Help with a job cover letter

Ok, I officially hate my job! Have for a long while now.

I left bedside nursing in 2009 to go work in an outpatient clinic. It so isn't what I had thought it to be. I decided to give it a year, and it's been nearly 1 1/2 years and I'm still mortified at the place!

The work load is unmanageable! The work environment can be hostile at times, and I'm not just referring to patients either! There are some pretty nasty people working at that place! The management is an absolute joke and there is absolutely no communication between management and staff.

Anyway, I'm on the serious job hunt the last few days.

There is a job working in an insurance company in the benefit payment area.

My problem is doing up a cover letter! I have no idea what to put as to "why" I am applying for that job. I know I certainly can't tell them that the place I'm working now completely sucks!!!

So help!!!

All I've got so far is:

Enclosed please find my resume for the position of Nursing Specialist.

"While I've enjoyed the challenges presented while working at XYZ, I now feel I am ready to explore other employment avenues...."

and take it from there.

Hope that helps.

C

Well I'm sure you have another reason for applying, think of the differences between your current job and the job you're applying to and start there!

I always make an extra effort when writing a cover letter, because it's what the hiring manager first sees in their inbox before even opening the attachment with your resume. Writing a good eloquent cover letter where your enthusiasm shines through can make your future employer just look forward to seeing you in person. Try to put interesting information about you that is not in your resume, like for me when I apply to legal jobs I add the fact in my cover letter that I'm interested in environmental law which is why all the experience I've acquired is in environmental labs/ and my major is history of science and technology- basically just personalize your resume, and be sincere rather than trying to come up with fancy language, because a lot of time the more simple your language the more it sounds like "you". And of course by that I don't mean make it any less formal than it should be.

I am sure they will be curious about why you are leaving your current job, and I think the best way to approach that would be to say something like, you don't feel like you are able to use your full potential at your current position or something like that, worded differently as to not sound extremely conceited

Excellent! Thanks!

Here is my cover letter!!!

*******************************

Please find my resume in application for the position of Nursing Specialist.

While I've enjoyed the challenges presented while working at XXXXXXX, I now feel I am ready to explore other employment avenues.

I feel that I am well suited for the job of Nursing Specialist, as I have been nursing since 1996 and have gained a wide range of nursing experience across a broad spectrum of clinical areas, including considerable charge nurse experience.

I feel that I communicate well with staff and families and have a great deal of patience and helping them gives me a great deal of satisfaction. I handle stressful situations well.

Prior to returning to school to obtain my Registered Nursing, I worked as a legal secretary/paralegal. I feel very strongly that I can handle the job of Nursing Specialist

I look forward to meeting with you regarding this position. I can be reached at XXX-XXXX. I do have an answering machine, so a message can be left for me.

Sounds pretty good! I have a couple of suggestions. First, try not to have single-sentence paragraphs. As a college professor told me, "The sentence will get lonely."

Second, in the second to last paragraph, instead of saying "that I can handle," instead say, "I feel very strongly that I will be well suited...."

Good luck!

Thanks for the input.

I've applied for 5 or 6 positions. I hope my cover letter didn't blow my chances!

If I can get an interview, I'm pretty good at nailing the position.

I'm so fed up with where I work. I was diagnosed with an ulcer in December. I feel chronically nauseated, especially when I think of having to go back there!

Tomorrow I plan on bringing most of my personal stuff that I have at my desk home, because once I have a new job, I'm calling in sick for the next shift and going to my family doctor and telling him that I need an indefinite stress leave and then I'm out of there! I have to give 4 weeks notice, but there is no way I'm going to stick around there one day longer than I have to! I plan on using that 4 weeks to get my frayed nerves back in order.

Can you tell I hate my job?!

I'm wondering why you even have to write a cover letter. Maybe it's a difference in location.

I've been in nursing for over 35 years, working all over the U.S. and in two other countries, and have never had to write a cover letter. I just go in, fill out an application listing my qualifications and previous experience, and wait for an interview. Frequently the interview is scheduled by phone before I even fill out the application. Occasionally during the interview I've been asked why I'm leaving my current position, but it's so much easier to say it face to face than to write it in a letter.

Good luck with the job hunt. that you get a position that is a perfect fit for you.

Most places here don't accept in person applications anymore. The majority of positions are posted online and you have to apply electronically. Many don't even accept faxed in resumes anymore.

Good luck Linda!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Jake said about reasoning why you are desirous of leaving your old job is right on; perfect, in fact.

. . . remember while discussing your skills that they are looking how you will truly be an asset to THEM, so be sure to make everything you say to be as an asset to their company in particular.

Feel free to add and subtract from my old cover letter. I learned to make it short, not use the word "I" unless totally necessary and just get to the point. That's what they want you to do in the interview as well.


Julie A. O’Connell
P.O. Box ____
___________, CA 93___
Cell:____________

Re: Resume of Julie A. O’Connell

Dear Office Administrator: [or name of person if you know it]

Attached [if faxing] or Enclosed [if mailing] herewith please find my Resume which summarizes my 24 years of experience as an Executive Legal Secretary/Paralegal. As is indicated on my Resume I have developed strong secretarial, interpersonal, administrative, organizational skills and feel confident that my skills and knowledge will be an asset to your firm. [Add skills that apply to the position you are seeking, of course].

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my skills and qualifications with you and/or members of your firm in the near future as my main interest has always been in the field of insurance benefits. I wish to leave the current job so I can fulfill my goal in a field where I know I can be a great asset to your company. I am available to commence work immediately. [or whenever you are able to commence working for someone else - a notice to the previous place of employment is proper and looks good to the new employer knowing you will give them notice as well; if they try to talk you out of giving a full 2 week notice, agree and agree to their terms]

I have enclosed professional letters of reference [or] professional references. Should you require any additional information, please so advise and I will promptly comply.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,



Julie A. O'Connell

/jao
Attachment


I always attach my Resume (of course) and simple list of references. When called in for interview, I bring a new fresh set of Resume, References (letters or names/numbers and their title - be sure to contact them first to be sure they're prepared) and, well, for me I would bring some writing samples and any certificates I'd received related to my legal work and give it to them all in one neat pile. My Resume only goes back 10 years and have always had it on one page (which they generally appreciate).

I always, always read up on the company from their website or wherever I can get it. I find out who the main people are, when the company started, who started it, their mission statement and VERY importantly, be sincere, nice and friendly with the receptionist. They have an important job and they may have been there many years and are friends with all employers there and, honestly, may have some influence if any rudeness were shown (definitely not to say you would be rude to a receptionist, but you wouldn't believe how many people are).

Feel free to cut and paste anything and change it up as needed. I'm disabled now.

Warmly,

Julie O'

I think you are using the term "I feel" too much in the letter.

I think it's appropriately used in the first instance, but the other two you may want to switch up.

The thing is, you want to come off as confident as possible. You can’t just “feel” you would be a good nursing specialist. You have to show them you KNOW you will be a fantastic nursing specialist. So instead of using “I Feel” why don’t you try something like this?:
(my additions are in bold)

I feel that I am well suited for the job of Nursing Specialist, as I have been nursing since 1996 and have gained a wide range of nursing experience across a broad spectrum of clinical areas, including considerable charge nurse experience.

I’ve been told throughout my career in the nursing filed, that I have superior communication skills when dealing with both staff and families. Being able to handle difficult and stressful situations is something I really pride myself on.

Prior to returning to school in (insert date), I worked as a legal secretary/paralegal. Because of this experience in addition to my nursing experience, I am confident I can handle the job of a Nursing specialist and welcome all of the new challenges that will come along with it.

Good Luck!!!!!
And many to you during your job search!

Well, I cleaned out my desk! Now I just need a new job!!!

Outstanding! I'm sure you feel so much better! And being a nurse, you surely won't have trouble finding a new position. Good luck!

And thank you to those who posted cover letter suggestions -- I'll be shamelessly lifting those from this thread...

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I rock at doing resumes.....cover letters? Not so much!