Writing a attention-grabbing teacher cover letter to accompany your
resume can be a frustrating and tricky business. The temptation to opt
out completely is one that should be dismissed! Failing to include a
cover letter can look as though you’re just not putting in the effort,
but it can be difficult to decide exactly what to include and what to
leave out. If you’re finding it hard to put your cover letter together,
read on for some simple tips on how to structure a winning cover letter.
Like any letter, your cover letter can be divided into three discrete sections; the opening paragraph, the main body of the letter, and your closing paragraph. Here are some user-friendly tips on what to include in each section:
Your first paragraph should state the position which you’re applying for and the relevant job posting number (if applicable). It’s also important to state where you heard about the vacancy; this is especially important if you’ve been referred by an existing employee as this can often go in your favour. On the other hand, you may be applying to position where there is no job posting, which is fine, this happens all the time.
It’s important to try and put your own stamp on your cover letter; try to let your personality and enthusiasm for the job shine through. Tell the manager why you want this job and what you could contribute to the company. Try to communicate what it is that draws you specifically to this company and how your skills and experience could be of benefit.
After completing your letter, you should ensure that it is proof read by someone with an excellent standard of literacy. Even if you are confident in your own abilities, it’s easy to be blind to your own mistakes; always get it checked over before sending.
Writing an excellent cover letter is important in any profession! If you’re about to apply for a teaching job and are struggling with your cover letter, here are some hints to help get you started:
Your work history and qualifications will be contained in your application form, so the cover letter is a chance to let the selection committee find out more about you as a person and the passion for the type of work you have applied for. Some of the things you might want to include are:
Most job search experts would agree that typically, a first impression of someone is formed within 4-8 seconds. Even more scary is the concept that once a first impression is formed, it’s very unlikely to change. If the chair of the selection committee opens your resume and discovers that you haven’t bothered to include a cover letter, it’s very possible that your application will end up in the recycling bin along with the envelope it came in.
If you’re unsure of what you should include in your cover letter, here are some tips to help you:
Make sure that you spell the name of the Principal, Superintendent, and the school or school district correctly and be sure to include your full name and contact details. The letterhead should make the resume with all your contact details.
When job-hunting it is quite common that a job seeker will apply to more than one school and position. However, sometimes a person is looking to transition into one specific career or desired organization. If you are looking to send out your resume more than once, it may be a good idea to develop a more general cover letter. Ultimately, it saves time and allows you to perform only minor tweaking. A generic letter is also beneficial if you are applying to a wide array of positions that do not relate to one another.
When crafting a non-specific cover letter, you must make sure that you really highlight your education, qualifications, broad base of knowledge, and versatile skill sets. Since you are unable to draw on specific philosophies or goals of the school district, you cannot play on their unique needs. However, all employers are looking for these same key traits:
* Ability to work well with others, as well as independently and unsupervised.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Talent for staying organized, focused, and on-track.
* Solid problem solving and critical- or higher-level thinking skills.
In your generic cover letter, highlight these traits and communicate how they will make you an asset to the hiring school district. If you do not possess any of these qualities/skills, do not include them in your letter. Make sure that you are always able to back up what you put down on paper. The employer will determine during the interview whether or not you actually have these qualities, and can always check with your references. Always remain honest in any of your job-seeking documents. In addition to the traits listed above, list the various positions you have held in the past, and draw on skills, experiences, and achievements you can bring to future positions.
If you are writing a cover letter for a specific position and district, make sure that you take a close look at their job posting, and demonstrate how you meet their particular requirements and are able to carry out the listed responsibilities. If the school district’s philosophy is not stated on their advertisement, do some research and find out what it is. Explain how you are able to help the district meet set goals and standards. In addition, demonstrate your commitment to the district and enthusiasm for obtaining that position and working with them.
Also include any relevant accomplishments that a potential employer might see as beneficial for their school. Bulleting items is a quick, attention-grabbing method for conveying key information:
* Designed a school emergency response plan template that was adopted by ABC School District.
* Recommended and assisted in implementing new programs including Saxon Math, Math Their Way, and Restitution into the school and trained other teachers in the use of these programs.
Like any letter, your cover letter can be divided into three discrete sections; the opening paragraph, the main body of the letter, and your closing paragraph. Here are some user-friendly tips on what to include in each section:
Opening paragraph of the cover letter
This is arguably the most important part of your letter because your opening paragraph is the first chance your reader has to form an opinion of you. It’s important to address the letter to a specific person, if possible. Make an effort to find out the name of the hiring manager or the chair of the selection committee. Furthermore, it’s absolutely crucial you spell the person’s name correctly; there’s nothing more likely to make a poor first impression than spelling the manager’s name wrong!Your first paragraph should state the position which you’re applying for and the relevant job posting number (if applicable). It’s also important to state where you heard about the vacancy; this is especially important if you’ve been referred by an existing employee as this can often go in your favour. On the other hand, you may be applying to position where there is no job posting, which is fine, this happens all the time.
The main body
The main body of your letter is where you convince the reader that you are the right person for the job. Remember that if you don’t capture the manager’s interest in your cover letter, they may not bother to read your resume. Focus on the main duties involved in the job and demonstrate your ability to excel in these areas by giving concrete examples of your professional work experience. This is where doing your research can really pay off. The more you know about the school district, the better you can tailor your skills and attributes to match the school district’s requirements. If the district or school has a website, spend some time reading through it and gathering information. Find out what’s important to them and be aware of current projects and potential issues. If you can demonstrate in your letter that you’ve gone to the bother of finding out about the company, this will very likely impress the manager.It’s important to try and put your own stamp on your cover letter; try to let your personality and enthusiasm for the job shine through. Tell the manager why you want this job and what you could contribute to the company. Try to communicate what it is that draws you specifically to this company and how your skills and experience could be of benefit.
Conclusion
Your concluding paragraph should state that you would welcome the chance to further demonstrate your suitability for the post at interview. Be sure to include your contact details too, just in case your letter becomes separated from your resume.After completing your letter, you should ensure that it is proof read by someone with an excellent standard of literacy. Even if you are confident in your own abilities, it’s easy to be blind to your own mistakes; always get it checked over before sending.
Writing an excellent cover letter is important in any profession! If you’re about to apply for a teaching job and are struggling with your cover letter, here are some hints to help get you started:
Presentation
The first thing someone will notice about your education cover letter before they even read the content is the visual appeal. Your cover letter should be typed, rather than hand written – ensure it is in a sensible font size and style. This may seem like stating the obvious, but in an effort to make your letter stand out, it is possible to get a little carried away. Print the cover letter off on resume bond paper that matches your resume. Make sure you have a matching envelope – attention to detail is important.Spelling, grammar and punctuation
Submitting a letter which contains spelling or grammatical errors could be a disaster for your application. Even if you think you have a good standard of literacy, always have your letter proofread -- it’s easy to miss your own mistakes. Don’t use ambiguous words, make it so the letter is concise and reads smoothly.Keep the Content Relevant
Make a list of the points you want to include in your cover letter and then work out the most logical sequence to introduce them. Don’t be tempted to include a personal sketch or mention something that isn’t important to them, you need to be concise and keep it relevant. It can be helpful to look at things from the perspective of the reader and ask yourself, “If I was hiring a individual for this position, what would I be looking for in a candidate?”Your work history and qualifications will be contained in your application form, so the cover letter is a chance to let the selection committee find out more about you as a person and the passion for the type of work you have applied for. Some of the things you might want to include are:
- Why you want to work for the organization… what makes them interesting or unique. If you can show that you’ve gone to the trouble of finding out specific details about their mission, customer relationship values, products, key personnel, this will make a good impression.
- What you can contribute – what value will you bring to the organization. If you are outlining what you believe to be the things that make you an excellent fit for their company culture, explain why. What skills and attributes do you have that will make a difference the company short- and long-term goals?
- In what ways are you an innovative applicant? With so many people applying for positions, companies can afford to be choosy and pick those that can prove the benefit of hiring them. Having the minimum qualifications and experience is a given, but what makes you special... what is your unique selling point? Try to give concrete examples of innovative initiatives that you’ve been involved in and what were the results.
Most job search experts would agree that typically, a first impression of someone is formed within 4-8 seconds. Even more scary is the concept that once a first impression is formed, it’s very unlikely to change. If the chair of the selection committee opens your resume and discovers that you haven’t bothered to include a cover letter, it’s very possible that your application will end up in the recycling bin along with the envelope it came in.
If you’re unsure of what you should include in your cover letter, here are some tips to help you:
Presentation is everything
Spelling or grammatical errors are quite simply unacceptable in a cover letter for any teaching job application; so, make sure you have your letter proofread. Once completed, your letter should be printed out using a formal, simply font style, which matches your resume, on resume bond paper. Anything else may make your application stand out, but for all the wrong reasons.Make sure that you spell the name of the Principal, Superintendent, and the school or school district correctly and be sure to include your full name and contact details. The letterhead should make the resume with all your contact details.
Be specific
The first paragraph of your letter should include some important details:- Which job are you applying for?
- What is the job reference number? (If you have one)
- Where did you hear about the vacancy?
- If it is a mass mailing, the opening needs to be very catchy.
Do your research
It’s important to show in your letter that you have some background information on the school or school district to which you are applying. A teacher cover letter should be tailored to each school district, if possible. If the school has their own website, this can be a great starting point to find details about how they are unique. Find out as much as you can and make a point of explaining why you are specifically drawn to the school district.What can you offer?
This is where knowing information about the school or district will make a difference. You should explain why your skills and attributes would benefit the school and what kind of contribution you could make. Make sure that what you say is relevant; if you discover that the school is big on music and different languages, mentioning that you coach a local basketball team is not going to help in a huge way!Let your personality shine through.
The beauty of a cover letter is that it’s personal to you; it’s a chance for the selection committee to get a glimpse of what you’re about. Don’t be tempted to download a second hand template to use. This will be obvious to the person reading it and you’ll come across as lazy and unimaginative. Injecting some personality into your letter doesn’t mean filling it with irrelevant anecdotes, but it does mean putting some thought and creativity into what you write. Try to make a connection with the reader and let your personality shine through what you say.When job-hunting it is quite common that a job seeker will apply to more than one school and position. However, sometimes a person is looking to transition into one specific career or desired organization. If you are looking to send out your resume more than once, it may be a good idea to develop a more general cover letter. Ultimately, it saves time and allows you to perform only minor tweaking. A generic letter is also beneficial if you are applying to a wide array of positions that do not relate to one another.
When crafting a non-specific cover letter, you must make sure that you really highlight your education, qualifications, broad base of knowledge, and versatile skill sets. Since you are unable to draw on specific philosophies or goals of the school district, you cannot play on their unique needs. However, all employers are looking for these same key traits:
* Ability to work well with others, as well as independently and unsupervised.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Talent for staying organized, focused, and on-track.
* Solid problem solving and critical- or higher-level thinking skills.
In your generic cover letter, highlight these traits and communicate how they will make you an asset to the hiring school district. If you do not possess any of these qualities/skills, do not include them in your letter. Make sure that you are always able to back up what you put down on paper. The employer will determine during the interview whether or not you actually have these qualities, and can always check with your references. Always remain honest in any of your job-seeking documents. In addition to the traits listed above, list the various positions you have held in the past, and draw on skills, experiences, and achievements you can bring to future positions.
If you are writing a cover letter for a specific position and district, make sure that you take a close look at their job posting, and demonstrate how you meet their particular requirements and are able to carry out the listed responsibilities. If the school district’s philosophy is not stated on their advertisement, do some research and find out what it is. Explain how you are able to help the district meet set goals and standards. In addition, demonstrate your commitment to the district and enthusiasm for obtaining that position and working with them.
Also include any relevant accomplishments that a potential employer might see as beneficial for their school. Bulleting items is a quick, attention-grabbing method for conveying key information:
* Designed a school emergency response plan template that was adopted by ABC School District.
* Recommended and assisted in implementing new programs including Saxon Math, Math Their Way, and Restitution into the school and trained other teachers in the use of these programs.
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