Writing a cover letter can be tough. However, it is an important to getting your foot in the door. Above is a cover letter that I recently received. Yes, that is it, spelling error and all. Honestly, I did not even open this individual’s resume, but it did get me thinking about what other individuals need to do to improve their chances at getting the attention of a potential employer.
In this day and time, the cover letter is especially crucial since communication is electronic. When your resume is an attachment, this is your first chance to make an impression on a potential employer. Unless you are copying and pasting your resume into the emails, which I do not recommend, your resume is not staring the reader in the face.
So, what can you do to stand out and get the reader’s attention?
First, address the reader. Now, in this person’s defense, she was applying to a blind ad. She could have, however, addressed the email to the hiring manager or with a “Dear Doctor”.
Next, let the reader know which position you are interested in. They could have more than one opportunity available.
Then, focus on the positives. The phrase that jumps out at me in this letter is “no dental office experience” a requirement for the position. She even goes on to say that she read that it is a requirement. Focus on what you have.
A few other points to hit on in the body of this email, spell out simple numbers. Spell check is a wonderful thing-use it.
Finally, there is no way to contact this individual in the email. What if the attachment does not work? Always, always, always include contact information!
Below is a simple letter that would have made a much better impact for the job seeker.
Dear Doctor or Hiring Manager,
Attached you will find my resume for the opening you have available for a dental receptionist. I have seven years of experience working in the medical field as a receptionist. I am computer savvy and have strong customer service skills; I believe that my skills would transfer well into your practice and would welcome the chance to interview for your opening. Please feel free to call me at (xxx)xxx-xxxx if you have any questions or would like to schedule a time to meet.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Your Name
A few extra minutes and minimal work can mean the difference between your resume getting deleted or you scoring the interview. Take your time! Happy job hunting!
Tiffany Worstell is a nationwide Recruiter for Dental Staff at ETS Dental. She can be reached at tworstell@etsdental.com or 540-491-9112. ETS Dental is a Dental Recruiting firm specializing in finding and placing General Dentists, Dental Specialists, and Dental Staff throughout the United States. www.etsdental.com
