academic job cover letter example

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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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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5 Academic Cover Letter Examples Created for 2024 

• Academic Cover Letter
• Academic Cover Letter by Experience
• Academic Cover Letter by Role
• Write Your Academic Cover Letter

Whether you work as a teacher or an academic advisor, your students know they can count on you to answer their questions and assist them with paperwork. You also process student records and monitor academic progress to provide personalized advice for student success.

But how can you write a cover letter that’s as pleasant and user-friendly as those syllabus guides you hand out?

Don’t worry! We’ve been helping academic professionals find their dream jobs for years. And with our five academic cover letter examples and free AI cover letter generator , you’ll be all set for success!

Academic Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

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Block Format

Copy this text for your academic cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Austin, TX 76208 (123) 456-7890

September 10, 2023

Emma Moore Baltimore International Academy 123 Fictional Lane Baltimore, MD 21201

Dear Ms. Moore,

I am inspired by Baltimore International Academy’s dedication to fostering a rich learning environment and shaping the next generation of global citizens. Your school’s focus on language immersion and cultural exposure aligns with my approach to education. It would be a privilege to join your esteemed faculty as a teacher, utilizing my skills in Learning Management Systems (LMS), online assessment tools to invigorate the educational experience in your school.

During my tenure at Friends School of Baltimore, I implemented LMS platforms like Canvas and Blackboard to streamline lesson planning and resource sharing with 372 students. The seamless integration of these online tools surged in-class engagement by 17% and average test scores by 12%.

My experience at Garrison Forest School allowed me to embrace online assessment tools, like Kahoot, to develop captivating quizzes that reinforced learning objectives among my students. We observed a 9% improvement in academic performance and heightened class participation.

At the Park School of Baltimore, I incorporated multimedia presentations using Prezi to enliven course material and spur student interaction in my lessons. This innovative addition resulted in a 13% rise in course completions and a tangible increase in thought-provoking in-class discussions.

Thank you for your consideration. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could further your school’s mission to foster global-minded learners.

Olga Petrov

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation Teaching Certificate

Why this cover letter works

• In line with the demands of modern learning, demonstrate expertise in various learning management, assessment, and presentation tools like Kahoot, Blackboard, and Prezi.

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Academic Advisor No Experience Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your academic advisor no experience cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Portland, OR 97211 (123) 456-7890

James Hernandez Portland State University 123 Fictional Lane Portland, OR 97211

Dear Mr. Hernandez,

While pursuing my business administration degree in Atlanta, Georgia, I watched a friend wrestle his way through college planning and course selection—an ordeal that unfortunately extended his graduation date. This personal experience ignited my resolve to ensure no student has to face similar struggles. I aim to bring my proficiency in institutional and advising experience, strategic thinking skillset, and expertise with Student Information System (SIS) platforms, like DegreeWorks, into the academic advising assistant role at Portland State University.

I have honed my skills in constructing academic plans, devising strategic pathways, and steering students toward fruitful academic outcomes through various internships and volunteering experiences. I partnered with 42 faculty members at Reed College to gather feedback and convert it into comprehensive progress reviews. By utilizing data from these reports and employing SIS platforms like DegreeWorks, I detected gaps in academic planning, mitigated these concerns, and ultimately boosted student satisfaction by 38%.

I have been empowering student populations of diverse backgrounds, enhancing my interpersonal skills, and preparing myself to guide students effectively in their academic journey. Notably, while volunteering at Multnomah University, I collaborated with a team of 4 other volunteers using academic planning tools like MyPlan to overhaul an archaic academic pathway. This initiative led to a 24% decline in student complaints and a 19% uptick in successful course completion rates. Moreover, my capacity to interpret and analyze multi-layered insights from DegreeWorks facilitated the creation of 768 unique academic plans.

Insightful adaptability, robust relationship management skills, and the belief in a collaborative work culture have defined my professional journey and will hold me in good stead in this role as well. Thank you, and I am grateful for your time in reviewing my application. I relish the prospect of demonstrating how I can contribute to the academic success of the students at Portland State University.

Alexei Orlov

• Even without formal experience, highlight the impacts you facilitated when interning or volunteering. Then conclude your academic advisor no experience cover letter by reinstating your interest in the role and requesting further discussion.

Academic Advisor Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your academic advisor cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Atlanta, GA 30033 (123) 456-7890

James Lewis Clark Atlanta University 123 Fictional Lane Atlanta, GA 30033

Dear Mr. Lewis,

Nurturing my deep interests in academia while serving at Georgia State University (GSU), I realized the profound influence of well-structured academic advising. With this valuable insight, I am drawn to the academic advisor position at Clark Atlanta University.

My methodology as an academic advisor is centered on elucidating the comprehensive significance of selected courses. This ideology stemmed from my career at Emory University, where I used my expertise in the Banner SIS system to manage student records. This practice increased efficiency by 33% in tracking students’ progression within my first advising year.

Recognizing from a 2008 study that approximately 21% of students usually change their initial majors, my solutions-driven approach led to a significant 38% reduction in major shifts among a study size of 4,122 students at GSU over three years. Additionally, a promising 22% of these students, around 1,987 scholars, are currently engaged in postgraduate studies.

Academic advising extends beyond merely course selection; it’s a nuanced task. Encountering such subtleties at Spelman College, I collaborated with the IT department to apply my knowledge in online course design using Microsoft Office Suite. This project facilitated the creation of 37 streamlined online courses, improving course accessibility by 42% for over 1,523 students.

Addressing students’ academic apprehensions means more than just clarifying their doubts. These instances mark the onset of an expansive academic exploration journey. If these accomplishments resonate with the ethos of Clark Atlanta University, I anticipate the possibility of contributing to your student’s academic exploration journey and their potential success. Thank you for your consideration.

Fatima Faris

• This example takes it a notch higher with statistics unique to the potential employer’s sector, accomplishments supported by concrete numbers, and prowess in tools like the Banner SIS system.

Academic Librarian Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your academic librarian cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Albuquerque, NM 87101 (123) 456-7890

October 20, 2024

Lucas Scott Sandia National Laboratories 123 Fictional Lane Albuquerque, NM 87101

Dear Mr. Scott, The mission at Sandia National Laboratories to push the envelope in scientific discovery and technological innovation mirrors my zeal for empowering the scholarly community. As an academic librarian, I view my position not merely as a guardian of information but as an enabler that equips researchers with essential tools and resources to advance their projects. My commitment to building bridges of collaboration and improving access to scholarly content echoes Sandia’s dedication to the forefront of innovation.

My leadership role at Alamosa in transforming over 51 unique texts to digital form led to an impressive 33% surge in the accessibility of online resources. Under my guidance, adopting the Evolve Library classification system cut down search durations by nearly a quarter, while my mentorship of a team of 11 librarians amplified our efficiency and service quality.

As an acquisition librarian at the University of New Mexico, my initiative to analyze resource usage boosted material engagement by 18%, added over 12,000 new digital titles to our collection, and slashed the acquisition process time by almost two weeks. These accomplishments showcase my knack for aligning library assets with the demands of academic research.

Additionally, my role as a cataloging expert at the New Mexico State Library honed my skills in MARC21, Libris Alma, and OPAC, ensuring the streamlined operation of library systems. My expertise aims to sustain seamless access to library services, weaving resources into educational programs, and promoting information literacy among the academic populace.

With an eager heart, I am keen to bring my rich background in library services, my enthusiasm for innovation, and my unwavering commitment to academic excellence to the team at Sandia National Laboratories. I am enthusiastic about contributing to your mission and exploring how my skills and experiences can further enrich your team. Thank you for considering my application, and I am excited about the opportunity to discuss how we can collaborate for mutual success.

Zoe Fischer

Enclosures: Resume Transcript 2 letters of recommendation

• Zoe, for example, highlights an eagerness to bring their rich background in library services, enthusiasm for innovation, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence to the hiring company’s team, signaling to the potential employer she’s a valuable addition to the crew.

Academic Journal Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your academic journal cover letter!

Dear Mr. Scott,

The mission at Sandia National Laboratories to push the envelope in scientific discovery and technological innovation mirrors my zeal for empowering the scholarly community. As an academic librarian, I view my position not merely as a guardian of information but as an enabler that equips researchers with essential tools and resources to advance their projects. My commitment to building bridges of collaboration and improving access to scholarly content echoes Sandia’s dedication to the forefront of innovation.

• Selecting a visually appealing template is a hard and fast rule of writing a job-winning cover letter—think of a two-column layout (the bigger chunk for your narration and a slim one for your contact deets and enclosures) and larger bolded fonts to accentuate key sections. And don’t be shy to use color to make your masterpiece pop; for instance, a vibrant orange for your second name.

Related cover letter examples

• Career Change
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• Elementary Teacher

How to Format an Academic Cover Letter

Make sure you’re writing your cover letter to the place where you’re applying and not just anywhere. Address the institution by name somewhere in your letter and hearken to their values with keywords inspired by the job ad and About page.

You’ll also want to provide details about your qualifications that specifically match the job description . If you have what they’re looking for, like a background in IT, make sure you mention it.

Academic cover letter introduction

As with any letter, you’ll need to address your academic cover letter to someone by name! It might take a bit of homework to research who that is, but it’s worth the extra effort. No one wants to see another “To Whom It May Concern” letter!

You’ll need a good hook, too, so don’t give away all your best qualities right away. Not only should this paragraph be sleek and powerful, but you’ll want to allude to the fact that you also have more abilities, fostering an interest in learning more.

When you state that you’re the right fit for the job, give a cursory overview of why. What notable schools or projects have you worked with? Where’s the best overlapping area where you can establish a connection with the company? Your cover letter should lay out what qualifications you have and how they benefit the organization.

And stay formal, too! Match the vibe of the institution instead of coming off as too informal and unenthusiastic:

Hi, I can’t wait to get started working for your company. There’s plenty of stuff I’ve done that makes me good.

It’s way better to address the institution (and letter recipient!) by name and connect with the values they represent, like in this opener:

That’s much better!

Nurturing my deep interests in academia while serving at Georgia State University (GSU), I realized the profound influence of well-structured academic advisement. With this new and valuable insight, I am eager to elevate the faculty at Clark Atlanta University through the academic advisor position.

Academic cover letter body

Now that you’ve laid down a solid foundation for qualifications and left the reader wanting more, it’s time to deliver! What have some of your greatest academic successes been?

Recruiters and hiring managers need to see that you’ve already made a positive impact in your field. Your body paragraphs should each contain one main point about your qualifying experiences that have left a measurable impact. The overall body of your cover letter should tell a story of how you’ve become increasingly able to pave the way for academic excellence.

What kinds of GPA improvements, personal ratings, or boosts in overall department or school ratings can you cite as quantifiable metrics for your success? Make sure you work in a smooth reference to an impressive extra certification or two if you have some!

Make sure you tailor these paragraphs to the job description . Emphasize things that overlap with the job requirements as you pick which body paragraphs work best.

Example of an impressive body paragraph

Academic cover letter closing

Your closing paragraph should sum up how your past work experiences that you listed in your body paragraphs make you an excellent hire. Refer to the job description and institution’s website to get an idea of which obstacles they currently face, and mention your ability to help.

Include a call to action that tells your reader to reach out to you again for more information so that you can share even more about how you can excel in your new job role! And don’t forget to hearken to the company’s values to reinforce that connection you’ve built.

Make sure you thank the reader for their time, too! You can do this either in your closing paragraph or your signoff.

Don’t use an informal signoff with no intrigue or call to action, like this one:

I’d be great at working for your school because I have a lot of experience with it. And I can do all kinds of academic stuff.

End with a strong recap of why you align with the institution already, and invite further discussion of your qualifications with a thankful attitude and formal signoff:

Much nicer:

Insightful adaptability, robust relationship management skills, and the belief in a collaborative work culture have defined my professional journey and will hold me in good stead in this role as well. Thank you, and I am grateful for your time in reviewing my application. I relish the prospect of demonstrating how I can contribute to that academic success of the students at Portland State University.

You’ll usually address the hiring manager or a recruiter when you write your academic cover letter, so start by looking for them in the original job post. If you’re having trouble finding names, check the company’s website or social media accounts like LinkedIn.

While you have the job description and company website open, try to get a feel for their company culture. Are you applying to an institution that sounds more formal or laid-back? Whatever level of formality they use, match it!

Keep it to just one page! Recruiters don’t have much time to review your application, so it’s important to keep your academic cover letter easy to skim. Plus, they’ll still need time to look over your academic resume and any other application materials, too!