5 key points for a compelling cover letter for GPs
Neville Rose, director of CV Writers, gives advice on what makes an appealing introductory letter for GPs.
It may be surprising but cover letters still form an integral part of the recruitment process. At CV Writers we carried out some research and discovered that one in three recruiters will only read a CV if a cover letter impresses them first. So it doesn’t pay to take chances. You should always include a cover letter with your application.
Keep your letter short
There are still some job seekers that believe the longer the letter, the more chance you have of being called to interview. Whilst there is of course a balance, generally it is better to keep your letter brief. Three or four paragraphs and certainly no longer than one side of A4 is enough. Decisions made on calling you to interview will be made in a matter of seconds. There is little point including lots of detail that simply will not be read.
What to include in a cover letter
The most important job for your cover letter is to clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the person specification. This is the criteria you will be evaluated against so it must form the core content of your letter. Read the person specification carefully and summarise how you match this.
Why examples are important
It is, of course, very easy to say you can do something. Actually proving it is quite a different thing. The best way to provide evidence is to use examples. So you must illustrate your cover letter using examples of relevant achievements. This allows the reader to truly picture what you will bring to the job and firmly etch this in their memory.
What about personal circumstances?
Generally, it is better to only include circumstances that will positively help your application. You don’t want to raise any unnecessary question marks in the mind of the reader. So leave out any personal information that you feel might inhibit your application and save that for the interview. It is much easier to discuss personal matters face-to-face.
What about the call to action?
Quite simply, your cover letter acts as an introduction to your CV. Therefore you should sign-off by gently pointing the reader in the direction of your CV to find out more. It is generally after reading your CV that any decision on calling you to interview will be made.
If you would like help with your CV, cover letter, Linkedin profile or application form then CV Writers provide a variety of CV services.