Full Department Name
Name of Institution
Department Address
Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members:
Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself to the committee and your research interests. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community.
Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly explain your research to date. Consider mentioning your research questions, methods, key findings, as well as where and when you published and/or presented this work.
Paragraph 3 [4-5 Sentences]: Elaborate on your current research project. Consider mentioning your most prestigious funding awards for this project. Explain your key findings in more detail.
Paragraph 4 [3-5 Sentences]: Introduce your future research plans and goals. Point out the intellectual merit and/or broader impacts of this future work.
Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and strategies. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting.
Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Make a connection between your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the intellectual life of the department both inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague.
Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
Your Name
Credentials and Position
Institution/Affiliation Name
Date: Month Day, Year Search Committee Chair’s First and Last Name, Graduate Degree Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Search Committee Chair’s last name and/or Search Committee Members: Paragraph 1 [3-5 Sentences]: Identify the position you are applying for. Introduce yourself to the committee and your research interests. Connect your interests to the department and describe what makes you interested in becoming part of this departmental community. Paragraph 2 [3-5 Sentences]: Briefly discuss your teaching experience and pedagogical commitments. Provide examples of teaching strategies or an anecdote highlighting your teaching effectiveness. You may also want to introduce your philosophy on diversity in an academic setting. Paragraph 3 [3-4 Sentences]: Provide a discussion of how you involved yourself with students or the broader university community outside of the traditional classroom setting. Discuss how those interactions influenced your teaching. Paragraph 4 [2-3 Sentences]: Briefly explain your current research interests to date and how it relates to your teaching. State your research questions, methods, and key findings or arguments. Point out the intellectual merit and/or broader impacts of this future work. Paragraph 5 [3-5 Sentences]: Highlight when and where your research was published and/or presented this work or any forthcoming publications. Mention any prestigious funding or awards. Introduce your future research plans and goals. Paragraph 6 [2-3 Sentences]: Make a connection between your work and the department to which you are applying. Include how you will participate in the intellectual life of the department both inside and outside the classroom. Provide concrete examples of how you will be a hard-working and collaborative colleague. Paragraph 7 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the search committee’s time and consideration. Sincerely, Your Name |
Remember your first draft does not have to be your last. Try to get feedback from different readers, especially if it is one of your first applications. It is not uncommon to go through several stages of revisions. Check out the Writing Center’s handout on editing and proofreading and video on proofreading to help with this last stage of writing.
Using the word dissertation. Some search committee members may see the word “dissertation” as a red flag that an applicant is too focused on their role as a graduate student rather than as a prospective faculty member. It may be advantageous, then, to describe your dissertation as current research, a current research project, current work, or some other phrase that demonstrates you are aware that your dissertation is the beginning of a larger scholarly career.
Too much jargon. While you may be writing to a specific department, people on the search committee might be unfamiliar with the details of your subfield. In fact, many committees have at least one member from outside their department. Use terminology that can easily be understood by non-experts. If you want to use a specific term that is crucial to your research, then you should define it. Aim for clarity for your reader, which may mean simplification in lieu of complete precision.
Overselling yourself. While your job letter should sell you as a great candidate, saying so (e.g., “I’m the ideal candidate”) in your letter may come off to some search committee members as presumptuous. Remember that although you have an idea about the type of colleague a department is searching for, ultimately you do not know exactly what they want. Try to avoid phrases or sentences where you state you are the ideal or the only candidate right for the position.
Paying too much attention to the job description. Job descriptions are the result of a lot of debate and compromise. If you have skills or research interests outside the job description, consider including them in your letter. It may be that your extra research interests; your outside skills; and/or your extracurricular involvements make you an attractive candidate. For example, if you are a Latin Americanist who also happens to be well-versed in the Spanish Revolution, it could be worth mentioning the expanse of your research interests because a department might find you could fill in other gaps in the curriculum or add an additional or complementary perspective to the department.
Improper sendoff. The closing of your letter is just as important as the beginning. The end of the letter should reflect the professionalism of the document. There should be a thank-you and the word sincerely or a formal equivalent. Remember, it is the very last place in your letter where you present yourself as a capable future colleague.
Small oversights. Make sure to proofread your letter not just for grammar but also for content. For example, if you use material from another letter, make sure you do not include the names of another school, department, or unassociated faculty! Or, if the school is in Chicago, make sure you do not accidentally reference it as located in the Twin Cities.
Name dropping. You rarely know the internal politics of the department or institution to which you are applying. So be cautious about the names you insert in your cover letters. You do not want to unintentionally insert yourself into a departmental squabble or add fire to an interdepartmental conflict. Instead, focus on the actions you will undertake and the initiatives you are passionate about.
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
Ball, Cheryl E. 2013. “Understanding Cover Letters.” Inside Higher Ed , November 3, 2013. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/11/04/essay-cover-letter-academic-jobs .
Borchardt, John. 2014. “Writing a Winning Cover Letter.” Science Magazine , August 6, 2014. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2014/08/writing-winning-cover-letter# .
Helmreich, William. 2013. “Your First Academic Job.” Inside Higher Ed , June 17, 2013. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/06/17/essay-how-land-first-academic-job .
Kelsky, Karen. 2013. “How To Write a Journal Article Submission Cover Letter.” The Professor Is In (blog), April 26, 2013. https://theprofessorisin.com/2013/04/26/how-to-write-a-journal-article-submission-cover-letter/ .
Tomaska, Lubomir, and Josef Nosek. 2008. “Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Cover Letter to Accompany a Job Application for an Academic Position.” PLoS Computational Biology 14(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006132 .
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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With the academic job market season in full swing, prospective hires are sending off cover letters to apply for highly competitive faculty positions. When search committees are receiving dozens or even hundreds of applications for a single job opening, even a good cover letter is probably not good enough. To stand out, a cover letter must be outstanding: smart, engaging, concrete, detailed and polished to perfection. How to do it? Here are a few of my suggestions.
Start by rereading the job ad. Just as we remind students to review the assignment before they begin writing an essay, job applicants should start the letter-writing process by carefully re-reading the job ad. What type of position is this? What are the stated and implied qualifications and expectations, and how should the letter be developed to reflect a clear understanding of what the position entails? For a faculty job at a research institution, the letter will likely focus primarily on the applicant’s research interests and scholarly achievements and include only a brief discussion of teaching experience. But it would not be wise to structure a letter this way when applying for a position at a community college, where the search committee will probably be much more interested in your teaching experience than your scholarship. If you plan to tailor a “master” letter to different positions and job ads, it might make sense to have two such letters: one written for research jobs and another for teaching-intensive positions.
Learn a little more. If you are using a master letter for multiple applications, take some time to tailor that letter for each position you apply to. Learn something about the department and institution that you can reference in your letter and find a way to say something meaningful about what attracts you to, or makes you a good fit for, this particular position. While you’ll want to avoid parroting the boilerplate language used on a department or institution’s website, as this can make your letter sound disingenuous, do pay attention to the language used on those sites so you can avoid careless errors and tailor your letter more effectively. In applying for jobs in English departments, for example, I quickly learned that it was a bit careless to discuss contributing to the “English major” at every institution, as some departments only offered specific tracks, such as journalism and creative writing, while other departments did not even have an English major. Also, as you hustle to keep up with application deadlines, try to set aside the time such tailoring can take -- especially when institutional and departmental websites are clunky, confusing or out of date, necessitating that you dig around for the information you need to focus your letter effectively.
Understand the distinct roles of the CV and the cover letter. While serving on search committees, I’ve noticed that some applicants use their cover letters to merely restate the information available on their CVs. That is remarkably ineffective, and it’s important to understand the different roles the two documents serve. Unless otherwise stated within the job ad (something to pay attention to, as the advice I’m about to give may not apply in every case), the CV should offer a clear, concise, easily readable and digestible snapshot of your academic history and accomplishments: education; positions held; grants, awards and honors; publications and presentations; teaching experience; and service to department, institution and profession. The cover letter is the place to go into more depth, detail and description about your research and teaching, as well as your most notable experiences and accomplishments. If your cover letter reads like a list reiterating the information on your CV, it does not serve any purpose of its own. If the letter is too brief and does not elaborate on the overview that your CV should provide, you are wasting an important opportunity to paint a fuller picture of your qualifications, experience and achievements.
Don’t be too “I”-oriented. Some applicants are so focused on selling themselves that they forget how important collaboration and collegiality are to what we do. Remember to gear parts of your letter toward not only what you have already done but also what you can do in the future for the department and institution you hope to join. What plans or ideas might you have for working with potential students and colleagues to bring about shared success?
Avoid platitudes and clichés. Selling yourself is hard. As you struggle to come up with the words to do so, avoid clichés such as “I am passionate about teaching and am a lifelong learner,” or “I am a great fit for your department because I am a team player.” Instead, demonstrate your passion for teaching or the fact that you are a team player through what you say about your work and your experiences. Show it through examples, rather than relying on clichés or platitudes. A similar suggestion applies to demonstrating how you meet the qualifications of the job ad. Rather than reiterating what the ad states (“I am an ideal candidate for this position because I meet your preferred qualifications of X, Y and Z”), illustrate through examples how you meet these qualifications.
The suggestion to avoid platitudes and clichés seems especially applicable when writing about diversity. Increasingly, job ads describe an interest in candidates who are “committed to diversity” or have “experience with diversity.” In response, applicants may be tempted to merely echo the ad’s words, writing something such as “I have experience with and am committed to diversity, having taught many diverse populations.” Instead, try to explain more concretely what diversity means to you within the context of teaching and learning. Have you worked with students of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, socioeconomic or academic backgrounds? What languages, beliefs, cultural practices and educational experiences have students brought to your classrooms that may have shaped your own teaching and learning? How do or will you accommodate diverse types of learners in your classroom -- visual learners, collaborative learners, auditory learners, etc.? More broadly, have you contributed to diversity within your department, institution or field? For example, if you designed and piloted your department’s first Latina Literature course, you have contributed to diversifying the curriculum. When it comes to “diversity” -- itself a word that has become something of a cliché -- it is easy and tempting to give a clichéd response. So instead make an effort to substantively and thoughtfully address the topic.
Polish your letter to perfection. Do all you can to make your materials stand out in a sea of applications, not just in terms of the content of your letter but also the quality of your writing. Since search committees are, in many cases, reviewing hundreds of applications for any given position, your goal should be to do everything possible to make your application exceptional. Even letters that convincingly demonstrate why the applicant is a great fit for the position may not be successful if dozens of other applicants can demonstrate that they are great fits, too. The effort to be exceptional means you should focus on the prose as well as the content of your letter. Do not settle for awkward, clunky or confusing sentences. Take the time to edit and revise your letter until each sentence is at its best. Read the letter aloud and really listen to how it sounds. Ask someone else to read the letter aloud and listen to how it sounds when they read it. Remind yourself that a well-written letter is worth striving for, since it makes delivery of content that much more effective.
On a related note, don’t underestimate the importance of proofreading and the time it takes to do that thoroughly. Once job season starts, application deadlines pop up one after another, and it can be difficult to keep up. But, whenever possible, leave yourself at least several days before a deadline to proofread and finalize your cover letter. If you’re rushing to proofread a letter the night it’s due, you won’t be as sharp or focused as you should be. Also, allow yourself time to print the letter out and read it in hard copy, too -- it’s amazing how easily the eye misses mistakes on the screen that suddenly jump out at us when we’re holding the document in our hands. And when it’s time to submit your application, be certain that you’re sending the right materials to the right institution. When you have 14 different iterations of a master letter that you’ve tailored for 14 different jobs, it’s possible to accidentally select the wrong documents. And you don’t stand much of a chance if University of X ends up with a letter in which you discuss how much you’d love to join the faculty at University of Y.
Send what was asked for. Don’t submit materials that weren’t requested in the job ad, and don’t send a cover letter that exceeds the specified length. Committees are often required to read only the materials they have requested; any other documents you submit are likely to be ignored, making it a waste of time to send them. Sending unrequested materials or exceeding the specified length for a letter may also suggest that you couldn’t figure out how to package yourself concisely and effectively. The time for bringing extra materials (such as a research statement, writing sample or teaching portfolio) is during the campus interview, once you know the committee has an interest in your candidacy and wants to learn more about you.
Today’s academic job market is, as we all know, flooded with applicants. The letter you spent weeks or even months writing will be read by search committee members in a matter of minutes. Within this context, some extra effort and preparation can go a long way in making your cover letter stand out in the crowd.
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Shaun cricks.
Including a good cover letter with your college admissions essay can be as valuable as the actual essay. While the essay should showcase your vocabulary, organization and logic skills, the cover letter is an opportunity to discuss what inspired you to pick your topic and to highlight the most relevant parts of your essay. If you are sending the same essay to many schools, the cover letter is an opportunity to tailor the essay to the institution to which you are applying.
2 print and review your essay.
Print and review your essay. Whether it has been an hour or a year since you wrote it, take some time to read through the essay methodically and carefully. Highlight important phrases, statistics, passages, and other items which you would like to draw attention to in the cover letter.
Narrow your highlighted selections down to a thesis or theme and three to five pieces of supporting evidence. Write a short summary of each of the points you would like to emphasize. Avoid the temptation to copy and paste. By rewording these items, you will avoid redundancies and breathe new life into them.
Format your cover letter. If the institution you are applying to has given you instructions, follow them exactly. Be sure that you are using the same font and font size as you used to write the essay. Include your name and address in the top left corner, as you would with any business letter. Below that, include the date.
Below the date, greet the recipients of your cover letter with the proper salutation. For example, you might be writing to a selection committee (in which case you would write, "Dear Selection Committee"), a board of directors ("Dear Board of Directors"), or even an individual. Doing a little research on the phone or by email may give you a competitive advantage. Every school wants to feel like you are only applying to their school, even though they know quite well this is not the case.
Write a short introductory paragraph. This is normally less than 100 words. Keep the tone formal but avoid sounding pompous. This is your chance to tell the institution how your essay shows you are the perfect candidate and what motivates you.
After your introductory paragraph, list, in bullet-point format, what you really want the reader(s) to notice in your essay. Remember that your audience will probably skim through your essay (at best) and your key points could be lost if you do not highlight them here.
After listing your bullet-points, include a short concluding paragraph of about 100 words or less summarizing what you have presented as well as your intent. Do not repeat yourself. Think of this as the bow that you put on a present after it is wrapped. Tie things up nicely.
As you would in any formal letter, include an appropriate sign-off (such as "Sincerely," "Respectfully") followed by a comma, a blank line for you to sign, and your name printed underneath the line. Under this, list anyone you are copying your letter to or any attachments you included.
If your word-processing program features this function, run a spelling and grammar check to be sure there are no simple errors that will detract from your message. Print and sign your cover letter.
Shaun Cricks is a freelance writer, editor, teacher and producer living in Central Florida, where he graduated from Rollins College. He was awarded an Academy of American Poets Prize and has published many articles in print and online ranging in topics from nanotechonoly to immigration.
Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.
© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .
Table of Contents
A cover letter is often the first thing an editor reads when reviewing your submission. As your first pitch to the editor, the cover letter helps them gauge the suitability of your manuscript for publication in their journal. Imagine your work shaping the future of your field, gathering citations, and sparking discussions. A powerful cover letter is thus the first step to making that vision into a reality.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing an effective cover letter and explain how you can get it right every time with examples. First, let us get started with the basics!
When writing a cover letter, it is crucial to address the editor by their correct and complete name¹ . If there are multiple co-editors, you can address your letter to the right person, based on their specialization or designated responsibilities. If unsure, it is okay to go with a more general salutation, such as “Dear Editors”¹ .
Provide a clear and concise title for your submission and specify whether it is an article, communication, review, perspective, or a manuscript belonging to some other category. If the journal guideline recommends, consider including a list of all authors in the manuscript.
After covering the preliminary information, briefly explain your paper’s central theme or focus to give the editor an idea of its contents. Ensure this stays a brief outline, without going into too much detail.
How you communicate the impact of your work can make or break your cover letter. To make a strong impression on the editor, articulate the significance of your research clearly, emphasizing its relevance to the field. Additionally, show how your work aligns with the journal’s scope and mission.
Some journals require a set of declarations from you to ensure that your manuscript adheres to its ethical code and the larger ethical standards of scientific publishing. Here are the required declarations in a cover letter:
If there is no part of the submission process that collects researcher suggestions for reviewers, and there are special requests from the researcher for reviewers (e.g., recommending the inclusion or suggesting the exclusion of a specific reviewer, etc.), you may also make a note about this in the cover letter.
Combining these five points, here is a good example of a cover letter for researchers’ reference:
(This image is intended to demonstrate the norms of formatting and tone of expression in a cover letter, it is to be used only by the researcher as a reference in writing² .)
A strong cover letter can go a long way in ensuring success for researchers looking to publish their manuscripts! Your cover letter is the opening act, setting the stage for how editors perceive your manuscript. So, look at it not as just another formality but as a crucial opportunity to make a strong impression.
Understanding what to include, what is optional, and what is best left unsaid can be tricky. That is where our team of experts at Elsevier Language Services can step in. We will provide personalized recommendations and expert guidance to help you craft a cover letter that perfectly complements your manuscript. Reach out to us today to make a great first impression and embark on a successful academic journey!
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Today’s guest post is from Elise Holland, co-founder and editor of 2 Elizabeths , a short fiction and poetry publication.
When submitting your short-form literature to a magazine or journal, your cover letter is often the first piece of writing an editor sees. It serves as an introduction to your thoughtfully crafted art. As such, it is significant, but it shouldn’t be intimidating or even take much time to write.
As editor at 2 Elizabeths , I see a variety of cover letters every day; some are excellent, and others could stand to be improved. There are a few key pieces of information to include, while keeping them short and sweet. In fact, a cover letter should only be a couple of paragraphs long, and no more than roughly 100-150 words.
Seek out the editor’s name, and address the letter to him/her, as opposed to using a generic greeting. Typically, you can find this information either on the magazine or journal’s website, or in the submission guidelines.
Read the submission guidelines thoroughly. Many publications will state in their guidelines the exact details that need to be included in a cover letter. With some variation, a general rule of thumb is to include the following:
The term simultaneous submission means that you will be sending the same piece to several literary magazines or journals at the same time. Most publications accept simultaneous submissions, but some do not. If a publication does not accept them, this will be stated in their guidelines.
Should your work be selected for publication by one magazine, it is important to notify other publications where you have submitted that piece. This courtesy will prevent complications, and will keep you in good graces with various editors, should you wish to submit to them again in the future.
The term multiple submission means that you are submitting multiple pieces to the same literary magazine or journal.
Dear Editor, Here is a collection of poems I wrote that I’d like you to consider. I have not yet been published elsewhere. Please let me know what you think. Bio: John Doe is an Insurance Agent by day and a writer by night, living in Ten Buck Two. He is the author of a personal blog, LivingWith20Cats.com. Best, John Doe
John Doe didn’t research the editor’s name. A personal greeting is always better than a simple “Dear Editor.” Additionally, John failed to include the word count, title and a brief description of his work.
There is no need to state that John has not yet been published elsewhere. He should simply leave that piece of information out. (Many publications, 2 Elizabeths included, will still welcome your submissions warmly if you are unpublished.)
John included a statement asking the editor to let him know what he/she thinks about his work. Due to time constraints, it is rare that an editor sends feedback unless work is going to be accepted.
Unless otherwise specified by the magazine or journal to which you are submitting, you do not need to include biographical information in your cover letter. Typically, that information is either requested upfront but in a separate document from the cover letter, or is not requested until a piece has been selected for publishing.
Dear Elise, Please consider this 1,457-word short fiction piece, “Summer.” I recently participated in the 2 Elizabeths Open Mic Night, and am an avid reader of the fiction and poetry that you publish. “Summer” is a fictitious tale inspired by the impact of a whirlwind, yet meaningful, romance I experienced last year. In this story, I gently explore the life lessons associated with young love, with a touch of humor. This is a simultaneous submission, and I will notify you if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Thank you for your consideration. Kindest Regards, John Doe
In this letter, John includes all pertinent information, while keeping his letter clear and concise. In his second sentence, John also briefly states how he is familiar with the magazine. While doing this isn’t required, if done tastefully, it can be a nice touch! Another example might be: “I read and enjoyed your spring issue, and believe that my work is a good fit for your magazine.”
I hope these sample letters help you as you send your short works to magazines and journals for consideration. While you’re at it, I hope you will check out 2 Elizabeths ! We would love to read your work.
Elise Holland is co-founder and editor of 2 Elizabeths , a short fiction and poetry publication. Her work has appeared in various publications, most recently in Story a Day . Through 2 Elizabeths, Elise strives to create value and visibility for writers, through writing contests , events , and more!
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[…] view post at https://janefriedman.com/perfect-cover-letter-advice-lit-mag-editor/ […]
[…] To get into literary magazines, you need a cover letter, so Elise Holland lays out how to write the perfect cover letter for a literary magazine. […]
Love this! The letter is short and to the point, and covers all the necessary information. Great tips! I always worry that the only publishing credit I have is the winning entry in a short story contest through the local paper. Should I mention that? And writing conferences I’ve attended?
As Elise says, it’s OK if you’re unpublished. Don’t worry about it. But feel free to mention your winning entry. If the writing conferences would likely be known to the journals’ editors, you might mention one or two.
[…] recently wrote a full article on the perfect cover letter, here. Check it out for clear, simple instructions, along with sample […]
[…] publication. Her work has appeared in various publications, most recently in Story a Day, and at JaneFriedman.com. Through 2 Elizabeths, Elise strives to create value and visibility for writers, through writing […]
Thanks for the concise and useful information! I’ve heard that it’s also a good idea to include a sentence or two that makes it clear that you are familiar with the kind of work the magazine has published in the past. Is this generally advised, or would you consider it nonessential unless specified in the submission guidelines?
Letter Templates & Example
Hey there budding writers! Are you planning to submit your work to a writing competition or publication but clueless about writing an effective cover letter? You’ve come to the right place! We have compiled some cover letter examples for writing submissions that you can use as a guide or even edit as needed. Writing a cover letter may seem intimidating, but it’s a crucial element that can make or break your submission. With the right approach, your cover letter can effectively showcase your writing skills and impress the editors. So, check out our cover letter examples and get started on submitting your work today!
So, you’re looking to submit your writing to a publication or contest – congratulations! But, before you hit send on that email or envelope, you need a strong cover letter to accompany your writing submission. A cover letter can make or break your chances of getting published or winning a contest, so it’s important to get it right.
The best structure for a cover letter for writing submissions includes several important elements. First, start with a header that includes your contact information (name, address, email, phone) and the date. Then, address the letter to the correct person (if possible) or “Dear Editor” or “Contest Judges.” In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and your work. Include the title of your piece and any relevant publications or awards you have received.
In the second paragraph, provide a brief summary of your work. This should not be a plot summary, but rather a sentence or two that explains the themes and characters in your writing. This is also a good place to mention why your piece would be a good fit for the publication or contest. Do your research and show that you are familiar with their tone and style.
The third paragraph is where you can mention any relevant experience or education that makes you a good fit for the publication or contest. This could include writing workshops, degrees, or previous publications. Be specific and highlight any unique qualifications that set you apart from other writers.
Finally, wrap up your letter with a brief thank you and a request for consideration. Be sure to include a closing like “Best regards” or “Sincerely,” and sign with your name. Remember to proofread your letter for typos and grammatical errors before sending it off.
In conclusion, the best structure for a cover letter for writing submissions should include a clear header and introduction, a summary of your work, relevant experience, and a strong closing. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be on your way to catching the editor or judges’ attention and increasing your chances of being published or winning the contest.
Submitting a fiction manuscript.
Dear Editor,
I am excited to submit my latest fiction manuscript for your consideration. The story, titled “The Forgotten Ones,” explores themes of loss, redemption, and ultimately, hope. The protagonist, Emily, is a mother who struggles to cope with the sudden disappearance of her daughter. As she sets out to find her, Emily discovers a hidden world of missing people and must navigate danger and darkness to bring her daughter home.
I believe “The Forgotten Ones” would be a perfect fit for your publication, as it aligns with your focus on thought-provoking and emotionally resonant storytelling. Thank you for considering my work and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you further.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
I am thrilled to submit my article “Beyond Borders: The Benefits of International Education” for your publication. With years of experience in the field of international education, I have gained valuable insights into the benefits it can provide to students of all ages. In this article, I highlight the advantages of studying abroad, exploring different cultures, and learning from diverse perspectives.
I believe “Beyond Borders” would be well-suited to your publication given your focus on education and global issues. I am confident it will resonate with your readers and provide valuable insights into the world of international education.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
I am delighted to submit my poetry collection, “Invisible Threads,” for your publication. The collection features a range of themes, including love, loss, nature, and identity. Drawing on my experiences as an immigrant and as a feminist, the poems explore issues of belonging, cultural identity, and the intersection of gender and race.
I believe “Invisible Threads” would be an excellent fit for your publication, given your interest in publishing diverse and thought-provoking poetry. I am excited to share my work with you and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for your consideration.
Dear Producer,
I am pleased to submit my screenplay, “The Last Stand,” for your consideration. The film is an action-packed thriller that follows the story of a former special forces operative who must rescue his family from a group of terrorists who have taken over a skyscraper in New York City. Set against the backdrop of a tense political situation, “The Last Stand” is a high-stakes, heart-pumping film that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
I believe “The Last Stand” would make an excellent addition to your production slate, given your focus on producing quality, action-packed films. I am excited about the prospect of working with you further and bringing this story to life on the big screen.
Dear Publisher,
I am thrilled to submit my children’s book, “B is for Brave,” for your consideration. The book features fun and engaging rhymes that teach children about courage, perseverance, and the value of taking risks. With colorful illustrations and relatable characters, “B is for Brave” will entertain and inspire young readers.
I believe “B is for Brave” would be a great addition to your publishing line, as it aligns with your focus on empowering children through literature. I am excited about the opportunity to work with you further and to introduce this story to young readers around the world.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I am submitting my personal essay, “The Weight of Expectations,” for your consideration. In this essay, I explore my struggles with meeting societal expectations and the impact it has had on my mental health. Through my story, I hope to shed light on the importance of self-care and mental health awareness.
I believe “The Weight of Expectations” would be a great fit for your publication, given your focus on publishing personal stories that inspire and inform. I am excited about the possibility of sharing my story with your readers and am eager to hear your thoughts.
I am pleased to submit my technical article, “Advances in Artificial Intelligence,” for your publication. As a leading expert in the field of AI, I have conducted extensive research on the latest developments, trends, and applications of this emerging technology. In this article, I provide an overview of recent advances in AI, the challenges facing its adoption, and the ethical considerations surrounding its use.
I believe “Advances in Artificial Intelligence” would be an ideal addition to your publication, given its relevance to your readership. I am excited about the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with your audience and am eager to hear your feedback.
When submitting your writing to a publication or contest, a cover letter is a vital part of your submission. It’s typically the first thing an editor or judge will see, and it can make or break your chances of acceptance. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when crafting your cover letter:
In addition to these tips, it’s also important to proofread your cover letter thoroughly before submitting. Typos or grammatical errors can make a negative impression and diminish your credibility as a writer. By taking the time to perfect your cover letter, you can increase your chances of acceptance and ultimately have your writing featured in your desired publication or contest.
Cover Letter Examples for Writing Submissions FAQs What is a cover letter for a writing submission?
A cover letter for a writing submission is a document that accompanies your written work and introduces you to potential publishers or editors. It provides a brief summary of your writing, your qualifications, and your interests in the genre or topic of your work.
What should be included in a cover letter for a writing submission?
A cover letter for a writing submission should include your name and contact information, the title and word count of your work, a brief summary of your work, your qualifications and experience as a writer, and any relevant publications or awards you have received.
Can I use a generic cover letter for all of my writing submissions?
No, it is not recommended to use a generic cover letter for all writing submissions. Each publisher or editor has different submission guidelines and preferences, so it is important to tailor your cover letter to each submission and show that you have done your research.
How long should a cover letter be for a writing submission?
A cover letter for a writing submission should be no longer than one page. It should be brief, but informative and engaging enough to make the editor or publisher want to read your work.
Should I include my social media profiles in my cover letter for a writing submission?
You can include your social media profiles in your cover letter for a writing submission if they showcase your writing or professional experience. However, it is not necessary if you do not have any relevant social media profiles.
What tone should I use in my cover letter for a writing submission?
You should use a professional and friendly tone in your cover letter for a writing submission. Avoid using overly formal language or slang, and try to showcase your personality and enthusiasm for writing.
When should I send my cover letter for a writing submission?
You should send your cover letter for a writing submission at the same time as your written work. Follow the publisher or editor’s submission guidelines for the specific date and method of submission.
And that’s all there is to it, folks! Crafting cover letters can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be rocket science. With these tips and examples, you are well on your way to submitting your best work to the right places. Remember to personalize your letters and sprinkle some genuine enthusiasm on them — editors can easily smell insincerity from miles away! Thank you for reading this article, and we hope to see you again soon for more helpful writing resources. Keep on writing!
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July 19, 2024
If you’re applying for a job, you’ll most likely need to prepare a polished résumé, to practice common interview questions , to request recommendations and references , and to write a cover letter. There are many types of cover letters out there. These include the application cover letter, the prospecting cover letter, and the career change cover letter. In this article, we’ll discuss the most common: the application cover letter, which is what you’ll need when trying to secure a new job (usually for a currently open position). Below, we’ll recommend how to write a cover letter (including how to end a cover letter) and provide a cover letter template to help you get started!
If you like our template and tips you may also want to view our 3 Great Cover Letter Examples for Any Job .
While we can provide a cover letter template to serve as a skeleton for your writing, you’ll need to flesh out your work with important details that are relevant to you, your experiences, and the prospective job at hand. As you begin drafting these details, it’s important to remember a few essential moves that are crucial as you learn how to write a cover letter:
Before you send a cover letter to an employer, it’s imperative that you have a thorough understanding of the position you’re applying for , the job’s expectations and requirements, your future role within the hierarchy of the workplace, and the overall company culture. Knowledge of these items will help you determine which of your relevant skills and accolades you should include in your letter, the person or people to whom you should address your writing, and the tone and style of your cover letter. It will also help you decide what to leave out of your cover letter. Remember to only stick to items that are relevant to the position at hand!
Use specificity when listing your accomplishments and describing your goals. Just as importantly, describe how you as a candidate are uniquely positioned to fill this position successfully. For instance, a general and less-connected sentence might say, “I have strong leadership skills.” But a detailed, job-specific sentence might be, “As a project manager for Waterscapes, I oversaw a team of twelve employees working on the development and implementation of River Clean Up 2024, which reduced plastic waste in our local water systems by 27%. This experience will inform my future work with your company as an Assistant Director of Eco-Initiatives.”
Think of each sentence as an opportunity to illustrate potential links between your previous work and your future career. Just like answering a “ tell me about yourself ” question in an interview, this is a moment to describe your past, present, and now your future in your hoped-for job.
3) add well-considered details.
Does your prospective job’s company have a strong online presence? Does your future employer have a LinkedIn profile that lists publications, affiliations, or specific awards and accolades? Do you have a personal connection with your employer or someone important at the company? If so, now is the time to utilize some of your social capital and make mention of these items. Doing so adds a personal touch and makes your cover letter more memorable. It also demonstrates your willingness to research and promote the company’s culture.
For instance, if you’re applying for a position at a language-learning app company and their motto is, “Communication for All,” this specific phrase could be used as you describe your passion for making language-learning accessible, regardless of the student’s background or income.
Depending on the job for which you’re applying, your overall cover letter tone may vary. If you’re applying for a job as a copywriter for a quirky astrology start-up, you might be able to include fun details about horoscopes in your cover letter. If, on the other hand, it’s a position for a tenure-track professor job at a top research university, your tone will be much more formal and will include particulars about your contributions to the field.
Regardless of the job, you should always utilize a professional font (no Comic Sans!) and clear letterhead for readability to convey your seriousness about the position. You should also always try to convey sincerity in your writing. Additionally, make sure your reader knows you really want this job and will do your best at it if you’re hired.
Now is not the time to focus on your professional faults or limitations. Now is the time to promote yourself with abandon. Focus on your relevant work experience, your strengths, your accolades, and your willingness to learn and grow in this new job.
Do not rush your cover letter! This is a professional genre of communication that signifies your intentions to advance your career. It should be treated as a formal record of your employment history. As such, spend time cultivating your writing and trimming it so that it is rich, informative, candid and attractive.
Drafting also includes editing details like spelling and grammar checks – it has long been established that simple errors and problems with writing organization can cause employers to not take your work seriously. [i] Other small details can indicate your level of seriousness about yourself and this work. [ii] For instance, if you have a personal email address like “ [email protected] , you may want to think of creating and using a separate email address that is a little more professional, like “ [email protected] .”
At all points in your cover letter, it’s essential to start with the punchline. Studies have demonstrated that readers and listeners often retain the first sentence of a paragraph or presentation before their attention starts to wane. [iii] As such, beginning with your main point and following with examples to support that point is the best way to grab your reader’s attention and ensure they fully absorb your meaning.
How long should a cover letter be? In most cases, a cover letter should not exceed one page of single-spaced writing (about 250 to 400 words, max). Remember that your prospective employer may be reading dozens of cover letters. He or she will probably not have the time nor inclination to read an unnecessarily long cover letter.
As you consider how to end a cover letter, it’s important to focus on positivity and continuing dialogue with your prospective employer. Gesture toward future communication with closings like, “I look forward to your response,” or “I look forward to sharing more with you about my previous experience and qualifications for this position.”
As you sit down to brainstorm how to write a cover letter, you may be wondering: How can I be original if I’m using a template? Aren’t I just copying what someone else has written? In short, the answer is: you can definitely use a cover letter template because templates are simply great starting points! You aren’t copying the content of the cover letter template. Rather, you are using the frame of the cover letter template to create your own original writing.
Templates are generative, meaning they are simply a beginning or prompt for your own writing and ideas to grow and flourish. Templates help you make writing moves you might not have otherwise considered. In the case of a cover letter template, using a model can be inspirational, helping you remember important details about your résumé and other job-related skills you may have forgotten. Finally, templates can combat writer’s block and help you organize your ideas into a coherent cover letter. Ultimately, “the aim of templates is not to stifle critical thinking but to…be direct about the key rhetorical moves” necessary for a piece of writing. [iv]
Below, you’ll find a cover letter template to get you started. Good luck!
[ Your name ]
[ Your phone number ]
[E mail address ]
[ Optional: Your mailing address – you usually only need to include this if it’s a printed cover letter or if the employer will not be contacting you via email or phone. ]
Dear [ specific title and name of application recipient ],
As a [ your professional title ] with [ number ] years’ experience in [ field ], I am applying for the position of [ job title ]. To this position, I would bring [ highlight the 1-3 most important ways you will bring your specific skills to this job to benefit, develop, and serve the company or employer ].
[Body Paragraph 1: Using the skills you mention at the beginning of the letter, find 1-2 relevant, concrete examples from your previous work experiences to demonstrate how you’ll be a good fit for this new job ].
Because of [ skill or experience listed in first paragraph ], I can facilitate [ your company ] with [ specific requirement listed in the job description ]. Furthermore, my previous work with [ specific skill ] can additionally help [ specific job requirement ].
[Body Paragraph 2: Using the skills or experiences mentioned at the beginning of the letter, demonstrate how your current work will make you a good candidate for this job .]
In my current position as [ job title ] at [ current place of work ], I [ list specific responsibility with detail ] and am eager to continue to grow professionally at [ your company ] with [ similar work that will be required at this new job ]. At [ your company ], [ insert specific detail about the company culture, job requirements, or general news about the company ], I am eager to use my current skills as a [ insert your experience ] to help expand this work.
[Body Paragraph 3: Using the skills and experiences mentioned at the beginning of the letter, demonstrate how you hope to grow as a worker in this new position ].
I have always seen myself as a [ particular job title or responsibility ] and to be afforded the opportunity to do so at a company as prestigious as [ company name ], will let me develop [ specific professional skills ] while promoting the company’s mission to [ include part of the company’s mission ].
I am available to answer any questions you may have about my résumé or previous work experiences. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
[ Your Name ]
For the past decade, Jamie has taught writing and English literature at several universities, including Boston College, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University. She earned a Ph.D. in English from Carnegie Mellon, where she currently teaches courses and conducts research on composition, public writing, and British literature.
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A cover letter accompanying a submission to a journal or magazine can be short and simple. Indicate that you're submitting the work for consideration, but don't say much—if anything—about the work. In these kinds of submissions, you include the story, essay or poems along with the cover letter. So, let the creative work speak for itself. You might indicate why you chose to send this particular piece to this particular publication. This demonstrates your knowledge of the publication and your mindfulness in submitting. Also, include biographical information. Select a few relevant details that highlight your accomplishments. You might mention where you studied creative writing, where your creative work has been published or any awards or accolades you've received. If you have no credits, don't worry. While accolades certainly build confidence in your abilities, the real focus is in the writing itself. In fact, many journals are hungry to introduce a great new writer by publishing a debut story.
Don't forget to read writers' guidelines closely. Some journals have a strong preference as to how you address your submissions. If the guidelines do not stipulate this, look up the appropriate editor on the journal's masthead and direct your submission to that person.
Here's an example of how a cover letter accompanying an electronic submission might read for a writer with few credits:
Dear Ms. Reynolds, Submitted for your consideration is “The Misfits of Greenwood," a short story. HaHa Magazine is a publication that values humor, an element I hope you enjoy in this story. I have studied creative writing as an undergraduate at Fancy University and at Continuing Education Workshop, where my fiction won the New Writer's Award. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Holly Writer
I kept this one very short and simple. You can, of course, include more. Still, don't feel compelled to write something lengthy. The bulk of the attention will—and should—rest on the creative work that accompanies the cover letter. Some editors will use cover letters to decide what gets read faster, but there's no way to anticipate how each editor approaches this. One editor might give special attention to submissions that list previous publications in certain journals. Another editor might also take a quicker look at submissions that come from writers who went to her own beloved alma mater.
Be honest and keep the tone professional and friendly. This suggests respect—for your own writing and the work and time of the editors.
© 2024 Gotham Writers Workshop, Inc.
Oetter is Springer Nature SciGraph? A statement that the manuscript has not been published and is not under consideration for publication how to write cover letter for research paper any other journal Psycholinguistic research paper pdf statement that all authors approved hod manuscript and its submission to the journal. Suggested reviewers. Ask them to read vover it and point out places where you can how to write cover letter for research paper. She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics. How to Write a Covdr Letter. Include the jow of submission and the journal writing an introduction to an academic essay are submitting to. You should also know that I have a sincere appreciation of the IRC. Sign in. Better: When I was working at Tech Company, I designed and created an entirely new workflow that cut the product delivery time in half. A cover letter is your opportunity to tell a story and connect the dots of your resume. If you have relevant industry experience, make sure to include it in your cover letter because it will almost certainly set you apart. While it may be tempting to go into detail about the amazing research you did for your thesis, that belongs in your CV. Advice for tackling one of the toughest parts of the job-hunting process. His knowledge in this area is extensive, but you may remember from his comments at the conference that he does not share my approach to management or view my recent research with a positive eye. If you are curious, just enter your word count into our admissions pricing calculator to get a quote before you submit your document.
What is the first thing an agent or publisher sees when they open your submission email?
Your covering letter…
This is your first point of contact with someone who, potentially, has your future in their hand, so make the right impression the first time.
The whole industry works on email so ensure your own email address is sensible and easy to find – ideally with your name in it, and check it regularly. If you plan to or are considering using a pen name, save that for a conversation with the agent when they take you on. Submitting under a pen name can be confusing for everyone and you need to speak to your agent to discuss why/what that name will be – it’s often a marketing tool and needs to be thought through.
Your covering email should be:
Best of Luck!
(C) Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin
©Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin for writing.ie
Vanessa Fox O’Louglin is the founder of writing.ie and runs The Inkwell Group . She is a scout for several leading literary agencies in UK and Ireland and writes crime as bestseller Sam Blake – find out more at http://www.samblakebooks.com
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Wondering how to start a cover letter? Traditional cover letter wisdom might tell you to begin with something like, “Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the marketing manager position with the Thomas Company.” But we say: A cookie cutter cover letter intro feels as outdated as a Hotmail address.
A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to a hiring manager—who you are, what you have to offer, and why you want the job—but you have an extremely limited amount of space to do it. If you really want to get noticed, you’ve got to start right off the bat with something that grabs your reader’s attention.
What do we mean? Well, we won’t just tell you, we’ll show you. Keep reading to find tips on how to start a cover letter, along with 30 creative cover letter opening lines and sentence examples.
Still looking for that perfect next role? One of these open jobs on The Muse just might be the one »
Here are a few pointers to guide you as you use our example cover letter openings—we’re getting there, we promise!—to craft your own:
Recruiters have read cover letters that start with lines like “I’m excited to apply for the front-end engineering position,” or “Your job posting on The Muse prompted me to…” so often they could wallpaper their homes with them. While those are OK and still acceptable, you'll have a better shot at impressing potential employers with a less cliché opening line.
People like reading interesting, engaging stuff—the kind that paints a picture, tells a story, and maybe even makes them smile. People like it when you’re human, genuine, and memorable. So figure out something about yourself and your background that relates to the company or position you're interested in, and use that to build a connection.
You’ll get more into the details after your opening paragraph, of course. But your cover letter opener should still tell the reader, “This person can do something for us,” rather than, “This job would really help them.”
Your opener, while creative, should still be relevant to the job. Don’t begin by highlighting an unrelated accomplishment or recounting an anecdote that never connects back to why you’re applying for the job. Part of writing an effective cover letter is curating key information that relates to that specific job opportunity and shows the reader that you're a good fit for the role.
Find an alternative to “ To Whom It May Concern .” Seriously, banish those five words from your cover letter vocabulary forever. Nowadays, this phrase is seen as outdated, overused, and even rude—especially when better options exist.
We’ve come up with 30 creative cover letter opening sentence examples and separated them by the method they use to grab the reader’s attention. We don’t recommend copying and pasting because, well, your cover letter should be unique to your stories, background, and interests.
But you can most definitely use these examples to get inspired for your next application. (If you’re looking to see what an entire cover letter might look like, check out our article on the best cover letter examples for every type of job seeker .)
Employers want to hire people who care about what they’re doing. If you start your cover letter off talking about your passions and how they relate to the job, you’re telling the reader that you’ll be an engaged and motivated employee who’s likely to stick around. Plus, it’s a good way to tell the company a bit about who you are as a person right off the bat. Just be honest and realistic.
If truly loving data is wrong, I don’t want to be right. It seems like the rest of the folks at [Analytics Company] feel the same way—and that’s just one of the reasons why I think I’d be the perfect next hire for your sales team.
I’ve been giving my friends and family free style advice since I was 10, and recently decided it’s time I get paid for it. That’s why I couldn’t believe it when I found an open personal stylist position at [Company].
After about three years of trying out different roles at early-stage startups around San Francisco, watching more “ find your passion “ keynotes than I’d like to admit, and assuring my parents that, yes, I actually do have a real job, I’m starting to come to terms with the fact that I’m happiest when I’m doing two things: writing great content and getting it out into the world.
The other day, I took a career assessment , which told me I should be a maritime merchant. I’m not quite sure what that is, but it did get me thinking: A role that combines my skills in business development with my lifelong passion for the ocean would be my absolute dream. Which is how I found this role at Royal Caribbean.
As a kid, I once gave up a day of a family vacation to transport an injured lizard I found by our hotel two hours each way to the nearest animal hospital (and talked my dad into driving me pre-GPS!). When I was a bit older, I found out I could care for animals every day for a living, and I’ve been working toward that goal ever since.
I am constantly checking my LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds—and not because of FOMO. Because I’m someone who wholeheartedly believes in the power of sharing ideas in online communal spaces, and I’m positive that I can help spark meaningful conversations as your next social media assistant.
When I was growing up, I wanted to be one of those people who pretend to be statues on the street. Thankfully, my career goals have become a little more aspirational over the years, but I still love to draw a crowd and entertain the masses—passions that make me the perfect community manager.
Companies often want to hire people who already know, love, eat, and sleep their brand. What better to kick off your cover letter than a little flattery? Of course, remember when you’re telling a company why you love it to be specific and genuine. Because while everyone likes a compliment, no one likes obvious self-serving B.S.
I pretty much spent my childhood in the cheap seats at Cubs games, snacking on popcorn and cheering on the team with my grandfather. It’s that memory that’s shaped my career—from helping to establish the sports marketing major at my university to leading a college baseball team to an undefeated season as assistant coach—and what led me to apply for this position at the Chicago Cubs.
It was Rudy, my Golden Retriever, who first inspired me to apply to your operations assistant opening—not only have we used your app to find other dogs to play with in our neighborhood, he’s really excited about the prospect of coming to work with me every day. As I learned more about how [Company] is using modern tech to help pets thrive in cities, I couldn’t help but get excited to be part of it, too.
When I was seven, I wanted to be the GEICO gecko when I grew up. I eventually realized that wasn’t an option, but you can imagine my excitement when I came across your events manager position, which would have me working side by side with my favorite company mascot.
When I attended SXSW for the first time last month, I didn’t want to leave. So I decided I shouldn’t—and immediately went to check out job openings at the company.
If I could make the NYC apartment rental process better for just one person, I would feel like the horrors of my recent search would all be worth it. So a customer service role at [Apartment Search Company], where I could do it every day? I can’t think of anything more fulfilling.
[Vacation Rental Company] is synonymous with luxury and escape, known for spaces that inspire. I’ve felt this firsthand every time I’ve stayed at one of your properties—whether I was throwing a bachelorette party or working from home in a new locale—and I would love the chance to contribute to this reputation as your destination manager.
I was an hour out from hosting my first big dinner party when I realized I had forgotten to pick up the white wine. In a panic, I started Googling delivery services, and that’s when I first stumbled across [Delivery Service Company]. I’ve been hooked ever since, so I couldn’t help but get excited by the idea of bringing this amazingness to nervous hosts like me as your next social media and community manager.
Though I’m happily employed as a marketing manager, seeing the job description for your company’s PR director position stopped me in my tracks. I’ve been wearing your glasses for many years, and have always been impressed by the way the company treats its customers, employees, and the community at large.
A group of us IT folks were sitting around talking about our favorite Pacific Northwest companies this morning (coincidentally, over coffee). As you might figure, Starbucks was among the first names that came up. What makes you such a standout among Seattle-based corporations? Here’s the list we compiled:
For any given job, you’re going to be competing with a lot of other job seekers—presumably, a lot of other similarly qualified people. A great way to stand out in your cover letter is to highlight something about yourself—a character trait, an accomplishment, a really impressive skill—that’ll quickly show how you stand out.
My last boss once told me that my phone manner could probably defuse an international hostage situation. I’ve always had a knack for communicating with people—the easygoing and the difficult alike—and I’d love to bring that skill to your open office manager position.
Among my colleagues, I’m known as the one who can pick up the pieces, no matter what amount of you-know-what hits the fan. Which is why I think there’s no one better to fill this customer service leader position.
Last December, I ousted our company’s top salesperson from his spot—and he hasn’t seen it since. Which means, I’m ready for my next big challenge, and the sales manager role at your company is exactly what I’m looking for.
After spending three years managing the internal communications for a 2,000-person company, I could plan a quarterly town hall or draft an interoffice memo in my sleep. What do I want to do next? Put that experience to work as a consultant for executives looking to level up their communications strategy.
While you won’t find the title “community manager” listed on my resume, I’ve actually been bringing people together online and off for three years while running my own blog and series of meetups.
If you’re looking for someone who can follow orders and doesn’t like to rock the boat, I’m probably not the right candidate. But if you need someone who can dig into data, see what’s working (and what’s not), and challenge the status quo, let’s talk.
I recently relocated my family to Texas. As we neared our new home, I noticed with intrigue the many wind turbines dotting the landscape. Suddenly, it hit me: “This is the career for me.” After unloading the moving van, I promptly researched companies in this sector that may benefit most from a skilled field engineer with expert electromechanical skills. And I discovered that [Company] is where I want to be.
You might be wondering what a 15-year veteran of the accounting world is doing applying to an operations role at a food startup. While I agree the shift is a little strange, I know you’re looking for someone who’s equal parts foodie and financial expert, and I think that means I’m your person.
Over the last 10 years, I’ve built my career on one simple principle: Work smarter. I’m the person who looks for inefficient procedures, finds ways to streamline them, and consistently strives to boost the productivity of everyone around me. It’s what’s earned me three promotions in the supply chain department at my current company, and it’s what I know I can do as the new operations analyst for [Company].
OK, before you read any of these, we have to stamp them with a big, blaring disclaimer: Do your homework before trying anything like this—learn everything you can about the company and the hiring manager to gauge whether or not they’d appreciate some comedic relief or a bit of snark. If it seems like they would, it’s a great way to make them smile (then call you). If they don’t? Try a different approach.
Have you ever had your mom call five times a day asking for a status update on how your job search is going, and then sound incredulous that you haven’t made more progress since the last phone call? That’s my life right now. But I’m hoping that soon my life will revolve around being your full-time social media manager. The good news is, I bring more to the table than just an overbearing mom. Let me tell you more.
Thank you so much for offering me the marketing manager position at [Company]! I wholeheartedly accept. OK, I know we’re not quite there yet. But if we were, here are just a few ideas for what I would do once in the role.
I considered submitting my latest credit card statement as proof of just how much I love online shopping, but I thought a safer approach might be writing this cover letter and describing all the reasons I’m the one who can take [E-Commerce Company]’s business to the next level.
I never thought that accidentally dropping my iPhone out of a second story window would change my life (it’s a funny story—ask me about it). But thanks to my misfortune, I discovered [Phone Repair Company]—and found my dream job as an expansion associate.
If we were playing “Two Truths and a Lie,” I’d say: I’ve exceeded my sales quotas by at least 20% every quarter this year, I once won an international pie-eating contest, and I have an amazing job at [Company]. The last, of course, is the lie. For now.
How do you start off a cover letter.
When unsure how to open a cover letter, a good rule of thumb is to steer clear of clichés or overused opening lines. Instead, start by highlighting a passion or accomplishment relevant to the company or role you're applying for. You could also mention something about the company that caught your attention. Get creative, but keep it professional and make sure your narrative makes sense in that context.
Try to find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn or the company's website and address them directly, like “Dear Jane Doe”. If you can't find their name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is a good alternative. Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” as it sounds outdated and impersonal.
Introducing yourself in a cover letter is straightforward: just share a bit about yourself. For example, “I'm a copywriter with seven years of experience in online content writing. At least officially. Since my first year of college I've been working on personal projects and keeping a track record of my accomplishments throughout the years.” No need to repeat your name since it's already in your contact information at the beginning of the letter.
If you don't know the name of the person receiving your cover letter, start with “Dear Hiring Manager” or similar. Other possibilities include: “Dear Hiring Team”, “To the Hiring Team”, “To the Hiring Team”, “Dear Recruiter/Recruiting Team”, or “Dear Hiring Committee” if your industry evaluates cover letters and applications through a board.
Jenny Foss , Erica Breuer , Regina Borsellino , Amanda Cardoso also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.
We all know that writing is a solitary pursuit. You go into a room with your computer or notepad, lock the door, and then spend four hours pulling at your hair and slacking off online. Then you go get a drink. Still, no matter how much time you spend alone chugging coffee, smacking your head against the keyboard, and throwing crumpled drafts of chapters into the trash, eventually you’ll need to send your work out into the world. For most beginning writers, this means stories, essays, or poems that will be sent to literary magazines. This guide will give you an overview of how magazines work, and what you can do to give your own manuscript the best shot of being accepted.
The 1% Rule — Before getting into what you, the writer, should do when submitting, it is important to understand the basics of how literary magazines work. Literary magazines run the gamut from small blogs operated as hobbies by one or two people to magazines like The Paris Review or The New Yorker with large staffs. Some pay writers for work, some don’t. Some are online only, some are print only. But in general, you should know that no matter the size, most magazines get far more submissions than they can use or than they can carefully read. A small magazine can easily get a thousand submissions in a year for only a handful of spots, and big magazines will get many thousands. Combine this with the fact that many of a magazine’s spots will be taken by solicited pieces instead of unsolicited submissions — aka “the slush” — and that means that acceptance rates at good magazines are only about 1% or less.
Why Submissions Are Rejected — Pieces are accepted because an editor loves them. They find the voice fresh, the ideas unique, the characters gripping, or in some other way they’re just floored by the piece. It is hard to know what makes an editor accept something, but it is easier to understand what makes an editor reject. Because there are so many submissions, lit mag staff read to reject. If your piece is filled with typos, scrawled in pencil instead of typed, or otherwise lacking in professionalism, it will probably be instantly rejected.
But you should also remember that because magazines get so many more submissions than they can use, most submissions are read very quickly. Frequently, the first readers are interns or volunteers who cull the hundreds or thousands of submissions down to just a handful of “maybes” for the editors to choose from. Normally, each manuscript will get two reads before being rejected, but if the reader doesn’t like the work they may only read a couple pages — if that — before saying “pass.” However, if there is a huge backlog of submissions, then the staff might host a reading party and have everyone plow through the submissions as fast as possible.
Maybe the magazine already has two poems about ravens and your brilliant “Ode to the Stork” would be one bird poem too many.
The point is that there are a million reasons your work may be rejected that have nothing to do with the quality of the work. Your submission may simply not have been read carefully enough, or perhaps the magazine filled their fiction slots for the next three issues and rejected the rest. Maybe the magazine already has two poems about ravens and your brilliant “Ode to the Stork” would be one bird poem too many. Even if the editors read your work carefully and loved it, they may simply have had to make a tough call between your story and several others that they loved. A rejection is not a reflection of the quality of your work. Keep that in mind at all times.
“Send us your best work” — When you read the submission guidelines to a magazine — something you should always do — they almost invariably say to “send us your best work.” But what is your best work, and when do you know when a piece is finished? Sadly, there is no simple answer. As a writer you have to decide. It is always a good idea to have a few trusty readers take a look at your piece to see if they feel it is finished, but otherwise it is up to you.
Still, you should make sure that it actually is finished to the best of your abilities. Many beginning writers send out work that they know has a weak ending, or a story that starts two pages before it should, with the thought that the editors at a literary magazine will take the time to edit the piece to completion. This is just not how it works. Yes, once in a blue moon an editor might love a piece’s potential enough to heavily revise it with the author, but normally the editors do not have time and — as noted above — the readers may reject the piece long before the editors could see it. Most lit mag editors are not paid much, if anything, and simply do not have the time to work through many revisions with an author. So send your best work.
Oh, and proofread, proofread, proofread.
Formatting — You want your submission to look professional, which means, first of all, following the guidelines of the magazine. Beyond that, your formatting should be simple and unadorned. No wacky fonts, centered text, or weird colors… not unless you are submitting work to a children’s humor magazine at least. Instead, use a standard font like Times New Roman in 12 points, double spaced, with page numbers at the bottom. In the “header” section, you should put your name and possibly your email, phone number, and/or story title. If you are mailing the submission, staple or paper clip.
Cover Letters — One thing that seems to disproportionately stress emerging writers is the cover letter. What should you say? Can you grab the editor’s attention? Will the cover letter give you an advantage? Honestly, the cover letter is mostly unimportant. Cover letters are typically given only a quick glance and are almost never a deciding factor for a submission. Your cover letter should be short and sweet along these lines
Dear [editor’s name],
I loved [piece X and Y] from your last issue. My own work has been previously published in [list three to five magazines]. I have an MFA from [X university] and live in [some town]. Thank your for your consideration.
Scribbly McWriter
If you don’t have an MFA or previous publications, don’t worry. If you were lucky enough to get a personalized rejection from the magazine before, you should mention that. If you know anyone on staff, or met staff members at a recent event, you can list that too. Otherwise, keep it short and to the point and avoid describing your story or trying to pitch yourself. Most editors will simply roll their eyes when they see a cover letter that starts: “ What would happen if vampires drank orange juice instead of blood? In my thrilling short story, ‘Juice Suckers from Transylvania,’ this reality is explored in a fashion that will blow your mind and make you burn your volumes of that hack called Shakespeare. You are lucky that I’m even allowing you to read such genius work, so please accept it promptly!”
Reading as Research — The best way to understand which magazines publish the kind of work you like is, well, to read them. Go to a bookstore and browse their literary magazines section, or else look at the “credits” in collections you love to see where your favorite authors published their work. Getting published by a magazine that works with writers that you admire is always going to be more satisfying that being published by a magazine you’ve never read.
Other Resources — Clifford Garstang annually publishes a ranking of literary magazines based on the number of Pushcart Prize wins and nominations each has received. This list should not be viewed as any kind of definitive ranking, but it is a great starting point to find the magazines that are both respected in the literary world and that might like your work. Duotrope is also a great resource for writers. It lists almost every lit mag, and lets you search by pay rate, genre, and other factors. However, it does cost money to use.
Getting published by a magazine that works with writers that you admire is always going to be more satisfying that being published by a magazine you’ve never read.
Tiers — A good way to organize your magazine submissions is to figure out a handful of magazines you want to submit to (perhaps between 10 and 30) and organize them into tiers of about five. Send your story to the five magazines you most want your work to appear in. If they all reject, send the story to the next five magazines, and so on until you have gone through all your tiers. If no magazine takes the story, perhaps it is time to heavily revise.
Using tiers means you won’t be the annoying writer carpet-bombing 100 magazines with the same submission at the same time, but it also means you won’t have a story accepted by The Podunk Review only to find out the next day that The New Yorker wants it.
If you are submitting your work, you will inevitably deal with rejection. The average short story or poem may be rejected twenty times before it is accepted, and even famous writers deal with rejection daily. When you receive a rejection, you should try as hard as possible to not take it personally. Nothing good has ever come from angrily writing back to editors telling them they are fools for not seeing your genius, or from insulting a literary magazine online. If you can’t handle rejection, then perhaps writing is not for you.
Types of Rejection — When your rejections start rolling in, you’ll notice that they come in three different types. Most will be a standard form rejection that politely says the piece isn’t for that magazine, but they wish you the best of luck elsewhere. Sometimes you’ll find a form rejection that is more positive, talking about the “evident merit” — or equivalent phrasing — of the submission. And now and then, you may get a personal note from an editor telling you how much they liked the piece. If you got either a positive form rejection or a personal note, you should be sure to submit to the magazine again. They like your work, even if the last submission was not quite right, and want to see more. While it may still sting to be rejected in a positive manner, keep in mind that very few submissions get a personal rejection. You should consider it a compliment.
Resubmitting After Rejection — For all three types of rejection, you should never submit the same piece again — not unless the editor explicitly asks for a revision. If an editor tells you the work came close, they want to see something new from you. Instead, wait until you have a new piece that is finished to the best of your abilities and send that one out. There is no need to rush out a new submission, even if you got a personal rejection. Submitting unfinished work will only harm your chances, and editors are unlikely to read your new submission for a few months anyway. Do note in your cover letter if you got a personal rejection last time.
The best thing you can do as a writer, beyond writing the best work you are capable of, is to keep on submitting. Submitting takes a lot of time and work, but it is the only way to get published as an emerging writer. Remember, only about 1% of submissions are accepted. Even if only 5% of all submissions are truly great, that still means four times as many great submissions are rejected as accepted. So don’t take rejection personally, keep on writing, and submit again and again like it is your job. Because, well, it is.
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Are you wondering how to apply to a master’s degree program? Read this straightforward and informative five-step guide to get extra tips on how the master’s program application process works and what you can do to make your application stand out.
A 5-step guide to apply for master’s programs, extra tips for a successful application.
Applying for master’s degree programs can be challenging. Deciding which program, location, and learning format work best for you can be overwhelming. However, breaking the process down into clear steps makes it more manageable. This simple five-step guide will walk you through each essential stage of the application process, making the process a little easier for you.
To maximize your chances of being accepted, you should craft a well-rounded application that showcases your academic achievements, personal growth, and professional experiences. By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to create a compelling application highlighting your strengths as a potential master’s degree candidate.
Why do you want a master’s degree ? Start by reflecting on why you want to pursue a graduate degree and how it aligns with your desired career path. Are you using a master’s degree as a stepping stone to complete a doctoral degree (PhD) ? Are you using a master’s degree to further advance your professional career? Having clarity around your motivation and long-term career goals will benefit you.
Once you’ve clarified your goals, research master programs that match your career aspirations. Take into account where you want to study for your graduate degree. Outside of the program itself, reflect on where you would like to build a network, start building a career, and gain work experience. Factors such as language, salaries, and work-life balance vary per country. For instance, there are many differences between studying for a master’s degree in the US and Europe . Countries such as Germany, Hungary, and Portugal are known for their high student satisfaction among international students. Consider what is essential for your student experience, such as future career opportunities after graduation, affordable student housing and healthcare, and easily accessible public transport for getting around.
In addition to this, decide if you need a full-time, part-time, or online program based on your schedule and lifestyle. Keep in mind that a master’s degree is a significant time commitment. A typical master’s degree takes one to two years to complete, though this can vary somewhat. This could take longer if you are also working part-time while studying, or completing an internship. Being realistic with your lifestyle, schedule, and other commitments will help you decide which format works best for you.
Once you have a shortlist of programs, check the program rankings and accreditations. These are typically good indicators of the quality of the program. You can look at how your chosen program compares to other programs by using master’s degree rankings . Rankings can be a helpful tool but are not the only way to measure the value of a program. You can reach out to alumni to ask them about their experience and attend open days or information sessions organized by the school to see if it is the right fit for you.
Consider the total cost of the program and explore financial aid options to help manage your expenses . It’s crucial to have a solid plan for financing your master’s degree . This could include scholarships, grants, and loans. Make a financial plan in advance that considers any other factors, such as housing, study materials, and living expenses.
Getting into graduate degree programs often requires standardized test scores. Business graduate programs in the United States often require the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test). Note that some graduate schools are moving away from standardized tests and offer test waivers to students who meet specific criteria.
If you are taking a test like the GRE, be sure to dedicate plenty of time to prepare in advance. There are many GRE test prep resources available, such as practice tests, preparation books, online courses, and test preparation centers.
If you are studying abroad or in a foreign language, you may need to take a language proficiency test. The two most common tests to demonstrate English proficiency are TOEFL and IELTS .
Collect all necessary documentation, including academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended. You may need to have these transcripts officially translated if you are applying to a school with a different language of instruction. In some cases, you might be able to get into a master’s degree without holding a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study .
Prepare and update your résumé according to the school’s preference. Avoid using one résumé for all of your applications. Tailoring your résumé to be relevant to each school will make your application stand out. Ensure that your application highlights your work experience and any leadership roles, publications, awards, and other quantifiable achievements that you have. Showcase your most relevant experiences and accomplishments, from most recent to least recent.
Request letters of recommendation from individuals who can genuinely vouch for your abilities—such as former managers, mentors, or professors. This will further support and strengthen your application.
Your application essay, sometimes called a personal statement , provides insight into your motivations and goals. Having a strong and original personal statement will help to showcase to the admissions team why you are the right fit for the program you are applying to. Make sure you understand what the school is looking for. Do they want a story about who you are or a clear outline of what you hope to achieve in the program? Adjust your text accordingly.
That being said, don’t simply write what you think the admissions team wants to hear. Making your personal statement unique and authentic will come across as more impactful. A compelling cover letter or letter of interest can make a significant difference in your application.
Many programs also require an interview as part of the admissions process. Be prepared to discuss your application in detail. You may be asked to highlight your past achievements and explain how you plan to use your degree in the long term. Manage your time effectively during the interview by giving clear and concise answers. Arriving on time for your interview, being dressed professionally, using confident body language, and being engaged and well-prepared can help you leave a lasting impression.
Together, the essay and interview give admissions committees a comprehensive picture of who you are in your own words.
Before submitting your application, ensure it is complete by verifying that the application fee is paid, that all necessary documents are uploaded, and that your test scores are sent to the school. Double-check everything to ensure that your application is complete.
After submission, regularly monitor your application status through the school’s portal. Stay engaged with the admissions process to address any additional requests from the school promptly.
These tips will help you create a well-organized application that stands out to the admissions team.
Seek Feedback: Get your essays and interview answers reviewed by mentors, professors, or other professionals. A fresh pair of eyes can help to spot any inconsistencies or mistakes.
With all of those tips in mind, now it is time to actually start writing your application! Use these tips to guide you, but remember to let your personality shine through and showcase your best self. Good luck!
Curious to learn more about the master’s application process? Connect with a master’s student ambassador to discover personal insights about the admissions process and student experience.
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EAE Barcelona's Vice-Dean Carlos Cascante explains why a Master in International Business (MIB) could be a better fit for early career professionals compared to an MBA.
Pursuing a master's degree is an important decision. It leads to new knowledge, skills, and future career advancements. A strong motivation letter is crucial during the application process. Learn key strategies, mistakes to avoid, and best practices for writing your motivation letter to make it stand out.
EDHEC Business School will break new ground in September with its Master in Management (MiM) – Data Science & AI for Business track. Tristan-Pierre Maury, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, shares how this forward-thinking track equips graduates with the technical expertise and business acumen to leverage the opportunities of the data revolution.
Navigating academic and professional applications doesn’t come easy to everyone, especially regarding understanding the letters you must submit. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between a letter of interest, a motivation letter, and a cover letter, helping you to choose the right one for your situation and craft it effectively.
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These 15 sample cover letters demonstrate the diverse range of topics, research designs, and perspectives that can be effectively communicated to journal editors. By highlighting the significance, novelty, and relevance of their work, these cover letters make a compelling case for why the submitted articles deserve to be considered for ...
How to write a cover letter for journal submission
A cover letter for an essay is supplementary application material. Colleges and universities may require students to submit a cover letter that explains their intentions for their admissions essay. Your essay cover letter gives you the opportunity to briefly summarize your essay and then include a few key details about it. Related: 7 College ...
Here are the general steps on writing an essay cover letter together with example scripts: 1. Write the accurate inside address. Every cover letter must start with the inside address — the information as to whom and to where the letter is addressed.
Here's an generic cover letter example for an Essay Cover Letter tailored for an academic submission: Dear [Professor's Name], I am submitting my essay entitled " [Title of the Essay]" for consideration in your [Course Name] class. This essay explores [Brief Summary of the Essay Content], drawing on [Methodology or Sources Used].
How To Write a Cover Letter for a Research Paper (Plus ...
Cover letters - APA Style - American Psychological Association
Keep all text left justified. Use spelling and grammar check software. If needed, use a proofreading service or cover letter editing service such as Wordvice to review your letter for clarity and concision. Double-check the editor's name. Call the journal to confirm if necessary.
Academic Cover Letters - UNC Writing Center
Crafting a Successful Cover Letter. To stand out, a cover letter must be outstanding: smart, engaging, concrete, detailed and polished to perfection. Melissa Dennihy gives pointers on how to do that. With the academic job market season in full swing, prospective hires are sending off cover letters to apply for highly competitive faculty positions.
Including a good cover letter with your college admissions essay can be as valuable as the actual essay. While the essay should showcase your vocabulary, organization and logic skills, the cover letter is an opportunity to discuss what inspired you to pick your topic and to highlight the most relevant parts of your ...
Getting the Basics Right. When writing a cover letter, it is crucial to address the editor by their correct and complete name¹. If there are multiple co-editors, you can address your letter to the right person, based on their specialization or designated responsibilities. If unsure, it is okay to go with a more general salutation, such as ...
The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag ...
Dear Dr. Simpson, I am enclosing a submission to the Journal of Poetry and Psychology entitled "Poetry and the Cognitive Psychology of Metrical Constructs.". The manuscript is 40 pages long and includes four tables and two figures. I wish for the manuscript to be given a masked review. I request that my ex-partner [name blocked out] not be ...
How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)
The best structure for a cover letter for writing submissions includes several important elements. First, start with a header that includes your contact information (name, address, email, phone) and the date. Then, address the letter to the correct person (if possible) or "Dear Editor" or "Contest Judges.".
How to Write a Cover Letter (Examples and Tips)
5) Be confident! Now is not the time to focus on your professional faults or limitations. Now is the time to promote yourself with abandon. Focus on your relevant work experience, your strengths, your accolades, and your willingness to learn and grow in this new job.
Writing a Cover Letter (With Tips and Examples)
A cover letter accompanying a submission to a journal or magazine can be short and simple. Indicate that you're submitting the work for consideration, but don't say much—if anything—about the work. In these kinds of submissions, you include the story, essay or poems along with the cover letter. So, let the creative work speak for itself.
How to write cover letter for research paper In each of the cover letters, Emily also made clear how much she wanted to work for IRC. The cover letter is a formal way to communicate with journal editors and editorial staff during the manuscript submission process. If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, mention it in the first sentence or two, and try to ...
Or they may never get past the covering letter. PERSONALLY address your email to the right person - use the agent or publisher's name (NOT Dear Mr. Penguin/Dear Mrs. Curtis Brown) Google them to get the spelling right. Find out if the agent or editor you are approaching is a Mr. or a Ms.· Make sure this is the right person within the ...
30 Genius Cover Letter Openers Recruiters Will LOVE
Submitting unfinished work will only harm your chances, and editors are unlikely to read your new submission for a few months anyway. Do note in your cover letter if you got a personal rejection last time. Keep at It. The best thing you can do as a writer, beyond writing the best work you are capable of, is to keep on submitting.
Step 4: Write Your Application Essay and Prepare for Interviews. ... A compelling cover letter or letter of interest can make a significant difference in your application. ... After submission, regularly monitor your application status through the school's portal. Stay engaged with the admissions process to address any additional requests ...