Cover Letters
for the Academic Job Search
Great CVs may never be read if the cover letter is sub-par. The purpose of the cover letter is to convince the reader to hire you. It should provide a “hook”, or something that will make the reader want to learn more about you and your skills/experience. A cover letter is also the first “writing sample” that an employer will see from you; make sure to send in your best work. Getting Started: Before you sit down to write your cover letter: • Research the job and institution before writing. • Identify the key elements of the job – know what expertise, qualifications, and accomplishments are needed for the position. • Identify your most relevant interests and professional experiences. • Understand the type of institution you are applying to. Writing the letter: • Tailor the letter to each individual position and employer. This demonstrates that you have done your research, and also tells the employer that you are truly interested in them. • Write in your own voice. People react unfavorably to posturing in letters. • Address the letter to a person, preferably the person chairing the selection committee. Spell names correctly! • Keep your letter concise – one and a half to two pages! Avoid jargon and boastful language. • Complement your CV with your cover letter; don’t just repeat information. • NEVER be negative. Don’t apologize for not yet possessing a skill they would like to see. • Visit the Career Development Center for a cover letter critique. Basic Information: • Use bonded 8.5x11 paper – the same paper as your CV. Match envelopes. • Font: 10 to 12 point in size using a standard font (Times Roman, Helvetica, Arial, etc.) • Spacing: Text centered on a page. Margins can be 1” all around Structure: • In the opening paragraph, note the specific position you are applying for and where you learned about the job opening. • When discussing your research, frame it in terms of your discipline and sub-field. Note that the larger the department, the more likely they will have on staff professionals from your sub-field and the less detailed you will need to be in explaining the significance of your work. • Mention where you expect to go with your research post-dissertation. • In presenting your teaching qualifications, the more your profile differs from the job description the more clear you need to be about pedagogy and potential course topics. • If your profile diverges from the job description, be clear about how your strengths fit their needs. • In your closing, list what materials are enclosed in your application and which are being sent separately. Also, note specific contact information if you expect to be traveling during a portion of the job search season. Definite Don’ts: • Writing too much irrelevant information such as listing all your experiences without any focus. • Indicating how the employer/position can be of benefit to YOU, rather than how you can be an asset to THEM. • Not proofreading!
9/3/07
Career Development Center • Hemisphere Building • 167 Angell Street • Box 1907 • Providence, RI • 02912 • 401.863.3326 www.careerdevelopment.brown.edu