How to Make a Great Impression with Your Teaching Cover Letter

Writing an excellent cover letter is important in any profession. In teaching, because you are dealing with students, it can be even more important! When your profession concerns educating students, helping them to grow and learn, your cover letter can be of utmost importance. Here are some hints that can help you compose the perfect cover letter for a teaching position.

Presentation: The first thing someone will notice about your cover letter before they even read the content is how it looks. Your letter should be typed and use a standard font size and style. Although you may want to show your expertise with writing, getting overly extravagant is not professional. Print the letter off on resume bond paper that matches your resume.  Make sure you have a matching envelope. Attention to detail is important. Keep a copy on your computer so you can adjust it to each position you apply for.

Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation: Submitting a letter which contains spelling or grammatical errors will make the interviewer think you don’t have the expertise, experience or education you claim you have. Even if you think you are good at writing, and have few or no mistakes, always have your letter proofread. Someone else may see mistakes that you didn’t notice. Don’t use large or unusual words. Keep it plain, simple and to the point. The easier they can read your letter, the better chance you have against the competition…

Keep the Content Relevant: It’s important to plan your cover letter so that it flows well and makes complete sense. Make a detailed list of what you want to include in your letter, and organize it in a logical sequence. The interviewer is not looking for a personal profile, so don’t include a bunch of personal items. List only what is relevant to the job. Look at it from their point of view. If you were a recruiter interviewing for this position, what would you be looking for in a teacher.

Your work history, education, achievements, accomplishments and qualifications will be contained in your resume and application form. The cover letter is a chance to let the interviewer get a quick overview of you as a person. Below are some things you may want to include:

• Have an explanation of why you chose this school: Explain why you chose this school over others. If you have done your research, show that you know about the vision, values and functions of this school. It will make a bigger impression on the interviewer.

• What you can contribute: Explain what you think you have in experience, knowledge and methods that would be of benefit to the school. Explain why you think your experience and expertise fits the description of the type of teacher they want.

• Are You Innovative? Can you show them, in so many words, that you are innovative and that you can put that innovation to work? So many teachers are looking for work, that schools know they can be very choosy when picking a new teacher. There will be a minimum of qualifications and experience needed, but they are looking for those extra attributes as well. Can you show them you have those extras? Give examples of how your innovations have helped advance student learning or enhance your teaching methods in your past positions.

• Extra skills are a plus: Do you have any special skills that the school would consider beneficial? Have you done any coaching, or do you play a musical instrument like the piano? Do you have experience organizing groups? Do you have any special skills that would benefit the school? Any examples you can give that show extra beneficial skills will definitely help your name to be on the top of the list of candidates.