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Career Services and Job Search Information
Guide to Writing Cover Letters
The correspondence you send to potential employers has as much impact as your resume. It is a written representation of you--the first one employers will see. It should be perfectly written and persuasive in selling you as a great teacher. There are two letters used to introduce yourself to the employer, and two used after initial contacts.
The Inquiry Letter
Use this letter when you don't know if a position exists at a school. It is usually used early in the job search to gather information. Start by stating your reason for writing the letter. Refer to your enclosed resume and highlight your accomplishments.
Request an application and ask if any other materials are needed. Indicate that you're interested and available for an interview.
The Letter of Application
Letters of application are in direct response to an announced vacancy. Begin by identifying the position, your personal interest in it, and where you learned about it.
Continue in the second paragraph by presenting your teaching qualifications, special interests and skills that relate directly to the position. Don't be modest; remember you're trying to sell yourself to this school! This is the perfect time to show your familiarity with the school/district. Mention a couple of specifics about them that you have learned from your research and note how well they mesh with your qualifications/interests. Take two paragraphs if needed.
In the final paragraph indicate your interest in an interview. Indicate where you can be reached. Ask that an application be sent if you haven't already received one.
The Thank You Letter
Always write a thank you letter after an interview thanking the interviewer(s) for their time and consideration. Even if you don't want the position, it shows your professionalism to extend the courtesy. If you are still interested in the position, use this letter as one last chance to sell yourself. Be warm and energetic. If you forgot to tell the interviewers anything, or thought of a better answer to a difficult question, include some remarks on those topics. Don't be afraid to pour on the praise --everyone likes compliments! Plan on having this letter in the mail within a day of the interview.
The Status Update Letter
The last letter is to notify schools where your file is active that you have accepted a position. This is a professional courtesy that reflects well on you and may help you if you should apply to that school in the future. This letter need not be very long; make it slightly longer if you had an interview.
Make Your Letters as Tailored as Possible
Always send your letter directly to the hiring authority. Do some research on the school, district, and community. For example, include in your letter how their use of team teaching is exciting to you, or their emphasis on whole language is in line with your teaching style. This shows that you're interested enough in that school to do some digging. If you have a contact person in that school, get in touch with that person and ask if you can mention her/his name in your letter (as well in conversation).
Information and sample letters taken from: "The Right Fit: An Educator's Career Handbook and Employment Guide". Strother and Marshall
Learn more about:
For More Information:
Lynn Bryan, Director
Education Career Services
DePaul School of Education
Schmitt Academic Center, Room 481
2320 N. Kenmore, Chicago IL 60614
phone: 773-325-1652
fax: 773-325-7713
©2002 DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60604 | Disclaimer
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