12 Sentences That Should Be Included in Your Academic Cover Letter
I just found a handy little blog post by Philip N. Howard that has been
circulating around the internet for the past 6 years, called A Dozen Sentences
That Should Appear in Your Academic Cover Letter. It was originally
published on the University of Washington Graduate College Mentor Memo site,
and was later reprinted in Inside Higher Ed. Philip N. Howard identifies the lines that are
needed in every cover letter by a graduate student or new Ph.D. seeking an
academic job.
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First and foremost, I'm grateful that someone has offered such practical, concrete counsel. This knowledge is really needed, and I've been working in such a vacuum for so long, that I'm relieved to see that someone, anybody, is truly attempting to provide solid and precise job market guidance.
This post is my response:
1. I would like to be considered for the position of [title copied from job ad] in [exact department name from job ad] at the [exact institution name from job ad]. I am an advanced doctoral candidate in [your department].Yes, except that this line includes the misuse of feeling-talk (I would want) that is common among job hopefuls. "I am writing in application to the post..." is something I would suggest. While "I would like" isn't an issue in and of itself, it becomes a touch excessive when combined with the rest of the feeling-talk that Howard encourages in following phrases. The bottom line on sentiments in employment letters is that applicants believe that expressing their strong feelings is the key to being employed, and that expressing their "passion," "excitement," and "eagerness" would ensure that they get hired. Remember that you and 250/500/750 other people are all attempting to pitch the same level of enthusiasm, eagerness, and excitement, and it's already old before you've even begun. Actually, rather than telling, what gets you recruited is demonstrating that you have followed an active career of study, publishing, and teaching without resorting to cheap emotional phrases.
2. My doctoral project is a study of [cocktail party description]. Much of the research on this topic suggests that [characterize the literature as woefully inadequate]. But I [demonstrate, reveal, discover] that contrary to received wisdom, [your punch line].
Yes indeed
3. To complete this research I have spent [X years] doing [fieldwork/lab work/archival work/statistical analysis]. I have traveled to [these cities or libraries], interviewed [X number of experts], created [original datasets/original compositions/original artwork].
This line should be followed by a paragraph that tells the tale
of how you conducted your research. Overwhelm the committee with the number of
objects you've examined, individuals you've spoken with, time you've invested,
and locations you've visited.
The phrase is necessary in and of itself. What you looked at is
important to search committees. Never, ever, ever "overwhelm" a
search committee with facts, and for the love of God, don't write a
"narrative" about your research "process"!! 9 out of 10 job
candidates believe their dissertation is SO fascinating, SO compelling, SO
urgent, SO earth-shattering that they would gladly overwhelm everyone they meet
with endless amounts of minutiae about it, AND the endless story of how they
unearthed this, and then transformed to that, and then developed a passion in
this (see below), and then were "lucky enough to have the chance to"
be doing that. etc. ad nauseum. No one has the time for that. In no more than
two sentences, provide this information succinctly and accurately.
4. I have completed [X] of
[Y] chapters of my dissertation, and I have included two substantive chapters
as part of my writing sample.
This is ok, although telling them what chapters you have
finished in the dissertation is less important than telling them a concrete
defense date in the first sentence, in my view. Talk is cheap, but a
defense date doesn’t lie. "I completed <X number
of> chapters of my dissertation, which focus on <TOPIC A> and
<TOPIC B> in <WHAT SETTING>. Based on <RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
USED>, using <THEORY>, my findings showed <RESULTS STATEMENT>.
My research contributes to the fields <TOPIC A> and <TOPIC B> by
showing <DISCUSSION SUMMARY†>. I have a manuscript <under
review/accepted/in print/published> focusing on how these <OUTCOMES>
impact participants’ <TOPIC B>.” is
something I would suggest.
†A succinct summary of
your dissertation should read like this: <…how people legitimize lay medical
knowledge when professional medical knowledge fails to provide answers to
patients’ suffering.>
5. I have well-developed
drafts of several other chapters, and expect to defend in [month, year]. [OR]
Having defended in [month, year], I plan to [turn it into a book-length
manuscript for a major scholarly press/select key chapters for publication in
disciplinary journals].
It's too premature for you to be on the academic job market if (1)
any of your committee members are reluctant to commit to even a semester of the
year for your defense date, or (2) if you don't have two substantial chapters
to submit to the hiring committee. […] except that going on the market early
may help you get your biggest blunders out of the way while you still have
time, affiliation, and, we assume, support.
6. Although my primary area
of research is [disciplinary keyword], I have additional expertise in [another
disciplinary keyword here] and am eager to teach in both areas. I have
[taught/served as a teaching assistant] in courses about [A, B and C]. In the
next few years, I hope to develop courses in [X and Y].
Of course, you must explain teaching abilities, but do so
without making broad claims or using emotive language. Chomping at the bit?
Wish? Eager? What good would that do us? Again, 250 other young adults will
base their arguments on the same emotions. Instead, provide us with specifics
and facts. Show, Don’t Tell.
7. For the most part, my
approach to research is through [social science or humanistic method keyword
here], and I would be interested in developing a methods class on this approach
to research.
All candidates must be able to teach both specialist topics
pertaining to their research as well as general education subjects like Intro,
Methods, and Theory. As a result, he is accurate in saying that you should be
able to talk about a methods class. He reverts to feeling-talk once again
("I would be intrigued"). Candidates overuse the words
"interest" almost as much as "passion" and
"excited," and are frequently so self-absorbed that their letters
devolve into an unending maelstrom of "I am interested in xxxx, and I have an additional interest in
yyy, and I would be interested in teaching zzzz, and I have a great interest in
the work of zzz, and my interests in www coincide......" It's a reliance. "Nobody Cares What You Are Interested
In," I wrote an entire piece on it. That is, don't TELL search
committees that you are interested in anything. SPECIFICALLY SHOW THEM YOU'RE
INTERESTED.
8. Although I have been
focused on my graduate research for several years, I have been actively
involved in conversations with [scholars in the department you are applying to,
or scholars at other universities/professional associations/conferences/other
disciplines].
What? What good does it do to have a conversation? Talk is
cheap, and anybody, especially a graduate student, may talk about his
dissertation. That does not set you apart.
This can be a single paragraph noting conferences you've attended,
seminars you've hosted, and other ways you've contributed your
discipline/industry. Instead, “I have been actively involved in <mentorship/poster
presentations/grand rounds/special topics seminars> at <University A>
and <University B>.” The key here is conferences. Those are
peer-reviewed and your attendance at them will set your record apart.
Never hang your hat on service.
9. In the next few years, I
hope to be able to investigate [reasonably related problems or questions].
Everyone needs a secondary project. Please don't use vague
aspirational sentiment language like "hope" to express it. Is it true
that you're so unsure? That doesn't give me a lot of
hope. Also, while we're on the topic, avoid using the words try, attempt,
effort, or seek. Read my
article: Using the FORCE to Write Better (Academically): "Do. Or Do Not. There Is No Try" I would, instead, write, “Beyond my dissertation, I maintain an
active research agenda and am involved in projects that examine the <TOPIC
B> in the <SETTING> process.”
10. I
am interested in this post for a variety of reasons: [something about the
character of the department/university/community/city].
This
is what tailoring is all about, and it's crucial. I advise my clients to pen, “
11. Because of my graduate
training, my doctoral research, and my teaching [experience/interests], I am
uniquely qualified for this job.
Oh,
for the love of God. Really? Are you one-of-a-kind? Did your parents tell you
about it?
Those
words are emptied of meaning. They constitute pitiful, desperate rhetoric.
When
a steering committee reads 300 letters, each of which claims that the candidate
is "uniquely qualified" (which, by the way, they already do
regardless of his post's direction), such words lose their significance. They
are terrible and pathetic statements. Without resorting to groveling claims,
connect your achievements and performance to the job.
12. In the next few months,
I will be attending [conference A] and [conference B]. If you or your
colleagues are also planning to attend, I would be happy to meet for an
informal conversation.
This also comes out as needy to me. The academic
employment market is a case of "don't bother us, we'll call you."
They'll ask whether they want you. Instead, close with, “I look forward to
hearing from you soon. Thank you. Sincerely, Signature, Printed Name”
JTTT’s Additional Tips:
- If you have fewer than two and a half pages of substance, you will not seem to be an advanced PhD candidate deeply engrossed in a project; if you have more than that, committee members may stop reading.
- Two pages is more than plenty. Through their frequent passion and interest speaking, he is creating several opportunities for excessive and self-involved verbiage. Letters may easily be kept under two pages with good editing and an emphasis on evidence rather than feelings.
- Add the names of funding agencies that have helped you or periodicals that are publishing or evaluating your work as you write.
- Multiple faculty members should ideally write letters on your behalf. At least one letter-writer should come from a university different than yours, if feasible. Hiring committees like reference letters on other university letterheads since it demonstrates your social capital outside of your own department. "You Really Need Recommendations From Faculty Outside Your Department," is a blog article I wrote on this topic.
- Your letter should be sent to the person in charge of the search or the department head. A welcome like "Dear Committee Members" indicates that you haven't done your homework. Request that a friend edit your manuscript for spelling and punctuation.
- Last but not least, follow up with the department. Candidates are not usually informed whether they are on the shortlist by hiring committees. If you complete another dissertation chapter or have an article published a few weeks after sending your letter, send an email updating the committee on where you are in the hiring process and requesting that this example be included to your file.
- Yes, you should follow up with further information like this. However, don't pester them with questions about if you've been short-listed, etc. Candidates often inquire as to when they should do so. That is not something you should do.
~JTT
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