Physician assistant cover letter

Physician Assistant Cover Letter (With Examples)

The healthcare field is set to explode as more people become focused on their health over all other aspects of their lives. This is great if you’re a physician’s assistant right now, but it could mean more competition in the future. The good news is that getting out there today and landing a great job can set you up for a successful career.

The first step in getting a job as a physician assistant is applying for the job. Which, let’s be honest, is the hardest part. The best way to approach a difficult task is to break it down into smaller pieces. As they say, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

The first “bite” of your job application is going to be your cover letter. Recruiters and hiring managers all say they want to see one. The problem is, they also admit they only glance at them. This means you have a challenge. You need to make your cover letter a standout.

At Zippia, we stay on top of trends and the best job advice out there. We’ve pulled together some tips and even a sample cover letter for a physician assistant so you have a headstart.

Physician Assistant Cover Letter Tips

Your job is really like no other. You’re required to have superb technical skills and experience in the field that demonstrates your expertise, as well as being good with people and having a passion for patient care. That’s a lot to ask from one person and it’s even more challenging to express all of that in a cover letter and resume. These tips will help you get started.

• Personal. It’s okay to share your love for the profession and what got you interested in it if you can demonstrate your level of commitment and caring when it comes to your patients.

• Qualifications and experience. Highlighting your qualifications and experience is an obvious part of your application, but many people forget to tailor this information. Our best tip is to write down all of your certifications, qualifications, experience, etc. Then research the job you’re applying for and pick which items from your list best match up with what they want.

• Soft skills. Your job isn’t just about what you know, a good bedside manner is essential. This is where your soft skills come in. They’re hard to list in a resume but easier to detail in a cover letter. Give it a try.

• Technology. Your field is changing on an almost daily basis. If you’ve been trained in certain types of technology, whether diagnostic, patient documentation, or even scheduling software, you might want to share this information. Let them know that you’re continuing to learn and accepting of tech trends.

• Customize. We touched on this a little bit above, but your cover letter needs to be customized for each job opening you apply for. We know it’s a hassle and you’re probably flooding the market with resumes, but a customized cover letter can get you a job faster.

• Proofread. There is no room for errors in your field and your cover letter (and resume) need to reflect your dedication to perfection. Proofread everything yourself several times, and then just to be safe, have someone else proof it, too.

Parts of a Physician Assistant Cover Letter

Before diving into the whole thing, it’s best to take it piece by piece – remember we’re eating that elephant. Look at the cover letter basics and begin filling in what you can as you go. Come back later and add the creative touches, customization, and specifics.

• Your contact information. This one’s easy. You know this and once you have something on the page, it’ll seem easier to do the rest.

• Hiring manager’s contact information. List the hiring manager’s name, title, and the company’s address, and other pertinent contact information. You want to keep your cover letter as close to professional standards as possible.

• Salutation. The salutation is a direct reflection of your professionalism. If you can discover the person’s name, then include that. If not, the old standby of To Whom It May Concern will suffice.

• Opening. Get ready to grab their attention. This needs to be interesting because it’s the one part of your cover letter that they’re guaranteed to read. You want them to see this and feel the need to keep reading. It’s, quite frankly, going to be the most difficult part of the entire letter.

• Cover letter body. The next three paragraphs will make up the body of your letter. They get progressively easier as you go.

  • First paragraph. Focus on your education, experience, accomplishments, qualifications, and other important information that makes you a qualified professional.

  • Second paragraph. Showcase your soft skills and why you as a person are a better hire than someone with the same credentials would be.

  • Third paragraph. Thank the letter reader for their time, suggest a personal meeting, and offer to be available for future requests.

• Closing. There’s no reason to be creative here, “Sincerely,” “Best Regards,” or “Appreciatively” are very standard closes and either one of them is perfect for this situation.

• Signature. In an email, you only need to have one line between the closing and typing your name. Follow that up with your email address on the next line and the following line should contain your phone number again. There’s no reason to have four lines between your close and signature if you’re not going to sign the letter.

• Attachment. You’ll be including your resume with the cover letter, and you may have some additional documents as well. Adding an attachment(s) note at the end of the letter lets the reader know that they should look for supplemental information.

Physician Assistant Cover Letter Opening

Use the subject line of your email to let the reader know why you’re reaching out. For example, Physician Assistant Job Opening. This way they feel safe and confident about your email and you don’t have to waste time in your cover letter talking about why you’re writing.

Physician Assistant Cover Letter Body

You got their attention, if you’re lucky, they’ll read a little more of your cover letter. This means your first paragraph of the body needs to be compelling and interesting. That means it’s also going to require some thought and probably a few rewrites.

The second and third paragraphs should be easier. Let’s take a look.

Physician Assistant Cover Letter Sample Closing

The close is easy and straightforward. Thank them, if you didn’t in the body of the letter, and reiterate your interest in the position. Close your letter and make sure to include your contact information once again.

Example of a Physician’s Assistant Cover Letter

Now that you know the key sections of your cover letter, what does it look like when you pull it all together?