Cover Letters: Advice for Aspiring Military-Affiliated Higher Ed Professionals

When military-affiliated job applicants apply for careers, most of their energy is spent on their curriculum vitaes (CVs) and resumes. Rightfully, the CV and resume are important parts of the application package. However, these are not the only important documents concerning the application process. After reviewing copious amounts of cover letters, one can emphatically determine that it is the most undervalued document in the hiring process.

Some Advice on What NOT To Do

• First, do not use cover letters as an “one-size fits all” document. This needs to be a versatile document that can be customized for the various jobs an applicant seeks to be employed.
• Second, do not use boilerplate language borrowed from old cover letters or sample cover letters. Typically, boilerplate language entails the following: “To whom it may concern”, “I am writing to express my interest in the position”, “I believe my skills in X make me a strong candidate”, and lastly, “I am confident that my qualifications align with the requirements of this role.”
• Third, do not overly use military acronyms and military jargon, for example, your rank or duties specified in acronyms. Unfortunately, civilian recruiters will likely not understand the language. Furthermore, these applicants focus solely on their duties vis-a-vis, quantifying their achievements.
• Fourth, do not treat the position you are applying for as just another position. If you care about the role, you must complete exhaustive research on the position, department, or higher education institution to which you are applying.
• Finally, do not forget to double, or triple, check for grammatical errors, misspelled words, incorrect job positions titles, and organizations. Customization and attention to detail is crucial to the vitality of an applicant’s candidacy.

Some Advice on What You SHOULD Do

Before we dive into the sections of a cover letter, let’s explore some pro-tips below:

• Your cover letter is the place to sell your skills and show your interest in the position. It is not used as a regurgitation of your resume.
• Your cover letter should go through a series of rough drafts, before it becomes the final draft. Here are three important actors you (the applicant) should consider when proofreading your cover letters:
  • Find a prudent person who is sufficient with grammar and writing to take a look at your cover letter
  • Take a visit to your local career center for assistance, or see if they have virtual reviewing options
  • Finally, after completing the first two steps, you should review your cover letter thoroughly to ensure the language represents your voice.
• Complete exhaustive research on the position, department, and higher education institution you are applying for employment.
• Most importantly, military-affiliated applicants must understand that application packages are viewed by several actors within the hiring higher education institution’s ecosystem. For this purpose, your cover letter needs to appeal to the following groups: human resources, the hiring committee, and the department to which you are applying. How will this be accomplished? An applicant will need to explain their work history with brevity, while simultaneously highlighting their past work achievements. Moreover, this must be done without the verbosity of words or downplaying your historical wins.
• Show your personality in cover letters; however, this must be done tastefully. Why is this important? The military-affiliated applicant should aspire to have readers drawn to their cover letters. Cover letters that showcase congeniality over rigidness will set the applicant apart from others. This is very important in the field of higher education, because people skills are crucial. The adage is true: “You will get more flies with honey, than vinegar.”

Components of a Cover Letter

Heading and Greeting:

• Address your cover letter to the individual(s) points of contact listed in the job description. If the name of the hiring individual(s) is not listed, you can use ‘Hiring Committee’ in the greeting.
• Hook your reader’s interest in the first sentence by using the first paragraph to express your energy, by explaining who you are, and your reason for writing. Moreover, include you can briefly include how you found out about the position if it add relevant context to your appeal.
• Express your enthusiasm while showcasing your skills, education, and work experience that could contribute to the employer’s success.

Body Paragraph:

As a rule of thumb, this section should consist of only one or two paragraphs. Also, avoid military-style rigid tone and allow your congenial self to shine. This can be done, by:

• Selling yourself! Reveal why you are a perfect and unique match for the position.
• Explaining why you have chosen the employer.
• Customizing your tone for the company culture.
• Summarizing your talents, experience, and achievements.

Closing Paragraph:

• Thank the potential interviewer for their time and indicate your desire for an interview.
• List a phone number and email address that the interviewer can reach you.
• Use an appropriate closing, such as “Sincerely” and insert your signature at the bottom.
• NOTE: Please use your military credentials in your signature. Examples, below:
• For retired veterans: Full Name, Rank, US (Branch) (Ret.)
• For veterans who separated before retirement: Full Name, Rank, US (Branch, Veteran)

In closing, cover letters are required for most careers in higher education. Time and effort are paramount when developing and crafting your cover letter. Remember, this document is what can set you apart from the other candidates and provide a brief snapshot of you. By doing so, a military-affiliated job applicant will avoid pitfalls regarding their candidacy.