I'm trying to write a letter of interest for a postdoctoral fellowship, but I have no idea what to say. I don't know how to describe my work without sounding full of it or having too much "industry speak". My doctoral studies hasn't done much but destroy my confidence as a person and a professional. I feel more confident applying to a fellowship rather than a "real job" because I know on paper I'm not qualified to be a professor.

I just don't know how to start. I should probably briefly describe my body of work - like a brief artist statement (I'm a composer), but how do you describe music in words? Especially when you have a huge variety to what you've written? Every artist statement I've looked up is WAY too long and grossly arrogant sounding. The only ways I can think of describing my music just sounds negative or lame. I can't think of the words to spin it right. Not like there's anything wrong with my music...I just don't know how to introduce myself in a way that sounds good.

Besides, I keep wondering what's the point when I don't have access to my university's letterhead and I'm not confident in my ability to counterfeit it. And it probably has no chance without a letterhead. I just don't know what to do at this point.

I'll write your cover letter. I know enough about music to ghostwrite a composer's artist statement, and I wrote an application essay for a guy that was admitted to three Ivy League law schools, and he obviously wasn't that smart. This is my dream job, but it's not the kind of service that you can advertise on Craigslist. I do not, however, understand why you wouldn't have access to your university's letterhead.

Lefty, I don't have access because I'm a student and they don't give letterhead to students. I asked a professor and he said he has access, but it's difficult to get to it (they don't want them applying to other jobs) so he told me to ask the business secretary. She acted surprised and put off and replied that they don't give letterhead to students. I should just send a plain letter (based on what I've read that's the last thing you want to do if you're associated with a university). Which is horribly wrong. I just think no one knows we're supposed to have access. The only positive thing I can think of is this is unfortunately common and I'm applying to a position that students are going to applying for and I won't be competing against established professors who have letterhead. But still...

I shouldn't be surprised though since I go to a university that makes professors pay an exorbitant amount for a parking space that they are not allowed to use on football game days (they are rented out for even more exorbitant prices to tailgaters).

I think it will be beneficial to list traits of some of my music so as to brainstorm the best way to word them in a letter:

I was primarily a performer originally and I still play when I'm able to. Whatever I'm playing seems to seep into what I'm writing.

I use a lot of humor, mostly dark humor in my writing.

My dissertation could be described as Stravinsky meets Mingus and they decide to have a demented burlesque show with songs based on the poems of A. R. Ammons. Maybe that's how my entire style should be explained? Sans the Ammons part of course; that's only one piece. I just don't know if comedy is a good thing or not on this sort of letter.

I guess I could use descriptions from the pieces I'm considering submitting with the letter. One is Stravinsky-inspired because it was written for the Rite of Spring centennial. Another one came from writing a piece for the two unfortunate instruments left off of an orchestra concert: the tuba and harp. I added a male vocalist who sings poetry I wrote which confused the English professor on my committee. I must have been making a statement with a guy singing a girl's poetry! Or maybe I just like the male voice and he was a professional singer I could easily get and had worked with before...leave it to English professors to try desperately to find meaning in meaningless artistic decisions. The third piece is just a jazz ballad, written as a reply to a jazz ballad that was written for me. The fourth piece is a somewhat pointillistic and surprisingly consonant (given my usual output) saxophone quartet.

Usually in a cover letter you mainly explain why you think that you are a good fit to a position. Your detailed skills and experience you have gained during your PhD should be in your CV.

The following is a good summary on what your cover letter should include

1. Introduce yourself, identify the position you are applying for, and explain how you found out about the position.
2. Explain how you are qualified for the position and why you would be a great fit for the job.
3. Request an interview and thank the employer

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by I.Am.The.End.

My dissertation could be described as Stravinsky meets Mingus and they decide to have a demented burlesque show with songs based on the poems of A. R. Ammons. Maybe that's how my entire style should be explained? Sans the Ammons part of course; that's only one piece. I just don't know if comedy is a good thing or not on this sort of letter.

Stravinsky meets Mingus?! That's hilarious!

Seesaw

It's 2016. You can scan and replicate your university's letterhead with equipment available at your local Kinko's.

(Just FYI, I've applied to the postdoc, but now I'm moving on to other cover letters)

And how does one write a cover letter when one has almost zero confidence and even less self-esteem? I never had either before grad school, but in some ways, the way I've been treated during my doctorate has beat me down further.

Perhaps I shouldn't bother applying to full time jobs? Just apply to adjunct positions in other states if I can find them (there aren't any around where I live)...

Based on what I've read, if I don't at least have an adjunct position next year, my career is over. At least in academics. No pressure or anything.