Writing a Cover Letter for a Teaching Assistant with No Experience

Updated 30 January 2023

Teaching assistants support teachers and educators in overseeing students in classroom or lecturing environments. They help to support students and ensure that each one receives attention so that they can reach their goals. If a teaching assistant role interests you but you have limited experience, knowing how to create a cover letter for your resume can make your application more competitive. In this article, we show you how to create a cover letter for a teaching assistant with no experience, provide a template and example and offer tips to improve your cover letter.

How to write a cover letter for a teaching assistant with no experience in 6 steps

Consider the following steps to create a cover letter for a teaching assistant with no experience:

1. Check the job's requirements

When browsing job advertisements and selecting ones to apply for, it can help to double-check each one's requirements. This can help you see if you can apply for the role without experience or if experience is necessary. Carefully reviewing the job advert can also help you determine how else you meet its requirements, so you can highlight these elements in your cover letter. For example, you may have a postgraduate qualification specialising in working with special needs children and the advertisement highlights this as being desirable.

2. Select a professional format

When drafting your cover letter, you can create a favourable impression by using a formal cover letter template. There are many professional templates you can use with fonts, font sizes, margins and lining spacing that make the letter easy to read. Selecting a white background and black font can help your cover letter look more professional and ensure its appearance doesn't change if it's printed in black and white or colour. It's also a good idea to ensure your cover letter and resume match each other visually to create a more cohesive job application.

3. Include identifying details

Although you can submit your cover letter with your resume, it's a good idea to include your contact details on both documents. Relevant contact details include your city and state or territory, professional email address and contact number. This can ensure that the person reading it keeps you in mind when reading your cover letter. When you apply for a job, the primary recipient of your application may share your resume and cover letter with others in the organisation. Having your name and contact details visible can ensure that everyone associates the correct resume with the correct cover letter.

4. Address the right person and introduce yourself

When starting your cover letter, address it to the person receiving the application. If this information isn't available, you can include a generic formal greeting. You can use this introductory paragraph to mention who you are, why you're applying for the job and what makes you well suited to the position. If relevant, you can also mention where you saw the job advertisement or who referred you to the position. While you have no experience, it isn't necessary to mention this here, as you can focus on your suitability for the position instead.

Related: Is a Cover Letter Necessary?

5. Summarise your suitability for the job

In your cover letter's second paragraph, you can summarise what makes you suitable for the job. When doing so, it's a good idea to avoid repeating exactly what's in your resume. Instead, you can expand on your skills and education to highlight anything noteworthy about your background. While you might not have any teaching assistant experience, you could have volunteering or internship experience that taught you valuable skills that you can use when working as a teaching assistant. You can use this section to explain how this makes you a valuable candidate.

6. Conclude with a call to action

In your final paragraph, reiterate your interest in the role and thank the reader for considering your application. You can also provide them with a call to action where you outline a desired outcome. This can include asking them to email you or call you back for an interview. You can then conclude the letter with a professional closing statement and sign off with your name. You can include a digital signature or scan a printed copy of the cover letter after you sign it manually.

Cover letter template for a teaching assistant without experience

The following template can give you an idea of what your cover letter can look like and how you can structure its contents:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]

[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State/Territory]

[Date]

[Company name]

Dear [Hiring manager's title] [Hiring manager's last name],

[Express excitement for the position, and include the teaching assistant role title and the educational institution's name]. [Introduce yourself by explaining why you're applying for the job, how the job aligns with your career goals and what specifically draws you to the organisation].

[As you have no experience, outline your qualifications without repeating what's in your resume]. [Highlight one to two relevant achievements from your education or past volunteering experience, using facts and data where possible]. [Explain why you'd be a good fit for the educational institution].

[Express gratitude]. [Restate your interest in the role]. [Call to action + availability and preferred contact method].

[Complimentary close],

[Signature]

Cover letter example for a teaching assistant without experience

Here's an example cover letter for a teaching assistant who's applying for a job with no practical experience:

Max Martin, Certificate III in Education Support

555 555 5555 | maxalexmartin@email.com.au | Port Wallace, Queensland

10 March 2022

Port Wallace Preparatory School For Boys

Dear Ms Wallace,

I am writing to you to apply for the position of Teaching Assistant for Year 5 at Port Wallace Preparatory School For Boys, as advertised in the Port Wallace Weekly on 1 March 2022. I believe I am well suited to the position with my Certificate III in Education Support and my passion for working with and educating children while helping them realise their full potential.

Having completed a nationally accredited certificate, I am well-equipped to meet the demands of a busy classroom and can support educators in their teaching work. I can help prepare and implement class programs and lesson plans, as outlined by the curriculum, and help record and assess students' progress. I pride myself on my ability to work with children with diverse needs, having spent the past year as a volunteer with the Port Wallace Literacy Foundation. In this role, I helped to create and share educational material aimed at special needs children between the ages of ten and 15 in a range of languages.

I have included my resume with this cover letter, outlining my education and skills in more detail. I trust that you find its contents more than sufficient, and I'm available to answer any questions you may have. I look forward to receiving your call so we can agree on an interview time. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Kind regards,

Max Martin

Tips for improving your cover letter

Consider the following tips to help you improve the quality of your cover letter so that it can make a good impression on its recipient:

Check your spelling and grammar. Before submitting your cover letter, consider running it through spelling, punctuation and grammar-checking software. This can help you detect and resolve any errors you may have missed.
Read your cover letter aloud. Reading your cover letter aloud to yourself or to a friend or family member can give you insight into your choice of words and whether you can improve or simplify them. This can help you ensure that your cover letter flows and is easy to read and understand.
Be positive. Focus on the positive aspects of your background. This can show the hiring manager that, while you don't have experience, you're confident in your abilities and are ready to gain valuable experience.