A cover letter is your professional message to the hiring manager. It conveys how your skills match the job requirements for the position. It also states why you are applying for the job. A cover letter, in effect, is your sales pitch to sell yourself. We explore a few things you should consider when writing the perfect cover letter as a registered nurse.
Address the hiring manager
Aside from the job details, it would be best if you spotted who the contact person should be. Some job posts will tell you the name and contact details of the person you will be sending your application. A quick internet search will often give you the name and the position of the hiring manager, or jump on LinkedIn and check out the employees of the company. If there are no details, go to the institution’s website, or simply give them a call and ask who’s hiring for the role. Using “To Whom It May Concern” conveys laziness and lack of interest in the institution you wish to work for. Take the time to do your research to show your willingness and dedication to the job.
Target the job requirements
There are keywords that you need to watch out for in the application. These state why the institution is looking for nurses like you. Use them to your advantage. State how your skills will answer the needs for the position. Be specific when you address the needs. Instead of saying experience in health care delivery, state it as: “experience in monitoring vital signs and physical assessment for formulating and implementing nursing care plan.”
Focus on the institution
Although this is your sales pitch, also be wary of not coming across overconfident. Don’t use too much “I” in your cover letter and instead shift the attention to what you can do for the organisation. Make sure that you state skills and experiences relevant to the position. This will increase the hiring manager’s faith that you are the person they are looking for.
Include a warm call to action
Finish the cover letter by stressing your desire for the position. Show appreciation to the reader for their time. Also one of the purposes of writing a cover letter is to attract the reader’s attention to your resume. Create a call to action at the end of the cover letter by inviting them to view your resume. Don’t forget to provide an opening for an interview.
Format and proofread
Keep it simple. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman. Use 12pt size font and do away with bolds, italics, and colours. Keep the length short and sweet, about 200-250 words long. Remember that you are writing a cover letter, not a novel.
Many hiring managers ignore applications when they see grammatical errors in a cover letter. No matter how good the content is errors in a cover letter convey carelessness, lack of professionalism, and inattention to detail. Run your cover letter through grammar checking apps, or have a friend proofread it for you.
Keep in mind that your letter is your professional message to the hiring manager. Choose your words carefully and write in the perspective of the hiring manager. Ask questions to yourself like why would they hire you? What makes you stand out above the rest? How can you help the company sustain its growth? Keep these points in mind, and you’ll be writing a killer cover letter that will increase your chances for an interview.