

Clair advises, and unless you’re answering a blind ad, avoid salutations such as “to whom it may concern,” which may give the impression that you’re uncertain about yourself and the process.īoth Tysinger and St.

Always write to the appropriate person, St. Clair, a senior search consultant with J&C Nationwide in Atlanta. To increase the chance that your application ends up atop the “active” pile, whenever possible personalize the letter and indicate that you have some knowledge of the position and institution, says James St. “Letters that go on for two or three pages, or that try to impress rather than inform, may cause the reader to lose interest.” Ideally, the cover letter should be no more than three paragraphs that fit on a single page. I seek a position as a family practice physician in your practice” (or “in your fellowship program” or “at your institution,” as the case may be). Tysinger recommends starting the letter with a simple introductory statement such as “I am a third-year family-practice resident at. “Let the reader know right away who you are and why you are writing.” Tysinger, Ph.D., deputy chair for education in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School and author of Resumes and Personal Statements for Health Professionals. “Think about the needs of the reader,” says James W. As such, it can make the difference between getting an interview and your dossier landing in the “maybe” pile.Īlthough writing a cover letter may be an unfamiliar challenge for many residents, it’s not terribly difficult if you follow three basic rules: Keep it short, make it clear, and cover the basics. The cover letter is usually the first bit of written communication from job seekers that hits the desk of a hiring physician, staff recruiter, or human resources professional.
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This can be accomplished by clearly and concisely articulating your core professional goals and your commitment to the calling of medicine.īy Bonnie Darves, a Seattle-based freelance health care writer One challenge of cover letter writing is to follow a prescribed format yet simultaneously set yourself apart from your peers. Making a positive first impression is a crucial first step in landing a desired job. Career resources content posted on NEJM CareerCenter is produced by freelance health care writers as an advertising service of NEJM Group, a division of the Massachusetts Medical Society and should not be construed as coming from, or representing the views of, the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Group, or the Massachusetts Medical Society
