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Assistant Professor Cover Letter: Template, Example, & Tips

When crafting an application for assistant professor jobs, the cover letters should showcase what makes you the ideal fit for the university and department. A well-written cover letter should adequately highlight your skills, qualities, experience, accomplishments, and career goals. In this blog, we will learn how to write a cover letter for assistant professor. We will also explore some key tips on how to create a compelling cover letter that will help you secure an assistant professor position at a top institution.

Table of Contents

Essential Component For Assistant Professor Cover Letter

1.  a letter header.

Your cover letter should contain your contact details at the top, this makes it easy for hiring managers or department heads to get in touch with you. 

A letterhead typically includes your full name, your location (city and state), phone number, and professional email address. In addition, you can choose to include a link to your website or online portfolio showcasing your academic achievements under your email address.

2. Salutation

Crafting an appropriate salutation is important when writing a cover letter for the position of assistant professor. It’s important to personalize your greeting, this can be done by directly addressing hiring managers by their names. Additionally, it’s advisable to use formal language and maintain a professional tone throughout the letter. 

3. Introduction

To begin your cover letter, it is important to introduce yourself and clearly state the position you are applying for within a specific department or college. This section should accurately highlight key skills and experience that align with the requirements of the job.

4. Body of the Letter

End the introduction by smoothly transitioning to the body of your cover letter, where you will provide comprehensive details of your qualifications and experiences that make you a strong candidate for this position. Use this section to demonstrate how they directly align with the requirements outlined in the job description, demonstrating why you are an ideal fit for this role.

5. Conclusion and Signature

In this last paragraph of your cover letter for an assistant professor job, make a strong impression and encourage recruiters to take further action. By including a call to action, you can inspire the hiring manager to review your writing or research samples, reach out to your references, or directly contact you for an interview.

Also Read: How to write Cover Letter for a Job

Cover Letter Template for Assistant Professor Position

This is a cover letter template for an assistant professor. It will guide you in structuring an ideal cover letter as per your requirements.

Explore our comprehensive guide on cover letter formats and craft a winning application today!”

Assistant Professor Cover Letter Sample

Use this assistant professor cover letter sample as a template to help you create your own. Simply insert your personal information and it’s ready to go.

Explore our collection of cover letter examples and elevate your job application today!

Tips to Craft an Application for the Post of Assistant Professor

Here are practical tips to write the best cover letter for assistant professor position:

1. Briefly Highlight Teaching Experience

When writing a cover letter for an assistant professor position, it is crucial to demonstrate your familiarity with teaching. This can be achieved by offering a concise summary of your relevant experience in the classroom, including specific courses you have taught and feedback received from students. 

Even if you lack formal teaching experience, you can emphasize how you have aided students in previous roles or situations.

2. Tailor Cover Letter According to Job Role

When crafting a cover letter for an assistant professor role, it is crucial to tailor it according to the specific requirements of the position. This means highlighting your teaching experience and emphasizing how you can add value to the department. 

If the university or college is seeking someone who can assist with course registration, make sure to mention any relevant skills or experiences you possess in this field.

3. Highlight Skills According to the Specific Role

When crafting a cover letter for an assistant professor, it is important to mention any past research experience, including the specific type of research you have conducted and where it has been published. If you have received awards or recognition for your work, be sure to include that as well.

Here are some of the key skills to highlight in an assistant professor cover letter:

• Research experience and achievements (publications, presentations, awards, grants obtained)
• Adequate leadership and business communication skills
• Knowledge and expertise in niche or specialized research areas
• Quantitative and/or qualitative analysis abilities
• Securing external funding through successful grant applications
• Relevant industry/practical work experience
• Knowledge of the latest developments and state of the field
• International exposure and cultural competencies

4. Review and Proofread

When applying for a job, it is crucial to carefully review your cover letter before sending it in. This will enable you to identify and correct any mistakes in spelling or grammar, as well as ensure that your cover letter format is accurate.

To craft an effective cover letter for an assistant professor position you must first have a clear understanding of the job requirements so you can tailor your cover letter to the job role. Also, highlight your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications in a concise yet impactful manner. A well-crafted cover letter can make you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of securing the desired role as an assistant professor.

If this blog helped you craft your own cover letter, let us know in the comment section by leaving your thoughts and feedback. Here is another valuable blog on how to get a job with no experience that you can check out.

FAQ’s

Answer: Typically, cover letters for assistant professor positions are limited to two pages for early-career scholars and up to four pages for senior scholars. However, in some cases where a separate teaching or research statement is not required, an additional third page may be appropriate for an early-career scholar.

Answer: Stating your motivations for applying and highlighting your qualifications is the best way to compose a cover letter for an associate professor position. Share notable accomplishments and skills that showcase how you would excel in this role. Take advantage of this chance to illustrate yourself as an ideal fit based on the job requirements and desired qualities mentioned in the vacancy post.

Answer: When there is no name provided, you can start the cover letter by simply writing “Dear Hiring Manager”.

Answer: An ideal way to start your cover letter is by introducing yourself and expressing your interest in the role. For instance, “As a recent graduate from XYZ University, I am eager to secure a position in the field of XYZ.”

Answer: Yes, it is necessary to include both your first and last names in the top left corner of the cover letter. This is important because it states your identity to the hiring manager.

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Shailja Kaushik has been an Editor with Internshala since March 2023. She loves creative writing and experimenting with different forms of writing. She has explored different genres by working with journals and radio stations. She has also published her poems and nano tales in various anthologies. She graduated at the top of her class with Bachelor's in English and recently completed her Master's in English from the University of Delhi. Her experiments with writing continue on her literary blog.

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Cover letters for faculty job applications

The cover letter serves as an introduction to your application package and answers the following questions: Who are you? When will you defend your dissertation (if you’re currently ABD)? Why are you interested in applying for this assistant professor position? Why are you interested in this institution? What is your dissertation research about? What are your research plans? What kind of teaching experience do you have? How will you contribute to our department and institution? Why is the school a good fit for you and vice versa? A strong cover letter will be tailored to the institution to which you’re applying. For the humanities and social sciences, it is typically two to three pages long, and for STEM fields, it is typically one to two pages but will vary depending on the specific discipline.

The purpose of a cover letter

Sometimes called a “ letter of intent ” or “ letter of interest “, a cover letter is an introduction to the rest of your job application materials. The purpose of a cover letter is to quickly summarize why you are applying to an organization or for a particular position, and what skills and knowledge you bring that make you the most suitable candidate for that position. The cover letter is often the first impression that a prospective employer will have of you, especially if they do not know you, or have not heard about you from their network of contacts. First impressions count, and so getting your cover letter right is a critical step in your job application process. Like all your job application materials, it may take time and focus to write your cover letters well. You will likely have several drafts before you come up with a final version that clearly articulates your skills and your understanding of the employer and the job requirements.

While your CV briefly states your skills, knowledge, experience, and (most importantly) what you have achieved using your abilities, the cover letter gives you an opportunity to create a narrative that shows the path you have taken in your career or education, emphasizing the skills you’ve used along the way, and explaining why the position you are applying to is the next desirable step on this path.

Timeline: Getting Started with your Cover Letter

Step 1: The first step to writing a good cover letter is to first have a good CV. Your cover letter expands upon some of the information you include within these documents, and describes the role you have played in achieving your academic  goals (i.e., showing how your experiences have made you the best candidate for the position).

Step 2: The next step is to find an open position that interests you. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all cover letter, as each should be tailored to each job you apply to, but there will certainly be parts of the letter that will stay much the same, and be appropriate for multiple jobs. A 1-3 page cover letter might be the norm when applying for a tenure-track, faculty position, but you need to check with your own department to find out what the norms are in your field.

Step 3: Go through the job ad and carefully note all of the requirements and skills the employer is looking for. Based on your background research of the employer and the people you have spoken to who know about this employer (whether a business or a university department), try to identify the two or three most important skills that the employer is looking for. You should then try to create a cover letter that illustrates that you have these skills and have used them effectively.

When applying for faculty positions, especially those that involve both teaching and research, you will be expected to spend some time in your cover letter talking about your research and goals, as well as your teaching – even though you may have covered these in more detail in your research statement and teaching philosophy documents. How much time you need to spend talking about teaching and research will depend on the nature of the position and your field of study. For some humanities and social sciences applications, you will not be asked for a separate research statement, and this information will need to be integrated into the cover letter. Cover letters for scientific positions will generally be shorter as more (but not all) of the information about research will be covered in the research statement. Academic letters also need to cover everything that non-academic cover letters address, however, because you need to show that you are not only a good academic, but that you are a good person to work with who is committed to working at that particular institution. Make sure that you address the requirements of the position as stated in the job ad. Speak to faculty in your department to get a sense of what is expected in cover letters used in faculty job applications for your discipline. See if any faculty you know have been involved in search committees, and find out what they looked for in cover letters.

Explore other application documents:

Cover letter for a faculty position

Criteria for success.

• Demonstrate scientific accomplishments and scholastic achievement.
• Clearly define the vision and impact of your future research program.
• Differentiate yourself from colleagues, e.g. your advisors and other faculty candidates.
• Establish what your niche will be in the department.
• Clearly display excitement and passion.
• Keep the cover letter to 1 to 2 pages . The optional second page may contain a list of publications/presentations or a list of references.

The faculty cover letter, as with cover letters for other positions , is the first part of your application to be read by the Faculty Search Committee. Therefore, the primary purpose of a faculty cover letter is to summarize your application by connecting your Research and Teaching Statements, CV, and references.

Analyze your audience

Knowing what the Faculty Search Committee is looking for will help you tailor your application.

Searches for new hires may focus on specific research areas ( e.g.  nanomaterials, systems engineering, therapeutic science, renewable energy). In this case, you should customize your application to highlight your work in the specified research area.

Alternatively, departments may concentrate solely on the best candidates regardless of pre-selected scientific disciplines, in which case you have more flexibility in how you present yourself.

In addition, academic employment opportunities differ based on whether positions are tenure-tracked or require teaching, and the type of institution (university, medical school, research institute). Research the responsibilities associated with each of these positions, and include only information relevant to the specific position – don’t waste valuable space on irrelevant experiences.

Structure of a Cover Letter

• Critical contact information: name, degree, current position, email, and phone number
• Your professional profile or webpage ( e.g.  LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Academia.edu)
• Date, department, and university name and address .
• Salutation – “Dear [Faculty Search Committee / Department Head],”
• Brief introduction – Display excitement. State specific terms related to the faculty position, department and university. For example, if you are applying to a “cluster” hire that includes faculty across multiple departments, such as Systems and Synthetic Biology , then state this directly. State the position for which you are applying ( i.e. tenure-track appointment, assistant faculty position).
• Strong opening statement – Declare your targeted research areas. Establish the foundation on which you will base your research. Emphasize novel interfaces and applications within your proposed research.
• Scientific achievements – Summarize successes highlighted in your CV that demonstrate the breadth and depth of scientific expertise. Demonstrate your productivity, as well as key scientific or technical strengths, with supporting details.
• Motivation & impact – State areas of expertise and indicate specific aims of your future research program. Clearly describe how these aims align with current research initiatives in the department or university.
• Teaching & mentorship – Highlight your experience in the classroom and as a research mentor, and service in the profession or community.
• Wrap-up – “Additional documents are enclosed. Please feel free to contact me if supplemental information is required.”
• Follow-up & thank you – Be clear that you expect to hear back (e.g. “I look forward to your reply”). Thank the committee for their time and consideration.
• Closure – Maintain professionalism. “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” and “Kindest regards” are appropriate closing phrases. Include your electronic signature.

Advocate for yourself

The faculty cover letter emphasizes your past and present academic career, while promoting your future potential. For many of us, exuding confidence in an open letter of introduction is challenging, but you have to believe in yourself before you can convince others to believe in you.

State your pedigree

In academia, the institutions and departments you have attended and the advisors for whom you have worked do matter. State this information in Scientific Achievements . Inform your audience if you have co-taught classes with distinguished professors in Teaching & Mentorship or emphasize existing collaborations in the Motivation & Impact section.

Quantify your productivity

Academia identifies scientific contributions by the following conventions: number of publications, quality, and impact. In addition to research articles, noteworthy contributions may also include opinion articles, book chapters, or your role as a journal reviewer. Emphasize alternative sources of scientific communication (and funding) such as distinguished merit-based fellowships.

Engineering students are likely to be co-authors of patents; state this information.

Describe your future potential

Beyond reiterating your past accomplishments, you must also show that you are prepared to handle the future challenges of being a Principal Investigator. By far, the most difficult paragraph to write in the faculty cover letter focuses on the Motivation & Impact of your future research program. Clearly articulate the vision of your future research program and describe how your leadership will facilitate an environment of scientific and teaching excellence. Demonstrate expert understanding of your field, and confidently state your qualifications as a leader in research, an educator, and a citizen of the university.

Define your niche

Your application will be one out of hundreds. You must differentiate yourself and your research program from other candidates, as well as previous or current advisor(s). Ask yourself what you will do that is unique compared to any of your past or future colleagues. How will you fit uniquely into the department — what is your niche?

The Motivation & impact section provides an opportunity to concisely define your niche. State specific aims of your proposed research that expand upon the department’s core strengths while simultaneously diversifying the university’s research portfolio ( e.g.  emerging research fields, state-of-the art technologies, novel applications). Carefully consider research centers, core facilities, affiliated institutes or medical centers at the university. In many cases, campus- or state-wide research initiatives may complement your research program.

Finally, take advantage of any experiences you’ve had outside of academia. Have you previously worked in industry or consulted? Would these former and future relationships lead to additional funding for your lab? If so, suggest more unusual avenues of additional funding. It may no longer suffice to focus primarily on traditional grants sponsored by government agencies. Think of creative alternatives and diversify your future financial portfolio. This, in turn, differentiates your research program from colleagues.

Finally, you will more than likely apply to multiple departments and universities. Therefore, modify your niche for every application!

Make important information concise and identifiable

Again, your application is one out of hundreds. Helping the Faculty Search Committee easily identify important information in your cover letter will only improve your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. A faculty cover letter should not exceed 1 page , so you must present your qualifications to the Faculty Search Committee in a concise manner.

Maximize impact of words. Use verbs that illustrate impact (“led,” “developed,” “innovated”) over verbs that make you sound passive (“participated”). Aim for verbs that are more specific to the actual contribution you made.

Minimize redundancy and wordiness. For every sentence, challenge yourself to remove as many words as possible without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Use keywords. Keywords cited by grant-funding agencies, easily recognizable by any faculty member, should be included in relevant sections of your faculty cover letter. Using field-specific vocabulary may demonstrate your understanding of the field and the department’s needs, but be aware that Faculty Search Committees with mixed expertise may require simpler vocabulary and/or explanations accessible to a broader audience.

Maintain abundant white space. In terms of formatting, inclusion of white space is easy on the eye while providing a precise transition from one section to the next.

Devote time!

Crafting your faculty application is a process that will continue indefinitely.

• Devote time to your faculty application, working in consistent increments over the course of weeks not days.
• Take time to brainstorm, reflect, write, edit, critique, and revise accordingly.
• Seek guidance in terms of technical content, emphasis of soft skills, as well as grammatical improvements and aesthetics from colleagues and friends.

Above all else, remember that the faculty application is a creative process. Enjoy it!

This content was adapted from from an article originally created by the  MIT Biological Engineering Communication Lab .

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

Example Faculty Cover Letter 887 KB

Annotated Example 2

Example Faculty CV 85 KB

Assistant Professor Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

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

Table Of Contents

• Assistant Professor Example 1
• Assistant Professor Example 2
• Assistant Professor Example 3
• Cover Letter Writing Tips

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

In order to secure an assistant professor position, you need to write a cover letter that showcases your teaching and research experience.

Use the examples and tips below to learn how to write an assistant professor cover letter that will make hiring managers want to meet you in person.

Assistant Professor Cover Letter Example 1

I am excited to be applying for the Assistant Professor position at the University of Southern California. I believe that my qualifications and experience would be an excellent fit for the position and the University.

I have been a college professor for the past 10 years, teaching a variety of courses in the humanities and social sciences. I have also been a member of the faculty at several universities, including the University of Southern California. I have a Ph.D. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and I am currently a professor of English at San Francisco State University.

I am passionate about teaching and I am committed to helping my students learn and grow. I am also a dedicated scholar and researcher. My work has been published in several journals, and I am currently working on a book project.

I am excited about the opportunity to join the faculty at the University of Southern California. I believe that I can contribute to the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this opportunity further.

Assistant Professor Cover Letter Example 2

I am writing to apply for the Assistant Professor position that was recently advertised on the XYZ website. 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 in this new role.

As an Assistant Professor, I would be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, conducting research, and serving on committees. I have a proven track record of success in all of these areas. I have been teaching for the past three years, and I have received excellent reviews from my students and colleagues. My research has been published in leading journals, and I have been active in my field of study for the past decade. I am also an experienced committee member, and I have a strong track record of working collaboratively with others.

I am confident that I can be a valuable asset to your institution, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this position further with you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Assistant Professor Cover Letter Example 3

I am writing to express my interest in the Assistant Professor position at your university. I have been working as a lecturer at the University of Michigan for the past three years, and I believe that my experience there has prepared me well for this position.

I have always had a passion for teaching, and I believe that it is one of the most important roles that a professor can play. I have found that students are often intimidated by their professors, but I believe that they should be able to approach them with any questions or concerns that they may have. My goal is to make sure that every student feels comfortable approaching me with any questions or concerns that they may have.

I also believe that it is important for professors to be available to their students outside of class time. I have found that many students feel uncomfortable asking questions during class, so I try to make myself available after class hours so that they can ask me anything that they need to. I also like to meet with students individually if they would prefer that option.

I am confident that my experience as a lecturer will help me to succeed in this position. I am also confident that my enthusiasm for teaching will help me to connect with students and make them feel comfortable in my classroom. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Assistant Professor Cover Letter Writing Tips

1. show your teaching experience.

When applying for a position as an assistant professor, it’s important to show hiring managers that you have experience in the classroom. This can be done by providing a brief overview of your teaching experience, highlighting the courses you’ve taught and the grades you’ve received from students.

If you don’t have any teaching experience, you can still highlight how you’ve helped students in the past. For example, mention how you’ve mentored students in research projects or how you’ve assisted them in finding jobs or internships.

2. Customize your cover letter

Just like with any other job application, it’s important to customize your cover letter to match the position you’re applying for. When writing a cover letter for an assistant professor position, be sure to focus on your teaching experience and how you can contribute to the department. For example, if the department is looking for someone who can help with curriculum development, mention any experience you have in this area. Alternatively, if the department is looking for someone to teach a specific course, be sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in that area.

3. Highlight your research experience

In addition to teaching experience, hiring managers are also looking for candidates who have a strong research background. When writing your cover letter, be sure to highlight any research experience you have, including the type of research you’ve done, the journals you’ve published in, and any awards or recognition you’ve received.

4. Proofread your cover letter

Just like with any other job application, it’s important to proofread your cover letter before submitting it. This will help you catch any errors in spelling or grammar, and it will also help you make sure your cover letter is formatted correctly.

Medical Office Manager Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Development associate cover letter examples & writing tips, you may also be interested in..., logistics officer cover letter examples, assistant marketing manager cover letter examples, hotel sales coordinator cover letter examples & writing tips, business development assistant cover letter examples & writing tips.

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Home » Cover Letter for Assistant Professor: 05 Example ideas

Cover Letter for Assistant Professor: 05 Example ideas

Cover letter for assistant professor positions can be tricky to write. Therefore this post aims to provide five example ideas to help get you started on yours. While it is important to tailor each letter specifically to the position and institution you are applying to, these general ideas can help you get started. Because Each letter should be around four paragraphs long, and should include an introduction, three key strengths or selling points, and a closing statement. Happy writing!

Assistant professorships are highly competitive, and it is important to submit a well-crafted application if you want to be considered for the role. The cover letter is a key part of your application, and its most important to make sure that it is strong and engaging. In this blog post, we will provide Covering Letter for Assistant Professor ideas and also how to write a perfect cover letter . So We hope that these examples will help you create a letter that will stand out from the competition. Good luck!

Covering letters for assistant professor positions vary drastically depending on your field of expertise and the department you are applying to within that field. However, there are a few key things all cover letters have in common: they must be tailored specifically to the position and institution you’re

Table of Contents

Sample Application Letter for the Post of Assistant Professor

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please find attached my CV that is self-explanatory. I have enclosed a letter of introduction, explaining how my experience is suited to your vacant position in your department.

Attached also are two reference letters from former employers who can attest to my character and capabilities as an assistant professor at __________ University. I enclose copies of the certificates that relate to my experience and abilities that will be helpful for the assessment of my application.

I am looking forward to discussing this position with you further, should I be successful in gaining an interview.

Yours sincerely, Name: Email: Contact#: Address:

Application Letter for Assistant Professor

I would like to apply for the Assistant Professor post in your esteemed organization. As per the advertisement, So I have acquired all the skills that are essential for this position. My experience of working as a Computer Science Engineer will be beneficial for this role. Therefore I have enclosed my CV for your kind perusal, hope you will find it satisfactory.

I would like to briefly introduce myself. I am a graduate of Computer Science and Technology from ______ College. After that I worked in company XYZ for three years as a Software Engineer where I handled all the responsibilities related to this post including but not limited to the following:

I look forward to a personal interview as I am quite confident of your organization and believe that this will be the place where I can excel. So Please do feel free to contact me at my personal email _______. Thank you for your time and consideration. My very best wishes,

Yours Truly, Name, Email & Contact info

For More: Teacher Cover Letter:10 Examples & Sample Included

Cover Letter for Assistant Professor job

Respected Sir,

I am writing this letter to convey my interest in the Assistant Professor position at the Social Sciences Department of UCL. The advertisement for the position you had published in Daily Times caught my attention and I believe that I can be a suitable candidate because of my qualifications, experience and skills sets.

I possess MSc in Sociology from the University of (Country) and an MPhil from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). I am currently a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of (Country).

I believe that my experience, expertise, and skills can be of immense help to me in fulfilling the duties required. My work with the Institute of Business Administration, (Country) as an Assistant Professor has exposed me to social science research and hands-on management experience. I have also published papers in international journals including the LSE Review of Books, Policy Perspectives, Journal of Asian Public Policy, Economic Development, and Cultural Change, etc.

I am confident that my qualifications and experience will be a good fit with the position advertised by you to fill Assistant Professor positions in your department. Thank you.

Best Regards, Name & Email

Cover Letter for the post of Assistant Professor

I take the liberty of writing this letter to introduce myself as an earnest seeker of your esteemed organization. My name is (NAME) and I am holding Master’s Degree in (UNIVERSITY) from Institute of Education, University of London, UK. Currently, I am working as a scientist at (NAME OF INSTITUTE) and awaiting my promotion. I am seeking for your support in the capacity of (POSITION DESIRED) in (NAME OF UNIVERSITY).

I enclose my updated resume, which outlines my educational background along with relevant experience and exposures so far. Moreover, I also have enclosed an assignment on (TOPIC), which will serve as an evidence of my knowledge and skills to (discipline). I have been selected as a member of many committees, which involved research on (TOPIC) over the past several years. I also had the privilege to teach undergraduate students during my tenure at Institute of Education, University of London.

In addition, I have worked as a teacher, coordinator and mentor in different schools during my summer vacations. My long-term goal is to develop myself into an expert researcher in the (TOPIC) area. Also I am confident that your organization will be able to provide me with the necessary resources and exposure, which would help me grow professionally.

I would like to know more about the organization and my potential at (org name), which will encourage me to pursue this opportunity further. Would be pleased if you could spare a few minutes of your valuable time for an interview. Please feel free to contact me by (PHONE NUMBER & E-MAIL ID). Looking forward to a positive response. Thanking You,

Yours faithfully, (NAME) (POSITION DESIRED) Candidate. (PHONE NUMBER & E-MAIL ID).

Faculty Position cover letter for Assistant Professor

I am writing to you from [NAME OF UNIVERSITY] on [DATE TWO WEEKS FROM THIS DATE]. I wish to apply for the [POSITION TITLE] position. In this letter, I will explain why I would be a good match for the job and outline my experience in detail. I am a recent graduate of [NAME OF UNIVERSITY] where I graduated with a GPA of [NUMBER]. The courses I studied included the following:

• First Year Seminar in Sociology
• Anthropology for Business Management II
• Introduction to Communication Studies
• Quantitative Methods II for Business Administration students
• Qualitative Methods II for Business Administration students
• Introduction to Social Theory
• Organizational Behavior
• General Organization and Management
• Corporate Communication

The courses gave me a good understanding of the discipline of Sociology. Also, I completed two internships at [NAME OF BUSINESS] where I gained experience in Sociology research and analysis. However my excellent written and verbal communication skills, combined with my analytic ability, would make me an asset to this position. Also, I am confident that my organizational skills are strong. Lastly, my problem-solving abilities would help solve problems that may arise.

I am available for an interview at your convenient time and I enclose my CV for your review.

Sincerely, Name & Contact info

The cover letter is an important document that can make or break your chance of getting a job interview. So It’s the first thing potential employers will see, and it’s your opportunity to introduce yourself and showcase your skills and qualifications. With so much at stake, it’s no wonder many people feel overwhelmed when it comes time to write a Covering Letter for Assistant Professor. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Therefore In this blog post, we provide five example ideas for how you can structure your Covering Letter for Assistant Professor. We hope these examples give you a good starting point for writing your own letter. So what do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!

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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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Assistant Professor Cover Letter Examples

A great assistant professor cover letter can help you stand out from the competition when applying for a job. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific requirements listed in the job description, and highlight your most relevant or exceptional qualifications. The following assistant professor cover letter example can give you some ideas on how to write your own letter.

or download as PDF

Cover Letter Example (Text)

Mariella Milburn

(217) 728-7281

[email protected]

Dear Dr. Waddoups,

I am writing to express my keen interest in the Assistant Professor position in your department, as advertised. With a solid five-year tenure at Harvard University, I have honed my teaching methodologies, contributed significantly to research in my field, and engaged in meaningful community service that aligns with the academic excellence and innovative spirit your institution embodies.

My years at Harvard have been marked by a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and stimulating learning environment. I have taught a diverse range of courses, from introductory to advanced levels, and have consistently received positive feedback from students and peers alike. My teaching philosophy centers on engaging students through interactive discussions, critical thinking, and real-world applications, ensuring that they not only absorb the knowledge but also develop the skills necessary to apply it.

In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I have actively pursued research opportunities that have allowed me to remain at the forefront of my field. My work has been published in several high-impact journals, and I have presented at numerous national and international conferences. This continuous engagement with research has not only fueled my passion but has also provided valuable content and context for my students, who benefit from exposure to the latest developments and methodologies.

My dedication extends beyond the classroom and research lab; I am deeply invested in serving the academic community. I have served on various committees and have actively contributed to initiatives aimed at enhancing departmental offerings and improving student experiences. I believe that my collaborative spirit, coupled with my drive to contribute to the growth and success of the academic community, makes me an ideal candidate for the position at your esteemed institution.

I am excited about the prospect of bringing my expertise and enthusiasm to your team. I am confident that my background and dedication to academic excellence will be a valuable addition. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and vision can align with the goals of your department.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to contribute to your institution's distinguished legacy and to work collaboratively to foster an environment of academic exploration and achievement.

Warm regards,

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Assistant Professor Cover Letter Example for 2024 (Skills & Templates)

Create a standout assistant professor cover letter with our online platform. browse professional templates for all levels and specialties. land your dream role today.

Are you applying for an assistant professor position? Writing a great cover letter can be the key to getting the job. Our Assistant Professor Cover Letter Guide helps you craft the perfect letter and gives you an edge over the competition. Learn the fundamentals of a successful cover letter and make the most of your application.

We will cover:

• How to write a cover letter, no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a cover letter to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a cover letter fast with our professional Cover Letter Builder .
• What a cover letter template is, and why you should use it.

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Assistant Professor Cover Letter Sample

Dear [Name of the Hiring Manager],

I am writing to apply for the position of Assistant Professor at [Name of the University]. I am very excited to have the opportunity to join such a prestigious institution and contribute to the academic excellence that the university is renowned for.

I have a PhD in [Name of the Subject] from [Name of the Institution] and have been teaching in the field for the past [Number of Years] years. During this time, I have developed a strong reputation as an excellent teacher, mentor and researcher, and have been widely praised for my ability to foster a stimulating and challenging learning environment for my students.

In my current position, I have been teaching a variety of courses in [Name of the Subject] and have also been involved in several research projects. My academic research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, and I have presented my work at several national and international conferences. In addition, I have been actively involved in various student activities, such as mentoring and leading seminars.

I am confident that my experience and expertise will be a great asset to [Name of the University]. I have a strong commitment to fostering an intellectually stimulating and challenging learning environment, and believe that my passion for teaching and learning would enable me to make a significant contribution to the university.

I have enclosed my CV and other relevant documents for your consideration. I would be delighted to discuss my qualifications and experience in more detail at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Why Do you Need a Assistant Professor Cover Letter?

• A Assistant Professor cover letter is an important tool for applying for a job in academia.
• It highlights your skills and qualifications and allows you to make a strong impression on potential employers.
• It gives you the opportunity to explain why you are the best candidate for the position and what makes you stand out from other applicants.
• The cover letter also gives you the chance to demonstrate your research and teaching experience, as well as your commitment to the field.
• It is important to make sure that the cover letter is tailored to the specific job you are applying for, as this will help you stand out from the competition.
• A well-written cover letter will demonstrate to potential employers that you are the right person for the job and give them a better understanding of your qualifications and experience.

A Few Important Rules To Keep In Mind

• Keep your cover letter concise and to the point. Aim for one page or less, and focus on the most relevant information.
• Include a clear introduction that states who you are, why you are applying, and what position you are applying for.
• Highlight your relevant experience and research, as well as any academic achievements.
• Express your enthusiasm for the position and explain why you are the best candidate for the job.
• Close your letter by thanking them for their time and expressing your hope for a response.
• Proofread your letter carefully to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
• Save the cover letter as a PDF to ensure formatting remains intact.

What's The Best Structure For Assistant Professor Cover Letters?

After creating an impressive Assistant Professor resume , the next step is crafting a compelling cover letter to accompany your job applications. It's essential to remember that your cover letter should maintain a formal tone and follow a recommended structure. But what exactly does this structure entail, and what key elements should be included in a Assistant Professor cover letter? Let's explore the guidelines and components that will make your cover letter stand out.

Key Components For Assistant Professor Cover Letters:

• Your contact information, including the date of writing
• The recipient's details, such as the company's name and the name of the addressee
• A professional greeting or salutation, like "Dear Mr. Levi,"
• An attention-grabbing opening statement to captivate the reader's interest
• A concise paragraph explaining why you are an excellent fit for the role
• Another paragraph highlighting why the position aligns with your career goals and aspirations
• A closing statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for the role
• A complimentary closing, such as "Regards" or "Sincerely," followed by your name
• An optional postscript (P.S.) to add a brief, impactful note or mention any additional relevant information.

Cover Letter Header

A header in a cover letter should typically include the following information:

• Your Full Name: Begin with your first and last name, written in a clear and legible format.
• Contact Information: Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your mailing address. Providing multiple methods of contact ensures that the hiring manager can reach you easily.
• Date: Add the date on which you are writing the cover letter. This helps establish the timeline of your application.

It's important to place the header at the top of the cover letter, aligning it to the left or center of the page. This ensures that the reader can quickly identify your contact details and know when the cover letter was written.

Cover Letter Greeting / Salutation

A greeting in a cover letter should contain the following elements:

• Personalized Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the specific recipient of the cover letter by their name. If the name is not mentioned in the job posting or you are unsure about the recipient's name, it's acceptable to use a general salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team."
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and respectful tone throughout the greeting. Avoid using overly casual language or informal expressions.
• Correct Spelling and Title: Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name and ensure that you use the appropriate title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., or Professor) if applicable. This shows attention to detail and professionalism.

For example, a suitable greeting could be "Dear Ms. Johnson," or "Dear Hiring Manager," depending on the information available. It's important to tailor the greeting to the specific recipient to create a personalized and professional tone for your cover letter.

Cover Letter Introduction

An introduction for a cover letter should capture the reader's attention and provide a brief overview of your background and interest in the position. Here's how an effective introduction should look:

• Opening Statement: Start with a strong opening sentence that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Consider mentioning your enthusiasm for the job opportunity or any specific aspect of the company or organization that sparked your interest.
• Brief Introduction: Provide a concise introduction of yourself and mention the specific position you are applying for. Include any relevant background information, such as your current role, educational background, or notable achievements that are directly related to the position.
• Connection to the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company or organization and establish a connection between your skills and experiences with their mission, values, or industry. Showcasing your understanding and alignment with their goals helps to emphasize your fit for the role.
• Engaging Hook: Consider including a compelling sentence or two that highlights your unique selling points or key qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates. This can be a specific accomplishment, a relevant skill, or an experience that demonstrates your value as a potential employee.
• Transition to the Body: Conclude the introduction by smoothly transitioning to the main body of the cover letter, where you will provide more detailed information about your qualifications, experiences, and how they align with the requirements of the position.

By following these guidelines, your cover letter introduction will make a strong first impression and set the stage for the rest of your application.

Cover Letter Body

Dear [Hiring Manager],

I am writing to apply for the position of Assistant Professor in the [Department Name] at [University Name]. I am confident that my extensive experience in teaching and research, combined with my enthusiasm for higher education, make me an ideal candidate for this role.

I am currently a [Position Title] at [University Name], where I have taught courses in [List Courses] for the past [Number] years. I have also been involved in research projects related to [List Research Projects], and have published several papers in noted journals. I am particularly proud of my work on [Project] which was [Outcome]. I have also mentored several undergraduate and graduate students in their research projects.

I believe that my experience in both teaching and research make me an ideal candidate for an Assistant Professor position. I am passionate about education and have a deep commitment to student learning and success. I am also committed to fostering an inclusive classroom environment and supporting the professional development of my colleagues. In addition, I have a strong commitment to academic research, collaboration with colleagues, and the dissemination of knowledge.

In addition to my academic experience, I have excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. I am confident that I can bring a high level of enthusiasm and dedication to this position, and make a positive contribution to the department.

I have enclosed my CV to provide a more detailed overview of my experience and qualifications, and would be delighted to discuss this role with you further. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Complimentary Close

The conclusion and signature of a cover letter provide a final opportunity to leave a positive impression and invite further action. Here's how the conclusion and signature of a cover letter should look:

• Summary of Interest: In the conclusion paragraph, summarize your interest in the position and reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the organization or school. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role and briefly mention your key qualifications or unique selling points.
• Appreciation and Gratitude: Express appreciation for the reader's time and consideration in reviewing your application. Thank them for the opportunity to be considered for the position and acknowledge any additional materials or documents you have included, such as references or a portfolio.
• Call to Action: Conclude the cover letter with a clear call to action. Indicate your availability for an interview or express your interest in discussing the opportunity further. Encourage the reader to contact you to schedule a meeting or provide any additional information they may require.
• Complimentary Closing: Choose a professional and appropriate complimentary closing to end your cover letter, such as "Sincerely," "Best Regards," or "Thank you." Ensure the closing reflects the overall tone and formality of the letter.
• Signature: Below the complimentary closing, leave space for your handwritten signature. Sign your name in ink using a legible and professional style. If you are submitting a digital or typed cover letter, you can simply type your full name.
• Typed Name: Beneath your signature, type your full name in a clear and readable font. This allows for easy identification and ensures clarity in case the handwritten signature is not clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Assistant Professor Cover Letter

When crafting a cover letter, it's essential to present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances of making a strong impression. By being aware of these pitfalls and avoiding them, you can ensure that your cover letter effectively highlights your qualifications and stands out from the competition. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you create a compelling and impactful introduction that captures the attention of hiring managers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, understanding these mistakes will greatly enhance your chances of success in the job application process. So, let's dive in and discover how to steer clear of these common missteps and create a standout cover letter that gets you noticed by potential employers.

• Not researching the institution you are applying to.
• Not tailoring your cover letter to the job description.
• Using generic language.
• Not explaining why you are the best candidate for the job.
• Including unnecessary details or going off on tangents.
• Failing to double-check for typos and grammatical errors.
• Neglecting to provide contact information.
• Not asking for an interview.
• Not conveying enthusiasm for the job.
• Using inappropriate or unprofessional language.

Key Takeaways For an Assistant Professor Cover Letter

• Highlight your research and teaching experience
• Mention any awards or recognition you have received
• Demonstrate your commitment to the job and the university
• Show enthusiasm for the subject matter
• Be sure to proofread your letter for any spelling or grammar errors
• Include any specific qualifications or skills you have
• Emphasize the qualities that make you an ideal candidate
• Make sure to include the contact information of references

How to Write an Academic Cover Letter With Examples

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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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Assistant Professor Cover Letter Example

Writing a cover letter for an assistant professor position can be a challenge. After all, you are vying for a position in a highly competitive field, and you want your letter to stand out. At the same time, given that it is an academic position, you want to ensure that your letter portrays you as an intellectual, thoughtful and serious candidate. To help you craft the best cover letter possible, this guide provides a step-by-step approach to writing an effective cover letter with an example.

Download the Cover Letter Sample in Word Document – Click Below

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Assistant Professor Cover Letter Sample

Dear [Hiring Manager],

I am writing to apply for the position of Assistant Professor of Psychology at [University Name]. I am confident that I am the ideal candidate for this position due to my extensive experience in the field of psychology, combined with my educational background and my passion for teaching and research.

I am currently an adjunct professor of psychology at [College/University Name], where I have been teaching since [year]. I am experienced in teaching courses such as Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. My approach to instruction is rooted in the use of creative and engaging teaching methods, which ideally foster a collaborative classroom atmosphere and encourage student participation. I have facilitated engaging discussions with my students and the results have been very positive.

My research experience is extensive. I have published several articles and book chapters in peer- reviewed publications, and I have presented my research at several conferences. I also have experience in supervising graduate students in their research projects. My research focuses on the impact of psychological variables on physical and mental health.

I earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from [University Name], where I worked with both faculty and students to develop innovative approaches to instruction. I have a track record of developing effective lesson plans, and I understand the importance of creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. My experience and educational background make me an ideal candidate for the position.

I am excited to have the opportunity to discuss this position further and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.

[Your Name]

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What should a Assistant Professor cover letter include?

A cover letter for an assistant professor position should include a brief introduction that includes the professor’s name and the position they are applying for. It should also include information on why the professor is the ideal candidate for the job, such as their educational background, research experience, and teaching skills. The letter should also highlight any awards or accolades the professor has earned, as well as their professional and academic accomplishments. Additionally, the professor should include any relevant experience they have had in their field, such as working with students in a classroom environment, or leading research initiatives. Finally, the professor should also include any relevant skills they have that could benefit the position, such as knowledge of specific software. The letter should conclude by thanking the hiring committee for their time and express enthusiasm for the position.

Assistant Professor Cover Letter Writing Tips

Writing an effective cover letter for an assistant professor position can be a tricky task. With a little preparation, however, you can craft a letter that will make you stand out from the competition. Here are some tips for writing an assistant professor cover letter that will help you get the results you want:

• Start off on the right foot, by addressing your letter to the specific person who is evaluating your application. This will show that you have done your research and are familiar with the job description.
• Highlight your qualifications and explain why you are the best candidate for the position. Clearly state your experience, qualifications and skills that make you a suitable fit for the job.
• Remember to keep your letter concise and to the point. Your letter should be no more than two pages long and should focus on the most important points.
• Use a professional tone throughout the letter. Avoid using jargon or slang and ensure that you use proper grammar and punctuation.
• Make sure to thank the hiring manager for considering your application. This will show that you appreciate the time and effort they are taking to review your application.
• Finally, proofread your letter before submitting it to make sure there are no errors or typos. A well- written letter can make a big difference in the success of your application.

By following these tips, you can be sure that you are submitting a well- written and effective cover letter for an assistant professor position. Good luck!

Common mistakes to avoid when writing Assistant Professor Cover letter

Writing an assistant professor cover letter can be a daunting task, but it’s an important step in the job search process. A cover letter is your chance to show the hiring committee why you are the right person for the job. Unfortunately, many job seekers make mistakes that hurt their chances of getting the job they want. Here are some common mistakes to avoid while writing your assistant professor cover letter:

• Not Tailoring Your Letter: It’s important to customize your cover letter for every job you apply for. You must show the hiring committee that you understand the job duties and have the skills to do the job. Don’t just copy and paste a generic cover letter.
• Not Doing Your Research: You should spend some time researching the college or university to which you are applying. Find out about the school’s mission and values, and make sure to mention these in your cover letter. This will demonstrate to the hiring committee that you understand their needs.
• Not Showing Passion: You must display your enthusiasm for the position in your cover letter. Explain why you are interested in the job and how you can make a positive contribution to the school.
• Not Using the Right Language: Make sure you use the right language when writing your cover letter. Use formal language and avoid using slang or informal language.
• Not Following Directions: Read the job posting carefully and make sure to follow any instructions they provide. If they ask you to provide certain information, make sure to include it in your cover letter.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your cover letter makes a positive impression on the hiring committee. With a well- crafted cover letter, you can put yourself in the perfect position to get the job you want.

Key takeaways

Writing an impressive Assistant Professor cover letter is an important part of the job application process. It is a chance to showcase your skills and make a good impression on the hiring manager. Here are some key takeaways for writing an effective Assistant Professor cover letter:

• Demonstrate your knowledge and skills: Your cover letter should highlight your relevant qualifications and experience, as well as demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion for teaching. Show the hiring manager that you have what it takes to be an effective Assistant Professor.
• Tailor your letter: It is important to tailor your cover letter to each job application. Make sure that your letter is tailored to the specific job you are applying for and includes relevant information that is relevant to the job.
• Highlight your research: If you have conducted research, make sure to include it in your cover letter. Demonstrate your research capabilities and showcase how your research can benefit the college or university where you are applying.
• Research the organization: Researching the organization you are applying to is essential for a successful cover letter. Make sure to include information about the organization and how you can contribute to their goals.
• Use a professional tone: Your cover letter should be written in a professional and formal tone. Make sure to avoid any casual language or slang, and stick to a polite and professional tone throughout.
• Proofread your letter: Make sure you proofread your cover letter to ensure that it is free of any mistakes. This will give a good impression on the hiring manager and demonstrate your attention to detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

When applying for an Assistant Professor job with no experience, it is important to emphasize your education, research, and teaching potential. Focus on the skills you developed during your PhD program and any teaching experience you may have had. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position, and provide evidence of your competence in the field of study you are applying to teach. Furthermore, emphasize any unique qualifications you may possess that would make you a good fit for the job.

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

When applying for an Assistant Professor job with experience, it is important to focus on the accomplishments you’ve achieved in your previous teaching and research roles. Demonstrate how you have advanced in your field, and provide evidence of your contribution to the discipline. Highlight any awards and recognitions you’ve received, as well as your commitment to advancing the field of study. Additionally, provide evidence of your commitment to teaching excellence and student success.

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

When highlighting your accomplishments in an Assistant Professor cover letter, focus on the specific skills and experiences that make you a qualified candidate for the job. Provide examples of research projects or teaching you have completed that are relevant to the job and demonstrate your expertise in the field. Additionally, share any awards or recognitions you have received for your achievements, as well as any other accomplishments that demonstrate your abilities.

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

A good cover letter for an Assistant Professor job should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and your commitment to teaching excellence and student success. Provide evidence of your research and teaching experience, as well as any awards or recognitions you’ve received in your professional life. Additionally, emphasize any unique qualifications you possess that make you a good fit for the job. By highlighting your accomplishments and qualifications, you can demonstrate to employers that you are the right person for the job.

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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Professor Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Looking to sculpt the future geniuses of our world through education? You're just one professor cover letter away from molding minds in your dream institution! In the hallowed halls of higher learning, a well-crafted professor cover letter could be your ticket to tenure.

Our ultimate guide offers a syllabus of handy tips, examples, and templates that will illuminate how to highlight your pedagogical expertise, academic passion, and career drive.

So stay tuned to learn:

• How to format your professor cover letter correctly
• How to create an impactful header
• How to compose an engaging cover letter headline
• How to personalize the greeting in your cover letter
• How to write a powerful introduction for your professor cover letter
• How to showcase your academic skills and achievements
• How to write a compelling cover letter conclusion
• How to avoid common mistakes in your professor cover letter
• About the average salary and job outlook for professors
• Where to find valuable resources for professors in the job market

1. How to properly format your professor cover letter

Proper formatting is paramount to ensure your professor cover letter is easy to read and navigate. Fear not. We won't have you penning a thesis here, but a neat, concise design that'll make your application memorable.

• Keep it concise: Cover letters should be a maximum of 1 page. Remember, brevity is the soul of wit. 
• Choose a legible font: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, preferably size 12, works well. A clear, readable font shows respect for your reader's time and eyes. 
• Use a professional structure: Stick with the standard structure — header, headline, opening paragraph, main body, closing paragraph, and sign-off. This provides a familiar, easy-to-follow pattern. 
• Perfect your paragraphing: Aim for 3-4 paragraphs. Each paragraph should cover different aspects — introduction, your qualifications and why you'll excel at the job, and a strong closing statement. 
• Spacing is crucial: Apply a 1-inch margin all around, and space between lines should be 1.15. This makes your cover letter pleasant to the eyes.
• PDF it: Save your cover letter as a PDF file. This format ensures stability and consistency when your file is opened on a different system.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread: Typos and grammatical mistakes can quickly tarnish the impression of your cover letter. Spare some time to go through the text thoroughly . Grammar-check tools can be a real lifesaver here.
• Subtle use of color: If you're daring, a small splash of color can make your cover letter stand out. Stick to muted, professional tones and use it scarcely. 

Remember, the cover letter isn’t just a narrative of your journey in academics. It's a testament to your attention to detail, aesthetics, and understanding of structure and layout.

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2. how to create an effective cover letter header .

The header of your professor cover letter might seem like a minor detail, but it's more important than you might think. It's not just about providing your contact information. It's also about demonstrating an ability to present information clearly and professionally . 

The header should contain your contact information, the date, and the recipient's contact information, in this order:

• Your full name
• Your address 
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Recipient's full name and title (if known)
• Recipient's address 

Let's take a look at two contrasting examples: 

Incorrect cover letter header example

John Doe [email protected]

Why is it incorrect? It lacks key information — it presents only the applicant's name and email address. The recipient wouldn’t know where to send a written response if they wanted to. Missing a phone number? That's a fast-track conversation sidelined. What’s more, disregarding the date and recipient's information reflects a lack of attention to detail and professionalism.

Correct cover letter header example

John Doe 123 Main Street City, State Zip (123) 456-7890 [email protected]

To: Professor Jane Smith Dean of Biology Department University Name 456 College Avenue City, State Zip

Why does it work? This example is comprehensive. It includes all the needed contact information for both parties and the date, which can be crucial for record-keeping. It adheres to the expected professional structure for a cover letter header, hinting at the candidate's meticulous organizational skills.

All in all, the cover letter header is your initial point of contact with the hiring committee or recruiter. Don’t rush it. Pay attention to the details to ensure that yours makes an entrance, leaving a trail of professionalism and thoroughness in its wake.

3. How to write a compelling headline for a professor cover letter

A cover letter headline is your elevator pitch. Consisting of a succinct, catchy phrase, rightly placed beneath your header, it's your chance to grab the reader's attention . 

The perfect headline is a balance between confidence and humility, introducing your professional standing or key accomplishment without appearing boastful.

Weak cover letter headline example

Experienced Professor Seeking Employment

Why is it weak? This headline is too generic and lacks impact. It doesn't differentiate you from other candidates and overlooks an opportunity to lead with a compelling accomplishment or unique trait.

Strong cover letter headline example

Renowned Biologist with 50+ Peer-Reviewed Publications, Committed to Nurturing Future Leaders in Conservation

Why does it work? This headline conveys the candidate's impressive academic feats while expressing a spirited commitment to their educational role. It presents the applicant as both an accomplished scholar and a passionate educator. Such a forceful headline heightens the reader's curiosity about the expertise, experiences and values the candidate brings to the table.

When crafting your headline, wear your achievements with pride, introduce the unique flavor of your professional persona and give the recruiters a reason to keep reading. That's how you get your foot in the academic door.

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4. How to customize the greeting on your professor cover letter

Customizing your cover letter’s greeting isn’t just a sign of respect; it shows that you've conducted your due diligence on the job and are genuinely keen about it. 

When you address the hiring committee or a specific person by name in your greeting, it shows that you've taken the time to research and understand who will be reading your application. It also signals that you are detail-oriented and watchful — desirable traits in any academic.

The best place to find the names of the hiring manager or committee members are in the job posting itself, on the university's website , or via LinkedIn . 

Personalized cover letter greetings

Dear Dr. Smith, Dear Dr. John Smith, Dear Hiring Manager John Smith,

But what if, despite your research, you can't pin down a name ? There are still options to keep your greeting professional and respectful.

General cover letter greetings

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• To the Biology Department Selection Committee,
• Dear Faculty Search Team,

Each of these unspecific greetings has different nuances:

• The first is a general, respectable choice. 
• The second addresses the selection committee of the specific department, showing awareness of the role department members play in hiring. 
• The third is more informal and might be suitable in less traditional or more modern institutions.

However, diligence in personalizing your greeting is crucial to avoid falling into the "generic trap". Cliche, overly generic greetings like "To whom it may concern," might reflect detachment. 

Remember, customizing your greeting is a small detail that can make a big impression. Invest the effort, and it could be a step in the direction of your dream teaching position.

5. How to write a compelling cover letter introduction

The introduction of your cover letter is a storytelling moment. It's the spark that ignites the recruiter's interest in your professional and academic journey. The trick is to introduce yourself, highlight key achievements, and articulate your interest in the position clearly and efficiently. 

If you have a mutual connection with any existing faculty member, be sure to mention it. This can strengthen your introduction by offering immediate context and relevance.

Weak cover letter introduction example

I'm writing to apply for the Biology Professor position.

Why doesn’t it work? This introduction lacks imagination and doesn’t pique the reader's interest. It merely states the obvious and misses an opportunity to introduce the candidate's credentials or express genuine enthusiasm for the position.

Strong cover letter opening example for an experienced professor

As an evolutionary biologist with 15 years of teaching experience and over 30 peer-reviewed publications, I was thrilled to find the opening for a Biology Professor at XYZ University. My passion for imparting knowledge and recent Fulbright scholarship align perfectly with your focus on global research perspectives.

Why is it strong? This introduction signals the candidate’s teaching experience, academic accomplishments and aligned values, making it a compelling read for any hiring committee.

Strong cover letter opening for a fresh graduate

As a newly-credentialed PhD holder in Computer Science and recipient of the 'Outstanding Research Assistant' award for two consecutive years, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growing Computer Science department at XYZ University.

Why does it work? Here, the recent graduate leverages their award and newly minted PhD as testament of their potential, making a strong compelling case despite lack of extensive experience. 

Remember, the cover letter introduction is your initial pitch. Make sure you swing for the fences!

6. How to highlight your top skills and accomplishments as a professor

The body of your cover letter is your academic showcase, the stage where you outline your skills , achievements , and passions as they relate to the professorship role. Here's what this act should cover:

• Your notable achievements in teaching and research
• Skills that set you apart and align with the role
• Indication of your teaching methods and philosophies

Let's touch on structure first. Aim to construct two to three mid-length paragraphs. Each one should focus on a different skill or accomplishment, creating a clearly organized and easy to navigate story of your career.

When highlighting your teaching skills , get specific. Does your interactive teaching style drive high student engagement? Have your innovative lesson plans boosted students' grades? Paint a vivid picture of what you bring to the classroom.

Skills to mention in your professor cover letter

• High proficiency in a particular teaching method or philosophy
• A record of impressive publication or research grants secured
• Proven track record in improving student performance
• Success in curriculum development or program accreditation
• Award or distinction in education or research field

If you are a fresh-faced professor with no experience to pull from, focus on your areas of academic excellence, internships, research assistance, or relevant university projects that denote your potential as an educator.

Now, let’s take a look at some examples:

Cover letter body paragraph example for an experienced professor

In my recent role as a Sociology Professor at ABC University, I consistently received outstanding student evaluations, reflecting my commitment to creating an engaging learning environment. I am particularly proud of an elective course I developed on Modern Social Movements, which was recognized by the university board for its in-depth, engaging structure.

Why does it work? This showcases teaching skills, course development abilities, and a knack for generating student engagements.

Cover letter body paragraph example for a fresh graduate

During my doctoral study, I had the opportunity to teach two semesters of undergraduate introductory biology and serve as a research assistant on a project exploring genetics and evolution. Both these roles honed my communication and teamwork abilities, while driving an appreciation for hands-on bio-research that I'm eager to impart.

Why is it strong? In this example, the fresh graduate leverages teaching and research assistant experiences, indicating clear initiative and a passion for the field. 

Remember, to set yourself apart, showcase your unique achievements, skills, and experiences that make you not just an expert in your field, but a teacher who can inspire, motivate, and impart knowledge.

7. How to conclude persuasively your professor cover letter

After your convincing body paragraphs, there’s one last hill to climb: the conclusion . The importance of a persuasive conclusion can't be overstated. It's your final chance to leave a strong impression, convey your enthusiasm, and specify your plan to proceed in the application process. 

Your conclusion should ideally cover:

• A restatement of your interest in the role 
• Your contact details and preferred time to be contacted 
• Whether and when you intend to follow up
• A formal, courteous sign-off

Incorrect cover letter conclusion example

You can call me whenever it suits you. 

Cheers, John

Why is it wrong? This example misses the mark. The language is too casual and it lacks a clear intention for follow-up. The sign-off is overly informal for a professional setting and lacks the applicant’s full name.

Correct cover letter conclusion example

I am excited at the possibility of bringing my passion for teaching biology and cutting-edge genetic research to the team at XYZ University. I am available at your earliest convenience for an in-depth discussion. You may reach me at (123) 456-7890 or via email at [email protected]. If I have not heard from you by next week, I’ll follow up to ensure you have all the information you need. 

Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,  John Doe

Why does it work? This conclusion demonstrates a clear interest, indicates a plan for follow-up, and includes all necessary contact information. The sign-off is professional and courteous, maintaining the formal tone that a cover letter requires. 

Crafting an effective conclusion is about being direct and proactive. It's your chance to ensure your application leaves a lasting impression and initiates the next steps in the recruitment process. Nail the conclusion and you're one step closer to the lectern.

8. How to avoid common mistakes on a professor cover letter

Even the most seasoned professors can trip over a few common pitfalls when crafting their cover letter. Let's shed some light on these mistakes, and more importantly, how you can dodge them:

• Typos or grammatical errors: While even the best of us can occasionally miss an errant comma or misspelled word, these errors can imply carelessness. Use proofreading tools, but also manually proofread your letter, perhaps even aloud, or get a second pair of eyes on it.
• Failing to customize: If your cover letter could be sent to any university, it’s failing its job. Modify it to show you've researched the institution and understand its needs and values.
• Being overly lengthy: Academic essays might let you wax poetic for pages, but a cover letter needs to be succinct. Stick to a single page.
• Repeating your resume: Your cover letter should complement your resume , not copy-paste it. Use it to share relevant experiences or accomplishments that set you apart, which your resume might not showcase.
• Neglecting to name-drop: If you have a network connection within the institution, mention them. It adds credibility and indicates your active interest in the institution. 
• Overusing “I” statements: Remember that your cover letter should convey what you can contribute to the institution, not just what the job means to you. Balance "I" statements with emphasis on what you can offer. 
• Leaving out key details: Each professor job will have unique requirements — maybe it’s experiencing leading a research team, securing grants, or developing a new course. Make sure your letter speaks directly to these needs.
• Being either too formal or too informal: Aim for a professional yet approachable tone. Too formal and you might come off as robotic. Too informal and you can seem unprofessional.

Remember, avoiding these common mistakes is about attentiveness, intentionality, and clear communication. With a bit extra care, your cover letter can avoid the wastebasket and land you that interview.

9. Average salary and job outlook for professors

Being a professor is not just about shaping minds; it's also a profession with considerable financial and job market potential. 

As per the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , the median annual wage of professors sat at $80,840 as of May 2022. Like other professions, this can vary widely based on expertise, experience, and the particular institution, but it presents an attractive baseline.

Well, it's not just about the earnings. If job security is a concern, consider this: the overall employment of postsecondary teachers is expected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032. That's faster than average for all occupations. 

This translates into about 118,800 openings for postsecondary teachers projected each year, on average, over the upcoming decade. 

The takeaway? The outlook for professors is not only intellectually stimulating but also comes with promising salary prospects and a positive job market trend. So keep refining that cover letter, because the future looks bright!

10. Useful resources for aspiring professors

As an aspiring professor, your journey towards academic excellence involves continuous learning and development . To aid your research, job hunt, and professional growth, here are some key resources:

• Job boards: Academic-oriented job boards such as HigherEdJobs , the Chronicle of Higher Education's job board , and academicjobsonline.org present a vast pool of professor positions across different disciplines.
• Networking: LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for connecting with fellow academics, joining interest groups, and discovering job opportunities. Also, did you know that you can now turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume ?
• Academic journals: Keeping an eye on the latest research in your field demonstrates commitment to staying current. JSTOR , PubMed , and Google Scholar are vast libraries of such material. 
• Teaching guides: Books like Ken Bain's "What the Best College Teachers Do" or James M. Lang's "Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons From the Science of Learning," offer practical advice to hone your teaching skills.
• Conferences: Academic conferences in your field allow networking opportunities, collaboration sparks and learning from industry-leading researchers. Look for opportunities both at home and internationally.
• Government resources: BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook offers a wealth of information about the teaching profession, wages, job outlook, and more. 
• Professional development courses: Enhance your skills and stay up-to-date with current trends in academia by taking continuing education courses. Many universities offer these, and sites like Coursera and EdX offer online options in various disciplines.

Finally, continuous self-improvement is integral to a professor's role, so never hesitate to seek out professional development opportunities. Engage with these resources, and you'll keep growing as an educator, while maximizing your chances of landing your dream professor role.

Professor Cover Letter FAQ

Typically, it's not a good idea to include references in your cover letter. Instead, have a separate reference page prepared. If the job posting specifically requests references included, then and only then, include them in your application.

Your teaching philosophy can weave through your cover letter subtly. Science theorist you admire? Methodology you swear by? Mention it in the paragraphs where you highlight relevant skills or experiences. Keep it brief and relevant to the position.

It depends on the tone of the job posting and your familiarity with the institution's culture. Usually, a more conservative approach is advised. You can show personality without using humor. Stay professional and relatable.

In such a scenario, you can combine your cover letter and resume into a single PDF document and upload it.

Absolutely. The preferred candidate might not take the job, and you might impress the hiring committee. Writing a cover letter tailored to the position will emphasize your interest and could put you in the running.

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

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