The ultimate guide to writing a cover letter as a medical doctor
As a medical doctor, you have completed years of academic training and education to earn your doctoral degree and medical license. To earn a job, however, you will also need a well-written cover letter that captures your area of expertise, key skills, and accomplishments.
In this guide, we will teach you 5 key steps for writing a fantastic cover letter as a medical doctor. Keep reading to learn all about:
- Formatting your medical doctor cover letter header & headline
- Tailoring the content of your medical doctor cover letter
- Writing an attention-grabbing introduction as a medical doctor
- Showcasing your skills and accomplishments as a medical doctor
- Concluding your cover letter with a memorable closing statement
1. How to properly format your medical doctor cover letter header & headline
Always begin your cover letter by creating a well-formatted header and headline.
Adding a header and headline to your letter gives the document structure, visual appeal, and visual flow. While it should not be too fancy or decorative, including larger and bolded fonts helps make your name and information stand out in the minds of employers.
First up is your cover letter header, which should include all the vital identifying information such as:
- Your name, honorific, and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the hospital or medical facility you are applying to
- The address of the hospital or medical facility
Here is an example of a well-formatted medical doctor header
Dr. Kate Mills, M.D.
(123) 456-7890 | doctormills@email.com | linkedin.com/in/kate-mills
To: Unity Hospital & E.R.
Medical Doctors Department
1234 Street Address
Austin, TX, 73301
Directly after your header is your cover letter headline, which should include:
- A keyword related to the position
- A number or trigger word that makes the headline more compelling
- A descriptive adjective and/or verb
- A promise that shows the employer you will talk about their company specifically
Here is an example of an effective headline from a medical doctor’s cover letter, followed by a quick breakdown of each component
How My 15 Years of Specialized Experience as a Family Doctor Will Benefit Your Practice
Trigger Word/Number: 15 Years of Experience
Keyword: Family Doctor
Adjective/Verb: Specialized, Benefit
Promise: Your Practice
2. How to tailor the content of your medical doctor cover letter
When applying for a position as a medical doctor, chances are that you will be up against some tough competition. To give your cover letter a more competitive edge that stands out to employers, you need to tailor the content of your letter to the specific job you are applying to.
For a cover letter to be tailored in this way, you have to thoroughly research the hospital or medical facility, using the information you uncover to add greater context and specificity to your letter.
Look for information such as:
- Current programs, research, or projects the institution is involved in
- Specialized medical care the institution offers
- Which staff member at the institution will review your cover letter
This last piece of information will be used to create a personalized greeting– a type of greeting that addresses a specific person by name and lets the employer know right off the bat the level of research you have completed.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Mrs. Jill Jones
- Dear Hospital Administrator Jill Jones,
- Dear Mrs. Jill Jones & the Medical Team,
3. How to craft an attention-grabbing introduction as a medical doctor
While your cover letter greeting informs the employer of your completed due diligence, your introduction should quickly and concisely explain why you are applying for this position. A strong introductory paragraph for a medical doctor’s cover letter will include:
- A brief overview of your professional history, years of experience, and specializations
- A statement on your academic qualifications
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) – including a mutual acquaintance helps to build rapport, credibility, and trust with an employer.
Pro Tip: If you do not have a mutual acquaintance, use a professional platform like LinkedIn to expand your network and connect with relevant employees or associates. Additionally, for medical positions, familiarizing yourself with the currently employed doctors and their research can help as well.
Here is an example of a well-written medical doctor cover letter introduction
Dear Hospital Administrator Jill Jones,
I am a neuro physician with an M.D. from Stanford University. With more than 18 years of experience in pediatric neurology, I know I can fulfil the requirements of this role to the utmost satisfaction of your team and patients. My former university colleague and friend, Dr. Joe King, is a current physician in your pediatrics department and recommended I apply for this opening.
4. How to showcase your skills and accomplishments as a medical doctor
Next up are the body paragraphs of your cover letter.
As a medical doctor, it is crucial to not just list your key skills and accomplishments in the field but to provide specific and quantifiable context. This can include how you have applied your skills in the past or providing exact data associated with an accomplishment.
Additionally, most hospitals or medical facilities will require resident physicians to publish research. As such, you should discuss any of your relevant research or research plans you have if accepted for the position.
Here are 6 great skills to describe in a medical doctor’s cover letter
- Performing diagnostic tests
- Specialized care (neurology, pediatrics, gynecology, etc.)
- Surgical procedures
- Patient consultations and education
- Knowledge of medical specialists (to recommend patients to if needed)
- Proper patient history documentation
Here are a few examples of how to describe different accomplishment in a medical doctor cover letter
- Patient Care and Outcomes:
- Successfully diagnosed and treated complex medical conditions, resulting in improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.
- Implemented evidence-based treatment protocols that led to a 20% reduction in hospital readmissions for a specific patient population.
- Received positive feedback and recognition from patients and their families for delivering compassionate and patient-centered care.
- Leadership and Collaboration:
- Served as the lead physician on a multidisciplinary team, coordinating patient care plans and ensuring effective communication among team members.
- Led quality improvement initiatives, resulting in enhanced efficiency, streamlined processes, and improved patient safety outcomes.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals, including nurses, specialists, and allied healthcare providers, to develop comprehensive treatment plans and achieve optimal patient outcomes.
- Research and Publications:
- Conducted groundbreaking research in a specific medical field, resulting in the publication of research articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
- Presented research findings at national or international conferences, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and practices.
- Participated in clinical trials or research studies, furthering understanding of innovative treatment approaches and therapies.
5. Concluding your cover letter with a memorable closing statement
To finalize your medical doctor cover letter, you need to write a memorable closing statement that encourages the employer to contact you. This conclusion should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- How and when you can be contacted
- When you plan to reach back out
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a good closing statement from a medical doctor’s cover letter
I am incredibly passionate about this field and feel certain I can bring to your hospital the level of specialized expertise needed to thrive. I would love to connect within the next week and am available any weekday between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890. I look forward to hearing from you and will reach back out next Friday if I have not yet heard back.
Yours Truly,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
