You just found a listing for a job, and it sounds like a perfect fit. Now what? It’s time to write a strong and effective cover letter, and we have some important tips to help you do that.
Tailor the Letter for the Job
Read the job posting carefully, and use the information in it to customize your cover letter by highlighting the ways in which you are a good fit. If the position requires pediatric experience and you have pediatric experience, say so. Tailoring resumes is a subtle art, but cover letters are where you can really get creative when showing your fit and enthusiasm for a position, so it’s important to make sure you don’t overlook this opportunity.
A good cover letter will help you make a good first impression, and a poor cover letter will not make the first impression you were hoping for. A cover letter is the first chance you have to let yourself shine. You want to show your personality, that you have done your homework, and why you’d be a great fit for that particular job. A tailored cover letter, showing how your experience fits and how you would excel in this role, will go a long way toward helping you make a great first impression.
Quickly Make Your Point
A cover letter isn’t the place to tell your life story. In general, for resumes and cover letters alike, don’t go over a page: the shorter the better. That can be challenging, but here are a few specific tips that can help you keep it brief and to the point.
What makes you a good fit for the position? State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph, and avoid small talk. Keep the letter businesslike, friendly, and enthusiastic; remember that if the letter becomes too syrupy, it loses its objectivity and professionalism. After you draft the letter, read it aloud, or ask someone else to read it aloud to you; listen for the tone and tweak it as necessary.
Proofread
Proofreading is critically important. Start by running spell check, but keep in mind that it may not catch everything. Print the letter and read through it several times, watching for any errors: grammar, spelling, punctuation, missing words, and more. Then read it aloud; this helpful step will aid you in finding errors you may have missed.
Finally, ask someone else to read your cover letter before you send it. It’s your letter, and you’ve spent a lot of time on it, so it’s hard for you to be objective about it. Someone else may find errors or other problems that you may not have noticed.
Make a Positive First Impression
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. A strong cover letter is a great way to make a positive first impression. And we’re always here when you’re looking for your next assignment; call us at 310.436.3650.
