A strong doctor cover letter presents the various skills you have that help you care for patients in the best possible way, but are difficult to capture fully on a resume alone. It also provides employers with insights into your motivations, values, and goals so that they can assess your cultural fit.
This document can make a big difference in whether your overall application is well-received. Follow along as we explain how to write a compelling one and provide two cover letter examples for you to visualize the end result.
Key Takeaways
Your cover letter for a doctor job application should be in the block format with 1 to 1.15-inch margins, single spacing between lines, and double-spacing between paragraphs.
It should start with a clear heading outlining your basic details (i.e., full name, email, phone number) and a personal greeting.
Following this, your doctor cover letter needs an opening, two body paragraphs about your skills and motivations, a CTA, and a closing with a professional sign-off.
Avoiding keyword stuffing, backing up your claims with numbers, and highlighting your commitment can strengthen your content.
2 Strong Examples of a Doctor Cover Letter
Let’s start by looking at two doctor sample cover letters:
#1. Example 1
Here is an example of a junior medical doctor cover letter:
#2. Example 2
Below is a cover letter example for a senior doctor:
What Format to Use for a Doctor Cover Letter
The format that you should use for a doctor cover letter is similar to that of a business letter. It needs to be short (250-400 words) and structured, so employers can easily pinpoint your strengths, skills, and qualifications.
Here are the specific formatting standards to follow:
Font. You should use the same font as your doctor resume for cohesiveness; after all, you are submitting these application materials together. A simple, 12-point font like Arial or Times New Roman works best.
Margins. To make sure your content doesn’t feel cluttered, set 1-inch margins on all sizes. If you want to fit a bit more text into one page, it is possible to opt for 1.15-inch. However, try not to exceed this, as it might look like your content is crashing into the edges.
Spacing. You should set single spacing between lines and double spacing between paragraphs to mirror the block format used for business correspondence. This ensures your content is easy to read.
Text alignment. Justify your text to the left, which helps readability and conveys your content professionally. Most healthcare documents use left-text alignment, so applying a different option might unintentionally create an eyesore for employers.
File format. Unless your employer specifically requests a DOC or DOCX format, you should save your resume as a PDF. It makes sure your content displays as designed, regardless of the screen and software it is being viewed on.
7 Essential Sections of a Professional Doctor Cover Letter
Below are the seven sections you need to include in your doctor application letter:
#1. Heading
The header is where you list your full name, job title, email address, phone number, any links to professional profiles, and the date. If you are applying for a job in a different state, it is also possible to include your relocation details.
Moreover, you need a block for the recipient’s details, including their full name, job title, company name, and company address.
This section is simple, but it still plays a crucial role in setting a polished tone for your cover letter. The clearer it is, the easier it will be for employers to grasp who you are and how to contact you when they are narrowing down on candidates.
#2. Greeting
This next part is where you address the cover letter’s recipient. It is best to research the company and find a name to use here. A personal greeting makes a better impression than a generic “To whom it may concern,” which can also suggest low effort on your part. If you can’t find a name, you can say, “Dear hiring manager," instead.
#3. Opening
Now, onto the opening paragraph, you should introduce yourself briefly by mentioning the position you are applying for and the strongest skills you have in relation to this. The latter’s goal is to catch the employer’s attention and cement your candidacy right off the bat. When done well, it naturally leads into the next section of your cover letter: skills, qualifications, and experience.
#4. Skills, Qualifications, & Experience
Your core competencies should be communicated clearly in this section. Don’t list every single skill you have; instead, choose ones that align with what employers are looking for in their job descriptions.
The best are those with clear examples and measurable results. You can structure them in your writing using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Additionally, to position yourself as a well-rounded candidate, try to have a mix of hard and soft abilities. Here are some of the top doctor skills to consider for your cover letter:
Interpersonal skills: empathy, active listening, clear communication, and compassion.
Technical skills: assessing symptoms, prescribing medications, and monitoring vital signs.
Conceptual skills: strategic planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and ethical reasoning.
Software skills. Using EHRs and EMRs, medical billing and coding, and operating telemedicine tools.
As for qualifications, you can mention your degrees, licenses, board certifications, and memberships, depending on where you are in your career.
#5. Reasons for Applying
This section is for sharing your motivations, values, and career goals, so employers can assess whether you are a strong cultural fit. It helps to tie into the company’s vision and mission here.
This way, you can also subtly show that you have done your research on the company. It demonstrates genuine interest and a higher level of commitment, both of which employers appreciate.
#6. Call-to-Action
A call-to-action (CTA) can help you guide the employer into taking the next steps to consider your overall doctor job application.
For example, instead of stopping with just the assessment from your cover letter, inviting them to take a look at the references on your LinkedIn profile can help them see that your work ethic is verified and praised by others.
This might be the one difference that leads to you being hired. So, it is worth spending a few extra minutes to include a strong CTA, such as:
CTA Examples
“I would be glad to further discuss how I can support your clinical and community initiatives.”
“I would welcome an interview to discuss my qualifications in more detail.”
“Please let me know if you would like me to provide references or letters of recommendation.”
#7. Closing
Finally, close your cover letter by thanking the employer for the opportunity to apply, reinforcing your interest in the role, and signing off professionally. This is a sufficient way to wrap up on a good note. Common sign-offs that you can use are ‘respectfully,’ ‘sincerely,’ ‘best regards,’ and ‘kind regards.’
4 Valuable Tips for Writing an Outstanding Doctor Cover Letter
Here are four cover letter tips to keep in mind for a job-winning doctor job application:
Avoid common cover letter mistakes. Overusing keywords or simply repeating your resume content can make your letter feel rigid and unpersuasive
Back your skills up with numbers. Ultimately, employers care about results. You can say that you have specific skills, but it won’t be convincing unless you can demonstrate that you have delivered value before thanks to those skills. So, prioritize quantified achievements while writing your doctor cover letter.
Highlight your commitment. The turnover rate for physicians is high and continues to rise; therefore, employers want to know if you can stay with them for a long time. After all, it also costs quite a bit to fully train a physician after they join a team. You should make it clear that this is the career path you have chosen to commit to throughout your cover letter.
Use our cover letter builder. You can choose from our collection of cover letter templates to customize and showcase your personal branding. We help you save time on the little design details and ensure the final document turns out exceptional.
Ready to create a doctor cover letter that stands out?
Use our cover letter builder now!Final Thoughts
A well-structured doctor cover letter featuring examples of quantified achievements that align with what employers outlined in their job descriptions can increase your chances of securing the role.
While showcasing your skills, remember to balance your professionalism and personality to make a memorable impression. Along with our cover letter builder’s help, you will surely win over your prospective employers!
Doctor Cover Letter FAQs
#1. How long should a doctor's cover letter be?
Your doctor cover letter should be 250 to 400 words long, which is about a single page. Don’t worry too much about the length of your content; just make sure it is clear and complete with the seven sections we outlined above.
#2. How do I make my doctor cover letter stand out?
You can make your doctor cover letter stand out by tailoring it to the job description with strategic use of keywords and tone mirroring. Referencing the company’s mission, vision, and values to demonstrate that you have done research can also help set you apart.
#3. Should I include references in a doctor cover letter?
No, you shouldn’t include references in a doctor cover letter because you will waste words that can be used to communicate your competencies instead. It is better to note references in your resume.
