I am vriling in resonse lo your !""#$%&'(")%* oorlunily, recenlIy osled on lhe American DenlaI Associalion |ob board. As a recenl graduale from lhe Universily of CaIifornia, San Irancisco's DDS rogram, I have lhree years of cIinicaI exerience in a rivale raclice selling, and Sanish and Mandarin Ianguage skiIIs. As a residenl of San Diego for fifleen years, I am commilled lo relurning lo lhe soulhern CaIifornia area lo serve lhe heaIlh care needs of my IocaI communily.
!$&+(,%$ ./&%0%012.)/(( 3(&/" #4 56%0%$&6 78*(/%(0$(9 My lraining enabIes me lo lriage alienls, conducl alienl inlerviev and hislory laking, conducl denlaI and oraI cancer screening, roose diagnosis and lrealmenl Ian and make referraIs for alienls vho need ongoing seciaIized or emergency. AddilionaIIy, my lraining incIudes exerience in Indodonlics, Resloralive, and Iroslhelic denlislry.
78$(66(0' :0'(/*(/"#0&6 &0+ ;*&0%")2<&0+&/%0 =&01>&1( ;?%66"9 My cIinicaI exeriences have incIuded vorking vilh edialric, aduIl and eIderIy alienls, and I have used my Sanish and Mandarin Ianguage skiIIs in a medicaI caacily, somelimes even serving as lhe lransIalor belveen lhe cIienl and lhe denlaI leam. My voIunleer exerience al lhe UCSI DenlaI CIinic has laughl me hov lo address cIienls rofessionaIIy and reseclfuIIy, discuss lheir concerns, and manage lheir fruslralions. WhiIe lhe slaff couId nol aIvays soIve lhe robIem, I Iearned lhal lhe goaI is aIvays lo have a osilive exchange, and Ieave alienls vilh a osilive imression. I vas recognized for lhis abiIily, and avarded vilh a voIunleer of lhe monlh avard.
My rofessionaI goaIs incIude relurning vilh my famiIy lo lhe San Diego area and vorking in a rivale raclice selling. Your oorlunily offers an exciling exerience for me: lo use my skiIIs and exerience and lo Iearn hov a successfuI raclice is run from every angIe. IIease conlacl me al 123.456.7890 shouId you vish lo seak furlher.
Wilh regards,
SlanIey Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick 12 Movie Street, San Francisco, CA 0000. 111.222.3333. Stanley@email.edu The Cover Letter, Dissected.
Please see page two to read about the purpose and format of a well-written cover letter.
B. Often, employers only skim the first paragraph, so Stanleys paragraph is a summary of:
A. What he brings to the table (experience & skills) B. Why he wants the job (desire)
This includes his: 1. Academic training 2. Professional skills 3. Desire
C. The rest of his cover letter gives detailed evidence about his claims in his first paragraph. It also follows the order of his summary paragraph.
1. Academic training & 3 years clinical experience 2. Interpersonal & language skills 3. Desire A. Why wri t e a cover l et t er? A CV or resume only explains all of your previous academic training and professional skills. A Cover Letter:
1. Summarizes how that academic training and professional skills will directly benefit them.
2. Explains desire why you want the job.
E. I snt t hi s a l ong l et t er? A cover letter can be 1-4 paragraphs. A briefer letter would only include the first and last paragraph.
F. Do empl oyers real l y read cover l et t ers? Yes. The real question isnt if, but when do employers read cover letters? Think about how you sort through a stack of information. First, youd probably skim the CV/resume and first paragraph of the cover letter, to sort candidates into yes, no and maybe piles.
The second time through, youd read everything closely to whittle down your yes pile to 3-5 strong candidates to invite to interview. But what if there were 6?
Heres when a cover letter is most valuable: it makes your argument about how you can contribute to their organization, and why you want the position. Those without cover letters have to hope that the employer can figure that out. It might be the edge you need!
Alfred Hitchcock Safeway, San Francisco 14 Filmmaker Drive San Francisco, CA 94114 June 1, 2004
Dear Dr. Hitchcock:
I am writing in response to your Associateship opportunity, recently posted on the American Dental Association job board. As a recent graduate from the University of California, San Franciscos DDS program, I have three years of clinical experience in a private practice setting, and Spanish and Mandarin language skills. As a resident of San Diego for fifteen years, I am committed to returning to the southern California area to serve the health care needs of my local community.
Academic Training/Three Years of Clinical Experience: My training enables me to triage patients, conduct patient interview and history taking, conduct dental and oral cancer screening, propose diagnosis and treatment plan and make referrals for patients who need ongoing specialized or emergency. Additionally, my clinicals included experience in Endodontics, Restorative, and Prosthetic dentistry.
Excellent Interpersonal and Spanish/Mandarin Language Skills: My clinical experiences have included working with pediatric, adult and elderly patients, and I have used my Spanish and Mandarin language skills in a medical capacity, sometimes even serving as the translator between the client and the dental team. My volunteer experience at the UCSF Dental Clinic has taught me how to address clients professionally and respectfully, discuss their concerns, and manage their frustrations. While the staff could not always solve the problem, I learned that the goal is always to have a positive exchange, and leave patients with a positive impression. I was recognized for this ability, and awarded with a volunteer of the month award.
My professional goals include returning with my family to the San Diego area and working in a private practice setting. Your opportunity offers an exciting experience for me: to use my skills and experience and to learn how a successful practice is run from every angle. Please contact me at 123.456.7890 should you wish to speak further.
With regards,
Stanley Kubrick The Cover Letter, Dissected.
D. Note that the text focuses on examples and language about what he is able to do for the employer. For example: My training enables me.
To have your letter critiqued, schedule an appointment with the OCPD at 415.476.4986. We book 2-3 weeks in advance.
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