The short answer is yes, you need a cover letter. You have covered your credentials, experience and accomplishments in your resume. In the cover letter, you need to give the hiring manager a chance to see the real you, to catch a glimpse of your personality, to find out what motivates you, what really makes you unique and worth hiring.

You want to make your cover letter memorable, to stick out from the crowd.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your cover letter.

Jump right in.

Don’t waste time telling the hiring manager what position you are applying for, or droning on about how you feel you have the right qualifications. Never, ever start with your name. It’s just a waste of space. Catch the hiring manager’s attention right away. The best way to do this is with a story that tells about your motivations and qualifications.

For example, can you tell a story about what got you interested in medicine and in this particular practice. You can use your story to highlight the skills and experience that the hiring manager is looking for.

Back up your accomplishments.

Throwing in a few statistics is a good way to back up your accomplishments. Employers are duly impressed when you are able to quantify your achievements.

Tailor your letter.

Cover letters are not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. You need to tailor your letter to the position and place you are applying to. Look at the job description or rely on your research to see what particular skills and attributes the practice is looking for, so you can highlight them in your letter.

Don’t simply rewrite information you already have in your resume. You are just wasting your time and the hiring manager’s time.

Keep it short.

Figure out what you want to say, say it, and stop. Skip the filler like saying that you are a team player, or you have good communication skills. If your letter is well written, the hiring manager will see one aspect of your communication skills.

Edit.

If you want your letter to be lively, clear and concise, you will need to rewrite it, possibly several times. It will not go from your hand to the paper perfect the first time your write it. Remember author John Updike’s dictum, “Writing is rewriting.”

Write in your own voice. You don’t want to be too casual, but neither do you want to be stiff and formal. After all, the way you write is another way of showing your personality.

With more than 20 years of experience in the staffing industry, Team1Medical Staffing is now one of the top medical recruiting firms in the Greater Houston area. We deliver top-flight service and reliability. We are known for our professionalism and our passion and it shows in our work.

No matter what your healthcare background, we can assist you in furthering your career in the medical field, allowing you to control your own schedule, and working with you in finding the right opportunity.

Call us at 713-590-2980 or apply online today, and find out why we have earned our stellar reputation.