How to Write a Tutoring Cover Letter (With Example)

Updated 15 March 2023

A tutor is an educator with expert knowledge in a particular discipline who provides students of varying ages with academic support. While it may not be a requirement, writing a cover letter can help tutors express their suitability for a vacant job in greater detail. Learning how to write a tutoring cover letter can enable you to maximise the space in your document and highlight your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we review a list of steps on how to write an effective cover letter for a tutoring role and provide a cover letter template and example.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

How to write a tutoring cover letter

Here's a step-by-step guide you can use when writing a tutoring cover letter:

1. Carefully review the job posting

Before you begin writing your cover letter, spend some time reviewing the job posting of your desired opening and highlight any skills, experiences, traits and qualifications the employer has listed as requirements for the job. This can help you customise your cover letter so that you address exactly what the employer is seeking. By matching your document as closely as possible to the job's criteria, you can increase your chances of having your application shortlisted.

For example, suppose you're interested in a private tutor position and the hiring employer is searching for a candidate who has experience designing lessons specific to a student's individual needs. You could address this by discussing weekly lesson plans you tailored to each student in a prior role, and mentioning your success by stating the grade improvements your students subsequently had as a result.

Find tutoring jobs

2. Perform research on the hiring workplace

If you're applying for a position with a tutoring company, it can benefit you to research it online and note its values and achievements. This can be useful information you may use in your cover letter when describing your reasons for wanting to join the workplace. For example, perhaps you learn that your desired employer has won over 10 awards for excellent home-based and online tutoring services. You could mention these achievements in your cover letter and describe how the employer's award-winning dedication to supporting student learning has inspired you to apply for the position with them.

3. List your contact information

Once you're ready to begin your cover letter, insert your contact information in the top-left corner of your document. Start with your full name at the top of the page in a bold font. Underneath your name, include your phone number, email address and the city or region and state or territory in which you live. Including these details offers the hiring employer multiple ways to contact you and helps them assess whether you live in proximity to the worksite or the area in which you could help students. Here's an example of how you can format these details on your cover letter:

Angela Winchester
+08 5550 5555 | angela.winchester@email.com | Perth, Western Australia

4. Write a salutation

Underneath your contact information, open your cover letter with a formal salutation. This helps the reader identify who your letter is addressing. For example, you may write, Dear Hiring manager. If you know the name of the recipient, you may address them directly, such as Dear Johnson Wright.

5. Craft your opening paragraph

The opening paragraph of a cover letter is typically where you introduce yourself to the hiring employer and briefly describe some of your key skills and rationale for applying. Begin this paragraph by stating the role you're applying for and the name of the workplace. For example, you might write, I'm excited to be applying for the Private Tutor position with Merrylands Tutoring. Because hiring managers may have different roles they're reviewing applications for, mentioning which vacancy you're applying for immediately can help them assess whether you're a suitable candidate for the position.

6. Describe your credentials and achievements

The second paragraph is where you can discuss your relevant qualifications, such as degrees or certifications, and elaborate on your most significant achievements as a tutor. When choosing which experiences and skills to highlight, aim to include those that closely match what the employer is seeking. For example, suppose the hiring workplace prefers a candidate who has experience preparing high school students for literacy tests. If you have experience performing this requirement, here's an example of how you might describe this in your cover letter:

In my prior position with Preston Tutoring Group, I created lessons for twenty Year 9 students that helped them build the skills required to pass their major literacy tests. I also designed mock examinations for them to practise as part of their preparations. This led to each of my students successfully passing their literacy examinations and improving their overall writing abilities by an average of 20% from the previous year's test.

7. Express your gratitude

In the last paragraph of your cover letter, express your gratitude to the hiring manager for taking the time to consider your application. This is beneficial because it can show that you're a professional and respectful candidate. For example, you might write, Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter.

Following this, you may summarise some of your major skills and close with a call to action, which can be an excellent way to encourage the hiring manager to contact you to arrange an interview. Here's an example of a brief call to action you may use in your cover letter:

I look forward to hearing from you to discuss my tutoring qualifications and experiences in further detail.

8. Close your cover letter

Once you've written the body paragraphs of your cover letter, close your document with a formal sign-off, followed by your full name. Some appropriate sign-offs you may choose from include Respectfully, Sincerely and Kind regards. Here's an example of how this might appear on your cover letter:

Respectfully,

Angela Winchester

Cover letter template for tutors

Here's a template you can use when creating your cover letter:

[Given name] [Family name], [Degree or qualification, if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State or Territory]

[Date]

[Company name]

Dear [Hiring manager's given name] [Hiring manager's family name]

[Express excitement for the position.] [Include the job title and the company name.] [Introduce yourself by explaining why you're applying for the job, how it aligns with your career goals and what attracts you to the company.]

[Explain your relevant experience and qualifications without repeating what's on your resume.] [Highlight one or two relevant achievements with facts and data.] [Explain why you'd be a good fit for the company.] [If necessary, address an employment gap or career transition.]

[Express gratitude.] [Summarise your qualifications.] [Restate your interest in the role.] [Include a call to action, your availability and your preferred contact method.]

[Complimentary close],

[Signature]

Cover letter example for tutors

Here's an example of a cover letter written for a tutoring position that you may find helpful when creating your own:

Madison Thomas
+08 5 5550 5555 | madison.thomas@email.com | Perth, Western Australia

23/02/2023
Silverwater Tutoring Services

Dear Alex Collins,

I am excited to be applying for the vacant Tutor position with Silverwater Tutoring Services. I have over eight years of experience as a private tutor in both English and social science. These experiences have helped me build strong interpersonal and time management skills and develop a talent for improving students' language competencies and knowledge of humanities topics. After researching Silverwater Tutoring Services, I discovered that you've won multiple education awards for outstanding tutoring. As someone who prides themselves on delivering exceptional lessons, this has been a major reason for applying.

In my previous position with Embleton Tutoring, I designed and delivered English lessons for 15 students, with each lesson tailored to the specific needs of the individual student. These lessons improved the students' grade averages by 15% and significantly enhanced their writing and speaking abilities. I also developed strong relationships with numerous students and parents, which has led to many positive reviews and testimonials on my professional website.

Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter. I'm excited about the prospect of becoming an integral member of Silverwater Tutoring Services and contributing my excellent teaching skills to help the company achieve its goals. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss my qualifications in further detail.