Education Cover Letters - Initial Certification

A cover letter (or letter of application) is your chance to make a good first impression with potential employers as well as to show that you have effective communication skills. A strong cover letter will help to move your application forward so that a future employer will want to know more about you. A weak cover letter (either in content or in grammar) may keep an employer from looking closely at your resume or from considering you for a teaching position.

A cover letter can generally be written in three paragraphs and limited to one page. This letter will be mailed to the potential employer with the resume , so there should be strong coordination between the two. There is no one rigid formula for writing a good cover letter, but here are some suggestions:

PARAGRAPH #1

• State the position you are applying for.
• Note how you came to know about the position. Generally it will have been listed on the web or in a newspaper ad. If you heard about it from another person (such as a teacher in that school system or your supervising teacher), note the name of the person who told you of the opening.
• Make a specific statement of your qualifications-your degree/certification received or to be received with endorsements named. This statement in the first paragraph allows the reader to discard applicants who are not qualified for the position.

PARAGRAPH #2

• Note your current position or student teaching experience.
• "Tell and sell." This paragraph allows you to market yourself strongly and to set yourself apart as a unique candidate. Match yourself to the job --show them why they should be interested in you. Set yourself apart by your unique skills, experience, or education. Tell the reader(s) something specific about you that might set you apart from other applicants. For example, you might mention a study abroad experience if you are applying for a foreign language or geography position, volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity if you are applying for an Industrial/Technical position, or extensive course work in Journalism if you are applying for an English position. You should mention a specific element of your student teaching that would set you apart from other applicants (for example, initiating an after-school peer tutoring program in math or establishing an in-school history project). Coordinate the letter with the resume . Let the reader see that you are an educator, not just a person in a classroom.

PARAGRAPH #3

• Use this paragraph to make a brief-but-graceful exit from the letter. State that your resume is enclosed and that it contains both a phone number and an e-mail address where you can be reached.
• If the ad has asked you to send credentials, note that they are enclosed. If you don't have yours quite ready, say that you will be sending them as quickly as possible (and then follow through). If the job ad has not requested that you send credentials, note that you will be able to provide a copy of your self-managed credentials if the school wishes.
• Express a willingness to complete further application materials, if needed.
• Politely express your willingness to meet for an interview at the person's convenience.

NOTE: Even if you submit an electronic application for a job, I suggest sending a copy of a cover letter and a resume. You can mention in the first paragraph that you are sending this material as a follow-up to the on-line application that you have already completed, noting the date it was done.

DO:

• Send the letter within a reasonable time after you have seen the job advertisement.
• Check the ad to see if they are asking for credentials to be sent with the resume and cover letter. Do not send them unless they specifically request them. Send a transcript if requested.
• Take the time to be organized. Plan and draft how you will present your information.
• Know something about the schools where you are applying. Visit web sites to gain specific information pertinent to the positions you are applying for. Go to the library or internet to find timely information such as school bond issues, an award-winning speech team, or a local student who has won the regional spelling bee. This information may be helpful in an interview.
• Address your letter to a specific person.
• Use appropriate titles, such as Dr., Ms., Mr.
• Use standard letter format. If you don't know what it is, find a good sourcebook. (I recommend WRITERS INC, a handbook for writing.)
• Be specific about the position you are applying for. Use the language in the ad.
• Vary your letter from school to school although the variation might be minimal. Remember that each school/job is unique.
• Ask someone whom you trust to read each draft of your letter (you'll probably write several) and give you feedback.
• EDIT-EDIT-EDIT!!! Your letter must be perfect.
• Sign the letter . Paperclip it on top of your resume . Mail in a 9 x 12 manila envelope.
• Send your letter via overnight or priority mail if you must meet an immediate deadline.
• Keep a hard copy of each cover letter for your records.

AVOID:

• Applying for jobs for which you are obviously not qualified.
• Beginning your letter with "My name is.."
• Asking rhetorical questions, such as "Do you know why I would be a strong asset to your teaching staff?"
• Using exclamation marks in your letter!!
• Using odd fonts, flashy colored paper, or an unusual format.
• Repeating your entire resume. Highlight 3 to 5 key points.
• Exaggeration, bragging, name dropping, or being dishonest.
• Emphasizing your coaching skill rather than your teaching skill when you apply for a teaching job. Even if the job will include extra duties, remember that their first priority is to hire someone for the classroom, and you have to convince them that you can teach!

For questions about Education Employment, contact Dr. Becky Faber, Assistant Director-Education, at (402) 472-8028.