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Visiting Professor Cover Letter

15 visiting professor cover letter templates.

Visiting Professor Cover Letter Sample

How to Write the Visiting Professor Cover Letter

In response to your job posting for visiting professor, I am including this letter and my resume for your review.

In my previous role, I was responsible for subject matter expertise and consultation on the design and methodological development of studies, evaluation of research literature, quality review and editing of grant proposals, research manuscripts, and other scholarly publications.

Please consider my qualifications and experience:

  • Experience teaching at least one full course at the graduate level
  • Applicants should have an expertise in the religions of East Asia or Southeast Asia, with further expertise in eco-spirituality
  • A passion and patience for teaching students foundational management skills
  • An earned doctorate in Management from an accredited institution
  • A passion and patience for teaching students foundational mathematics skills
  • An earned doctorate in Mathematics from an accredited institution
  • Organize, prepare, and regularly revise and update all course materials
  • Develop and provide students with an approved DeVry University syllabus that follows a template established by the local campus, and which includes the terminal course objectives

Thank you for taking your time to review my application.

Drew Emmerich

  • Microsoft Word (.docx) .DOCX
  • PDF Document (.pdf) .PDF
  • Image File (.png) .PNG

Responsibilities for Visiting Professor Cover Letter

Visiting professor responsible for and present content reports to the appropriate Curriculum Committees with the aid of the OME Office of Assessment, Evaluation, and Outcomes.

Visiting Professor Examples

Example of visiting professor cover letter.

I would like to submit my application for the visiting professor opening. Please accept this letter and the attached resume.

In the previous role, I was responsible for leadership and support to field specialists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of high impact educational programs.

My experience is an excellent fit for the list of requirements in this job:

  • Track record of scholarly contributions to the field of entrepreneurship (e.g., journal articles for academic or practitioner audiences, books, teaching cases or other pedagogical materials)
  • Strong skills in teaching adult learners
  • Virginia administrative license or the potential to hold a Virginia administrative license
  • Experience working with educational leadership licensure programs
  • Experience and commitment to preparing individuals to work with diverse student populations, constituencies, and communities
  • Skill in supervising practicum/internship
  • Commitment to diversity and inclusion consistent with the university’s mission
  • A style marked by integrity, transparency, and fairness

Lennox Durgan

I submit this application to express my sincere interest in the visiting professor position.

In the previous role, I was responsible for leadership for program improvement, development, evaluation; review and recommend changes to maintain relevance of academic programs and to meet student, clinical veterinary medical workforce, and community needs.

I reviewed the requirements of the job opening and I believe my candidacy is an excellent fit for this position. Some of the key requirements that I have extensive experience with include:

  • Experience in large lecture classes
  • Experience in new course development
  • Experience with grant-funded research
  • Demonstrated interest in qualitative and quantitative research methods, their appropriate analytical counterparts
  • Demonstrated interest in teaching, and designing web-based instructional materials (e.g., LibGuides, video tutorials, Zoom)
  • Monitor knowledge of emerging trends, best practices, and pedagogical principles in assessment and instructional design, including but not limited to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education
  • Prior experience or relevant graduate coursework in library assessment
  • Demonstrated experience and expertise in the use of library/information technology

Thank you in advance for reviewing my candidacy for this position.

Zion Schowalter

In my previous role, I was responsible for individual, group, or course related instruction to students in assigned subject areas, and contribute to the development and implementation of the information literacy program.

Please consider my experience and qualifications for this position:

  • Syllabi of courses taught with course outline / schedule included (submit up to 3 examples as a single PDF)
  • Portfolio consisting of 20 images of the applicant’s personal creative work and 20 images of student work (Any digital video work should be submitted as QuickTime files and limited to 3 minutes) and each image should be a separate jpeg or tiff file, not together in a PDF file
  • Statement of teaching philosophy and research interest
  • Experience teaching translation
  • Experience working with learners who are working A>B and B>A
  • Demonstrated interest in collaborative research with existing CS departmental research activity in CS education, and with TLOS initiatives in design thinking and distance education
  • Experience teaching core criminology/criminal justice courses and statistics
  • Experience teaching online courses and face-to-face courses

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my cover letter and to review my resume.

Armani Wuckert

In the previous role, I was responsible for coordination and oversight of all aspects of program development, implementation and evaluation for the intensive out-patient day program for women with perinatal mood disorders.

  • Experience generating grants and contracts to support research interests
  • Experience collaborating in interdisciplinary teams
  • Teaching in a multi-disciplinary professional graduate program
  • On-going research in Biostatistics
  • Research interests in one or both areas of Clinical Trials and Bayesian Statistics
  • Teaching interests in one or both areas of Clinical Trials and Bayesian Statistics
  • Earned doctorate or ABD from a CACREP-approved program
  • The counseling specialization is open, although Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling are preferred

Phoenix Mayer

In my previous role, I was responsible for direct supervision and evaluation of nursing students delivering nursing care to an individual or group of individuals.

  • The evidence of effective classroom instruction
  • Breadth and depth of mathematical knowledge
  • Publication in scholarly journals
  • Working with diverse student populations at the college level
  • PhD in Sociology at the time of appointment
  • PhD or ABD in Psychology or Human Development at time of appointment
  • Primary expertise in developmental psychology
  • Evidence of preparation to teach undergraduate courses in field of expertise and in statistics and research methods

Riley Steuber

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Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Cover letter for a faculty position

Criteria for success.

  • Demonstrate scientific accomplishments and scholastic achievement.
  • Clearly define the vision and impact of your future research program.
  • Differentiate yourself from colleagues, e.g. your advisors and other faculty candidates.
  • Establish what your niche will be in the department.
  • Clearly display excitement and passion.
  • Keep the cover letter to 1 to 2 pages . The optional second page may contain a list of publications/presentations or a list of references.

The faculty cover letter, as with cover letters for other positions , is the first part of your application to be read by the Faculty Search Committee. Therefore, the primary purpose of a faculty cover letter is to summarize your application by connecting your Research and Teaching Statements, CV, and references.

Analyze your audience

Knowing what the Faculty Search Committee is looking for will help you tailor your application.

Searches for new hires may focus on specific research areas ( e.g.  nanomaterials, systems engineering, therapeutic science, renewable energy). In this case, you should customize your application to highlight your work in the specified research area.

Alternatively, departments may concentrate solely on the best candidates regardless of pre-selected scientific disciplines, in which case you have more flexibility in how you present yourself.

In addition, academic employment opportunities differ based on whether positions are tenure-tracked or require teaching, and the type of institution (university, medical school, research institute). Research the responsibilities associated with each of these positions, and include only information relevant to the specific position – don’t waste valuable space on irrelevant experiences.

Structure of a Cover Letter

  • Critical contact information: name, degree, current position, email, and phone number
  • Your professional profile or webpage ( e.g.  LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Academia.edu)
  • Date, department, and university name and address .
  • Salutation – “Dear [Faculty Search Committee / Department Head],”
  • Brief introduction – Display excitement. State specific terms related to the faculty position, department and university. For example, if you are applying to a “cluster” hire that includes faculty across multiple departments, such as Systems and Synthetic Biology , then state this directly. State the position for which you are applying ( i.e. tenure-track appointment, assistant faculty position).
  • Strong opening statement – Declare your targeted research areas. Establish the foundation on which you will base your research. Emphasize novel interfaces and applications within your proposed research.
  • Scientific achievements – Summarize successes highlighted in your CV that demonstrate the breadth and depth of scientific expertise. Demonstrate your productivity, as well as key scientific or technical strengths, with supporting details.
  • Motivation & impact – State areas of expertise and indicate specific aims of your future research program. Clearly describe how these aims align with current research initiatives in the department or university.
  • Teaching & mentorship – Highlight your experience in the classroom and as a research mentor, and service in the profession or community.
  • Wrap-up – “Additional documents are enclosed. Please feel free to contact me if supplemental information is required.”
  • Follow-up & thank you – Be clear that you expect to hear back (e.g. “I look forward to your reply”). Thank the committee for their time and consideration.
  • Closure – Maintain professionalism. “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” and “Kindest regards” are appropriate closing phrases. Include your electronic signature.

Advocate for yourself

The faculty cover letter emphasizes your past and present academic career, while promoting your future potential. For many of us, exuding confidence in an open letter of introduction is challenging, but you have to believe in yourself before you can convince others to believe in you.

State your pedigree

In academia, the institutions and departments you have attended and the advisors for whom you have worked do matter. State this information in Scientific Achievements . Inform your audience if you have co-taught classes with distinguished professors in Teaching & Mentorship or emphasize existing collaborations in the Motivation & Impact section.

Quantify your productivity

Academia identifies scientific contributions by the following conventions: number of publications, quality, and impact. In addition to research articles, noteworthy contributions may also include opinion articles, book chapters, or your role as a journal reviewer. Emphasize alternative sources of scientific communication (and funding) such as distinguished merit-based fellowships.

Engineering students are likely to be co-authors of patents; state this information.

Describe your future potential

Beyond reiterating your past accomplishments, you must also show that you are prepared to handle the future challenges of being a Principal Investigator. By far, the most difficult paragraph to write in the faculty cover letter focuses on the Motivation & Impact of your future research program. Clearly articulate the vision of your future research program and describe how your leadership will facilitate an environment of scientific and teaching excellence. Demonstrate expert understanding of your field, and confidently state your qualifications as a leader in research, an educator, and a citizen of the university.

Define your niche

Your application will be one out of hundreds. You must differentiate yourself and your research program from other candidates, as well as previous or current advisor(s). Ask yourself what you will do that is unique compared to any of your past or future colleagues. How will you fit uniquely into the department — what is your niche?

The Motivation & impact section provides an opportunity to concisely define your niche. State specific aims of your proposed research that expand upon the department’s core strengths while simultaneously diversifying the university’s research portfolio ( e.g.  emerging research fields, state-of-the art technologies, novel applications). Carefully consider research centers, core facilities, affiliated institutes or medical centers at the university. In many cases, campus- or state-wide research initiatives may complement your research program.

Finally, take advantage of any experiences you’ve had outside of academia. Have you previously worked in industry or consulted? Would these former and future relationships lead to additional funding for your lab? If so, suggest more unusual avenues of additional funding. It may no longer suffice to focus primarily on traditional grants sponsored by government agencies. Think of creative alternatives and diversify your future financial portfolio. This, in turn, differentiates your research program from colleagues.

Finally, you will more than likely apply to multiple departments and universities. Therefore, modify your niche for every application!

Make important information concise and identifiable

Again, your application is one out of hundreds. Helping the Faculty Search Committee easily identify important information in your cover letter will only improve your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. A faculty cover letter should not exceed 1 page , so you must present your qualifications to the Faculty Search Committee in a concise manner.

Maximize impact of words. Use verbs that illustrate impact (“led,” “developed,” “innovated”) over verbs that make you sound passive (“participated”). Aim for verbs that are more specific to the actual contribution you made.

Minimize redundancy and wordiness. For every sentence, challenge yourself to remove as many words as possible without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Use keywords. Keywords cited by grant-funding agencies, easily recognizable by any faculty member, should be included in relevant sections of your faculty cover letter. Using field-specific vocabulary may demonstrate your understanding of the field and the department’s needs, but be aware that Faculty Search Committees with mixed expertise may require simpler vocabulary and/or explanations accessible to a broader audience.

Maintain abundant white space. In terms of formatting, inclusion of white space is easy on the eye while providing a precise transition from one section to the next.

Devote time!

Crafting your faculty application is a process that will continue indefinitely.

  • Devote time to your faculty application, working in consistent increments over the course of weeks not days.
  • Take time to brainstorm, reflect, write, edit, critique, and revise accordingly.
  • Seek guidance in terms of technical content, emphasis of soft skills, as well as grammatical improvements and aesthetics from colleagues and friends.

Above all else, remember that the faculty application is a creative process. Enjoy it!

This content was adapted from from an article originally created by the  MIT Biological Engineering Communication Lab .

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

Example Faculty Cover Letter 887 KB

Annotated Example 2

Example Faculty CV 85 KB

Visiting Scholar Cover Letter Example

The purpose of writing a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the hiring employer and to demonstrate how best of a fit you are for this job. A Visiting Scholar provides high-level and professional teaching support to students and encourages them to complete their research and thesis work. Most of these scholars are qualified with higher degrees and visit various Universities temporarily.

To land a job as a Visiting Scholar, you need a cover letter that showcases your skills and experience. Check out our Visiting Scholar Cover Letter Samples and tips below to learn how to write a cover letter that will help you get the job.

Visiting Scholar Cover Letter example

  • Cover Letters

A Visiting Scholar conducts short-term teaching, and research functions at Universities and Colleges. Most educational institutions search for Scholars on visiting basis to enrich their institute’s activities. These educators lecture on various specified courses, and newly-developed courses, and partake in faculty-wide activities. They are also responsible for fostering sustainable academic ties to facilitate career-long collaborations.

What to Include in a Visiting Scholar Cover Letter?

Roles and responsibilities.

  • Instructing on pre-specified or established courses.
  • Conceiving, refining, and teaching novel lecture series.
  • Setting and examining coursework and summative assessments.
  • Partaking in collaborative investigations.
  • Attending faculty-organized training.
  • Planning and managing own teaching and tutorials.
  • Managing own teaching, scholarly and administrative activities and supervising student’s fieldwork and placements.
  • Referring students to appropriate services for further support and guidance.

Education & Skills

Visiting scholar skills:.

  • Ability to communicate information and ideas to students.
  • Sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline.
  • Familiarity with a variety of strategies to promote and assess learning.
  • Ability to liaison with colleagues and students.
  • Supervisory skills.

Visiting Scholar Education Requirements:

  • First degree in a course-related subject.
  • Higher degree in a course relevant subject.
  • Teaching qualification – Postgraduate degree or pursuing towards Ph.D.

Visiting Scholar Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Dear Mr./Ms.,

As a Skilled and experienced professor with key experience in research, I am writing this letter to inquire about the possibility of joining your team as a Visiting Scholar for the academic year (), that is available at your esteemed (College/University Name). I’m a Canadian Ph.D. Student, currently working in various Colleges as visiting professor. And, I take this opportunity to submit my enclosed resume for your kind perusal.

On reviewing my resume, you can discover that my background and passion for education and research are immense, and this will contribute to the betterment of your Facility and students. I have a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s from the reputed (University Name). I am currently writing my Ph.D. thesis, and aim to complete it by this spring.

A few of my qualifications and credentials include –

  • Currently working as a visiting Mathematics Professor at (University Name) where I teach Introduction to Statistics, and advanced Linear Algebra, and planning to deliver high-quality instruction in both virtual and physical settings.
  • Experienced in administering and evaluating assessments. I have employed a wide range of traditional and progressive methodologies, emphasizing mainly interactive learning methods.
  • Developed and written plenty of textbooks, including creating materials for those who need specific learning techniques.
  • Created individualized plans and curriculums for high schools, facilitating easy, approachable, and personalized learning ways.
  • Staying abreast with new technologies, by actively participating in ongoing seminars, workshops, online activities, and presentations.

With these credentials and experience, I believe that I can deliver stimulating courses for generations to come. Please find attached my Curriculum Vitae for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the next steps.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

All teaching positions don’t carry the same cover letter format. Hence while writing for your Visiting Scholar position, you should customize and write it differently. Some of the tips and tricks to follow while drafting this cover letter are –

  • Breakdown your accomplishments into bullet points, as this has the potential to attract your hiring manager to jump to the main points instead of wasting the time reading your regular information.
  • The cover letter should be kept brief yet, informative- this will make the hiring manager know more about you.
  • Don’t repeat points that you have already stated in your resume. include some convincing statements such as passion for developing student’s interest or potential.
  • Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. You can spotlight all your achievements and your history of success with students. Any relevant point should be clearly listed.

Use our Visiting Scholar Resume Samples and learn how to make one!

Download

Customize Visiting Scholar Cover Letter

Get hired faster with our free cover letter template designed to land you the perfect position.

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High School Secretary Cover Letter Example

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Professor Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Milan Šaržík — Certified Professional Résumé Writer

Looking to sculpt the future geniuses of our world through education? You're just one professor cover letter away from molding minds in your dream institution! In the hallowed halls of higher learning, a well-crafted professor cover letter could be your ticket to tenure.

Assistant Professor Music Cover Letter Sample

Our ultimate guide offers a syllabus of handy tips, examples, and templates that will illuminate how to highlight your pedagogical expertise, academic passion, and career drive.

So stay tuned to learn:

  • How to format your professor cover letter correctly
  • How to create an impactful header
  • How to compose an engaging cover letter headline
  • How to personalize the greeting in your cover letter
  • How to write a powerful introduction for your professor cover letter
  • How to showcase your academic skills and achievements
  • How to write a compelling cover letter conclusion
  • How to avoid common mistakes in your professor cover letter
  • About the average salary and job outlook for professors
  • Where to find valuable resources for professors in the job market

1. How to properly format your professor cover letter

Proper formatting is paramount to ensure your professor cover letter is easy to read and navigate. Fear not. We won't have you penning a thesis here, but a neat, concise design that'll make your application memorable.

  • Keep it concise: Cover letters should be a maximum of 1 page. Remember, brevity is the soul of wit. 
  • Choose a legible font: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, preferably size 12, works well. A clear, readable font shows respect for your reader's time and eyes. 
  • Use a professional structure: Stick with the standard structure — header, headline, opening paragraph, main body, closing paragraph, and sign-off. This provides a familiar, easy-to-follow pattern. 
  • Perfect your paragraphing: Aim for 3-4 paragraphs. Each paragraph should cover different aspects — introduction, your qualifications and why you'll excel at the job, and a strong closing statement. 
  • Spacing is crucial: Apply a 1-inch margin all around, and space between lines should be 1.15. This makes your cover letter pleasant to the eyes.
  • PDF it: Save your cover letter as a PDF file. This format ensures stability and consistency when your file is opened on a different system.
  • Proofread, proofread, proofread: Typos and grammatical mistakes can quickly tarnish the impression of your cover letter. Spare some time to go through the text thoroughly . Grammar-check tools can be a real lifesaver here.
  • Subtle use of color: If you're daring, a small splash of color can make your cover letter stand out. Stick to muted, professional tones and use it scarcely. 

Remember, the cover letter isn’t just a narrative of your journey in academics. It's a testament to your attention to detail, aesthetics, and understanding of structure and layout.

Create your cover letter fast with artificial intelligence.

2. how to create an effective cover letter header .

The header of your professor cover letter might seem like a minor detail, but it's more important than you might think. It's not just about providing your contact information. It's also about demonstrating an ability to present information clearly and professionally . 

The header should contain your contact information, the date, and the recipient's contact information, in this order:

  • Your full name
  • Your address 
  • Your phone number
  • Your email address
  • Recipient's full name and title (if known)
  • Recipient's address 

Let's take a look at two contrasting examples: 

Incorrect cover letter header example

John Doe [email protected]

Why is it incorrect? It lacks key information — it presents only the applicant's name and email address. The recipient wouldn’t know where to send a written response if they wanted to. Missing a phone number? That's a fast-track conversation sidelined. What’s more, disregarding the date and recipient's information reflects a lack of attention to detail and professionalism.

Correct cover letter header example

John Doe 123 Main Street City, State Zip (123) 456-7890 [email protected]

To: Professor Jane Smith Dean of Biology Department University Name 456 College Avenue City, State Zip

Why does it work? This example is comprehensive. It includes all the needed contact information for both parties and the date, which can be crucial for record-keeping. It adheres to the expected professional structure for a cover letter header, hinting at the candidate's meticulous organizational skills.

All in all, the cover letter header is your initial point of contact with the hiring committee or recruiter. Don’t rush it. Pay attention to the details to ensure that yours makes an entrance, leaving a trail of professionalism and thoroughness in its wake.

3. How to write a compelling headline for a professor cover letter

A cover letter headline is your elevator pitch. Consisting of a succinct, catchy phrase, rightly placed beneath your header, it's your chance to grab the reader's attention . 

The perfect headline is a balance between confidence and humility, introducing your professional standing or key accomplishment without appearing boastful.

Weak cover letter headline example

Experienced Professor Seeking Employment

Why is it weak? This headline is too generic and lacks impact. It doesn't differentiate you from other candidates and overlooks an opportunity to lead with a compelling accomplishment or unique trait.

Strong cover letter headline example

Renowned Biologist with 50+ Peer-Reviewed Publications, Committed to Nurturing Future Leaders in Conservation

Why does it work? This headline conveys the candidate's impressive academic feats while expressing a spirited commitment to their educational role. It presents the applicant as both an accomplished scholar and a passionate educator. Such a forceful headline heightens the reader's curiosity about the expertise, experiences and values the candidate brings to the table.

When crafting your headline, wear your achievements with pride, introduce the unique flavor of your professional persona and give the recruiters a reason to keep reading. That's how you get your foot in the academic door.

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4. How to customize the greeting on your professor cover letter

Customizing your cover letter’s greeting isn’t just a sign of respect; it shows that you've conducted your due diligence on the job and are genuinely keen about it. 

When you address the hiring committee or a specific person by name in your greeting, it shows that you've taken the time to research and understand who will be reading your application. It also signals that you are detail-oriented and watchful — desirable traits in any academic.

The best place to find the names of the hiring manager or committee members are in the job posting itself, on the university's website , or via LinkedIn . 

Personalized cover letter greetings

Dear Dr. Smith, Dear Dr. John Smith, Dear Hiring Manager John Smith,

But what if, despite your research, you can't pin down a name ? There are still options to keep your greeting professional and respectful.

General cover letter greetings

  • Dear Hiring Manager,
  • To the Biology Department Selection Committee,
  • Dear Faculty Search Team,

Each of these unspecific greetings has different nuances:

  • The first is a general, respectable choice. 
  • The second addresses the selection committee of the specific department, showing awareness of the role department members play in hiring. 
  • The third is more informal and might be suitable in less traditional or more modern institutions.

However, diligence in personalizing your greeting is crucial to avoid falling into the "generic trap". Cliche, overly generic greetings like "To whom it may concern," might reflect detachment. 

Remember, customizing your greeting is a small detail that can make a big impression. Invest the effort, and it could be a step in the direction of your dream teaching position.

5. How to write a compelling cover letter introduction

The introduction of your cover letter is a storytelling moment. It's the spark that ignites the recruiter's interest in your professional and academic journey. The trick is to introduce yourself, highlight key achievements, and articulate your interest in the position clearly and efficiently. 

If you have a mutual connection with any existing faculty member, be sure to mention it. This can strengthen your introduction by offering immediate context and relevance.

Weak cover letter introduction example

I'm writing to apply for the Biology Professor position.

Why doesn’t it work? This introduction lacks imagination and doesn’t pique the reader's interest. It merely states the obvious and misses an opportunity to introduce the candidate's credentials or express genuine enthusiasm for the position.

Strong cover letter opening example for an experienced professor

As an evolutionary biologist with 15 years of teaching experience and over 30 peer-reviewed publications, I was thrilled to find the opening for a Biology Professor at XYZ University. My passion for imparting knowledge and recent Fulbright scholarship align perfectly with your focus on global research perspectives.

Why is it strong? This introduction signals the candidate’s teaching experience, academic accomplishments and aligned values, making it a compelling read for any hiring committee.

Strong cover letter opening for a fresh graduate

As a newly-credentialed PhD holder in Computer Science and recipient of the 'Outstanding Research Assistant' award for two consecutive years, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growing Computer Science department at XYZ University.

Why does it work? Here, the recent graduate leverages their award and newly minted PhD as testament of their potential, making a strong compelling case despite lack of extensive experience. 

Remember, the cover letter introduction is your initial pitch. Make sure you swing for the fences!

professor cover letter opening example

6. How to highlight your top skills and accomplishments as a professor

The body of your cover letter is your academic showcase, the stage where you outline your skills , achievements , and passions as they relate to the professorship role. Here's what this act should cover:

  • Your notable achievements in teaching and research
  • Skills that set you apart and align with the role
  • Indication of your teaching methods and philosophies

Let's touch on structure first. Aim to construct two to three mid-length paragraphs. Each one should focus on a different skill or accomplishment, creating a clearly organized and easy to navigate story of your career.

When highlighting your teaching skills , get specific. Does your interactive teaching style drive high student engagement? Have your innovative lesson plans boosted students' grades? Paint a vivid picture of what you bring to the classroom.

Skills to mention in your professor cover letter

  • High proficiency in a particular teaching method or philosophy
  • A record of impressive publication or research grants secured
  • Proven track record in improving student performance
  • Success in curriculum development or program accreditation
  • Award or distinction in education or research field

If you are a fresh-faced professor with no experience to pull from, focus on your areas of academic excellence, internships, research assistance, or relevant university projects that denote your potential as an educator.

Now, let’s take a look at some examples:

Cover letter body paragraph example for an experienced professor

In my recent role as a Sociology Professor at ABC University, I consistently received outstanding student evaluations, reflecting my commitment to creating an engaging learning environment. I am particularly proud of an elective course I developed on Modern Social Movements, which was recognized by the university board for its in-depth, engaging structure.

Why does it work? This showcases teaching skills, course development abilities, and a knack for generating student engagements.

Cover letter body paragraph example for a fresh graduate

During my doctoral study, I had the opportunity to teach two semesters of undergraduate introductory biology and serve as a research assistant on a project exploring genetics and evolution. Both these roles honed my communication and teamwork abilities, while driving an appreciation for hands-on bio-research that I'm eager to impart.

Why is it strong? In this example, the fresh graduate leverages teaching and research assistant experiences, indicating clear initiative and a passion for the field. 

Remember, to set yourself apart, showcase your unique achievements, skills, and experiences that make you not just an expert in your field, but a teacher who can inspire, motivate, and impart knowledge.

professor cover letter body paragraphs tips

7. How to conclude persuasively your professor cover letter

After your convincing body paragraphs, there’s one last hill to climb: the conclusion . The importance of a persuasive conclusion can't be overstated. It's your final chance to leave a strong impression, convey your enthusiasm, and specify your plan to proceed in the application process. 

Your conclusion should ideally cover:

  • A restatement of your interest in the role 
  • Your contact details and preferred time to be contacted 
  • Whether and when you intend to follow up
  • A formal, courteous sign-off

Incorrect cover letter conclusion example

You can call me whenever it suits you. 

Cheers, John

Why is it wrong? This example misses the mark. The language is too casual and it lacks a clear intention for follow-up. The sign-off is overly informal for a professional setting and lacks the applicant’s full name.

Correct cover letter conclusion example

I am excited at the possibility of bringing my passion for teaching biology and cutting-edge genetic research to the team at XYZ University. I am available at your earliest convenience for an in-depth discussion. You may reach me at (123) 456-7890 or via email at [email protected]. If I have not heard from you by next week, I’ll follow up to ensure you have all the information you need. 

Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,  John Doe

Why does it work? This conclusion demonstrates a clear interest, indicates a plan for follow-up, and includes all necessary contact information. The sign-off is professional and courteous, maintaining the formal tone that a cover letter requires. 

Crafting an effective conclusion is about being direct and proactive. It's your chance to ensure your application leaves a lasting impression and initiates the next steps in the recruitment process. Nail the conclusion and you're one step closer to the lectern.

8. How to avoid common mistakes on a professor cover letter

Even the most seasoned professors can trip over a few common pitfalls when crafting their cover letter. Let's shed some light on these mistakes, and more importantly, how you can dodge them:

  • Typos or grammatical errors: While even the best of us can occasionally miss an errant comma or misspelled word, these errors can imply carelessness. Use proofreading tools, but also manually proofread your letter, perhaps even aloud, or get a second pair of eyes on it.
  • Failing to customize: If your cover letter could be sent to any university, it’s failing its job. Modify it to show you've researched the institution and understand its needs and values.
  • Being overly lengthy: Academic essays might let you wax poetic for pages, but a cover letter needs to be succinct. Stick to a single page.
  • Repeating your resume: Your cover letter should complement your resume , not copy-paste it. Use it to share relevant experiences or accomplishments that set you apart, which your resume might not showcase.
  • Neglecting to name-drop: If you have a network connection within the institution, mention them. It adds credibility and indicates your active interest in the institution. 
  • Overusing “I” statements: Remember that your cover letter should convey what you can contribute to the institution, not just what the job means to you. Balance "I" statements with emphasis on what you can offer. 
  • Leaving out key details: Each professor job will have unique requirements — maybe it’s experiencing leading a research team, securing grants, or developing a new course. Make sure your letter speaks directly to these needs.
  • Being either too formal or too informal: Aim for a professional yet approachable tone. Too formal and you might come off as robotic. Too informal and you can seem unprofessional.

Remember, avoiding these common mistakes is about attentiveness, intentionality, and clear communication. With a bit extra care, your cover letter can avoid the wastebasket and land you that interview.

9. Average salary and job outlook for professors

Being a professor is not just about shaping minds; it's also a profession with considerable financial and job market potential. 

As per the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , the median annual wage of professors sat at $80,840 as of May 2022. Like other professions, this can vary widely based on expertise, experience, and the particular institution, but it presents an attractive baseline.

Well, it's not just about the earnings. If job security is a concern, consider this: the overall employment of postsecondary teachers is expected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032. That's faster than average for all occupations. 

This translates into about 118,800 openings for postsecondary teachers projected each year, on average, over the upcoming decade. 

The takeaway? The outlook for professors is not only intellectually stimulating but also comes with promising salary prospects and a positive job market trend. So keep refining that cover letter, because the future looks bright!

Tenure Track Assistant Art Professor Cover Letter Sample

10. Useful resources for aspiring professors

As an aspiring professor, your journey towards academic excellence involves continuous learning and development . To aid your research, job hunt, and professional growth, here are some key resources:

  • Job boards: Academic-oriented job boards such as HigherEdJobs , the Chronicle of Higher Education's job board , and academicjobsonline.org present a vast pool of professor positions across different disciplines.
  • Networking: LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for connecting with fellow academics, joining interest groups, and discovering job opportunities. Also, did you know that you can now turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume ?
  • Academic journals: Keeping an eye on the latest research in your field demonstrates commitment to staying current. JSTOR , PubMed , and Google Scholar are vast libraries of such material. 
  • Teaching guides: Books like Ken Bain's "What the Best College Teachers Do" or James M. Lang's "Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons From the Science of Learning," offer practical advice to hone your teaching skills.
  • Conferences: Academic conferences in your field allow networking opportunities, collaboration sparks and learning from industry-leading researchers. Look for opportunities both at home and internationally.
  • Government resources: BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook offers a wealth of information about the teaching profession, wages, job outlook, and more. 
  • Professional development courses: Enhance your skills and stay up-to-date with current trends in academia by taking continuing education courses. Many universities offer these, and sites like Coursera and EdX offer online options in various disciplines.

Finally, continuous self-improvement is integral to a professor's role, so never hesitate to seek out professional development opportunities. Engage with these resources, and you'll keep growing as an educator, while maximizing your chances of landing your dream professor role.

Professor Cover Letter FAQ

Should i include references in my professor cover letter.

Typically, it's not a good idea to include references in your cover letter. Instead, have a separate reference page prepared. If the job posting specifically requests references included, then and only then, include them in your application.

How can I show my teaching philosophy in my cover letter?

Your teaching philosophy can weave through your cover letter subtly. Science theorist you admire? Methodology you swear by? Mention it in the paragraphs where you highlight relevant skills or experiences. Keep it brief and relevant to the position.

Can I use humor in my professor cover letter?

It depends on the tone of the job posting and your familiarity with the institution's culture. Usually, a more conservative approach is advised. You can show personality without using humor. Stay professional and relatable.

The job posting asks for a cover letter, but the application form doesn’t have a place to upload it. What should I do?

In such a scenario, you can combine your cover letter and resume into a single PDF document and upload it.

What if there's a preferred candidate? Should I still apply?

Absolutely. The preferred candidate might not take the job, and you might impress the hiring committee. Writing a cover letter tailored to the position will emphasize your interest and could put you in the running.

Milan Šaržík — Certified Professional Résumé Writer

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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Sample Cover Letter

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 89 Ames Street 61-210 Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 555-1212 awalker@mit.edu

Department of Chemistry Wonderful Religious University Great City, OH 54321 September 29, 20XX

Dear Professor Greatguy and Members of the Faculty Search Committee,

I am writing to apply for your department’s open position for an assistant professor of organic chemistry. I have enclosed my curriculum vitae, two academic transcripts, a statement of my teaching philosophy, and three brief research proposals. I have arranged for letters of support to be sent directly from three references: Professor X (MIT), Professor Y (MIT) and Professor Z (California Institute of Technology).

I am seeking a faculty position at an institution that will support me sharing my passion for chemistry with students through teaching. I have significant teaching experience, with outstanding reviews from my students in both general and organic chemistry. I have assisted with both introductory and organic chemistry, and am excited about leading these courses, as well as teaching biochemistry and special topics such as Gene Therapy and the internationalization of science. I plan to teach not only students at WRU, but expand efforts to reach out into the community and raise awareness of the importance of science in everyday life.

As an assistant professor, I will focus my research gene therapy, specifically on the development of new types of nanospheres made of biodegradeable polymers. I have been developing some of these in my postdoctoral work, but will move my own research in a new direction, specifically looking at binding into the major and minor grooves for specificity of application. The three research proposals I have included each include preliminary results that validate my approach, and I plan to use those results to write fullfledged proposals to major funding agencies. The scope of this work dovetails nicely with both the type of students and resources available at WRU, falling naturally into small projects easily managed by an undergraduate over the course of a summer or semester. I am excited about building a research group to more deeply understand these systems, and develop better therapeutic methods.

My wide breadth of experience in biological, organic, natural products and synthetic chemistry, as well as chemical engineering, will allow me to not only work on interdisciplinary research problems, but also help expand the horizons of possibilities for students.

I have given careful considering to the type of academic institution that matches my talents and motivations, and am specifically looking for a primarily undergraduate institution, where I can run a small research group that will let me develop meaningful professional relationships with students. I was thrilled to see WRU’s strong focus on international collaboration, and plan to work with your Science Semester Abroad program, to enable my students to more deeply understand the collaborative and international nature of today’s scientific research.

Finally, I have visited Great City several times, and am well aware of the vast array of cultural and other amenities. I look forward to exploring the city further, and building a personal and professional life there.

Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to hearing from you.

With best regards, Alice Walker

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Cover letters for faculty job applications

The cover letter serves as an introduction to your application package and answers the following questions: Who are you? When will you defend your dissertation (if you’re currently ABD)? Why are you interested in applying for this assistant professor position? Why are you interested in this institution? What is your dissertation research about? What are your future research plans? What kind of teaching experience do you have? How will you contribute to our department and institution? Why is the school a good fit for you and vice versa? A strong cover letter will be tailored to the institution to which you’re applying. For the humanities and social sciences it is typically 2–3 pages long, and for STEM fields 1–2 pages, but this may vary depending on your specific discipline.

The Purpose of a Cover Letter

Sometimes called a “ letter of intent ” or “ letter of interest ,” a cover letter is an introduction to the rest of your job application materials. The purpose of a cover letter is to quickly summarize why you are applying to an organization or for a particular position, and what skills and knowledge you bring that make you the most suitable candidate for that position. The cover letter is often the first impression that a prospective employer will have of you, especially if they do not know you or have not heard about you from their network of contacts. First impressions count, and so getting your cover letter right is a critical step in your job application process. Like all your job application materials, it may take time and focus to write your cover letters well. You will likely have several drafts before you come up with a final version that clearly articulates your skills and your understanding of the employer and the job requirements.

While your CV briefly states your skills, knowledge, experience, and (most importantly) what you have achieved using your abilities, the cover letter gives you an opportunity to create a narrative that shows the path you have taken in your career or education, emphasizing the skills you’ve used along the way, and explaining why the position you are applying to is the next desirable step on this path.

Timeline: Getting Started with Your Cover Letter

Step 1: The first step to writing a good cover letter is to have a good CV. Your cover letter expands upon some of the information you include within these documents and describes the role you have played in achieving your academic goals (i.e., showing how your experiences have made you the best candidate for the position).

Step 2: The next step is to find an open position that interests you. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all cover letter, as each should be tailored to each job you apply to, but there will certainly be parts of the letter that will stay much the same and be appropriate for multiple jobs. A 1-3 page cover letter might be the norm when applying for a tenure-track faculty position, but you need to check with your own department to find out what the standards are in your field.

Step 3: Go through the job ad and carefully note all of the requirements and skills the employer is looking for. Based on your background research of the employer and the people you have spoken to who know about this employer (whether a business or a university department), try to identify the two or three most important skills that the employer is looking for. You should then try to create a cover letter that illustrates that you have these skills and have used them effectively.

When applying for faculty positions, you will be expected to spend some time in your cover letter talking about your past research experiences and future research goals as well as your teaching—even though you may have covered these in more detail in your research statement and teaching philosophy documents. How much time you need to spend talking about teaching and research will depend on the nature of the position and your field of study. For some humanities and social sciences applications, you will not be asked for a separate research statement, and this information will need to be integrated into the cover letter. Cover letters for scientific positions will generally be shorter, as more (but not all) of the information about research will be covered in the research statement.

Keep in mind that academic letters also need to cover everything that non-academic cover letters address. You need to show that you are not only a good academic, but that you are a good person to work with who is committed to making meaningful contributions at that particular institution. Make sure that you address the requirements of the position as stated in the job ad. Speak to faculty in your department to get a sense of what is expected in cover letters in your discipline. See if any faculty you know have been involved in search committees, and find out what they looked for in cover letters.

Additional Resources

For further tips, tricks, and strategies for writing an academic cover letter, see the resources below:

  • The PhD Career Training Platform is an eLearning platform with on-demand, self-paced modules that allow PhDs and postdocs to make informed decisions about their career path and learn successful job search strategies from other PhDs. Select the University of Pennsylvania from the  drop-down menu, log in using your University ID, and click the “Faculty Careers” tab to learn more about application documents for a faculty job search.
  • How to Write a Successful Cover Letter
  • How to Write a Persuasive Cover Letter
  • 6 Tips to Improve Your Cover Letter
  • Writing a Compelling Cover Letter for Faculty Roles (video)
  • Cover Letters for Research-Intensive Faculty
  • Cover Letters for Teaching-Intensive Faculty

Cover Letter Samples

The cover letter samples below were provided by Penn graduates and postdocs after their successful job searches and represent a range of disciplines.

Science PhD cover letter

Linguistics PhD cover letter

History PhD cover letter

Art history PhD cover letter

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Science PhD cover letter (postdoc)

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How to write an email to a professor to inquire about a visiting researcher position?

I am currently a postdoc and plan to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship as the funding to be a visiting researcher in other institutes. However, to be eligible for applying the fellowship, I would need an invitation letter from the department or institute. I have written about 30 emails from 2 months ago but haven't received any reply. I know that generally postdoc researchers are not so prominent or influential in the academic world so that many professors would not easily accept such requests. And I also understand that it would be more difficult if I do not know the professors personally through conferences or other social networks. But there should be at least a reply of refuse due to any kinds of reasons.

I wonder if there is any serious problem with my email. I would be very appreciated if anyone could kindly find any problems in it.

Dear Prof. XYZ, I am writing to inquire about the opportunity of serving as a visiting researcher in your lab next year (Jan, 2020−Dec, 2020). The funding will be totally covered by the XYZ. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow focusing on research associated with human health risk assessment of environmental contaminants at XYZ. My major is nanotoxicology and environmental risk assessment; my minor is physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling. I have enormous interests in your research after reading your articles regarding toxicities of TiO2 NPs. I have written a research proposal regarding pharmacokinetic and human health risk assessment of food-grade TiO2 NPs as attached in this email. It would be my great honor and appreciation if you could find time to read this proposal at your convenience and I hope my background in mathematical modeling and experimentation could help me to have a valuable contribution I have attached my CV and representative research to this email to provide more information about myself and my academic records. I have also provided the document of the fellowship for visiting researchers as the reference. There will be no expenses required during my visiting except for an invitation letter after your valuable permission to allow me to be a visiting researcher in your research team. If you require additional information, I would be pleased to provide it at any time. I am eagerly waiting for your kind reply and greatly appreciate your attention and valuable time to read this email. Yours respectfully, XYZ, Ph.
  • communication

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  • 3 Does this answer your question? How should I phrase an important question that I need to ask a professor? –  Sursula Commented Feb 1, 2022 at 9:08

2 Answers 2

I think your email is fine! I'll speak from my experience doing several research internships (I haven't completed my PhD, therefore no postdoc). It obviously depends a lot on your field (ie, your field might be different than mine), but even though I had previous experience and publications, I sent about 100 emails before I got my first phone interview.

If you have the time to change your email, I might soften the tone a little. You do come off as very eager. For example, I might change the following to:

"It would be my great honor and appreciation if you could find time to read this proposal at your convenience and I hope my background in mathematical modeling and experimentation could help me to have a valuable contribution."

To something more like:

"My background in mathematical modeling and experimentation makes me a strong candidate to successfully [work in your lab/collaborate/publish papers/etc].

I suggest this because:

saying it would be a "great honor and appreciation" could be interpreted as brown-nosing/sucking up. In America, people are not usually this humble, nor do we usually speak this honorifically about others (but this could depend on your field/where you are applying).

In America, it is very acceptable to state why you are a strong candidate. Saying things like "I hope I will be successful at..." or "I believe I can..." can make potential bosses feel like you're not sure if you will be successful. Instead, I'd recommend saying "I can..." or "I will..." or "I am..."

Johnson789's user avatar

Overall, “cold emails” are very rarely successful. It’s a gamble to invest resources in a stranger, especially on someone who will stay for just one year.

Still, I suggest you start by cutting this “valuable”, “appreciation” and “honourable” non-sense; this kind of bait never works.

I do not know your field of work, but in mine it is usually the PI who “imposes” - or at least has some say in - the project on the student/postdoc. Unless your scholarship comes with a bench fee, i.e. unless there is part of your scholarship to pay for consumables, I can easily imagine that a PI is not so keen to invest time, space and running costs on a postdoc working on an independent project.

Again, I do not know your field but I would suggest you write an email first to make contact and indicate your interest in the work and that you could apply for a scholarship to work in this lab if a project suitable to both of you could be found. I would use your current project only after initial contact has been made and would present this project only if the PI asks for some sort of draft of a project idea.

I personally get a lot of emails from students who are “self-funded” in one form or another. This is of course good but compatibility with my research program comes first. I rarely have time to reply to more than 10% of these emails, usually the ones who do not write obviously pro forma letters, and never to people who feel honoured should I read their proposal: frankly I have no interest in making you feel honoured. If you have sent this letter 30 times with no feedback, it is probable that very few find it sufficiently specific to their research program to warrant attention.

There is also the question of timing of your emails. In many fields there are “hiring cycles”, meaning that postdocs start and end more or less when grants start and end. In some fields this coincides with the start of a term or an academic year, and starting asynchronously with these cycles is suboptimal, although in your specific case this doesn’t seem so bad.

Finally, your scholarship is for quite a short period. By the time you are comfortable with the lab and its procedures, you will be 1/3 to 1/2 done so what realistically can you achieve in the remaining time that will be beneficial to the PI? Moreover, you will quickly take the expertise away elsewhere. Of course this situation would be different of you were known already by the PI.

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Table of Contents

Best Visiting Professor Cover Letter

What is the Visiting Professor cover letter?

Why do Visiting Professor cover letters matter?

  • Structure of the Product Manager cover letter

How to write a great Visiting Professor cover letter?

Visiting Professor Cover Letter Example Tips

Whenever a job seeker applies for a Visiting Professor role in a new company, he/she must signal their value through multiple mediums. While the Visiting Professor resume will be the most well-known part of the Visiting Professor job application, but, do consider the Visiting Professor cover letter equally important for landing a job. Writing a great Visiting Professor cover letter plays an important role in your job search journey.

Many employers no longer ask for cover letters these days, whereas, many employers still ask for cover letters from job seekers. And if you are sending an email to the recruiting team to apply, your email itself acts as a cover letter.

An engaging Visiting Professor cover letter can help you grab an employer's attention, which can lead to landing an interview for a job. Before creating a job-winning cover letter that really works for you, you need to know what content and format are to be used. Check out our perfect Visiting Professor cover letter example and start creating one for you on our easy to use cover letter builder.

When writing a Visiting Professor cover letter, always remember to refer to the requirements listed in the job description of the job you're applying for. Highlight your most relevant or exceptional qualifications to help employers see why you stand out from other candidates and are a perfect fit for the role.

CV Owl's Visiting Professor cover letter example will guide you to write a cover letter that best highlights your experience and qualifications. If you're ready to apply for your next role, upload your document on CV Owl for a review service to make sure it doesn't land in the trash.

Here we will discuss what a cover letter is, how to write a cover letter, why it matters for your job search, and what its structure should look like.

Must Read: How to Write a Cover Letter & Cover Letter Writing Tips explained

A cover letter is a narrative about who you are and why the recruiter should invest time in evaluating you, rather investing in other candidates. You need to showcase that you're the right fit for that specific job opening. It's important to always remember that the role of the cover letter is to share a narrative which is completely different from a resume for your job application.

Whereas, the Visiting Professor resume should highlight all your quantitative values where you need to prove your worth through concrete numbers. Your Visiting Professor cover letter should be different from your resume where you need to demonstrate a story about yourself in a way that your resume will never be able to do so. Alternatively, students who study web development can ask for Python assignment help at AssignmentCore whose experts handle various projects in Python language.

Your resume acts as a demo video for employers, which includes quick hits and stats on why you are the best solution whereas your cover letter acts like a customer testimonial white paper. Make it sound like an in-depth discussion with a couple of concrete and impactful experiences that bring you to life as a human being.

Check out professional cover letter templates at CV Owl's cover letter directory and you can use those templates for free for creating your Visiting Professor cover letter using our professional cover letter builder.

Must Read: How to Get Your Cover Letter Noticed by Employers

The cover letter is kind of a test for you. It tests to see whether you can craft a compelling narrative about yourself. By testing your cover letter writing abilities, the company is trying to assess whether or not you would be able to craft compelling narratives on behalf of that company in the future.

Many companies will let you optionally attach a cover letter along with your application. If you take this as a challenge for yourself and do so, it will showcase your firm commitment to the company, and allows you to tell a story about yourself as a leader and as a collaborator. A solid cover letter will leave a long-lasting impression in the recruiters mind and will help make you stand out from other candidates.

And here's the most important reason of all: the process involved is more important than the output. When you get into the cover letter writing process, you're compelled to figure out the story about yourself, and how you are the best solution for the company's pain.

You're advised to conduct pre-interview research about the company so that you know exactly what you're meant to tackle, and you know exactly how to position yourself throughout the interview. Once you've written your Visiting Professor cover letter, you'll have a mental reference point about how you want to talk about yourself across all of your interviews, and that's incredibly valuable!

Must Read: Things you need to know before start writing a Cover Letter

Structure of the Visiting Professor cover letter

The most effective and impact making cover letters consists of three core parts.

The first part is the introduction. The first paragraph should include the following key details: which company you're applying to, what role you're applying to, and a summary of how you will add value to the company.

Many cover letters fail to mention either the job title or the name of the company. This provides a clear indication to the employer that you're using the same cover letter for many companies, which further indicates that you aren't serious enough or you don't care enough about making a good impression. If this is the case, it's better to not write a cover letter at all! And, always make sure you're sending the right cover letter to the right company.

Most of the time, applicants take advantage of cover letter examples or cover letter samples , and forget to clean it up. You need to ensure that you've put in all the hard work in personalization of your cover letter - be professional!

It shouldn't really be about you - rather, it should be about how you're excited about what the company is doing, and about how you're the perfect fit to solve their needs. And if you feel that you can't directly address the job requirements on the company website, you may need to consider applying for a different role instead.

The second part is the narrative. The second paragraph includes your story where you tell about yourself, and where you showcase that your past experiences have made you capable enough to be the best suited candidate available for that specific position.

Use it to address questions that might come up in an interview, such as “what was your proudest moment”, “how did you overcome failure”, and “tell us about a time when you took an initiative from start to end successfully.”

Always remember to customize your cover letter to the specific employer and the specific role that you're applying for rather than using a standard one for all which lands in the bin.

Finally, the last part is the conclusion. In the last & closing paragraph, summarize what value addition you'll bring to the company and why you're the perfect fit for the specific role. Express your excitement about being a part of the team in the near future. Remind them that they should reach out to you to schedule an interview so that they can learn more about how you're the best person to solve their problems.

With a cover letter created with the above structure, you're definitely gonna leave a solid impression that will grab the attention of hiring managers which significantly increases your chances of getting a job interview.

Must Read: Tips for Customizing your Cover Letter

Before you write a single word of your cover letter, you must first prepare your thoughts and pen down on a blank paper.

Ask questions to yourself like: What are your strengths? Where do you stand as a Visiting Professor? Which of your work experiences is the best so far for the companies you've worked with?

Similarly, conduct research on the company . What is their product, their competitors, their mission, and what is their culture? What problem statement are they trying to solve with the Visiting Professor role that you're applying to?

So now you must be having 2 stories - one for you and the other of the company. Write down both the stories on a paper. Review your two stories and your pre-interview research, and use that to hammer out your introduction and your conclusion. !

Now bring the whole thing down to a single page eliminating all the unnecessary and unrequired stuff. When the hiring managers assess your cover letter or your resume, they do not evaluate you on the basis of your sum of your experiences but on the average of your experiences. Hence, try to eliminate or cut out every single irrelevant word you've put in as it's gonna bring down the averages of your experience.

One of the simple ways to make sure that your cover letter stands out from the numerous other candidates' cover letters is to personalize your cover letter which helps you grab the hiring manager's attention. Express your enthusiasm about the job showcasing why you're the perfect fit for that specific role and how excited you are to be the part of the team.

Make use of the job description to which you are applying for which will help you to write a cover letter that clearly demonstrates how your skills, experience, or background make you the best available candidate to be a Visiting Professor for the company. You should demonstrate exactly how much you are interested in the organization and the position, showing that you are able to meet the needs of the company.

Don't forget to learn about the organization. Take some time out to peruse the company's website and learn their values, mission, and then incorporate that information in your cover letter. Let the recruiters know how you came across this position and detail how your ideals are in line with the organization's goals and how your plans for your career can benefit their objectives.

Always make sure you only focus on the skills in the cover letter which the organisation demands and have highlighted in their job description. Specifically, the ones that are listed as being required separately, do not forget to put them in. Give a brief on these skills by offering concrete examples of how you are using or have used them with any success story(if any).

Proofreading & Iterating - Once you're finished writing your cover letter, edit your cover letter and ask for the feedback from your friend or of you have any consultant/mentor, and repeat this process until you and your reviewer agree and are satisfied that you are the best fit for the job from all other candidates that are applying. Learn to use grammarly .

Key points to remember - don't worry too much about the salutation or the greeting. It doesn't matter whether you use "dear sir or madam" or "dear hiring manager" or "to whomsoever it may concern" - the ultimate goal is to demonstrate that you're the stand out candidate out of everyone who's applying for that job posting. Just focus on the core value that you're bringing to the company! If you experience difficulty in composing your cover letter professionally, you can hire an essay writer at CustomWritings to have your cover letter or job application paper written from scratch.

Must Read: Things to remember while sending a Cover Letter

Even with a use of a cover letter sample or template, sometimes it can get even more trickier to make a perfect cover letter. Below listed are some tips to keep in mind when writing your Visiting Professor cover letter.

  • Use a proper cover letter format (one-inch margins, line spacing of 1.15, and an 11pt or 12pt classic font).
  • Always have an attractive yet professional cover letter header.
  • Show you're the best for the position and explain why you want to be part of the company and the value you will bring.
  • Always remember to provide your contact information (e.g. phone number and email address), and if possible add a link to your LinkedIn profile which brings more professionalism.
  • Do not add or share other social media links such as Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
  • Always proofread your cover letter before sharing with hiring managers. Double check for any typos or grammatical errors. Spell check is your best friend here! Use grammarly!

Make note of these key points and remember that you're selling yourself to not only the hiring manager but also the company.

Must Read: Avail Professional Cover Letter Writing Services

Your Visiting Professor cover letter is an opportunity for you to tell your story, without being stuck in the formatting constraints of the Visiting Professor resume. Make use of this chance and let the hiring managers know why you're the best fit for the role!

Start with an attention grabbing introduction, followed by your key narratives as you were answering an interview question . Make sure that your key narratives focus on the pain of the company and how you can take them out of it. Conclude with a conclusion summarizing your value proposition and expresses your excitement about the role.

Notice how your cover letter answers multiple Visiting Professor interview questions. It should answer the questions “tell me about yourself,” “what are your strengths”, “tell me about a time when you led an initiative”, and “tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge.” If you know how to write a good cover letter , you know how to crack a solid portion of the interview process too!

As you write more and more cover letters, you'll find that you've become better at positioning yourself as a product.

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