Adjunct Faculty Cover Letter Samples [How to Write]

If you are looking to apply for any faculty position at a university or college, your adjunct faculty cover letter will differ from the standard business cover letter.

The cover letter you write will, in most cases, be reviewed by the HR department’s staff to determine if you are the best candidate for the position. After being reviewed, it will then be forwarded to the search committee, which is usually comprised mostly of academic deans and faculty members. These people will then dive deep into your adjunct faculty cover letter and resume than would be normal in the business world. They will also, in most cases, be more interested in the theoretical fundamentals of your work than any typical recruiter.

Adjunct Faculty Cover Letter Sample 1

Adjunct Faculty Cover Letter Sample 2

Following are the steps for writing an adjunct faculty cover letter:

1. Include your full name and contact info at the very top of the cover letter
2. Start the letter by professionally addressing the recipient by their name and professional title
3. Mention where you saw the job advert and your interest in the position
4. Use the first paragraph to explain why you are the best candidate for the position
5. Highlight your experiences, accomplishments, and qualifications that are related to the position that you are applying for
6. Thank the recipient and express interest in meeting them to discuss the role in more detail
7. End the letter with a standard sign-ff and include your full name

Adjunct Faculty Cover Letter Format

Your adjunct faculty cover letter should be written in the same standard format same to that of any business cover letter. An adjunct cover letter is usually a two-page document equated to a single page for non-academic letters.

Below are examples of the appropriate format for an adjunct cover letter and guidelines for formatting yours:

Following are the tips for writing an effective adjunct faculty cover letter:

Pass the HR screening process

The first challenge that you will have is to pass through the Human Resources (HR) Screening process. They will review all the required credentials included in the job notice and draft statements containing evidence that you have as many of the listed skills, credentials, experience, and knowledge. When writing, you should try and address as many of their preferred skills and qualifications as possible. Use concrete examples to back up your proclamations about your strengths.

Prepare yourself for a faculty review

If you are applying for an adjunct faculty position, the faculty reviewers will generally have an interest in your thinking and the approach that you will use in your research and teaching within your discipline. They will review in-depth how your background fits with their institution’s standards.

Research the faculty that you are applying to and assess their positioning and expertise. Emphasize the key points that intersect between your philosophy and the major departmental philosophies.

Target your letter

If you have traditionally valued expertise in areas not embodied by the faculty, make sure that you categorically point them out in the cover letter. Tailor the letter to the college’s orientation and adjust the mix of weight on teaching and research based on the listed job requirements in that setting.

Colleges are always looking to hire adjunct faculty members who are ardent about their current research and not resting on their past works.

When writing, try, and highlight any funding that you may have received for your research work. Include any awards or recognitions that you may have received for your teaching and research activities.

Use a Professional tone

It is important that when writing your adjunct faculty cover letter you maintain professionalism throughout. Avoid the temptation of using words and phrases that could appear unprofessional or slang. Cliches are to be avoided. This does not mean, however, that you can use a conversational tone when writing to seem like you are conversing with the reader.

Proofread your work

Take a few minutes before submitting your letter and go through your letter to ensure that it is free of any misspellings and grammatical errors. You can request somebody else to go through the letter to ascertain that all the details are in order.

Writing an adjunct faculty letter cover letter is a vital step in your job search. When writing the letter, ensure that you properly reference the qualifications listed in the job description. In your cover letter, ensure that you reference only your most relevant and outstanding qualifications to help your potential employers see how you would be the best fit for the position. We hope that this guide will help you draft a cover letter that will help you secure your dream job.

About This Article

Authored by:

Megan V.

Award-Winning Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Executive Bios, Public Relations

Megan V. is an acclaimed resume writing professional, celebrated repeatedly as one of the "Top Ten Best Resume Writers in the Bay Area," a title she proudly reclaimed in 2023. Transitioning from her extensive experience owning and steering a public relations agency since 2009, Megan has tailored her writing prowess to cater to individuals seeking standout resumes, compelling cover letters, and detailed executive bios.