Published: Tuesday 13th of June 2017; Words Count: 800
When you are searching for jobs, your cover letter is one of the tools which can catch a hiring manager’s attention. Although writing cover letters may seem difficult to some jobseekers, there are practical strategies you can follow to gain success. See the tips below for a guide to common do’s and don’ts, and refer to the teacher cover letter example for an industry specific guide.
The cover letter examples below will help you create an effective cover letter for your education career. These professionally written samples are designed for teachers of all levels, from kindergarten through high school and beyond.
Finding jobs as a Teacher will be easier if you apply your skills and look in the right places. Following these pointers can relieve stress and make it easier to find work.
1. Research your surroundings. Whether you are new to Education or have lived in the area for years, you should conduct some research to find who the biggest employers are. Doing so can help you find job leads that don’t show up other places, and it can show you where the majority of local opportunities are.
2. Practice your interview skills. Once you have found a job lead that interests you and matches your skills, you have started the journey to landing a new job. If an interview seems intimidating, think about the kind of questions a potential employer would want to ask an interviewee, and prepare some articulate answers that will demonstrate your knowledge.
3. Network with neighbors. Building relationships and pursuing connections can often provide unexpected job opportunities. Let your friends and family know what kind of position you are looking for, and ask them to pass any leads along.
4. Keep in contact with potential job leads. Once you have submitted a job application, it is up to management to decide whether or not you are a good candidate for the position. Reach out to the recruiter, hiring manager or human resources department remind them of your interest.
5. Be adaptable. Think of your abilities as the roots of all the things you can do. They are the beginning, not the end. Be open to jobs in other fields that can provide opportunities outside your field and expand your skill set.
Your cover letter is likely the first impression potential employers will have of you. You should make its contents relevant to the jobs as a Teacher and field you are pursuing, but regardless of specifics, there are a few general rules you should always follow.
1. Highlight your experience. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you want your skills to truly shine on paper. The only way to achieve this is to describe your prior experience in an engaging way. Use descriptive language to make your work experience sound enticing.
2. Be honest. It may be tempting to exaggerate your experience or embellish your skills, but this will disservice you in the long run. Instead of stretching the truth, be imaginative in your descriptions of prior work history.
3. Emphasize your versatility. Many people are faced with a shortage of jobs in their field, but if you are dealing with this, it does not mean you won’t find a great and fulfilling position. You should keep your options open and use your cover letter to highlight your versatility.
4. Keep it brief. Giving long-winded answers in an interview is never a good idea, and being excessively wordy on your cover letter isn’t either. While you may be verbose, limit your cover letter’s contents to the most essential information. You don’t want your qualifications to get lost in a sea of words.
5. Don’t go over a page. In some cases, you may have reason to include two pages on your cover letter, but in general it is best to be concise and keep its contents to one page only.