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Some say writing an outstanding cover letter is an exact science—others call it an art. But don’t worry: whatever your faculty, this guide will help you write a cover letter for assistant professor positions that gets results.
In this article, you’ll get:
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Brooke Gilbert, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of English
274-598-8204
brooke.gilbert@reslab.com
Pasadena, 05/28/2024
Lisa Johnson
Administrative Affairs Manager
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA 91106
Dear Ms. Johnson,
It is with great pleasure that I submit my application for the role of assistant professor of English at Pasadena City College. I am certain that my academic accomplishments, teaching experience, and leadership skills would make me an invaluable addition to your English faculty.
As I understand it, you’re looking for someone ready to take on the challenges of teaching while conducting and publishing original, innovative research. I am happy to report that during my doctoral studies, I spent over 2 years teaching Creative Writing classes at Chaffey Community College. In end-of-year surveys, 94% of students rated the classes as “Excellent”, drawing particular attention to the positive atmosphere during workshops and to the exhaustive and actionable feedback they’d received on their work. My methods were proven highly effective: The students’ scores on the externally-marked final assignment exceeded the previous years’ results by 20%.
Regarding my research experience, my doctoral thesis (“Creative Writing in the 21st Century: Examining the Impact of Social Networking, Instant Feedback, and Digital Community Support on Creative Writing Practices”) was published by the peer-reviewed Innovations in Education journal (2022, Vol. 5, Issue 78, pp. 28–32), receiving positive feedback across the board. I am currently working on a follow-up project on the therapeutic potential of creative writing in the digital sphere, and would love to complete the research and publish the findings as a faculty member of Pasadena City College.
Pasadena City College has a long and impressive history of producing innovative, forward-looking research in humanities, and it would be an honor to join such a prestigious institution and contribute my academic and teaching skills towards its success. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this position and my suitability for it in greater detail at your convenience.
Best regards,
Brooke Gilbert, Ph.D.
Ready to write a cover letter just like that for your own job application?
If you’re still working on your resume, make sure it’s top of its class by following our step-by-step instructions and tips: How to Write a Resume—Full Guide. For now, though, your cover letter awaits!
Assistant professors work in colleges, teaching classes, conducting research, publishing findings, and providing guidance and academic support to students. A successful assistant professor cover letter should highlight your most relevant accomplishments, skills, and experience.
Here’s how to write a cover letter just like that:
Appearances aren’t everything—But that doesn’t mean they don’t matter. Especially in academia, where impeccable presentation is often a key professional quality.
Here’s how to format your cover letter to achieve the right look:
Remember to keep an eye on the length of your cover letter. Technically, it’s accepted that academic cover letters can go on for two pages, but one page would be ideal—especially for an entry-level position.
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The way you form your thesis in the opening paragraphs can make or break an academic paper. The introduction on a cover letter is just as important—it needs to be precise and to the point, but also enticing enough to keep the reader engaged.
First, though, the matter of your cover letter salutation—
If the job advertisement mentions a contact person, ensure you use their name on your cover letter (Dear Mr. Smith,). If no name is specified, try calling the college’s administration and asking to whom you should address your cover letter.
Failing that, address it to the committee. In colleges, hiring processes for faculty positions are usually handled by specially-formed, faculty-specific search committees. So, instead of Dear X, you can open with To the [Faculty] Search Committee.
As for the aforementioned opening paragraph:
Start your cover letter by identifying the position to which you’re applying. Then, show your potential straight away by mentioning a relevant accomplishment or listing key skills you’re ready to apply in your new job.
The body of your cover letter is all about proving you’re the ideal candidate for the role.
You can achieve this by highlighting your most relevant professional and academic achievements and experience, ideally in the context of how your skills will prove useful for the new employer.
The best way to go about this is to start with the job advertisement. What specific skills or credentials does the employer require? What objectives do they want the successful candidate to complete? Use this information as a guide for what to include on your cover letter—provide details of your accomplishments as evidence that you have the required skills and experience.
Get your cover letter peer-reviewed. Language errors and overexplaining are among the most common (and costly) cover letter mistakes—asking a friend or colleague to read your cover letter will help you ensure your message is clear, concise, and error-free.
What (other than money or convenience!) makes you want to work at this particular college?
Colleges, perhaps even more so than companies, pride themselves on their achievements, methods, culture, and everything that makes them unique. Show that you care about what the college stands for and that you share the institution’s values. You’ll prove you’re a good cultural and professional fit.
Expert hint: Most colleges have a Mission and Values page as part of their website—it’s usually a good starting point for figuring out what a particular college is all about.
Wrap things up by asking to discuss the position in more detail at the committee’s convenience. It’s a clear sign that you’re ready for an interview, but it sounds better (and more formal) than asking for one directly.
As you end your cover letter, you can also restate your value as a potential faculty member by offering to achieve a specific outcome for the institution.
Lastly, include a formal close (Best regards or Sincerely) followed by your full name.
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Here’s a recap of how to write a cover letter for assistant professor roles:
Thanks for reading! Still not sure about something to do with writing your assistant professor cover letter? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to chat!
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
Dominika is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and job expert with a focus on career development and onboarding processes. She writes guides helping readers create winning resumes and manage various difficulties of the job hunt.
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