Writing the Perfect Cover Letter for a Veterinary Role
It may just be seen as a formality, but your cover letter is a great opportunity to elaborate on your CV and talk more about your suitability for the role. While your CV gives a general overview of your skills, your cover letter is important because it gives you the opportunity to explain why you want to apply for that specific job. Starting your veterinary cover letter may seem like a daunting idea, but we’ve put together a guide that should help you get going.
The basics
Starting with the basics, you should always make sure that you address your veterinary cover letter to the hiring manager. There is no harm in getting in touch with the practice or company to ask who will be looking through the applications; this shows initiative and dedication. Another very important thing to remember is that your cover letter should never be more than one page in length. Finally, make sure to proofread it carefully!
What to include
- Outline your veterinary experience and the skills it has given you.
- Highlight your transferable skills which will benefit the role.
- Give an idea of your future aims in the veterinary field and where you want to specialise as this will show that you are passionate.
- Mention any advanced training, licences or certificates you have.
- Before you start writing your cover letter, do your research on the company itself and outline the key criteria in the job description so you can best address how you are suited to the role.
Structuring your cover letter
In the first paragraph of your veterinary cover letter, which is usually a brief one, you should introduce yourself to the employer and explain how you came across the job, or in other words where you saw it advertised.
The second paragraph is an important one as this is where you explain why you want the job. While you don’t want to go completely overboard with flattery, you need to demonstrate enthusiasm for that particular role or the employer will likely assume you aren’t that interested.
Once you have explained why you are passionate about the particular veterinary role on offer, you then need to show what makes you suitable. This section is all about what the practice or company will gain from your skills and experience; this is the point where you want to sell yourself. Here, you can directly address the specifics of the job and match them to your experience, skills, and personality.
Lastly, don’t forget to thank the employer for taking the time to consider you!
We hope this guide to writing a veterinary cover letter has been useful to your job search. If you are looking for work, why not check out our job listings? And feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions.