7 Tips for Writing an E-Mail Cover Letter

Many school districts accept e-mail cover letters and resumes. There is a proper way to submit these when you are job searching. You will want to ensure your cover letter to be neat, enticing, concise, easy to read, and in a professional format. Try to make your email look different than “just another e-mail”. Most employers will print the cover letter out to keep it on file with your resume, so making an excellent impression is critical.

1) Follow the School District’s Submission Instructions

If you are applying to a job posting carefully read the instructions from the prospective employer – sometimes employers check to see if you are able to follow instructions. Make sure you understand what format they want the cover letter and resume delivered. Some will want it copied and pasted into the body of the e-mail – if this is the case, you will need to ensure the formatting is stripped from the MS Word file. Others may want it sent as an attachment. If they request you send it as an attachment then save the letter in PDF or Rich Text MS Word format before attaching it to the email.

2) Use the Subject Line to Your Advantage

Believe it or not, the subject line of your e-mail will show up next to your e-mail address when the recipient opens the e-mail. Often they will skip by e-mails that don’t have a subject line or if it looks like junk – they will just figure it is not important. They might go back later and read them, but they will review the interesting ones first. Be specific when writing the subject, for example: First Grade Teaching Position Cover letter and Resume. If there is a job posting number, put that number in the subject line. This way they know exactly what you are sending and why.

3) Check the Character Length of the Lines

Keep the link of the line to 65 characters in the body of an email, so programs will automatically do this for you, just make sure you double check this. This will make the cover letter consistent in spacing creating a professional presentation.

4) Your Signature

Type your e-mail to include your name, e-mail address, and home and cellular phone number. You want to make sure they don’t have a problem contacting you – make it easy. Some employers will go on to the next applicant if they don’t get hold of you within a reasonable amount of time.

5) Don’t Add Extras

Since you want this to show how professional you are, don’t add unprofessional “extras”. Don’t insert jokes, verses, emotions, abbreviations, odd colors, or comments like you get at the bottom of some e-mails. These are fine for personal e-mails that you exchange with friends and family members, but not when you are applying for job.

6) Check it Before You Send it

Make sure you carefully check for spelling errors, typos, grammar, and length of your sentences. Triple check your contact details. Write the letter in a concise manner, detailed but not lengthy… and show some of your personality and passion for the work that you do.

7) Send it Yourself or a Friend

Once you have your cover letter finished, send it to your own e-mail or a friend’s email, where you can view it see that it looks professional, is easy to read and has all pertinent information included.