Tailoring Your Cover Letter to Job Postings

People often opt not to include a cover letter in their applications, but this is a mistake! A resume tells the story of your experience, but the cover letter is where you persuade the recruiter to bring you in for an interview. Here is how to create a cover letter (or tailor an existing one) that will get their attention. As with your resume, be sure to save a copy of your original document before making any changes. 

• Start with a greeting. Don’t let a Google search fool you—“To Whom It May Concern” just doesn’t cut it. Look at the job posting for the hiring manager’s name and address the letter to them specifically. If there isn’t a name available, you should still let them know exactly what you’re applying for. Use the format “Dear (organization) (role) Hiring Manager,” for your greeting. This way, there’s no mistaking what role you’re interested in when recruiters are sorting through applications.  

• Open with an overview. State the position and company you are applying for again in the opening sentence. But don’t just say you’re applying—let them know you’re excited about the role right off the bat by using something along the lines of “I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the (role) with (company). Then, highlight how you will make a difference in that role. Share your belief that you will improve client experiences, make processes more efficient, or other impacts you could have. Tip: Go back to the list of important aspects of the job description. What impact are they looking for? Let them know you’re the one to make it happen. 
   
  In the same paragraph, list three key things about yourself. These can be related to your work experience, education, or attitude, but they should connect to what the employer is looking for. Take your time deciding what these should be; these are the things you want them to remember about you if they don’t retain anything else from your letter. 

• Talk about your impact. Think about two to three stories that show you would bring the value they’re looking for. These can be from previous work experience, volunteer roles, or your education. Tip: if you are telling stories about your education, try to focus on actual work or projects you did over the education itself. Employers want to know what you’ve done, not what classes you’ve taken.  
   
  Write the stories using the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result. This will help you concisely illustrate the impact you have had in previous roles, and how valuable you could be to their organization. Depending on the length of the examples, this should be 1-2 paragraphs. 

• Summarize! Conclude with a reminder of the three key things about you they should know from your introduction. Express why this role is the one you’re applying for—even if you’re applying for many! This should reflect important attitudes or characteristics they’re looking for in the job posting. End the letter by showing how excited you are to talk to them and make an impact in their organization. 

Now you’re ready to tailor your cover letter to each position you’re applying for, ensuring you’ll stand out and get one step closer to that new job. Missed our last post on tailoring your resume? Check it out and learn how to make your resume as strong as your cover letter. 

For more information on healthcare careers, professional development, and workplace tips, check out our other blog posts!