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Table of contents

Assistant professor cover letter example
Related cover letter examples
Cover letter template for an assistant professor
Format your assistant professor cover letter
How to write a cover letter for an assistant professor
Write a matching resume
Key takeaways
Resources to help prepare for your interview

Are you passionate about shaping young minds and contributing to academic excellence? As an assistant professor, you have the opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of your students by sharing your knowledge and cultivating your students’ passions.

To land an assistant professor role that allows you to share your love of learning, you need an application that showcases your expertise and passion for teaching. While your resume provides a summary of your qualifications, a cover letter is essential to demonstrate why your personality and achievements make you the best fit for the role.

With your resume or CV done, now you just need to create a cover letter for your desired assistant professor position. But don’t worry! It doesn’t have to be frustrating. Our comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, with resources and expert tips to help you fly through the process.

Our guide includes:

Assistant professor cover letter examples to inspire your writing process.
Customizable cover letter templates tailored to show off your teaching abilities and academic contributions.
Expert advice on structuring each section of your cover letter, from introduction to conclusion.
Proven tips and strategies to make your cover letter stand out and impress selection committees.

Need a cover letter quickly? Use our Cover Letter Builder to build a polished application that underscores your qualifications and commitment to academic excellence. This tool provides automatically generated text suggestions that are customizable, plus expert guidance and formatting help to get your cover letter off the ground.

Assistant professor cover letter example

Sample assistant professor cover letter

Cover letter example assistant professor

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What makes this a great sample cover letter for an assistant professor?

Conveys passion
A resume is a comprehensive summary of your qualifications, but a cover letter is more flexible. A great cover letter, like this sample, emphasizes the candidate’s enthusiasm for the role and alignment with the role.
Confident tone
This cover letter politely and confidently lays out the candidate’s incredible skills and experience. This confidence is a key step toward persuading the hiring manager that you can handle the needs of the role.
Appropriate signoff
Signing off with “Best regards” is a polite and appropriate ending for a formal business letter.

Cover letter template for an assistant professor

Want a ready-to-use cover letter template that you can copy and paste and edit to your heart’s content? We’ve got you covered!

Maria Davis
123 ABC street
Southampton, PA 18966
(555)555-5555
example@example.com

March 23, 2024

Alice Wilson, Department Director
Strayer University
3800 Horizon Blvd STE 100
Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053

Dear Ms. Wilson,

I am writing to express my interest in the assistant professor position at your esteemed institution, Strayer University. As an active and experienced educator with a solid academic background, I am the ideal candidate for this role.

I have experienced significant professional growth in my current position, evidenced by completing 12 challenging projects directly relevant to our field. Collectively, these projects represent a 30% increase in my skill set and expertise. Through six years of teaching across various platforms, including physical and online classrooms, I’ve accumulated over 3,000 hours of instructional time. This extensive teaching experience has enabled me to reach more than 500 students, fostering their academic growth and development.

My proficiency in course development is demonstrated by creating 10 well-structured syllabi, resulting in a 20% improvement in student engagement and retention rates. I have delivered over 200 engaging lectures, with an average student satisfaction rating of 8.5 out of 10. Moreover, as a mentor, I’ve guided over 50 students, facilitating their progress and contributing to their academic success. This mentorship has led to a 25% increase in student performance metrics.

My enthusiasm for teaching and the quality of education that I strive to provide my students make me an excellent fit for the assistant professor role. I am attaching my current resume for further review. I am excited to schedule and attend an interview to discuss my qualifications further.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
Maria Davis

Format your assistant professor cover letter

Your cover letter is crucial for showing why you’re the best fit for the job. To do this effectively, write your letter in a professional style that helps employers quickly understand your qualifications.

To make sure your cover letter makes the right impression, pay attention to recommended formatting guidelines to ensure that your format doesn’t distract from your content.

Here are some tips to format your assistant professor cover letter:

Font style and size: Use clear and professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, in a size between 10 and 12 points, to make your letter neat and easy to read.
Spacing: Use 1.15 to 1.5 spacing within paragraphs and double-spacing between paragraphs for clarity.
Margins and alignment: Keep 1-inch margins on all sides and left-aligned text for a well-organized and professional look.

Choose an assistant professor cover letter template

Create your cover letter

When choosing a cover letter template, choose one that aligns with the standards of academic professionalism. Look for designs that are clean and sophisticated, reflecting the expectations of the academic community.

Consistency between your cover letter and resume templates is also essential for presenting a unified application that underscores your qualifications and suitability for the assistant professor role.

How to write a cover letter for an assistant professor

Are you aware that 83% of hiring managers consider cover letters a must? Yet, surprisingly, many candidates skip writing them. In other words, building one can give you a valuable advantage.

Luckily, writing a cover letter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following a few simple steps, you can simplify the process, remove uncertainty and build an assistant professor cover letter with confidence.

Step 1

Start by reviewing the assistant professor job description

Customizing your cover letter to each specific position is vital. A tailored cover letter shows genuine interest in the role and lets you demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the employer’s needs. Conversely, using a generic cover letter for multiple applications may suggest a lack of enthusiasm for the specific role.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are also influential, as many employers use them to screen candidates. These systems scan for keywords matching the qualifications in the job description.

To increase your chances of passing ATS screening, ensure your assistant professor cover letter includes terms used in the job description. Tailoring each cover letter to match the unique requirements of each role not only enhances your application’s quality but also positions you for success in ATS evaluation.

Step 2

Include your contact information in the header

While seemingly basic, the contact information in your cover letter’s header is essential. After all, the goal of your cover letter is to prompt the hiring manager to initiate further contact.

Make it easy for potential employers to reach you by ensuring your contact details are easily accessible and accurate. Place them in the header and confirm that they match the information on your resume.

Include:

Your name
City and state
Phone number
Email address
Relevant links to your professional portfolio or LinkedIn profile, if applicable

Pro tip

Professionalism matters. If your email address is inappropriate or overly casual, consider creating a new one. Opt for a variation of your name or initials.

Step 3

Address the hiring manager by name

Write a personalized salutation for your assistant professor cover letter by directly addressing the hiring manager. Doing so shows your commitment, initiative and attention to detail.

If you cannot find the name or details of the hiring manager, addressing the letter to the hiring team of the institution or the specific department you’re applying for is an appropriate alternative.

Pro tip

Job listings often provide contact information for a hiring manager or department. If not, invest some time in researching the organization to identify the individuals responsible for hiring.

Step 4

Introduce yourself in the first paragraph

Regardless of your experience level or industry, making a strong first impression is essential. The opening paragraph serves as your introduction, offering a brief overview of your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

Entry-level assistant professor cover letter:

I am writing to express my interest in the assistant professor position at [University], as advertised. Having recently completed my [Degree or Training Program] in [Relevant Field], I am eager to leverage my passion for [Specific Area of Interest or Expertise] and my dedication to continuous learning to contribute to the academic community at [University]. With a strong commitment to [Specific Teaching or Research Approach] and a collaborative approach to academic excellence, I am excited about the opportunity to begin my career in academia and make a positive impact in the field.

Experienced assistant professor cover letter:

I am excited to express my interest in the assistant professor position at [University], as advertised. With [Number] years of experience in [Teaching or Research Experience] and a proven track record of [Specific Achievements or Contributions], I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. I am confident that my experience and skills make me a strong candidate for this position, and I look forward to contributing to the success of the academic team at [University].

Pro tip

Keep your introduction brief, highlighting your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position in just a few sentences.

Step 5

Explain why you’re the best candidate for the job

The body paragraphs of your assistant professor cover letter provide a valuable opportunity to highlight your qualifications and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the position.

Specify relevant teaching and research experience: Detail your experience in teaching and research, emphasizing any achievements or innovative approaches you’ve used in the classroom or in your research. Provide specific examples of how you’ve developed course materials, engaged with students and contributed to your field through research publications or presentations.
Highlight transferable skills: Alongside your academic experience, emphasize transferable skills such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving. Your cover letter should showcase a mix of both hard and soft skills, demonstrating your ability to work effectively with students, colleagues and the broader academic community.
Address unique qualifications or experiences: Use the body paragraphs to address any unique aspects of your background that set you apart as a candidate. Whether you’ve received prestigious awards, collaborated on interdisciplinary projects or gained teaching experience in diverse settings, highlight how these experiences have prepared you for success as an assistant professor.

Example body paragraphs for an assistant professor cover letter:

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a commitment to [Specific Teaching or Research Philosophy] and have consistently contributed to the academic community through [Examples of Professional Involvement or Contributions]. In my previous role as a teaching assistant at [Previous Institution], I developed and delivered lectures, facilitated discussions and mentored students, resulting in positive feedback from both students and faculty. I have a strong commitment to fostering student learning and am dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging classroom environment.

As an early career researcher, I have published several papers in reputable journals and presented at conferences, demonstrating my ability to contribute to the academic discourse in my field. I am particularly interested in [specific area of interest or specialization] and am excited about the opportunity to further explore this area in my teaching and research at [Your Institution].

Step 6

Write your cover letter closing

Conclude your assistant professor cover letter by reiterating your enthusiasm for the position and your readiness to contribute to the academic community at the institution. Emphasize how your qualifications align with the institution’s values and goals, and express your eagerness to discuss your application further in an interview.

Example closing paragraph for an assistant professor cover letter:

I am excited about the opportunity to join the faculty at [Your Institution] and contribute to its academic mission. With a passion for teaching and research, I am confident in my ability to make a meaningful impact on students and the broader academic community. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my background and skills align with the goals of [Your Institution]. Thank you for considering my application.

Step 7

Sign off

End your assistant professor cover letter with a professional signoff such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.

Write a matching resume

Create your resume

Your cover letter is just one part of your application package; your resume or CV is equally important. Writing a strong resume or composing a detailed CV tailored to the assistant professor position is essential. Consider including sections on your academic achievements, teaching experience, research publications and any relevant professional experience. For inspiration, take a look at some successful resume examples or CV examples, depending on which document type the job ad calls for.

For help writing a professionally formatted resume tailored to an assistant professor position, try our AI Resume Builder. This tool offers customizable templates and expertly crafted skills and phrases specific to academia, helping you create a standout resume that complements your cover letter. Plus, you can choose a template that matches your letter’s design for a cohesive and polished application package.

Key takeaways

Explore assistant professor cover letter examples

Take a look at some relevant assistant professor cover letter examples for help getting inspired and visualizing what success could look like for your cover letter.
Highlight key skills for assistant professor

Demonstrate your suitability for an assistant professor role by emphasizing your full skill set. Include everything from your ability to develop course materials and engage students to qualities such as excellent communication skills and a dedication to fostering a positive learning environment.
Select an appropriate assistant professor cover letter template

Choose a cover letter template that reflects your professional demeanor and aligns with the standards of academia. Opt for a clean and professional design that allows your credentials and achievements to stand out.
Keep your introduction concise

Introduce yourself and express your interest in the assistant professor position. Clearly state your enthusiasm for teaching and your qualifications for the role, avoiding unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.
Write detailed body paragraphs

Use the body paragraphs of your cover letter to provide specific examples of your teaching experience, innovative teaching methods you’ve employed, and your contributions to your field through research and publications.
Ensure proper formatting

Maintain a professional appearance for your assistant professor cover letter by adhering to standard formatting guidelines for font, spacing and margins. Before finishing your cover letter, carefully proofread it to avoid grammatical or typographical errors.

Resources to help prepare for your interview

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.