[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-254905-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":81,"doc-detail-254905-en":127},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","the-cover-letter-valuable-real-estate-for-your-application","The Cover Letter - Valuable Real Estate for Your Application","","Craft a tailored cover letter that elevates a higher-education application beyond a resume or CV. Use the “extra real estate” of the letter to explain alignment with the specific job’s priorities, clearly communicate your “why,” and provide narrative detail on your process and accomplishments without duplicating what the committee already has. 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You should connect your values and expertise to the position and provide a compelling narrative of your interest.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},254905,1789283143,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,89,94,99,104,109,114,118,123],{"id":85,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":86,"show_sort_weight":87,"slug":88},11,"Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":90,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":91,"show_sort_weight":92,"slug":93},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":95,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":96,"show_sort_weight":97,"slug":98},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":100,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":101,"show_sort_weight":102,"slug":103},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":105,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":106,"show_sort_weight":107,"slug":108},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":110,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":111,"show_sort_weight":112,"slug":113},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":115,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":116,"slug":117},18,30,"letters",{"id":119,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":121,"slug":122},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":124,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":125,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":126},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":128},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":129,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":22,"category_id":115,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":30,"language":136,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":137,"faqs":138,"seo_title":139,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":80,"read_time":22},1236954412713,"https://us-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_29158cc5080c5b710cf443261637dec0","The Cover Letter:  \nValuable Real Estate for Your Application  \nRandi Miller  \nIn higher education, crafting a thoughtful cover letter will take your application to the next level. It is widely known that the purpose of a resume or CV is to provide an overview of your experience, but to some, the cover letter is a mystery. I like to think of the cover letter as extra real estate; it is your opportunity to further explain how your experiences align with the priorities of the job for which you are applying, sharing with the reader why you’re the right person for the job, and discussing your interest in this specific role. It should pique the interest of a search committee (or hiring authority) to make them eager to learn more about you.  \nOnce again, this is your opportunity to explain how your background matches the job description, so don’t sleep on it! Instead of copying and pasting information from your CV, take the time to reflect on your experiencesand share the details of your accomplishments – how you implemented the program, changed the policy or advocated for an unpopular decision. Walk the reader through your process in more depth than the bulletson your CV, so use your cover letter to expand on your candidacy as opposed to duplicating your CV.  \nEvery cover letter should be tailored to the specific position under consideration; in other words, when you submit the same cover letter for multiple roles, you reduce your chances of advancing in a search. The search committee can easily identify the difference between a generic cover letter versus a cover letter that is personalized to the position and the institution. They are  \ntaking the time to review your materials, so in turn, you should take the time to submit thoughtful and relevant materials.  \n• Start strong – Your salutation should address the hiring manager by name (if known) and the search committee. Don’t forget to do your research and use the correct prefixes. If you do not know the name of the hiring manager, at the very least acknowledge the position in which you are applying for when addressing your letter. Instead of “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Search Committee,” try “Dear Institution Name Job Title Search Committee.” This reiterates the fact that you are personalizing your cover letter to the institution and position and not submitting your materials to every vacancy out there.  \n• Follow a proven outline – Your cover letter should start with an introduction and a brief overview of your interest in the position and institution and then move into an explanation of what you bring to the table and how your experience aligns with the role. Your cover letter should conclude with a compelling statement so that, at the end of the letter, the search committee can easily identify what sets you apart from other applicants.  \n• Explain your “why” – By the end of your letter, the search committee should easily be able to pinpoint why you are interested in the role. It is great that the position aligns with your expertise and values, but  \nwhat makes you interested in this position and this institution, specifically? Make them feel that you are applying for this job, and only this job. If a committee isn’t convinced by your why, it may keep you from getting an interview.  \n• Use the real estate to your advantage – As mentioned before, copying and pasting from your CVis not helpful to the committee since this is re-sharing information they already have in their possession. Instead of repeating information, use this as an opportunity to further expand on your CV in a narrative format, without repeating things word for word. Most often, the letter will outline an outcome but committees want to hear what your involvement was in reaching that goal. What was your role? How did you reach out to constituents and collaborate to reach the goal? They want to hear about the process of getting to the end result.  \n• Align the priorities of the job with your experience  \n– Typ","cbCaid4CFRYVpEbo","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaid4CFRYVpEbo","pdf",221816,"English","# The Purpose of a Cover Letter\n## Tailor to the Specific Role\n## Personalize Your Salutation\n## Follow a Proven Outline\n## Explain Your “Why”\n## Use Real Estate Advantage\n## Align Priorities With Your Experience\n## Address Short Tenures and Gaps\n## Choose an Appropriate Length","[{\"question\":\"How is a cover letter different from a resume or CV in an application?\",\"answer\":\"A resume or CV provides an overview of experience, while a cover letter offers additional space to explain alignment with the role’s priorities and to clarify why you are the right fit. It is intended to spark interest so the search committee wants to learn more.\"},{\"question\":\"Why should the cover letter be tailored to each position?\",\"answer\":\"Submitting the same cover letter for multiple roles reduces advancement chances because committees can detect generic versus personalized messages. A tailored letter shows you are applying for that specific institution and position.\"},{\"question\":\"What should you include to explain your “why” and strengthen your candidacy?\",\"answer\":\"By the end of the letter, the search committee should understand why you are interested in the role and the institution. You should connect your values and expertise to the position and provide a compelling narrative of your interest.\"}]","The Cover Letter - Valuable Real Estate for Your Application | PDF"]