NIH Guide to Writing Letters for Faculty Positions

Tips and an example. From the pdf: “In the academic job market, your letter of application is an extremely important part of your job application. This letter is the first time you are introducing yourself to a potential employer;
therefore, it should not only describe your research and teaching experience, but also demonstrate
your intellect and writing ability. Successful letters are those that reflect something more than what
is evident in your C.V.; they will give the search committee a sense of your voice, your intellectual
capacity, and your enthusiasm and interest in what you do. Successful letters also indicate that you
are “job ready”—that you can start teaching immediately, have a research agenda already
underway, and have some sense of what it means to be a fully-functioning faculty member in your
field. Draft your letter over several days or weeks; gather advice from your mentors, advisors, and
peers. The better this letter is, the better your chance of getting a first interview. “