Creating an impactful instructor cover letter can be as crucial as the knowledge you share within the classroom. Regardless of your specialty or the age of your students, your passion for teaching and expertise should come across in your cover letter.
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Take a look at our tips, examples, and templates to construct a letter that not only demonstrates your proficiency in your field but also your commitment to education and your potential value to the role.
In this guide, we'll teach you all about the essential elements to include in your instructor cover letter. Keep reading and learn how to:
- Create your instructor cover letter header & headline
- Personalize the greeting on your instructor cover letter
- Write a compelling instructor cover letter introduction
- Showcase your accomplishments & qualifications on your cover letter
- Conclude your cover letter with a strong closing statement
- Access top job search resources for instructors
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1. Create an effective instructor cover letter header & headline
To begin your instructor cover letter, the first step is to create a well-formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header is a block of text – often found in the top-left or top-center of the document – that includes the identifying information about the applicant. Along with containing your name, professional title, and contact information, a header may also include the name of the company you are applying to.
Your cover letter headline is an optional yet useful detail that helps to grab employers’ attention. In this headline, you should always include a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Below are examples of both a well-formatted header and an effective headline for an Instructor’s cover letter:
Instructor cover letter header example
From: Jane Doe, Professional Instructor
(123) 456-7890 | janedoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jane-doe
To: The Education Institute, Instructors Department
123 Smith Street, New York, NY
Instructor cover letter headline example
3 Reasons I am the Perfect Instructor to Add to Your Professional Education Team
Here is a breakdown of the key components of this headline:
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Reasons
Keyword: Instructor
Adjective/Verb: Perfect, Add
Promise: Your Professional Education Team – by including this detail, you show the employer you intend to relate your skills directly to the needs of their business.
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2. Personalize the greeting on your instructor cover letter
In this day and age, it is crucial to research exactly who will review your cover letter and application. Once you have determined who this individual is, you should address them directly by creating a personalized greeting for your cover letter.
Examples of personalized greetings include
- Dear Mr. Smith,
- Dear John Smith,
- To Mr. Smith & the Instruction Department Team,
On the rare occasion that you cannot pinpoint exactly who will review your cover letter.
You can try out one of the following alternatives
- To the [Company Name] Team,
- To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
3. Write a compelling instructor cover letter introduction
The next key component of your cover letter is your introductory paragraph. Your headline helps to initially attract an employer’s attention but your introduction should solidify this interest and compel them to read further.
To do so, you should:
- Keep the introduction concise – ideally 1 to 3 sentences
- Compliment the company and explain why you are applying
- Include eye-catching and specific details about your experience
- Name a mutual acquaintance, if possible – by naming a mutual acquaintance, you give the employer an immediate point of reference, as well as giving yourself greater credibility
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write an instructor cover letter introduction
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am an Instructor with over 5 years of experience teaching content marketing strategies. After learning about your institution from a feature in a local magazine, I decided your company’s dedication to student success matched my professional passion and experience as an Instructor.
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4. Showcase your accomplishments & qualifications on your instructor cover letter
Following the introduction of your cover letter are the body paragraphs. A strong cover letter will contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that include:
- A variety of relevant technical and interpersonal skills
- Key accomplishments that help you stand out as an applicant
- Your goals both within the company and your career
- What makes you and the company a great match for one another
Below, we have included an example of how to effectively describe an accomplishment in an Instructor cover letter, followed by a list of questions to answer that show why you are a great fit for the company.
Example of a well-written accomplishment on an instructor’s cover letter
As a social media management Instructor, I taught more than 10 courses at a local community college, with an average student completion rate of 99%. Roughly 75% of these students went on to earn high-level social media jobs, including positions with major publications such as the New York Times and Vogue.
Key questions to answer in an instructor’s cover letter:
- What excites you about working for this company?
- How can your relevant experience benefit the company?
- Which skills do you possess that make you a qualified candidate?
- What do you hope to gain from this opportunity?
- How well do your goals and the company goals align?
5. Conclude your cover letter with a strong closing statement
To finish off your Instructor cover letter strong, you need a well-worded closing statement. This statement should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective closing statement from an instructor’s cover letter:
With our shared values and commitment to education, I am certain I am the ideal addition to your team of Instructors. I am eager to speak with you more about this opportunity and would love to hear back within the next week. If I do not hear from you, I will reach out the following Monday to check on the status of my application.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Yours Truly,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
6. Top job search resources for instructors
Instructors of all fields need a well-rounded strategy for job searching that goes beyond broadcasting resumes. Having the right resources at your fingertips can make a significant difference in your job hunt. Here are some that you might find helpful:
- Education job boards: Websites like Education Week and HigherEdJobs list a myriad of opportunities in the education sector, ranging from kindergarten to higher education.
- General job boards: Platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor also list numerous teaching positions. Their robust search features can help you find jobs that match your specific criteria.
- Professional networking sites: LinkedIn is not only a job board but also an invaluable networking platform. Connecting with other instructors, joining relevant groups, and participating in discussions can lead to prospective job openings.
- Institution job pages: If you have a particular institution in mind, look at their official job openings webpage. Universities, colleges, and school districts often post openings directly on their websites.
- Continued education: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy offer courses to enhance your skills or even learn new ones, making you a more desirable candidate.
Include these resources in your job search toolkit, and remember, they all complement the compelling instructor cover letter and resume you'll be sending in for that dream position.
Instructor Cover Letter FAQ
What should be the main focus of my instructor cover letter?
The focus of your instructor cover letter should be twofold: your subject matter expertise and your ability to teach and engage students effectively. Highlight your teaching style, successes in the classroom, and why you'd be a great fit for the specific opportunity.
How long should my instructor cover letter be?
As a rule of thumb, your cover letter should be no more than one page. Keep it concise and engaging, ensuring that every sentence adds value and demonstrates your suitability for the role.
Can I use the same cover letter for different instructor roles?
While it's tempting to save time with a one-size-fits-all approach, customizing your cover letter for each application is crucial. Highlight your skills and experiences that best align with each position's requirements to show you're the right fit.
What if I have limited teaching experience?
If you're just starting, draw attention to experiences that have developed your teaching skills, like tutoring, mentoring, or even leadership roles in volunteer organizations. Highlight any relevant training or education.
Should my instructor cover letter repeat what's in my resume?
No, your cover letter should complement, not duplicate your resume. Use it as a chance to provide more context for key achievements, elaborate on significant experiences, and demonstrate your passion for teaching.
