4 Tips to Write a Great Cover Letter for Teachers Transitioning Careers
First impressions are everything, and an effective cover letter for teachers transitioning careers (along with your resume) is key to a successful job search beyond the classroom. As one of the first things your potential employer will see, it's your chance to catch your employer's eye and make a positive first impression.
Your cover letter is your opportunity to be persuasive and sell yourself for a particular job. It’s also a great way to get clear on why you’re a good fit (and whether you actually want to do the particular job you’re applying for!).
While your resume is a way to show at a glance that you’re a match for a job, your cover letter gives you the freedom and space to make further connections and explain more. It can be helpful to think of your cover letter as a persuasive essay, providing a thesis statement (you’re the best person for the job) and key reasons to support why you’re an ideal candidate.
By thinking of your education cover letter this way, you can create a compelling narrative that showcases your value and highlights how you’re a match, making you more likely to stand out and land an interview.
Four Teacher Cover Letter Tips for Jobs Beyond the Classroom
Even if you’re very ready to leave the classroom, it can still be completely overwhelming to find a non-teaching job in education. If your only professional experience is working with students, it’s easy to feel like your skills and experience won’t help you stand out when applying to other jobs.
This is where a great cover letter comes in — helping you make connections between your existing skills and the job you want. Check out four valuable tips to craft a cover letter for teachers transitioning careers, so you can open doors to exciting opportunities beyond the classroom.
1. Customize your cover letter for each job you apply for.
By tailoring your cover letter to the specific position and organization, you’ll stand out from other applicants using generic, one-size-fits-all cover letters. This approach shows you are genuinely interested in the role and the organization you’re applying to.
Creating tailored cover letters demonstrates that you’ve done your research and are enthusiastic about the opportunity. It also indicates your dedication and effort and that you’re not simply applying for any job, but you’re genuinely interested in being a part of the organization’s team and contributing to their mission.
Cover letters for teachers applying to different grade levels or different schools should be unique. And so should cover letters for online teaching jobs and other flexible careers.
2. Let your passion shine through.
Your cover letter should show your passion for the organization and the position. You’ll want to take the time to learn about the organization’s mission, values, culture, and products/services. Use their website and social media to research and gain insight.
While skills are important, your genuine enthusiasm is equally as important in a cover letter for teachers transitioning careers. Through your cover letter, you’ll want to let your passion shine and show why you care and why you want to work there.
3. Make connections that explain why you’re an ideal candidate.
Through reading the job description, consider the organization’s needs and how your skills and experience align. Identify specific keywords and phrases used in the job description that show what they’re looking for. Take some time to consider how your expertise, skills, and experience are a match and how your contributions can positively impact their mission and goals.
Focus on your most relevant skills, accomplishments, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this particular job. Use examples to demonstrate how you've successfully applied the skills the organization is looking for in your current or prior roles.
The best cover letters for teachers transitioning careers not only explain how your experiences and skills align but also show how they will serve you in your new role. By doing this, the employer can more clearly see how you can add value to their organization and contribute to their success.
4. Organize your ideas into 3-4 compelling paragraphs.
While there’s no one “right” way to write an effective cover letter, using the following teacher cover letter template will ensure you cover everything:
1st paragraph: The first paragraph should express your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization and provide an overview of why you’re a great fit.
2nd (and 3rd) paragraphs: The body of your cover letter should describe your experience and skills and how they align, demonstrating why you’re the best person for this job.
Last paragraph: The closing should summarize how you’re an ideal candidate and reiterate your excitement for the opportunity.
Above all, as you write your cover letter, remember that you’re an education expert any employer would be lucky to have.
As a teacher, you have developed a wide range of transferable skills, strengths, and experience that can be applied to new, exciting career paths, whether in curriculum development, instructional coaching, online teaching, education consulting, or beyond.
Writing a cover letter for teachers transitioning careers may seem daunting, but you have all the skills you need to land the flexible education job you’ve been dreaming of!
Get More Support In Your Search for Alternative Jobs for Teachers
If you want more support in your job search, sign up for the Educator Forever Network, where we’ve helped thousands of educators channel their passion for education into sustainable, joyful careers.
By joining the Educator Forever Network, you'll gain instant access to our signature Beyond the Classroom course, where you'll discover your career possibilities, learn exactly how to find flexible jobs in education, and receive the support you need to land those jobs.
You’ll also receive extensive exciting job leads, become part of an inspiring community, and get expert guidance to make your dreams a reality!
If you’re considering becoming a curriculum developer, Educator Forever’s Curriculum Development Foundations Program will give you the skills and the real-world experience you need to boost your cover letter (and resume!).
You’ll learn how to develop engaging curriculum, stand out in the job market, and take your career to the next level. (You’ll also walk away with a top-notch portfolio of curriculum samples to submit for job opportunities!)
As always, feel free to reach out to Educator Forever with any questions! We’re here to support you on your career journey!