Chicago, Illinois
312-555-0175
sandy.smith@email.com May 10, 2023 Chicago Historical Society Dear Hiring Manager, I am very excited to apply for assistant archivist at the Chicago Historical Society. I recently graduated from Lake Michigan University with a Master's degree in Archival Science and a specialization in the history of Chicago and the communities surrounding Lake Michigan. Working with the extensive and important artifacts collected and maintained by the historical society would be an incredible opportunity to use my expertise and contribute to a growing archival project in which I feel passionate. During my master's at Lake Michigan University, I worked with the Hamilton Library, a research library that acquires, restores and conserves artifacts. I was an assistant archivist in their Local History department, where I worked with textiles and furnishings from the 1830s when the city of Chicago was founded. Working with their extensive collection of physical artifacts was an enlightening experience. I familiarized myself with their archivist software. I simplified the organizational system descriptions to make the archive more accessible to students interested in referencing the artifacts. During my two years of employment at the Hamilton Library, I identified, archived, and organized over 200 textile artifacts while streamlining archival processes to increase efficiency and speed, decreasing the archival backlog by 50% over two years. My experience with these artifacts and my organizational expertise would be a good fit for the textiles archivist position at the Historical Society because I already know the context for these pieces. I also have the proven ability to increase productivity and decrease backlog. Additionally, I would be happy to facilitate collaborations between the two collections. Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to hearing from the Historical Society about my qualifications for the assistant archivist position. I am available for a follow-up call on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Best Wishes,
Sandy Smith To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.
What to include in an archivist cover letter
When writing an archivist cover letter, here are the components you can include to show your skills and qualifications to the best advantage:1. Relevant skills
When writing your cover letter, you want to include relevant skills, including technical skills common in the archivist career. They can also have skills that are specific to their field or specialty. Try to align the skills you mention with the requirements listed in the job description to communicate to your potential employer that you are a strong candidate for their specific position. Your resume can have a list of relevant skills, but your cover letter is the perfect place to expand on how you use your talents to perform your duties as an archivist exceptionally. Relevant skills for an archivist can include:- Acquisition: Archivists can be responsible for tracking, authenticating, and purchasing artifacts.
- Research: Archivists learn about items and history to authenticate artifacts and contextualize them in the broader understanding of their specialty topic.
- Preservation: Determining the best way to preserve a document or artifact so that it doesn't degrade with time or become damaged by the elements so that future generations can access it.
- Organization: Archivists develop and maintain the organizational system to keep track of the artifacts.
- Database skills: Many archivists use databases to organize information about the artifacts and documents they archive, so understanding how to set up databases and use them is an important skill.
- Communication: Archivists have to communicate with dealers and collectors to gain information about specific items. They also use communication skills to describe the context surrounding an artifact.
- Teaching: Many archivists work for universities or museums, teaching classes or workshops about the artifacts they archive.
2. Answers to the employer's needs
Try to capture the employer's attention by responding to the direct needs of the position listed in the job description. Employers can list specific skills or qualifications in the job posting to help you understand what they are looking for in a candidate, especially if they are hiring for a specific project. If you notice these particular qualifications, like experience with a type of artifact or knowledge of a database software they use, make sure to address that in your cover letter. This attention to the employer's needs can help you stand out from other candidates. Related: Archivist vs. Librarian: What You Need To Know3. Professional tone
A cover letter is a great place to talk more about yourself and your experience to show how you could be a good fit for the position. Explaining your previous experiences in a clear, concise and appropriate way can display your qualifications for the position while also providing evidence to support your claims about your skill level. Keeping a professional tone is an important part of displaying your abilities in your cover letter because it shows that you have strong communication skills and can conduct yourself professionally. Related: What Is an Archive Degree? (Plus Coursework and 5 Careers)4. Impressive accomplishments
Your cover letter is a great place to mention any accomplishments that showcase your skill level. If you have any awards that may impress a potential employer, your cover letter is a great place to explain these accomplishments and how you achieved them. You can also list specific things you did to improve the efficiency or organization of previous archival projects where you've worked. Any work experience you have where you were able to improve the overall product through your hard work or good ideas is a significant element to include in a cover letter. Read more: Archivist Cover Letter Examples and Templates5. Evidence
Quantifying your value can help a potential employer contextualize the benefit you may bring to their team. Consider including statistical evidence of your accomplishments whenever possible. Consider things like how many artifacts you've archived, how your processes have sped up the archival process and by what percentage, or how many conferences or workshops you've led. Your cover letter allows you to include this information with a little more detail to showcase your skills to make a strong impression on the potential employer. Read more: 11 Professional Reader Jobs To Pursue (With Responsibilities)Additional tips for an archivist cover letter
Here are some additional tips for writing a strong archivist resume:- Read the job description: Reading the job description can give you essential information about what the employer is looking for in your cover letter. You can better target the employer's needs if you read the job description before you begin to write your letter. Here are some additional tips for writing a strong archivist resume:
- Keep it brief: Cover letters should fit on one page, so make sure you communicate concisely and mention only relevant and essential information.
- Don't use jargon: Using jargon can be too specific, and many confuse employers or human resource professionals who aren't as familiar with the specifics of the position.
- Pay attention to detail: A archivist should have very strong attention to detail, so this can be an element of the cover letter that an employer pays attention to when reviewing your application materials. Make sure there are no typos or grammar mistakes on your cover letter before sending it in.