In the world of academia, the term ‘research’ denotes a broad array of activities conducted by academic professionals. Typically, these activities involve analysing statistical data, conducting experiments, or reviewing the relevant literature. While these activities can be very rewarding, writing up the findings of such research can be somewhat frustrating. As a researcher, you will almost certainly need to write up your findings in a formal fashion but may struggle with the process of writing a formal research paper. This is where a cover letter comes in.
What is a Cover Letter?
Put yourself in the shoes of a potential employer for a moment. Say you have just received a formal email from a member of the human resources department inviting you to apply for a research position at your dream institution. In order to make the most of your application, you need to understand what is required of you in the eventuality of you being successful in your application for the position. To this end, you turn to the internet and google “writing a research proposal cover letter” to be presented with a link to the official AAU guideline on writing a cover letter for a research proposal.
The guideline provides you with a ready-made template for your letter, which, as a new researcher, you are undoubtedly anxious to follow. However, if you are following the guideline to the letter, you will soon see that it is not exactly as you would write your own letter. Let’s examine what the guideline states and what it does not state to better understand the role of the cover letter in your application for the position.
The Role of the Cover Letter
In the AAU guideline, the cover letter is described as “a letter that comes with the application materials. It is usually addressed to the HR department or the individual from the HR department who will be handling your application.” In other words, the cover letter is meant to be a short letter that condenses the essential elements of your academic experience and qualifications. In the context of applying for a position as a researcher, the cover letter serves two important purposes.
- To sell yourself as the best candidate for the position.
- To introduce yourself to the reader as someone who is familiar with the topic at hand.
To sell yourself as the best candidate for the position, you need to give the reader a complete picture of you as an individual. One approach is to give the reader an idea of your previous work experience. If you have published anything in a scientific journal or presented anything in a conference, you can use these publications to demonstrate your research accomplishments. Additionally, you can highlight the unique contributions you make to the field and the experience you bring to the position.
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Research Position
The AAU guideline provides you with a ready-made cover letter that you can use as a template for your own letter. The first step is to put your name at the top of the page. After that, continue on to the next page and start writing. When you write your cover letter, make sure to write in the first person and that it is simple and concise. In addition, you should avoid using jargon and acronyms unless you are an expert in the field. Finally, you need to make sure that you tailor your letter to the specific needs of the position you are applying for.
Tailor Your Cover Letter To The Position You Are Applying For
Now that you have a letter template, you need to tailor it to the position you are applying for. Different positions will have different requirements. Take a look at the AAU guideline again. It states that the cover letter should be addressed to the HR department or the individual who will be handling your application. In some cases, the applicant will be required to teach and, in others, they will only be required to do research. Depending on the requirements of the position, you will need to decide whether you wish to tweak your letter template or create a new one.
The Best Way To Approach Your Cover Letter
The AAU guideline recommends a combination of tailoring and creating a new letter for each position you apply for. This approach will ensure that you cover all the bases and that you tailor your letter to the specific requirements of each position. While it is important to keep your application short, you also don’t want to make it so generic that it fails to demonstrate your full potential.
The Final Step
Once you have finished writing your cover letter, you must send it. Do not send your letter as is initially. Instead, proofread your letter and make some adjustments. Then, send it again. After you have submitted your application for the position, you will receive a formal email notifying you that you have been selected for interview. At this point, you can feel really confident that you have done everything right and that the fate of your application is now in the hands of the interviewer.
What Next?
Once you have submitted your application for the position, you will receive a formal email notifying you that you have been selected for interview. At this point, you can feel really confident that you have done everything right and that the fate of your application is now in the hands of the interviewer.
If you followed the guidelines discussed here, you will have crafted a cover letter that serves two important functions. First, it will sell yourself to the reader as the best candidate for the position. Second, it will introduce you to the reader as someone who is familiar with the topic at hand. In addition, you have tailored your letter to the specific requirements of the position you are applying for. Thus, you can rest assured that you have done everything right and that the fate of your application is now in the hands of the interviewer.