Tailor your cover letters to make them school-specific.
Competition for teaching posts can be fierce, particularly if you are applying for a position at an elementary school. High school English and social studies teachers also will find that competition can be rather stiff. To obtain a teaching post at the school of your choice, your resume will need to stand out. Write a spectacular cover letter and chances are your resume will rise to the top of the pile. Be specific and positive about the skills you can bring to the educational table and you may get an interview.
Instructions
1. Find the name of the principal of the school and address the letter to that person, making sure to spell her name correctly. Check to make sure you have the current principal's name by calling the school secretary and asking, as the school's website may be outdated.
2. Mention your most relevant experience in your letter. Tailor your description of this experience to the teaching job description. Many principals simply scan resumes and could skim over the experience that makes you the most feasible candidate.
3. Tell the principal why you want to work on his campus. Specify if you enjoy working with students from that particular age group or economic background. Mention any special programs that the school has that you are interested in becoming involved with.
4. Note any special skills you have. Make it easy for a principal to identify you as a person who can take on an extracurricular activity, which is an unspoken requirement of many teaching positions. Show that you are able to coach basketball or be in charge of the yearbook to open doors.
5. Check your cover letter for readability. Make sure your letter is in a standard font, such as Times New Roman, Calibri or Ariel. Match the font with that of your resume. Have a grammar-savvy friend proofread your letter. Correct any errors, as a letter for a teaching post is essentially a sample of your writing skills.
6. Print your cover letter on white or cream-colored paper. Check to make sure the addresses in your heading are correct and that you have included your contact information. Mail or hand-deliver the cover letter along with your teaching resume.
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