Cover Letter Series, part 1: The Crucial First Paragraph

 Cover Letter Series, part 1: The Crucial First Paragraph

A cover letter (CL) is a one-page document that acts as your personal introduction to the recruiting manager. When applying for a job, you must provide a cover letter with your CV. A strong cover letter will result in an interview, putting you one step closer to your dream job. That is why your cover letter must demonstrate that you are a solid applicant. Consider your cover letter to be your elevator pitch, preferably even shorter.

Almost every area of a cover letter has its own set of complexities and traps. For example, the tailoring sector may quickly become a place where arrogance and desperation collide ("I'll be a fantastic addition to you, and I'll name my first-born after you if you only give me the job"). Similarly, the teaching paragraph may quickly devolve into a list of places you've taught rather than what and how you teach, with cliched references to clear inspirations (Paulo Freire is a person, not a teaching goal). While most people can talk a lot about their research, presenting it to the SC in a concise and digestible manner may be difficult. There's no getting around the fact that writing a decent CL is difficult.

The opening, on the other hand, is a reasonably basic paragraph. Many clients, however, who are chomping at the bit to have their stuff in order, go beyond.

They jam all of their biggest achievements into the first paragraph: their dissertation subject, honors they've received, what reviewers have said about their books, all of the locations they've taught, and, of course, that they'd be an outstanding candidate.

I'm sure there are counselors out there who teach their students to think of the first paragraph as a "best-of," or as one person put it, a "teaser." Nein. Nyet. Non. No one wants to be teased; they want to scan through your entire resume without any "hard sell." And a hard sale is precisely what is a frantic begging opening paragraph.

Consider the following scenario: you're at a party, and someone approaches you and introduces themselves. Then they launch into a monologue about who they are, where they've worked, the accolades and prizes they've received, what they hope to do, and what others have said about them.... What are your thoughts on this? Do you wish to stay for a while? Or should you run?

Imagine instead a good introduction; you learn a few tidbits, and you think: “Oh, ok, tell me more…”

So, here's how to make an introduction, replace your own words in the place of < text>:

"Dear <NAME OF THE CHAIR> and Members of the Search Committee,"

“I am writing to apply to the advertised position of <job title> in <type of job department>. I have a < degree, Ph.D.> in <discipline/field> (or-I am completing a Ph.D. in XXX and will be defending my dissertation on <topic of dissertation>, <year>.  Currently, I am a <job title> at <name of University>. My research agenda focuses on <topic A> and <topic B>.”

The intro is like a business card. Unless your name is “Prince William, duke of Cambridge, in full William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus, formerly Prince William of Wales” (in which case I give you permission to disregard everything in this post), your card will not give too much info; it will just situate you.

I often argue that your blockchain address is in the first paragraph of the CL. The Search Committee just needs to know your current location and where you came from. Because the job letter might get difficult, keep it simple at first.

Similar Posts:

1. Cover Letter Series, Part 2.: Research and Contribution Sections
2. Cover Letter Series pt.3: The Teaching-Centric Letter
3. Cover Letter Series pt.4: The Worst Job Application Letter Ever Written
4. You Really Need Recommendations From Faculty Outside Your Department: Academic Job Market 101