You know how to grab the attention of a whole class and reach out to every student. Demonstrate your skills and passion by writing the best cover letter for faculty positions.
Looking to attend Cover Letter Writing 101? You’ve come to the right place, for that and more!
Get a crash course on writing a cover letter for faculty positions that’s bound to convince the Department Chair that you have the skills, knowledge, and passion necessary to form young minds.
In this guide, you’ll get:
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Terry K. Bennett, Ph.D.
Adjunct Mathematics
920-994-1801
terry.bennett@resumelabmail.com
Linkedin.com/in/12terry.bennett
Chico, September 27, 2020
Newton A. Blount
Head of Mathematics Department
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Dear Professor Blount,
I am thrilled to have come across a job opening for an adjunct in Mathematics at the University of Maryland. I have 10+ years of experience at undergraduate and master’s levels in Mathematics. Furthermore, I hold a Ph.D. in Mathematics, having defended a thesis entitled: “Computer Simulation Studies of Dynamics and Self-Assembly Behavior of Charged Polymer Systems” in 2006.
As I understand it, you’re looking for someone who’s both an experienced scholar and an accomplished teacher, able to create and offer high-quality courses. Here’s a selection of my professional achievements that best show my suitability:
I’m impressed with the depth of academic research conducted at the University of Maryland and the level of students courses offered to both undergraduates and post-graduates. I’m particularly interested in researching correlated observation errors in data assimilation.
It would be an honor to apply my expertise towards improving course offerings even further and securing additional funding for the University of Maryland. I look forward to discussing in more detail how my expertise could become a valuable asset to the University.
Kind regards,
Terry K. Bennett, Ph.D.
Let’s hit the books and write an even better cover letter for a faculty position for you!
Don’t have a resume ready yet? See a dedicated example here: Academic CV Template—Examples, and +25 Writing Tips
As an academic, you write a lot. In fact, writing skills are among the most important qualities for postsecondary teacher positions. Some of your work requires proper structure, as in the case of grant applications or course specifications. Other times, you may need more of a creative spark in your writing.
Your cover letter will need to be a combination of the two. The best cover letters follow a specific structure, but also include a “human” element needed to make your achievements stand out. Speaking of structure, let’s start by designing the right template for your cover letter.
Here are the guidelines for formatting your cover letter:
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Make sure that the recipient of your letter feels that the letter was written specifically for them.
Start with the basics. Always address your cover letter directly to the person who’ll read it. For faculty roles, that’s usually the head of the department. Remember to use their academic titles!
Start the cover letter by clearly stating the job you’d like to apply for and provide solid arguments in your favor. Focus on your background and tenure to justify your application.
The second paragraph of the cover letter should highlight your strengths. Focus on the positive outcomes you’ve achieved for your students, your department, and your own career as an academic.
Read the job posting carefully and identify keywords—skills and requirements needed for the position. Then, think about your experience. When were you able to show those skills?
Give examples of your past achievements and duties to show that you’re the perfect candidate for the post.
There are over 3,500 degree-granting institutions in the United States alone. What made you decide to apply to this one in particular?
That’s what you need to cover in the third paragraph of your letter: your motivation for joining this specific school. Your potential new Department Head wants to see that you share the same values, that you’re genuinely passionate about this job posting, and that you’re in for the long haul—that you’re not going to bail after a year or two. Emphasize why this job is more important to you than any other.
You’ve presented solid arguments in your favor. Now you just need the one final push that will get you invited to an interview. So, how to end your cover letter?
The answer is simple. Ask for what you want—a meeting in person or a call. Then, underline the request with your strongest argument or achievement.
With ResumeLab’s resume builder you’ll write your resume in a flash. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now.
When writing a cover letter for faculty positions, make sure to:
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions about a cover letter for a faculty position, drop us a comment in the section below. We’d love to talk!
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 job expert with a focus on career development and onboarding processes. At ResumeLab, she co-manages our team of career experts.
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