter's name - don't go for the impersonal "To whom it may concern", but instead use "Dear HR team".

List of salutations you can use

• Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
• Dear [Professor/Dr. Last Name],
• Dear [Search Committee Chairperson],
• Dear [Dean Last Name],
• Dear [Department Head Last Name],
• Dear [Members of the Search Committee],

Using your lecturer cover letter intro to show your dedication

We know just how difficult it is to start writing your lecturer cover letter introduction .

There are so many great qualities you have as a professional, which one should you choose?

How about writing up to two sentences about your passion and commitment to the work you do or are set to do?

Try to describe exactly what you enjoy about the potential role.

A positive attitude from the get-go will help you stand out as a motivated lecturer professional.

Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your lecturer cover letter

You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your lecturer cover letter ?

For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).

After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.

Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.

Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:

• you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
• you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
• your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.

Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.

Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action

You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your lecturer cover letter .

But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?

Most lecturer professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.

Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).

Choose to close your lecturer cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.

Which story should you tell in your lecturer cover letter when you have zero experience

Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.

Your lecturer cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.

And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?

Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).

Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your lecturer cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.

Key takeaways

Writing your lecturer cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:

• Select a lecturer cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
• Make your lecturer cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
• Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
• Use your lecturer cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
• If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your lecturer cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.

Cover letter examples by industry

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• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

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Cover letter template for academic faculty and teaching positions.

Below is a general template for use when crafting a cover letter for academic teaching positions. Before getting started, you will also want to review the academic cover letter samples .

Optional – include header (similar to your resume and other supporting documents)

[Mailing date] [Search committee mailing info, including department and address] [Dear Professor _____________________, or Dear Search Committee Chair and Members:] [Paragraph 1: simple introduction.]

     I am writing to apply for the position of [official title] announced in the XXX [e.g., Chronicle of Higher Education]. I am completing a Ph.D. in XX from the [department name] at the University of California, Davis. I will defend my dissertation, "[dissertation title]” and expect to graduate in [month]. OR: I am finishing the first year of my postdoc with XX [your PI's name or in the lab of XX], where I am working on X, Y, and Z [briefly describe, but leave the bulk of the research description for the below sections]. [Paragraph 2: principal research area(s) and dissertation - this paragraph along with paragraph 3 would follow the introduction when applying for a faculty or teaching position within a R1 university emphasizing the research over the teaching. For Liberal Arts Colleges and State Universities, research and teaching paragraphs should be somewhat balanced in length. For teaching-only Community Colleges, a research statement might be included towards the bottom of the cover letter, but only in the context of staying on top of the discipline in order to perform more effectively as a teacher. ]

     My principal research area is X [area here], with a focus on [focus area(s)]. [3-4 sentence summary of dissertation here]. I've used X method/technique/approach to explore W and Z. [Paragraph 3: other research areas, contributions, and future directions - this paragraph would be included for R1, Liberal Arts College or State University.]

     My immediate research priority is to expand this manuscript into a book. I will direct future research toward [1-2 sentences on next project]. [Add additional sentences on your broader research agenda, how you would apply this to your new institution]. [Paragraph 4: teaching experience and interests - this paragraph would follow the 1st paragraph when applying to a State University.]

     During my [number] years at X [campus], I have taught [identify what you have taught, particularly as it relates to the institution you are applying]. [Add 2 or so sentences on any pedagogical training, innovative approaches you have taken in the classroom, technology you've used, areas you are particularly interested in exploring, and/or specific new class or seminars you would like to teach at their institution]. [Paragraph 5: closing.]

     I have enclosed my CV, a writing sample, and a teaching philosophy state [or whatever they ask for…]. Three faculty recommendations will be mailed under separate cover [or by Interfolio , a dossier service]. I will attend the XX conference in [city] this year, and I can always be reached by phone or email. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, [your signature] [your email] – include if you don’t use a header [your phone number] – include if you don’t use a header

A couple of notes:

• The tone of the cover letter should be that of a potential colleague. It should showcase your knowledge, contribution to the discipline. The cover letter should be used to outline your academic accomplishments and to share a five year vision for where you are heading into the future.
• You want to present the perspective of an independent researcher and teacher, not simply a list the coursework and tasks you've completed as a graduate student or postdoc.
• Note that you do not have to separate your dissertation and other research interests (i.e. paragraphs 2 and 3).
• Understand the different missions of the institutions for which you are applying.

Adapted from a template provided by Robert P. Newcomb, Ph.D., Department of Spanish & Portuguese, UC Davis

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Academic Cover Letter Sample

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November 2, 1998

Dr. Naomi Sellers Chair, English Search Committee Box 58 Baxter College Arcadia, WV 24803

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 Professor Prominent Figure. Currently revising the third of five chapters, I expect to complete all work for the Ph.D. by May of 1999. I believe that my teaching and tutoring experience combined with my course work and research background in rhetoric and composition theory make me a strong candidate for the position outlined in your notice.

As my curriculum vitae shows, I have had excellent opportunities to teach a variety of writing courses during my graduate studies, including developmental writing, first-year writing for both native speakers and second language students, advanced writing, and business writing. I have also worked as a teaching mentor for new graduate students, a position that involved instruction in methods of composition teaching, development of course materials, and evaluation of new graduate instructors. Among the most satisfying experiences for me as a teacher has been instructing students on an individual basis as a tutor in our university Writing Lab. Even as a classroom instructor, I find that I always look forward to the individual conferences that I hold with my students several times during the semester because I believe this kind of one-on-one interaction to be essential to their development as writers.

My work in the composition classroom has provided me with the inspiration as well as a kind of laboratory for my dissertation research. My project, The I Has It: Applications of Recent Models of Subjectivity in Composition Theory, examines the shift since the 1960s from expressive models of writing toward now-dominant postmodern conceptions of decentered subjectivity and self-construction through writing. I argue that these more recent theoretical models, while promising, cannot have the liberating effects that are claimed for them without a concomitant reconception of writing pedagogy and the dynamics of the writing classroom. I relate critical readings of theoretical texts to my own pedagogical experiments as a writing teacher, using narratives of classroom successes and failures as the bases for critical reflection on postmodern composition theory. After developing my dissertation into a book manuscript, I plan to continue my work in current composition theory through a critical examination of the rhetoric of technological advancement in the computer-mediated writing classroom.

My interest in the computer classroom has grown out of recent experience teaching composition in that environment. In these courses my students have used computers for writing and turning in notes and essays, communicating with one another and with me, conducting library catalogue research and web research, and creating websites. I have encouraged my students to think and write critically about their experiences with technology, both in my class and elsewhere, even as we have used technology to facilitate our work in the course. Syllabi and other materials for my writing courses can be viewed at my website: http://machine.prestigious.edu/~name. In all of my writing courses I encourage students to become critical readers, thinkers, and writers; my goal is always not only to promote their intellectual engagement with cultural texts of all kinds but also to help them become more discerning readers of and forceful writers about the world around them.

I have included my curriculum vitae and would be happy to send you additional materials such as a dossier of letters of reference, writing samples, teaching evaluations, and past and proposed course syllabi. I will be available to meet with you for an interview at either the MLA or the CCCC convention, or elsewhere at your convenience. I can be reached at my home phone number before December 19; between then and the start of the MLA convention, you can reach me at (123) 456-7890. I thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

First Lastname

Points to Remember

• Use the form of address and title of the contact person as they appear in the job notice.
• Refer to the job title as it appears in the notice, and state where you learned of the position.
• Mention your major professor by name, especially if he or she is well known in your field. Also, mention your expected completion date.
• Make a claim for your candidacy that you will support in the body of the letter.
• For a position at a small undergraduate college, emphasize teaching experience and philosophy early in the letter.
• Describe your dissertation and plans for future research. Emphasize links between your teaching and research interests.
• Mention specific teaching experience that is relevant to the job notice or is otherwise noteworthy.
• Refer to relevant materials available on the web.
• State your willingness to forward additional materials and to meet for an interview.
• Mention any temporary changes in contact information.

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Teacher Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to land more job offers as a Teacher?

Crafting a strong cover letter is key. This comprehensive guide is packed with everything you need to know in order to write a job-winning Teacher cover letter , complete with effective strategies, essential skills, helpful templates, and real-life examples.

You can trust that all the insights and tips in this guide are based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers, just like you, who have gone on to secure positions at some of the world's most reputable companies.

Whether you're a seasoned Teacher or just starting out, reading this guide from start to finish can help you land your dream role. But if you're short on time and looking for specific information, here's a breakdown of what's included:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Teacher Cover Letter
• The Best Skills To Include On An Teacher Cover Letter

How To Address A Teacher Cover Letter

• 3 Teacher Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Teacher Cover Letter Templates

3 tips for writing a job-winning teacher cover letter.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Teacher Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

Wondering what school districts are looking for when they're hiring a teacher?

Districts want knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated teachers that are highly qualified. That means they have the proper education, certifications, and experience along with mastery of their subject, strong classroom management, communication, flexibility, and commitment to student learning.  Professionalism, reliability, and punctuality are also key qualities.

Your resume should show the district that the your experience and personality combined encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Teacher resume:

• Highlight your education and certifications:  emphasizing any relevant coursework or specialized training.
• Emphasize your teaching experience:  providing specific examples of your accomplishments and contributions to student learning.
• Include keywords from the job description:  ensure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Showcase your skills and achievements:  including examples of your ability to manage a classroom, communicate effectively, and use technology.
• Provide references from colleagues:  or supervisors who can speak to your teaching abilities
• Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Teacher Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for the employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more Teacher interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Teacher Keywords

The first way to find the right keywords is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for an Teacher cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of  real Teacher  job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Communication
• Collaborative
• Development
• Flexibility
• Performance
• Instruction
• Regulations

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

• Open a copy of your target Teacher job description
• Head over to  ResyMatch.io
• Select the “Job Description Scan” from the scan type selector in the upper right corner of the tool
• Copy and paste the Teacher job description into the field on the left
• Hit scan and review the results

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant for the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

Here's a video walking through this whole process:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Campus Principal's Name

The first, and best, is by including the campus principal's name. Let's say that you discovered the campus principal's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Organization]

If you don't have the campus principal's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying to for a Product Marketing Manager role at Discovery Education, you might start you cover letter like this:

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than  “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Teacher Cover Letter Examples For 2023

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds that are all applying for Teacher roles:

Teacher Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional Teacher experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Teacher Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from the healthcare industry into a teacher role. This cover letter illustrates how they identify and speak to their transferable skills:

Teacher Cover Letter Example #3: Landing An Elementary Teacher Role Despite Majority Experience in Upper Grade Levels

Our third example highlights a candidate with extensive teaching experience in middle and high school grades, looking to transition to the elementary classroom.

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Teacher cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with  our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use ChatGPT To Write Your Cover Letter In <30 Seconds

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

• Head to ChatGPT (you'll need to create an account – it's free)
• Ask ChatGPT,  “Please write me a cover letter for an Teacher role. The role I'm applying for is [Job Title] role at [School District]. Here is the job description: [Paste Job Description]. And here is my resume: [Paste Resume].
• Watch ChatGPT write up a pretty darn good cover letter base!

Here's a video of me doing this with a real cover letter if you want to see the steps in action:

Note:  I  do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste the content from ChatGPT into your cover letter and submit your application. ChatGPT is great for doing 80% of the baseline work, but you still need to review, revise, and personalize the content yourself.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a campus principal, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible For Creating a Safe Learning Environment.” 

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

• The percentage by which your students' content mastery increased
• The average reduction in behavioral issues
• The average parent satisfaction rate
• The rate at which your student engagement increased from year to year

These numbers will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Teacher cover letter:

• Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
• Use  ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each Teacher role you apply to
• Start your teacher cover letter with a personalized greeting for the campus principal or Human Resources representative.
• Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
• Compare the draft of your teacher cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like  Hemingway App to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Teacher interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taken care of, be sure to check out my guide on how to write a job-winning Teacher resume (with examples!)

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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How to Write an Academic Cover Letter With Examples

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Requred Job Application Materials

Submitting your application.

When you are applying for a faculty position at a college or university, your  cover letter  will differ significantly from the standard business cover letter.

Your cover letter may be reviewed by Human Resources department staff to determine if you meet the basic qualifications for the job. If it does, it will be forwarded to a search committee comprised mostly of faculty members and academic deans. 

These individuals will be accustomed to reading more lengthy academic cover letters and  resumes  or curriculum vitae (CV) than would be customary in the business world. They will also often be more interested in the philosophical foundations for your work than the typical business recruiter.

Kelly Miller / The Balance

Tips for Writing an Academic Cover Letter

Your initial challenge will be to pass through the Human Resources screening. Review each of the required qualifications included in the job announcement and compose statements containing evidence that you possess as many of the skills, credentials, knowledge, and experiences listed as possible. 

Address as many of the preferred qualifications as possible. 

Give concrete examples to support your assertions about your strengths. 

Your faculty reviewers will typically have an interest in your philosophy and approach to teaching and research within your discipline. They will also be evaluating how your background fits with the type of institution where they work.

Research the faculty in your target department to assess their orientation and expertise. Emphasize points of intersection between your philosophy and the prevalent departmental philosophy.

If you possess traditionally valued areas of expertise that are not already represented by the current faculty, make sure to point those strengths out in your cover letter. It's important to tailor your letter to the orientation of the college and adjust the mix of emphasis on teaching and research based on the expectations in that setting. 

Colleges will typically want to hire new faculty who are passionate about their current research and not resting on past research credits.

Describe a current project with some detail and express enthusiasm for continuing such work. 

Try to do the same with any evolving teaching interests. 

Highlight any grants and funding you have received to undertake your research activities. Incorporate any awards or recognition which you have received for your teaching or research activities. Some text should also be devoted to other contributions to the college communities where you worked, such as committee work, advising, and collaborations with other departments.

Your cover letter should be written in the same basic format as a business cover letter. An academic cover letter is typically two pages compared to a single page for non-academic letters.

Here’s an example of the appropriate format for a cover letter and guidelines for formatting your letters.

Academic Cover Letter Example

You can use this sample as a model to write an academic cover letter. Download the template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or read the text version below.

Academic Cover Letter Example #1 (Text Version)

Robin Applicant 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 12345 555-555.5555 robin.applicant@email.com

April 5, 2021

Dr. Sylvia Lee Chair, English Department Search Committee Acme College 123 Business Rd. Charlotte, NC 28213

Dear Dr. Sylvia Lee,

I am writing to apply for the position of assistant professor of English with an emphasis in nineteenth-century American literature that you advertised in the MLA Job Information List. I am a Dean’s Fellow and Ph.D. candidate at XYZ University, currently revising the final chapter of my dissertation, and expecting to graduate in May I am confident that my teaching experience and my research interests make me an ideal candidate for your open position.

Over the past five years, I have taught a variety of English courses. I have taught a number of American literature survey courses, as well as writing courses, including technical writing and first-year writing. I have extensive experience working with ESL students, as well as students with a variety of learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dysgraphia, and disabilities like ADD and ADHD. I pride myself on creating a classroom environment that accommodates the needs of my students while still promoting a high level of critical thought and writing skills. Some of my most satisfying experiences as a teacher have come from helping struggling students to grasp difficult concepts, through a combination of individual conferences, class activities, and group discussion. I know I would thrive as a teacher in your college, due to your belief in small classroom size and individualized support for students.

Not only does my teaching experience suit the needs of your school and department, but my research interests also fit perfectly with your description of the ideal candidate. My dissertation project, “Ferns and Leaves: Nineteenth-Century Female Authorial Space,” examines the rise and development of American female authors in the 1840s and 1850s, with a particular focus on patterns of magazine publication. I argue that, rather than being submissive to the requirements of the editor or publisher, female authors, in fact, developed a more transparently reciprocal relationship between themselves and their readers than previously has been assumed. I apply recent print-culture and book-history theory to my readings of novels, magazine articles, letters, and diary entries by various female authors, with a particular focus on Sara Willis (known by her pseudonym Fanny Fern). I plan to develop my dissertation into a book manuscript and continue to research the role of female writers in antebellum magazine culture, with a particular focus on the rise and influence of female magazine editors on literary culture.

My research interests have both shaped and been shaped by my recent teaching experiences. Last spring, I developed and taught a course on the history of print culture in America. I combined readings on theory and literature that addressed issues of print with visits to local historical museums and archives. My students conducted in-depth studies on particular texts (magazines, newspapers, novels) for their final papers. I believe my interdisciplinary teaching style, particularly my emphasis on material culture, would fit in well with the interdisciplinary nature of your English department.

I am therefore confident that my teaching experience, my skill in working with ESL and LD students, and my research interests all make me an excellent candidate for the assistant professor of English position at ABC College. I have attached my curriculum vitae and the two requested sample publications. I would be happy to send you any additional materials such as letters of reference, teaching evaluations, and past and proposed course syllabi. I will be available to meet with you at either the MLA or C19 conference, or anywhere else at your convenience. Thank you so much for your consideration; I look forward to hearing from you.

Robin Applicant (hard copy letter)

Robin Applicant

Academic Cover Letter Example #2 (Text Version)

Betty Applicant 567 North Street, Boston, MA 02108 555-555.555 betty.applicant@email.com

Dr. Robert Smith Chair, Department of Biology Acme University 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Dr. Smith,

I am writing to apply for the position of Assistant Professor of Biology with a focus on molecular biology at XYZ University, as advertised in the March issue of Science. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of XYZ in the Department of Molecular Biology, working under the advisement of Professor Linda Smith. I am confident that my research interests and teaching experience make me an ideal candidate for your open position.

My current research project, which is an expansion on my dissertation, “[insert title here],” involves [insert research project here]. I have published my dissertation findings in Science Journal and am in the processing of doing the same with my findings from my current research. The laboratory resources at XYZ University would enable me to expand my research to include [insert further research plans here] and seek further publication.

Beyond my successes as a researcher (including five published papers and my current paper in process), I have had extensive experience teaching a variety of biology courses. As a graduate student at Science University, I served as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer for both biology and chemistry introductory courses and won the university award for outstanding teacher’s assistant. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of ABC, I have had the opportunity to teach Introduction to Biology as well as a graduate-level course, Historicizing Molecular Biology. In every class, I strive to include a blend of readings, media, lab work, and discussion to actively engage students with the material. I would love the opportunity to bring my award-winning lesson planning and teaching skills to your biology department.

I am confident that my research interests and experience combined with my teaching skills make me an excellent candidate for the Assistant Professor of Biology position at XYZ University. I have attached my curriculum vitae, three recommendations, and the two requested sample publications. I would be happy to send you any additional materials such as teaching evaluations or past and proposed course syllabi. I will be available to meet with you at the ASBMB conference or anywhere else at your convenience. Thank you so much for your consideration; I look forward to hearing from you.

Betty Applicant (hard copy letter)

Betty Applicant

It’s important to submit all your application materials in the format requested by the college or university. You may be asked to email, mail, or apply online via the institution’s applicant tracking system.

You may be required to provide references with your application, so be prepared to submit a list of references. The institution may also request transcripts, teaching evaluations, and writing samples.

Send only what is requested. There's no need to include information that the institution hasn't ask for.

However, you can offer to provide additional materials like writing samples, syllabi, and  letters of recommendation  in the last paragraph of your letter.

Follow the instructions in the job posting for submitting your application. It should specify what format the college wants to receive.

Here are some examples of what you may be asked to include with your cover letter and resume or CV:

• A cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three references.
• A cover letter (PDF format) of interest indicating your qualifications and reason for application, Curriculum Vitae (PDF format), and a minimum of three professional references, including phone and email contact information.
• A letter of interest, a Curriculum Vitae, a teaching vision statement, a research vision statement that specifically indicates how you would interact with or collaborate with other department faculty, and three references.
• A cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three references. Please upload these as ONE document in RTF, DOC or PDF format.
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University Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Example

Writing a cover letter to apply for a position as a university teaching assistant can be a challenging task. However, if you approach the task in an organized and methodical way, you can create an effective cover letter that will help your job application stand out. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive overview of what needs to be included in a university teaching assistant cover letter, as well as provide an example to help you write your own. With this guide, you will be well-prepared to create a compelling cover letter that can make a great impression on the hiring committee and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Download the Cover Letter Sample in Word Document – Click Below

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, be sure to check out our complete library of cover letter examples .

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University Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Sample

Dear [Name of Hiring Manager],

I am writing to apply for the University Teaching Assistant position you recently posted at [University Name].

With my experience in higher education, strong communication skills, and teaching experience, I am confident that I would be a great asset to your university.

I have a Master’s degree in [subject] and have been working as a university teaching assistant for the past [number] years. During this time, I have performed a range of duties, including helping to develop course materials, leading discussion groups, grading assignments, and tutoring students. I have also contributed to the development of online platforms and other educational technologies, providing students with a more engaging learning experience.

I am highly organized and enjoy finding creative solutions to complex problems. My ability to build strong relationships with students has allowed me to offer individualized support, which has been highly appreciated by those I have worked with.

I am a dedicated team player and am always willing to go the extra mile. I am confident that I could use my skills and knowledge to help your university achieve its goals.

If you are interested in learning more about my qualifications, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your Name]

Create My Cover Letter

Build a profession cover letter in just minutes for free.

Looking to improve your resume? Our resume examples with writing guide and tips offers extensive assistance.

What should a University Teaching Assistant cover letter include?

A University Teaching Assistant cover letter should include:

• An introduction that outlines who you are and why you are an ideal candidate for the position.
• A demonstration of how your skills and experience make you a great fit for the role.
• Details of any qualifications or certifications you have that are relevant to the role.
• A description of any additional training you have completed or are in the process of completing that would be beneficial for the position.
• A statement of your enthusiasm for the position and the university.
• Your contact information and availability for an interview.
• A closing statement that demonstrates your appreciation for being considered for the role.

University Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Writing Tips

When applying for a job in a university, it is important to make sure your cover letter is up to the task. A cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression with a potential employer, so it is important to make sure you write a compelling one. Here are some tips for writing a university teaching assistant cover letter.

• Start by introducing yourself and providing a brief overview of your background. This is your chance to explain why you are a great fit for the role of teaching assistant. Make sure to include your relevant experience and education.
• Outline the skills and knowledge that you possess that make you an ideal candidate for the job. Focus on the areas where you have expertise or experience that would make you an asset in the role.
• Explain why you chose to apply to this particular position. Detail what you find appealing about the job and why you think you would be a great fit.
• Make sure to address the job requirements and qualifications listed in the job posting. Outline how you meet or exceed each of the qualifications.
• Close the letter by expressing your interest in the position and your enthusiasm for the opportunity. Let the employer know that you look forward to hearing from them.

By following these tips, your cover letter for a university teaching assistant position should be sure to make an impact. Make sure to include relevant information, detail your qualifications and express your interest in the role. Good luck!

Common mistakes to avoid when writing University Teaching Assistant Cover letter

Writing a cover letter for a University Teaching Assistant position can be daunting. You want to make sure you have the best chance of being selected for the position, so you should take time to make sure your cover letter is professional and well- written. Below are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a University Teaching Assistant cover letter:

• Not customizing the cover letter to the position: You should always customize your cover letter to the job you’re applying for. By doing so, you can highlight your skills and experience that are particularly applicable to the position.
• Exceeding the page limit: Most cover letters should be limited to one page. If you exceed the page limit, you risk your letter not being read entirely.
• Typos and grammar mistakes: Reading through and proofreading your letter is essential. You want to make sure there are no typos, grammar mistakes, or other errors.
• Being too generic: Generic cover letters lack passion and enthusiasm. Make sure you include details about why you are interested in the job and why you would be a great fit.
• Inappropriate language: Avoid slang, offensive language, and profanity. Also, be mindful of the tone of your language.
• Not including contact information: Make sure you include your contact information at the top of your cover letter. This allows employers to easily get in touch with you.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your University Teaching Assistant cover letter is professional and well- written. You’ll have a better chance of being selected for the position.

Key takeaways

Writing a successful cover letter for a University Teaching Assistant position requires knowing what the employer is looking for and being able to showcase your relevant experience, skills and qualifications. Here are some key takeaways for writing an impressive University Teaching Assistant cover letter:-

• Highlight your educational background that makes you uniquely qualified for the role.
• Demonstrate your ability to manage time, work productively and meet deadlines.
• Describe any experience you have teaching or working with students, such as tutoring or mentoring.
• Showcase your research and analytical skills, as well as any other relevant technical skills.
• Explain your passion for teaching and what it would mean to you to serve as a University Teaching Assistant.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the university and mention any courses you are particularly excited to assist with.
• Focus on your interpersonal skills, such as communication, collaboration and problem- solving.
• Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
• Proofread your letter carefully before submitting to make sure it is free from errors.

By following these key takeaways, you can craft a persuasive cover letter that will make you stand out as a qualified candidate for the University Teaching Assistant position.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i write a cover letter for an university teaching assistant job with no experience.

Writing a successful cover letter for an University Teaching Assistant job with no experience can be overwhelming, but with the right tips and tricks you can make your letter stand out from the competition. Start by emphasizing your enthusiasm for the job and highlight any related experience or skill you may have. Showcase your ability to think critically and communicate clearly by including examples of courses you have taken or projects you’ve worked on. Finally, demonstrate your commitment to the teaching profession by mentioning any volunteer experience or professional activities you’ve been involved in.

2. How do I write a cover letter for an University Teaching Assistant job experience?

If you have teaching experience, you should make sure your cover letter stands out from the competition. Start by emphasizing your enthusiasm for the job and highlight any teaching experience you have that is relevant to the position. Showcase your skills in an educational setting by including examples of courses you have taught or projects you’ve worked on. Draw attention to your commitment to the teaching profession by mentioning any awards or recognition you have received. Finally, demonstrate your understanding of the educational process and your dedication to working with students.

3. How can I highlight my accomplishments in University Teaching Assistant cover letter?

Highlighting your accomplishments in a University Teaching Assistant cover letter is the key to getting your foot in the door. Start by emphasizing your enthusiasm for the job and relate any volunteer experience or professional activities you’ve been involved in to the position. Showcase your ability to think critically and communicate clearly by including examples of courses you have taken or projects you’ve worked on. Finally, demonstrate your commitment to the teaching profession by mentioning any awards or recognition you have received.

4. What is a good cover letter for an University Teaching Assistant job?

A good cover letter for an University Teaching Assistant job should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job and your ability to work in an educational setting. Start by emphasizing your enthusiasm for the job and relate any volunteer experience or professional activities you’ve been involved in to the position. Showcase your skills in an educational setting by including examples of courses you have taught or projects you’ve worked on. Draw attention to your commitment to the teaching profession by mentioning any awards or recognition you have received. Finally, demonstrate your understanding of the educational process and your dedication to helping students succeed.

In addition to this, be sure to check out our cover letter templates , cover letter formats ,  cover letter examples ,  job description , and  career advice  pages for more helpful tips and advice.

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The Really Great Teacher Company

How to Write the Perfect Online English Teacher Cover Letter

Craft a self-intro that'll make hiring managers swipe right.

Do you dread writing a cover letter for your online English teaching job applications? They always sound generic, bland, and fake: "To whom it may concern, I would like to respectfully submit this cover letter for your online TEFL position." This is not at all how you sound in real life, so let’s change the approach.

Your cover letter is actually your first lesson plan. So, ditch the corporate speak and craft a self-introduction that screams 'the real you.' In this guide, we'll help you write a digital-first cover letter impression that slays.

What is an Online English Teacher Cover Letter?

A TEFL cover letter for online teaching is a brief (150 - 200 words) summary that showcases your enthusiasm and qualifications for teaching English online. It's your chance to convince your future employer you're the right person for the job.

Your resume focuses on your past; the cover letter sets the stage for your future. It's your personal elevator pitch where you highlight why you're perfect for this role.

What's the Purpose of a Cover Letter in Online Teaching?

A good cover letter sets the tone for your resume, highlighting your teaching style and passion for online education. It's your chance to highlight how you connect with students in a virtual setting and handle digital classrooms like a pro. Your cover letter should engage, persuade, and leave an impact.

At The Really Great Teacher Company, our job application form includes a section specifically for this purpose:

Please provide us with a short written self-introduction including your teaching experience, qualifications, and teaching philosophy.

As a company that reviews hundreds of ESL applications every week, our recruiters look for:

• Specific teaching experience
• Relevant qualifications
• Personal attributes
• Cultural awareness
• Tech skills

Most teaching job platforms, including ours, filter job applications using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems scan for keywords related to online teaching, TEFL certifications, and digital tools to identify the best candidates for the job.

Many of these keywords are included in the teaching advertisement. Including relevant terms like "classroom management" or "teaching pedagogy" can help your cover letter pass initial screenings and reach human recruiters.

A short, clear, and concise cover letter is what we look for. It's not as crucial as it once was; we'll scrutinize it if we need to better understand your CV.

Marika Boje, Global Recruitment Director, The Really Great Teacher Company

What Should Your ESL Cover Letter Include?

Your cover letter isn't just a resume rehash. It outlines your teaching experience. Got gaps in your CV? Address them head-on. New to teaching? Show why that's a positive.

In your 150–200-word introduction, consider including:

• Career Goals: Share how this role fits into your teaching journey.
• Career Changes: If relevant, discuss how career shifts have prepared you for teaching.
• Professional Accomplishments: Highlight significant achievements in your teaching career.
• Employment Gaps: Got any work gaps in your resume? Explain them here.
• Your Value Proposition: Explain how your skills and experience will help the team.
• Unique Strengths: Highlight your teaching “superpower” or share a personal story that makes you stand out.
• Competitive Edge: Emphasize what makes you an exceptional candidate for this role.

Nail these points, and you'll craft a cover letter that will impress hiring managers.

Are TEFL Cover Letters Necessary in 2024?

ResumeLab surveyed 200 HR recruiters and found:

• 83% of Recruiters said an excellent cover letter can secure an interview even if your resume is flawed. 
• 77% will prefer candidates who send a cover letter.
• 74% prefer job applications that include cover letters along with resumes.
• 72% expect cover letters even if the ad states they're optional.
• 36% will read a cover letter before the resume. 37% will read the resume first.

Bottom line: Writing a TEFL cover letter can help you overcome your CV shortcomings in 8 out of 10 cases. 

Ready to stand out in the digital classroom crowd?

How to Write a TEFL Cover Letter for an Online English Teacher Job

Forget stuffy intros and boring buzzwords. Your cover letter is your chance to stand out in a sea of "passionate educators" and "dedicated professionals."

We review hundreds of applications weekly, but only around 13% make it past the initial resume screening to the interview shortlist.

So - here are five critical steps to writing a TEFL cover letter that'll make hiring managers sit up and take notice:

1. Do Your Company Homework

Scour the school's online presence—website, social media, and job postings—starting with its About page and going deeper.

Discover their mission statement, teaching philosophy, and current initiatives ( news section ). Are they tech-forward or traditional? Understanding their DNA helps you speak their language. Become a digital detective.

2. Personalize, Don't Copy-Paste

Avoid sending the same generic cover letter to multiple teaching jobs. This one-size-fits-all approach screams, "I didn't bother to learn about your school."

Show recruiters you're not just looking for any job – you want this job. Tailor each letter to the specific job and language platform. Call out their unique teaching style, mention their student base, or highlight a recent win from their website. Find out the recruiter's name and use it.

Saying, "I'm excited about your business English focus for young professionals in Korea " proves that you've done your research and are genuinely interested.

3. Solve Their Problems

Every online school faces challenges – maybe they're breaking into a new market or trying to boost student retention. Bring these up in your letter. Show how your skills and experience can help them tackle these hurdles head-on.

Bottom line: I'll work hard to keep your students happy and your company's reputation golden.

Remember, your cover letter isn't just about you – it's about how you can make their jobs easier and students happier.

4. Keep it Simple and Concise

Speed is crucial. Eye-tracking studies reveal that recruiters spend only around 7.4 seconds deciding on the first application review.

For readability, keep each paragraph to 3-4 sentences. Use Hemingway Editor to make your writing bold and clear. Aim for a Grade 8 readability level.

Make it easy to skim with bullet points to highlight your accomplishments. Start with action words to emphasize your strengths.

When developing your bullet points, use the C.A.R. approach:

• Challenge: What challenge did you face, or what problem did you resolve?
• Action: What action did you take?
• Result: What was the result of the action you took?

This approach ensures your cover letter is clear and impactful and demonstrates your problem-solving abilities. The more specifically you describe your skills and experiences, the stronger the impression you will make.

5. Proofing

We've all been there — you hit 'send' and then see a glaring typo. Here's how to avoid that:

• Double-check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Then check again.
• Use Grammarly or Microsoft Editor to refine your writing.
• Read your letter out loud, even backward — it helps catch mistakes you'd otherwise miss.
• Have a friend review it for tone and clarity — a new perspective can catch what you don't.

Pro Tip: Step away from your letter for a few hours (or even a day) before your final review. You'll come back with fresh eyes and spot things you missed before.

How to Format an ESL Online Teacher Cover Letter

Ready to make your cover letter pop? You'll need five components in a professional ESL teacher cover letter:

• Cover Letter Heading
• Cover Letter Greeting
• Cover Letter Introduction
• Cover Letter Body
• Cover Letter Closing

Why Does Format Matter?

Because it shows you can:

• Organize Information Clearly: Essential for lesson planning.
• Communicate Effectively: A critical skill for language teaching.
• Pay Attention to Detail: Avoiding spelling mistakes is crucial for an ESL teacher!

1) Cover Letter Header: Your Professional Introduction

Your header sets the tone for your entire application. The header's job is simple: to help employers quickly identify and contact you.

Here's what to include:

• City and country of residence
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile or teaching portfolio URL (optional)

Example header:

Keep it simple and text-based. Fancy designs can confuse ATS software and recruiters. Focus on clear contact information rather than your design skills.

Note: Only add a header to your cover letter if you're send as a Word or PDF file.

2) Cover Letter Greeting: Personalize

Ditch the "To Whom It May Concern." Personalize by addressing the hiring manager by name whenever possible, as it shows the recruiter you've gone beyond the generic cover letter.

Cover Letter Greetings:

• Dear [Recruiter's Name], (if known)
• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Company Name] Recruitment Team,

LinkedIn job postings often include the name of the person who posted the job. Sometimes, it's buried in the job description. If you can identify the recruiter or hiring manager, use their name in your greeting.

3) Cover Letter Introduction: Start strong

Forget the snooze-inducing "My name is... I'm applying for..." opener. The hiring manager has a stack of cover letters. You've got less than 3 sentences to hook them - make every word count.

1. Strong Opener

Your opener should:

• Immediately grab attention.
• Show your unique value proposition.
• Demonstrate your excitement for the role.
• Highlight your qualifications and experience.
• Match the platform's style and values.

2. Crafting Your Killer Introduction

Here's your formula for success:

• Start with a hook.
• Briefly highlight your most relevant qualifications.
• Express genuine interest in the position and company.
• Hint at the value you'll bring.

These cover letter openers put this formula into action:

1. The Enthusiastic Specialist

When I saw your posting for an Online Business English Instructor, I couldn’t help but smile — it felt like my dream job. With my CELTA certification and five years teaching tech professionals, I'm excited to help your students master the art of international business communication.

2. The Passionate Educator

Your search for a Creative Online English Teacher for Young Learners instantly sparked my imagination. With a background in children's theater and three years of transforming webinars into wonderlands, I’m eager to bring the magic into your students’ homes.

3. The Perfect Fit

I was excited to see your opening for an Online IELTS Preparation Instructor. Having helped 90% of my students improve their scores by at least one band, I’m ready to contribute to your 95% success rate.

4. The Culture Connector

Exploring your website and seeing your dedication to fostering global understanding through language instruction made me want to be part of your team. My experience living and teaching in three countries aligns perfectly with your mission.

5. The Humorous One

Your LinkedIn post for a Thailand-based Online ESL Teacher made me choke on my papaya salad — it was like reading my ideal job description! With my TEFL qualifications and 2+ years in the classroom, I can boost students' comprehension while keeping things fun.

3. Avoid These Generic Sentences:

Steer clear of generic online job openers like:

Hi, my name is John Smith. I'm based in Toronto and applying for the ESL teaching position.

To whom it may concern, I would like to respectfully submit this cover letter for your online TEFL position.

4. The Fresh Graduate: Three Approaches

If you're an inexperienced teacher, write your cover letter as your future. Take what's in your resume, your past, and frame it to where you're heading.

Here are 3 examples:

1. The Enthusiastic Learner

Your ad for an Experienced Online English Instructor caught my eye. I'm new to professional teaching, but my recent 120-hour TEFL course gave me hands-on experience. I created and taught 10 online lessons, getting great feedback. I'm excited to bring my fresh ideas and quick learning to help your students succeed.

2. The Technologist

I'm excited about your Experienced Online English Teacher position. As a new TEFL graduate with a computer science background, I blend language and tech skills. I've tutored online for four years, using various e-learning platforms. I'm eager to apply this tech-savvy approach to your online program.

3. The Volunteer

Your Experienced Online English Instructor position matches my goals perfectly. I'm a recent graduate with a TEFL certificate, plus two years of coaching children's rugby. Combined with my semester in Italy, I'm ready to teach online learners effectively.

4. Your Cover Letter Introduction Formula:

As an online English teacher with [X] years of experience in [Your Area of Expertise] , I am thrilled to apply for the open position at [Language School] . With a proven track record in [Skill / Achievement 1] and [Skill / Achievement 2] , I can improve your [Something Important to the School] .

Cover Letter Introduction Example:

As an online English teacher with three years of experience in business communication, I’m excited to apply for the adult teaching role at The Really Great Teacher Company. With a proven track record in improving student scores and creating targeted study plans, I’m ready to bring that same success to your center.

5. Pro Tips for a Standout Online Intro

• Express genuine interest in the specific role.
• Highlight how your skills match the job requirements.
• Briefly mention why you're drawn to the company.
• Lead with your skills, knowledge, and education.
• Use keywords from the job description/posting.
• Avoid wall-to-wall text.
• Mirror the company's tone (formal? casual? or somewhere in between?).
• Keep it punchy - aim for 3-4 sentences max.

Remember, your intro sets the stage for the rest of your application. Make it memorable, make it you, and make it impossible to stop reading.

4) Cover Letter Body: Show Your Value

This is where you transform from just another applicant into their ideal candidate. Your mission? Convince the school you're the solution to their problems.

1. Understand Their Needs

Before you start writing, put on your detective hat:

• Why are they hiring? What challenges are they facing?
• What skills and qualities are they prioritizing?
• How can you be the answer to their needs?

Pro Tip: Research shows that adaptability and quick learning are top qualities employers seek. Highlight these traits in your examples.

2. Craft Your Pitch

Structure your body into two powerful paragraphs:

1. Your Relevant Experience:

• Highlight critical qualifications and experiences.
• Provide specific, quantifiable teaching successes.
• Show how you've adapted and learned in past roles.

2. Your Fit with Their Company:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the school or learning platform.
• Explain why you're perfect for this specific role.
• Show how your unique skills solve their problems.

3. Make It Concrete

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to craft compelling examples.

In my current role at XXX:

• Situation: I faced the challenge of engaging young learners in online classes.
• Task: I needed to increase student participation and retention.
• Action: I developed interactive lessons using Zoom breakout rooms and digital whiteboards, creating virtual escape rooms tied to our curriculum.
• Result: Student engagement increased by 35%, and vocabulary retention improved by 28%.

STAR Method Example:

In my current role at XXX, I faced the challenge of engaging young learners in online classes (Situation). I needed to increase student participation and retention (Task). I developed interactive lessons using Zoom breakout rooms and digital whiteboards, creating virtual escape rooms tied to our curriculum (Action). As a result, student engagement increased by 35%, and vocabulary retention improved by 28% (Result).

4. The Bottom Line

Conclude with a powerful statement that captures your value:

I'm ready to bring my creative teaching methods and flexibility to your team, fully committed to exceeding your expectations. Your students' success and the school’s reputation will be my main focus.

Every sentence should answer the question, "Why should they hire me?" Make them see you're not just a good choice but their best choice.

5. Cover Letter Closing: Leave a Lasting Impression

Your closing paragraph is your final pitch and can be the difference between landing an interview or landing in the rejection pile.

1. Key Closing Elements

• Reiterate Your Enthusiasm: Remind them why you're excited about this specific role.
• Highlight Your Fit: Sum up why you’re the ideal candidate.
• Say Thanks: Thank the recruiter for their time and consideration.
• Include a Call to Action: Prompt the next step in the hiring process.
• Sign Off Professionally: End on a courteous, formal note.

2. How to Craft Your Closing Paragraph

Follow this structure to wrap up effectively:

• Start with a confident statement about your fit for the role.
• Briefly mention 1-2 key qualifications that make you stand out.
• Express enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to their team.
• Thank the reader and include your call to action.

I'm excited to bring my innovative teaching methods to The Really Great Teacher Company. My track record of improving student engagement by 35% would be an asset to your team. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your success.

• Keep your closing paragraph to 3-5 sentences max.
• Tailor your call to action based on the job post (e.g., if they mention a second round involves a demo lesson, express your eagerness for this opportunity).
• Triple-check for typos – a final paragraph mistake can undo all your good work!

Remember: Make it confident, relevant, and memorable!

3. Professional Sign-offs

Choose one of these formal closings:

• Best regards,
• Kind regards,

The Perfect Online English Teacher Cover Letter Sample:

[Date] [Your first and last name] [City, Country] [Your email address] [LinkedIn Profile or Website] Dear [Hiring Manager], Your LinkedIn post for an Online English Teacher feels like a perfect match for my background in educational storytelling and digital engagement. Here’s what I bring to the table: Five years of experience in ESL teaching and content creation Skilled in creating engaging online learning experiences Proven success in boosting student engagement and performance In my last role, I noticed that students were tuning out during virtual grammar lessons. To change that, I developed a narrative-based curriculum that wove grammar into an interactive story. The results? A 40% jump in student engagement A 25% boost in test scores Consistent 5-star feedback from students I love that your company focuses on story-driven learning — it aligns perfectly with my own approach. I was particularly impressed by your interactive grammar course, which makes verb tenses an engaging adventure. I’d be thrilled to chat about how I could help your students succeed. Thank you for considering my application! Best Regards, [Your signature] [Name]

Download Cover Letter

Nailing the perfect cover letter for an online English teaching job doesn't have to be daunting. Here's how to make it happen:

• Make It Personal: Research each company and mention what you genuinely like about them.
• Show Your Digital Skills: Highlight your experience with online teaching tools and platforms.
• Share Your Story: Use real examples to show your impact, like the STAR or CAR method.
• Keep It Snappy: Stick to 150-200 words that hook them quickly. Tools like Hemingway Editor can help keep it clear and easy to read.
• Tweak Your Template: Start with a base template, but customize it for every application to make it feel fresh and specific.

Mix these tips with thorough proofreading to create a cover letter that reflects who you are and why you're passionate about teaching. Now, write one that makes hiring managers excited to meet the teacher behind the words!