A lecturer does more than just stand in front of students – they engage their attention to get the point across. An amazing lecturer cover letter does the same. The only differences are that your letter is aimed at one employer and you must use your writing skills to reach your goal: an interview.
You have the skills, now let this guide help you translate them into an attention-getting cover letter. Within, you will learn tips and hints about:
- The cover letter format and the paragraphs the cover letter should include
- Taking advantage of the space you have in each part of your cover letter (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- The content of your cover letter
- How to avoid common errors when writing your lecturer cover letter.
This guide is part of our collection of 350+ occupation specific cover letter examples designed for professionals in all careers and experience levels.
Best format for a lecturer cover letter
While your lecturer cover letter will be unique, the format you use will be standard. Before you launch into writing, you need to know what to include in your application document.
The format of a lecturer cover letter should contain the following elements:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
For a general overview on writing cover letters, click over to the comprehensive cover letter guide. Below, you will find advice geared toward optimizing each lecturer cover letter paragraph and section.
This lecturer cover letter example will give you an outline for writing your own cover letter:
Dear Professor Monter,
The part-time role as a lecturer on your public relations course would be a fascinating addition to my corporate activity. I understand that you are looking for a PR practitioner who is involved in academia, and I have been balancing the two for the past six years.
After my move from Miami, I am looking to partner with an academic institution who will help to continue to fund my research into advertising in the metaverse. I have written seven acclaimed papers on the topic and would seek to take my students on a journey of possibility alongside their normal studies. The immersive nature of XR means that major brands can afford to be far less intrusive with their campaigns. I bring with me a $450k annual research grant from five major corporate funders.
My classes obviously specialize in all aspects of modern PR. My career has encompassed many areas, including consumer, healthcare and technology. Students gain the most knowledge via interactive case studies and real-life workshops (100+ speakers visited my class over a 3-year period). The grade average of my previous classes was 20 percent above the state norm and 60 percent of my students went on to work in PR after graduation.
I would welcome the chance of an interview to understand more about your marketing faculty and how my research interests might fit in with your teaching requirements.
Sincerely,
Hayley Pinsent
Cover letter header
Before you begin speaking on the first day of a new course, you may write your name and how to reach you on the board. You also need to capture student attention. The header of your lecturer cover letter serves the same purpose.
The best headers clearly display contact information while adding a pop of design to otherwise text-filled pages. If the department chair likes your letter, they know exactly how to reach you.
Also remember that Applicant Tracking System (ATS) algorithms are important for your lecturer cover letter as well as your resume. Include the words “email” and “phone / cell” next to your information so the software can easily input your data. Using desired keywords and phrases in your cover letter as well as your resume can also boost your ranking in the ATS.
Your application documents are a complete package
Perhaps you have a lecturer resume that you customize for each job and then write a fresh cover letter. If so, make sure that your cover letter complements and amplifies the information on your resume so that they make a synchronized package.
That means using the same or similar design for both.
Cover letter greeting
You may have a casual style, but your lecturer cover letter should stay on the more formal side. That means starting off with “Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. [Surname].” Most of our cover letter samples begin this way. Why? Because it is professional but warm.
Most colleges and universities list their department faculty and staff online, so you should have no problem finding the name of the person to whom you are writing. Using a name always beats the impersonal. If even after a phone call you are stymied, you may go with “Dear Computer Science Department Faculty” or the like, but avoid “To Whom It May Concern.” It sounds outdated.
Cover letter introduction
A great lecturer knows how to capture the attention of students from the start. Apply those skills to the cover letter introduction. It is here that you hook your reader and give them a preview of what is to come.
How do you describe yourself as a lecturer and what is your greatest attribute or skill? Why did you become an expert in your field? Answering one of these questions may give you the intro that you need to entice the department chair to learn more about you.
The cover letter sample text for an introduction below will help you get started.
Dear Professor Monter,
The part-time role as a lecturer on your public relations course would be a fascinating addition to my corporate activity. I understand that you are looking for a PR practitioner who is involved in academia, and I have been balancing the two for the past six years.
Cover letter middle part (body)
You’ve reached the body paragraphs of your lecturer cover letter. This is where you back up what you’ve said in your introduction with examples of what you have achieved and more description of your skills and lecturing style.
Include a sentence or two on your expertise and your education philosophy. This is also a great place to show that your pedagogy meshes with that of the department or that you will bring a fresh viewpoint to the subject you teach.
Follow instructional design theory
Think of each paragraph of your cover letter as a lecture. Each lecture builds on the theory you posited in your intro: I am a candidate worthy of an interview.
Use sentences to describe a big success or achievement and then include bulleted items to mention the rest. These save space and break up what is otherwise a text-heavy document. They also give the reader a quick way to scan for your accomplishments.
The cover letter sample body text below offers an idea of how to go about this.
After my move from Miami, I am looking to partner with an academic institution who will help to continue to fund my research into advertising in the metaverse. I have written seven acclaimed papers on the topic and would seek to take my students on a journey of possibility alongside their normal studies. The immersive nature of XR means that major brands can afford to be far less intrusive with their campaigns. I bring with me a $450k annual research grant from five major corporate funders.
My classes obviously specialize in all aspects of modern PR. My career has encompassed many areas, including consumer, healthcare and technology. Students gain the most knowledge via int
Is it appropriate to mention student/audience review comments in a cover letter?
While recommendations are undoubtedly powerful, it is advisable to let a potential employer know about the numbers of recommendations that you have (i.e. 10+) rather than focus on one individual comment. Link to your social profiles where you can include comments - use the space in your cover letter to tell your story from your point of view.
How to end a lecturer cover letter (conclusion & sign-off)
The lecture is almost over, but you want them to come back, so you sum up and end with “Next time …” Use that approach in the conclusion of your lecturer cover letter. Remind the faculty of why you are an excellent candidate.
Then, drop a sentence in that will pique their curiosity and give you a starting point for your interview. Before you sign off, make sure you let your reader know that you want to discuss the position further in an interview.
The cover letter example text below shows one method of asking for an interview.
I would welcome the chance of an interview to understand more about your marketing faculty and how my research interests might fit in with your teaching requirements.
Sincerely,
Hayley Pinsent
Avoiding basic mistakes in a lecturer cover letter
- Match the tone of your cover letter to the department’s style: If you know a faculty member and are certain the department is a casual one, you may adopt a more laid-back tone; however, it is usually best to stay professional without sounding stuffy.
- Adapt your letter for each position. Colleges and universities are not all looking for the same type of lecturer with the same expertise and skills. Make sure you target the needs of your prospective employer when you choose your examples and describe your style.
- Get a second set of eyes on it. You will be judging the quality of your students’ work, so make sure you have someone judge the quality of yours. Even one typo can sideline your application.
Your cover letter layout is one of the key elements that helps you to make a great first impression. Consider using a professionally-designed cover letter template to avoid mistakes.
Key takeaways
- Your education philosophy and lecturing style play an important role in your candidacy.
- Target each job by addressing the needs of the department when you choose your anecdotes and achievement examples.
- The layout and design of your lecturer cover letter serve to grab attention and create a cohesive package with your resume, so peruse our lecturer cover letter sample for ideas.
If you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our related education cover letter examples:
