Resumes, Cover Letters, References, and Applications
Setting Yourself Apart from Start to Finish Donna M. Cooper Associate Director, Center for Career and Leadership Development, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Y
ou will not be the only applicant for the positions for to which you apply. Every candidate will complete an application and submit a resume. How can you stand out from all the others who are applying? In the Beginning ü Unless you are instructed not to submit a cover letter, submit a cover letter. It is your opportunity to dialogue in a conversational format that is not permissible on your resume. It is your opportunity to stand out in a creative way. ü If you are submitting your cover letter through email, write your cover letter in Word, using standard business letter formatting. Then copy and paste the letter into the body of your email. ü If you are applying through application software, the section allotted for uploading documents such as your resume and transcripts is the appropriate place to upload your cover letter. ü Paragraph 1 of your cover letter serves as your introduction and states the intention of your communication. Imagine that you are meeting the recipient in person, shaking their hand, and introducing yourself with a statement such as “I am applying for the Mathematics position in your school system.” ü Paragraph #2 of your cover letter demonstrates that you read the job description and that you researched the school system, “Your job posting indicated that you were seeking a teacher who can creatively introduce Math to students. In my most recent Math class with Senior High School students, the National Champion Rocket Engineering Club from the local college spoke to the class about how they could transfer their skills acquired from their catapult project into launching something which could go higher and faster.” Be careful not to simply quote your resume; hiring managers can read that for themselves. Use your cover letter to paint a picture of how your experience aligns with the needs of the position and why their district is of interest to you with a statement like, “Your school system is renowned for its investment in growing its teachers professionally and encouraging them to represent your system nationally, a characteristic I heard voiced many times at a recent AAEE conference career fair I attended in St. Louis. I want to be a part of your system and represent you.” ü Paragraph #3 of your cover letter is instrumental in elevating you above the competition. This paragraph communicates the reasons that the interview team should consider you for the position. It should be succinct and to the point. Think of it as your personal tagline or bumper sticker– “I teach numbers and statistics to students who are often afraid of math because they don’t realize that they use math in their daily lives- every time they bargain shop or follow their favorite sports team.”
38 American Association for Employment in Education
ü
Paragraph #4 of your cover letter serves as the closing paragraph. Imagine that you are concluding your conversation and are shaking the interviewer’s hand again with a concluding statement such as, “I am very excited about this opportunity and I look forward to hearing from you soon. I can be reached at [phone number – just one] or [email – just one].”
At the End ü Once you have had your interview, you may wonder if you should follow-up with a “thank you note.” The answer is always yes. Saying “thank you” was one of the first things you learned as a toddler, and it still applies. ü If you send your thank you note by email, the standard rule is to do so within 24 hours of your interview. If sending a thank you note by U.S. Mail, the standard rule is to send it within one week. ü If sending a note card, select one with a professional design– not too bland and not too busy. ü Your note does not have to be lengthy. Express your appreciation for the interview and your excitement about the opportunity. You could also provide additional information about something you discussed in the interview, such as, “You asked me about the author of the book, ‘How to Teach So That They Will Ask Questions.’ The author is Iam Ateacher. This book has really helped me to teach the Math curriculum in a more inclusive manner.” Just as you dream of being the teacher your students will remember for years to come, you also want to be the candidate that hiring managers remember and want to talk with about becoming a member of their team. The tips above will help you stand out from the crowd throughout the application, interview, and hiring process, from beginning to end.
