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Cover Letter Essentials

It should address the “triple whys” – (1) WHY are you choosing them? (2) WHY you are choosing this

particular position? (3) And WHY they should choose you?

See example cover letter, below: This letter is here for inspiration, not copying.

Dear Ms. Smith:

My proudest moments in life come from when I see a rehab patient with marked deficits make significant, universal gains

and be discharged to the care of a loved one or a nursing facility. This is why I am applying for a full-time, speech-

language pathologist (SLP) CFY at XXXX in Scarsdale, NY. Come August, I will conclude my graduate studies in the

Speech-Language Pathology program at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions (MGHIHP) in

Boston, Massachusetts. Relocation and work schedule are not barriers and I have begun the process of transferring

required documents to obtain licensure in other states, including New York.

I had a very successful clinical experience at XXXXX Nursing Center this past spring. The practicum afforded experience

in leading in-service meetings, screenings, evaluations and individualized therapy plans for geriatric patients with

swallowing, cognitive, voice, language and auditory deficits. I actively advocated on behalf of patients who were not

initially considered for therapy but would benefit from speech services. I also actively communicated with dietary staff to

adjust the amount of nutritional supplement supplied via feeding tube. Daily, digitized documentation was required of me

and often praised by the interdisciplinary team for inclusion of objective, measurable data and level of relevant detail.

My current practicum is at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and involves administration of outpatient care to

patients with varying degrees and types of acquired brain injury (ABI). I designed aspects of an intensive group therapy

pilot-program targeting cognitive-linguistic deficits. The amount of evidence indicating the effectiveness of intensive

group therapy with the ABI population is sparse in comparison to an identical therapy model for patients diagnosed with

aphasia, which this program aims to remediate. I strive to think “outside of the box” but well-within the realm of

evidence-based practice (EBP), which my outpatient experience at MGH has allowed me to hone.

If you deem pride in leadership, interdisciplinary communication, assessment protocols, intervention planning, clinical

writing, and engagement in EBP as invaluable skills required by an SLP to help patients best achieve their long-term

goals, then I encourage you to grant me an in-personal meeting.

I will call you shortly after the submission of my materials to follow-up. Thank you for your time.

Regards,

This letter does the following:

 It shows personal interest in working for this particular organization, and it’s specific about why, which

makes it both more believable and more compelling. It’s human nature — people respond when they feel a

personal interest from you. Works in dating, works in job-hunting.

 It only briefly touches on the work experience, giving just the upshot and leaving the details for the resume.

 Perhaps most importantly, it provides information about him/her that will never be available from a

resume — personal traits, motivations and work habits, and even a reference to feedback from a previous

manager.

Now, can you do this for every position you apply for? Yes. It’s sometimes easier for non-profits, because you can

talk about why you support their mission. But you can do it for regular companies too, with a little bit of research.

No time for that when you’re applying to 30 different jobs? Narrow it down and focus on fewer, take the time to

write a truly compelling cover letter tailored to each specific job and company, and it’s likely you’ll find that five

truly personalized, well-tailored applications will yield you better results than 30 generic applications. *unite your

cover letter and resume as ONE FILE to upload for job applications!

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