Writing a cover letter to a school takes careful consideration of tone, formatting, and content. It is part of your overall first impression to a school. Use our tips below to get noticed and stand out as a top teaching candidate!
- Be direct: When you write an email, address the head of school or the person named in the ad directly--never write "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam."
- Show that you have done your homework: Put the position you are seeking in the subject line of the email and be succinct, but not overly so, in your email. Then prepare and send a careful email of application customized for that particular school, informing them that your full candidate file, including confidential references, is visible to the school's Search-authorized recruiters on the Search Associates candidate database.
- Add details where necessary: Explain briefly why you are interested in that school, how many years of experience you have teaching the age group or subject. If you have been to that country or city, say so, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the school and its location. If you hold dual citizenship or a visa that would expedite the hiring process, be sure to include this information.
- Keep your message short and on point: Don't add attachments to your email.
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Be sure to include the full name of the school within the first sentence or two of your email. Senior Associate John Ritter and his assistant Susan Ritter offer an example of an opening:
"Dear Mr. Smith,
As an experienced lower elementary teacher, I am very interested in the International School of Big Dream's posting for a second grade teacher."
- Reference your candidacy: By all means, mention that you are a Search Associates candidate. Again, if you write through your dashboard, your Associate will know of your interest in that school, and it will be easy for recruiters to check out your bio, references, and resume/CV quickly.
If you have already secured a position, please let your Associate know right away so he or she can note this on your file. Alternatively, if you are not currently looking for a position, notify your Associate, who will archive your file for a short period of time and reactivate you when the new recruiting cycle begins in August.
