How to Write an Academic Cover Letter 2023 + Example & Tips

An academic cover letter is a vital part of an academic job application package. Its main purpose is to introduce the candidate to the hiring committee and to highlight why they are a suitable fit for the position. This letter is crucial for applicants who are seeking academic jobs and should be well-written, professional, and customized to match the job description. In this article, we will discuss what an academic cover letter is, why it is important, and how to create an effective one.

An academic cover letter is a crucial part of any academic job application. It gives the applicant an opportunity to introduce themselves to the hiring committee and provide more information about their qualifications and experience. The cover letter allows the applicant to explain why they are interested in the job and how they can contribute to the department or institution. An academic cover letter is an opportunity for a candidate to showcase their writing and communication skills. The hiring committee looks for candidates who can communicate effectively in writing. A strong first impression made by a well-written cover letter can increase the likelihood of an applicant being invited for an interview by the selection committee.

Important Tips for Writing Academic Cover Letter

Applying for an academic job can be a daunting task. The cover letter is one of the most important components of your job application package. A well-written academic cover letter can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of getting an interview. Here are some tips for writing an effective academic cover letter:

1. Tailor your letter to the job description

One of the most important things you can do when writing an academic cover letter is to tailor it to the job description. Carefully read the job description and look for specific requirements or qualifications that the hiring committee is looking for. Then, make sure to address those qualifications in your letter. For example, if the job description states that the hiring committee is looking for someone with experience in curriculum development, highlight any experience you have in that area.

2. Highlight your qualifications

Your academic cover letter should highlight your qualifications for the job. Begin your letter by introducing yourself and your academic background. Mention your degree(s) and your area of expertise. Highlight any relevant research or teaching experience you have. If you have published any academic articles, mention them as well.

3. Emphasize your research

If the job you are applying for requires a strong research background, emphasize your research experience in your cover letter. Highlight any publications you have authored or co-authored and explain the impact of your research. Mention any grants you have received or any conferences you have presented at.

4. Discuss your teaching experience

In addition to your research experience, your academic cover letter should also discuss your teaching experience. Explain your approach to teaching and how you engage with your students. Highlight any experience you have in curriculum development, student mentoring, or teaching evaluations. If the job you are applying for involves teaching, emphasize your teaching qualifications.

5. Explain why you are a good fit for the job

In the final paragraph of your academic cover letter, explain why you are a good fit for the job. Refer to the job description and highlight specific aspects of the job that align with your skills and experience. Explain why you are interested in the job and what you can contribute to the department or institution.

6. Proofread your letter

Before submitting your academic cover letter, proofread it for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Have someone else read your letter as well to provide feedback and catch any mistakes you may have missed. A well-written and error-free cover letter can make a strong impression on the hiring committee.

What do cover letters for academic teaching jobs typically contain?

Academic cover letters, at their most basic level, serve three purposes: first, they convey your interest in the position; second, they give a succinct summary of your research and teaching activities; and third, they list your prior experiences and accomplishments to demonstrate your suitability for the position. Cover letters are typically no longer than two pages for early-career academics (up to four pages for senior scholars). A third page might occasionally make sense for an early-career scholar if the application does not demand a separate teaching statement and/or research statement. Links to your resume or portfolio page are frequently found in digital cover letters. In some professions, cover letters may also contain samples of your work, such as songs, well-known articles, and other multimedia relevant to you.

Writing an Academic Cover Letter

The creation of a cover letter involves a process, just like all writing. The application process could take a few hours or several weeks, but at the end, the letter should make you look like a strong candidate for the position. For further reflection on each stage of this writing process, see the following section. These inquiries are intended to help you generate ideas; you don’t have to provide answers to all of them to write the letter.

       i.Research

Consider doing background research on the organization, the department, and the student body before you start writing your cover letter. Include all three of these in your letter to better demonstrate your interest in the job.

Learn about the organization. Consider the type of institution you are applying to when writing your cover letter. Knowing how the institution presents itself can help you customize and be more specific with your letter.

1. Where is the institution located?
2. Is it on a quarter-system or semester-system?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. Does it have any specific institutional commitments?
6. How does the institution advocate for involvement in its local community?
7. What are the professional development opportunities for new and junior faculty?

Discover more about the division. You can better connect with your audience—the department members who will be reading your documents and screening you as a candidate—by understanding the particular culture and needs of the department.

1. Who is on the search committee? Who is the search committee chair?
2. What is the official name of the department?
3. Which different subfields make up the department?
4. Is it a dual appointment or a position in a dual department?
5. How does the department participate in specific types of student outreach?
6. 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?
7. Does the department encourage or engage in interdisciplinary work?
8. Does the majority of the department favor certain theoretical or methodological approaches?
9. Does the department have partnerships with local institutions? If so, which ones?
10. Is the department attempting to fill a specific vacancy, or is it an entirely new position?
11. 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?

Take the students into consideration. How you approach teaching and mentoring the student body will frequently be considered by the search committee. Sometimes, committees will even reserve a position for a student or ask students for their opinions on a candidate:

1. What populations constitute the majority of the undergraduate population?
2. Have there been any shifts in the student population recently?
3. Do students largely come from in-state or out-of-state?
4. Is there an international student population? If so, from which countries?
5. Is the university recruiting students from traditionally underrepresented populations?
6. Are students particularly active on campus? If so, how?

The job description and the institution’s website contain numerous responses to these queries. If possible, think about reaching out to a friend or acquaintance who works there to inquire about the company’s culture. To find the answers to these questions, you can also refer to the course catalog, recruitment materials, alumni magazine, and other materials provided by the institution. The secret is to be aware of the type of institution you are applying to, its current requirements, and its course for the future.

Never forget that people are a resource that can assist you with all three aspects. Ask your advisor, committee members, faculty mentors, and other contacts about the department’s culture and faculty to gain insight. Based on their experience, they might even assist you in editing your letter. Consider the search for a new job as an opportunity to strengthen these connections.

     ii. Brainstorm

Consider how your past experiences helped you prepare for the job after conducting preliminary research. Mark those that seem the most pertinent. Think about your prior research, internships, graduate teaching experiences, and summertime activities. Here are a few questions and topics to help you consider what you might write about.

Research Experiences. Think about how your research has helped you prepare for a career in academia. Since the letter is only a brief document, pick research examples that best represent your scholarly identity, the direction you see your work taking, and how your work will benefit the institution’s research community.

1. What are your current research interests?
2. What topics would you like to examine in the future?
3. How have you pursued those research interests?
4. Have you traveled for your research?
5. Have you published any of your research? Have you presented it at a conference, symposium, or elsewhere?
6. Have you worked or collaborated with scholars at different institutions on projects? If so, what did these collaborations produce?
7. Have you made your research accessible to your local community?
8. Have you received funding or merit-based fellowships for your research?
9. What other research contributions have you made? This may include opinion articles, book chapters, or participating as a journal reviewer.
10. How do your research interests relate to those of other faculty in the department or fill a gap?

Teaching Experience. Consider any prior teaching experiences you may have. You might have taught your own course, guest lectured, or led recitations as a teaching assistant. Select a few experiences that speak to your teaching philosophy or your enthusiasm for the profession to describe in your letter.

1. What courses are you interested in teaching for the department? What courses have you taught that discussed similar topics or themes?
2. What new courses can you imagine offering the department that aligns with its aim and mission?
3. Have you used specific strategies that were helpful in your instruction?
4. What sort of resources do you typically use in the classroom?
5. Do you have anecdotes that demonstrate your teaching style?
6. What is your teaching philosophy?
7. When have you successfully navigated a difficult concept or topic in the classroom, and what did you learn?
8. What other opportunities could you provide to students?

Internships/Summer/Other Experiences. Make a list of all the conferences, colloquia, workshops, and ways you have assisted your department, school, or neighborhood in which you have participated. This section will highlight your involvement in the academic and university communities. Here are some topics you could talk about:

1. Professional development opportunities you may have pursued over the summer or during your studies
2. International travel for research or presentations
3. Any research you’ve done in a non-academic setting
4. Presentations at conferences
5. Participation in symposia, reading groups, working groups, etc.
6. Internships in which you may have implemented your research or practical skills related to your discipline
7. Participation in community engagement projects
8. 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 think about your reader will help you present yourself as an applicant well-qualified for the position.

    iii. Writing a draft

Remember that the job letter is a chance for you to introduce yourself, list your accomplishments, and explain why you are a good fit for the job. Normally, search committees will want to know if you are a strong candidate for the position, are familiar with the organization, and would make a fantastic future addition to the department’s faculty. As a result, pay attention to how the letter’s organization and content convey your suitability for the job.

    iv. Form

The format of your cover letter ought to be consistent with local letter-writing conventions in the nation where the position is located (the list below reflects the standards for US letter writing). This typically includes an opening, a body, a conclusion, and the appropriate contact details. The letter should be on letterhead if you work for a department, college, or organization.

1. 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 Ariel, Garamond, Times New Roman, and Verdana, among other similar fonts.
2. Do not indent paragraphs.

3. Separate all paragraphs by a line and justify them to the left.
4. Make sure that any included hyperlinks work.
5. Include your signature in the closing.

Make sure to proofread and check for formatting errors before submitting your letter. Later on in this handout, you’ll find more information about proofreading and revising.

       v.Content

Your letter’s content ranks as the second most crucial component. Since the letter is the first opportunity to give a thorough introduction, it should go into more detail about your credentials as a researcher and potential faculty member. Here are a few things to think about including in your letter.

Introduce yourself and mention the position you are applying for. The full title of the position and how you found the job posting is typically included in the first sentence of a job letter. Additionally, this is where you should introduce yourself and state your motivation for applying for the job. You might want to start by asserting why you are a strong candidate for the position since a job letter aims to persuade the search committee to add you to the list of candidates for additional review. Here are some inquiries to think about:

1. What is your current status (ABD, assistant professor, post-doc, etc.)?
2. If you are ABD, have you defended your dissertation? If not, when will you defend?
3. Why are you interested in this position?
4. Why are you a strong candidate for this position?

Describe your background and areas of research interest. Include information about your research experience and ongoing projects early in the letter if applying for positions at R1 or other research-focused universities. Many applicants’ dissertation projects will be their current jobs. If this is the case, it has been suggested that you refer to your “dissertation research” as your “current project” or “work” to appear more like an established scholar as opposed to a graduate student. Here are some inquiries you might think about asking about your research:

1. What research experiences have you had?
2. What does your current project investigate?
3. What are some of the important methods you applied?
4. Have you collaborated with others in your research?
5. Have you acquired specific skills that will be useful in the future?
6. Have you received special funding? If so, what kind?
7. Has your research received any accolades or rewards?
8. What does your current project contribute to the field?
9. Where have you presented your research?
10. Have you published your research? If so, where? Or are you working on publishing your work?

Describe your ideas for upcoming research. This section outlines your research agenda and typically contains information about your ideas for upcoming assignments and academic publications. The search committee can see from your future research plans that you have considered a research trajectory and can work independently. If you are applying for a job that requires a lot of teaching, you might want to cut down on this section or think about adding one or two sentences explaining how this research relates to undergraduate and/or graduate research opportunities. Here are a few inquiries to get you going:

1. What is your next research project/s?
2. How does this connect to your current and past work?
3. What major theories/methods will you use?
4. How will this project contribute to the field?
5. 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?
6. Will you be collaborating with anyone? If so, with whom?
7. How will this future project encourage academic discourse?
8. Do you already have funding? If so, from whom? If not, what plans do you have for obtaining funding?
9. How does your future research expand upon the department’s strengths while simultaneously diversifying the university’s research portfolio? (Does your future research involve emerging research fields, state-of-the-art technologies, or novel applications?)

Describe your classroom experience and emphasize your teaching methods. You can explain your teaching philosophy in this section and how you implement it in the classroom. Start by briefly describing your teaching objectives and core principles. Describe the tasks and projects you give your students in this section to give specific examples of your teaching strategies. Make an effort to connect your research and teaching. Consider how you might use your research’s methodology or subject matter in the classroom, for instance, if you study the rise of feminism in the 19th century. You might want to emphasize your teaching more than your research if you are submitting to a teaching-focused institution like a community college or small liberal arts college. If you have no teaching experience, you might be able to explain a training, mentoring, or coaching scenario comparable to teaching and how you would put what you learned in a classroom into practice.

1. What is your teaching philosophy? How is your philosophy a good fit for the department you are applying to?
2. What sort of teaching strategies do you use in the classroom?
3. What is your teaching style? Do you lecture? Do you emphasize discussion? Do you use specific forms of interactive learning?
4. What courses have you taught?
5. What departmental courses are you prepared to teach?
6. Can you fill in any gaps in the departmental course offerings?
7. What important teaching and/or mentoring experiences have you had?
8. How would you describe yourself in the classroom?
9. What type of feedback have you gotten from students?
10. Have you received any awards or recognition for your teaching?

Discuss your volunteer work. Providing services is frequently emphasized in academic job descriptions. This can involve giving reviews, participating in community outreach, and serving on committees or funding panels. You can describe your involvement in university life outside of the classroom in the cover letter. For instance, you could describe your involvement in initiatives, volunteer work, or your position in professional organizations. This section should show how you have benefited your department, school, and/or the academic community. Additional examples you might discuss include the following:

1. Participating in graduate student or junior faculty governance
2. Sitting on committees, departmental or university-wide
3. Partnerships with other university offices or departments
4. Participating in community-partnerships
5. Participating in public scholarship initiatives
6. Founding or participating in any university initiatives or programs
7. Creating extra-curricular resources or presentations

Identify yourself as a potential faculty member. Who you will be as a colleague is demonstrated in this section. You can use it to describe how you’ll work with faculty members who share your interests, get involved in departmental and/or institution-wide initiatives and centers, and perform departmental service. This demonstrates your understanding of the outside-the-classroom responsibilities of faculty and your capacity to strengthen departmental and/or organizational strengths and to fill any gaps.

1. What excites you about this job?
2. What faculty would you like to collaborate with and why? (This answer may be slightly tricky. See the section on name-dropping below.)
3. Are there any partnerships in the university or outside of it that you wish to participate in?
4. Are there any centers associated with the university or community that you want to be involved in?
5. Are there faculty initiatives that you are passionate about?
6. Do you have experience collaborating across various departments or within your department?
7. In what areas will you be able to contribute?
8. Why would you make an excellent addition to the faculty at this institution?

Write a compelling conclusion. This brief paragraph should include an acknowledgment that you have submitted all other application materials and a brief note of gratitude for the reader’s time and/or attention. Additionally, it should express your willingness to send more information and state what actions you would like to see taken in the future (e.g., a statement that you look forward to speaking with the search committee). Finish with a formal phrase like “Sincerely” or “Kind Regards” and your full name.

Consider writing the other academic job application documents—the research statement, teaching philosophy, and diversity statement—first and then summarizing them in your cover letter if you are having trouble writing the various sections of your letter.

Research-Based Position Job Letter Example:

Date: Month Day, Year Search Committee Chair’s First and Last Name, Graduate Degree Full Department Name Name of Institution Department Address Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members: Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself and your research interests to the committee. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community. Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly explain your research to date. Consider mentioning your research questions, methods, key findings, and where and when you published and/or presented this work. Paragraph 3 [4-5 Sentences]: Elaborate on your current research project. Consider mentioning your most prestigious funding awards for this project. Explain your key findings in more detail. Paragraph 4 [3-5 Sentences]: Introduce your future research plans and goals. Point out this future work’s intellectual merit and/or broader impacts. Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and strategies. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting. Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Connect your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the department’s intellectual life inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague. Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration. Sincerely, [Signature] Your Name Credentials and Position Institution/Affiliation Name

Teaching-Based Position Job Letter Example

Date: Month Day, Year Search Committee Chair’s First and Last Name, Graduate Degree Full Department Name Name of Institution Department Address Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members: Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself and your research interests to the committee. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community. Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and pedagogical commitments. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting. Paragraph 3 [3-4 Sentences]: Discuss how you involved yourself with students or the broader university community outside of the traditional classroom setting. Discuss how those interactions influenced your teaching. Paragraph 4 [2-3 Sentences]: Briefly explain your current research interests and how they relate to your teaching. State your research questions, methods, and key findings or arguments. Point out this future work’s intellectual merit and/or broader impacts. Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Highlight when and where your research was published and/or presented this work or any forthcoming publications. Mention any prestigious funding or awards. Introduce your future research plans and goals. Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Connect your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the department’s intellectual life inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague. Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration. Sincerely, [Signature] Your Name Credentials and Position Institution/Affiliation Name

Potential pitfalls

Using the word dissertation. The word “dissertation” may be interpreted by some search committee members as a warning sign that an applicant is overly preoccupied with their status as a graduate student rather than a potential faculty member. Therefore, it might be advantageous to refer to your dissertation as current research, a current research project, current work, or some other phrase that shows you understand it is just the beginning of a longer scholarly career.

Too much jargon. Even though you might be writing to a particular department, the search committee members might not be familiar with the specifics of your subfield. Most committees include at least one individual from a different department. Use language that is simple enough for non-specialists to understand. You should define a term before using it if it is important to your research. Aim for clarity for your reader, which might entail simplifying rather than being entirely precise.

Overselling yourself. Even though your cover letter should highlight your strengths as a candidate, saying things like “I’m the perfect candidate” in it might come across as arrogant to some search committee members. Remember that even though you may have an idea of the kind of colleague a department is looking for, you may not be aware of their exact needs. Avoid saying or writing anything that implies you are the best or the only person qualified for the job.

Paying too much attention to the job description. Job descriptions are the result of extensive discussion and negotiation. Consider including them in your letter if you have expertise or research interests that go beyond those required for the position. Your extracurricular activities, outside skills, and/or research interests may make you a desirable candidate. It might be worthwhile to mention the breadth of your research interests, for instance, if you are an expert on Latin America and the Spanish Revolution. A department may discover that you can fill in other gaps in the curriculum or provide an additional or complementary viewpoint.

Improper send-off. Your letter’s conclusion should be just as significant as its opening. The letter’s conclusion should convey the document’s professionalism. Thank you and the phrase “sincerely” or its formal equivalent should be included. Remember that this is the last paragraph of your letter where you introduce yourself as a qualified potential colleague.

Small mistakes. Make sure to proofread your letter for content as well as grammar. Make sure not to include the names of another school, department, or faculty member if you borrow content from another letter, for instance. Or, if the institution is in Chicago, be careful not to mistakenly refer to it as being in the Twin Cities.

Dropping names. You hardly ever know the internal politics of the division or organization you are applying to. Therefore, be careful when including names in your cover letters. You don’t want to unintentionally get involved in a dispute within your department or fuel one between departments. Instead, concentrate on the initiatives you are passionate about and the actions you will take.

Frequently Asked Questions: Academic Cover Letter