The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in America. From doctors to nurses, hospital administrators to financial managers, there are countless opportunities for talented professionals. But with so many options, how do you know which career path is right for you? And what kind of job should you be looking for? We’ve put together this list of 12 best cover letter tips when applying for a healthcare position that will help answer these questions and more!
1) Tailor your resume and cover letter specifically to the position you’re applying for.
One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes or cover letters — tailor both documents so they focus on the specific skills needed by the company hiring. If an opening requires someone who has good problem-solving skills, highlight examples where you successfully dealt with a particularly difficult issue. If another opening asks for someone who can handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, then put your multitasking prowess front and center in your resume and cover letter. Be specific!
2) Showcase relevant experience when applying to healthcare positions.
If you have experience in the healthcare industry, make sure to highlight it prominently on your resume and cover letter. If you don’t have any direct experience but have other transferable skills (e.g., customer service, data entry, etc.), be sure to mention those as well.
3) Use keywords throughout your resume and cover letter.
Hiring managers often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes and cover letters. These systems are designed to search for certain keywords related to the position you’re applying for. So make sure to use those same keywords throughout your resume and cover letter!
4) Keep it concise and easy to read.
Both your resume and cover letter should be one-page max. And you should have a clear, easy-to-read format. The hiring manager will be spending only a few seconds initially looking at your resume and cover letter – if it’s difficult to read or looks messy, then they may toss yours into the “no” pile before even giving it a full review!
5) Use a professional email address.
Your email address is the first thing the hiring manager will see, so make sure it’s professional. That means no goofy nicknames or inappropriate words/phrases.
6) Proofread, proofread, proofread!
Typos and grammatical errors can be a huge turnoff for hiring managers – so make sure your cover letter and resume are free of them! If English isn’t your strong suit, ask a friend or family member to help you edit.
7) Write the cover letter last (after you’ve finished your resume).
As odd as it may sound, writing the cover letter first can actually make finishing your resume more difficult. There will be information you want to include that simply won’t fit on the resume. So save your cover letter until after you’ve finished your resume — at that point, writing it will be much easier!
8) Use a professional tone.
A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the hiring manager – but it’s also an opportunity to make a good first impression. To avoid being too informal, and make sure your tone is polite and respectful.
9) Keep it short and sweet.
Like we said before, keep your job application letter to the one-page max. Likewise, don’t add in unnecessary information or details — if they want to know more about you, they will ask!
10) Make sure the cover letter matches what’s on your resume.
If you have been working with a recruiter from a staffing agency, odds are they will send them a copy of your resume and cover letter. Make sure the formatting, font, and style are consistent between the two documents — that way, it will be easier for the recruiter to identify you as a potential candidate.
11) Don’t make it too boring.
Hiring managers often receive a number of cover letters and resumes every single day — in an effort to weed through these applications, they will often skip right over anything that sounds too formal or is otherwise boring. So in your cover letter, try to add in some personality and excitement!
12) If you have a referral, be sure to mention it.
If you know someone who works at the company where you’re applying, don’t be afraid to mention their name in your cover letter! Odds are they will receive a copy of your resume and cover letter — so having them reference who referred you can definitely help your chances.
If want to make interesting and visually creative cover letters, check out Venngage — an online infographic maker that provides a wide range of free cover letter templates for every job seeker out there. To give you an idea, here are some cover letter examples for you.
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Making cover letters can be challenging, but with the right information and a little help from Venngage, you’ll be sending your application letter in no time. So what are you waiting for? Create your cover letter and get that dream job today. Good luck!
