Sample Cover Letter When No Position Has Been Advertised

Candidate’s Address Date

Dean’s Name College of Architecture University of Z Address

Dear Dean Name:

Thank you for taking time to speak with me yesterday about your department’s hiring needs. It was encouraging to learn that you expect your enrollment will warrant adding a one-year position for next fall. As you asked, I’m sending you a copy of my C.V. for your review now. Since you anticipate that the new position, if it is posted, would probably emphasize materials and technologies, I thought you might also be interested in the enclosed reprint of my recent article on energy-efficient exteriors.

As you may recall, I am completing my doctoral degree in Architecture at the University of X, in the Graduate School of Fine Arts. My focus is on the field of Architectural Technology, which has been a strong interest since my master’s study at MIT, where my major was in Building Systems. This interest is also reflected in my dissertation, “Buildings as Cyborgs: Expressions of Hand and Machine Craftsmanship in Architecture.”

Both my teaching and my research focus on bridging the gap between the making and the made in architecture, through a conscientious integration of theory and practice. As I understand this goal is shared by many of your faculty, I believe I could be an active participant in the school. Because I have taught both studio and theory courses, I am prepared to meet the teaching demands of the new position under both of the possible sets of responsibilities you described to me.

If you would like to see my portfolio or any other materials, please do not hesitate to contact me. You said that you hoped to have more definite information by June 1. I’ll check back with you then, and, if you will be advertising the position, I’ll submit any additional materials which you are requesting at that time.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Mehri Aspirant

From The Academic Job Search Handbook, second edition. Reprinted with permission from the University of Pennsylvania Press.