Pharmacist CV or Resume Lack a Great Cover Letter? 7 Steps to Success

A cover letter is still a good Tactical Tool for your Pharmacist Job Search. If there are several qualified applicants, many hiring managers will still often use cover letters to narrow down to the final top candidates. In addition, a good letter can also help your Pharmacist CV or resume make it to the “read pile” after gatekeeping software scans your documents.

What should you include in a cover letter to make a company really want to offer you an interview for your ideal pharmacist job? Well, it’s not the stuff from mundane cookie cutter letter templates. Here are 7 tips to help your cover letter get read, make a recruiter or hiring manager move on to read your Pharmacist CV or resume, and call you for an interview.

1. Include Personal Branding Elements – Your cover letter should be cohesive with your resume and convey what you stand for and how you add value to the prospective employer.

2. Address it to an Actual Person – Network with current employees or conduct a good internet and LinkedIn search. Pharmacists have it good as the hiring manager is often the pharmacist-in-charge too. Many clues for identifying the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) will be readily available via most State Board of Pharmacy websites.

“Addressing it "Dear Sir or Madam, To Whom It May Concern, or Dear Hiring Manager" comes off as a standard run of the mill letter. Compared to someone else’s who has the addressee's name, you’re an outsider, and they will have an inside track.

3. Indicate The Position You're Applying For – If seeking a particular pharmacist job, let that be known early in the letter and how you became aware of the position. Did you find the job through a job ad or career fair? Were you referred by someone else? This info helps them stay organized if multiple positions are open. Don’t worry about limiting yourself — if you are impressive enough with what you can bring to the table, a better job could be discussed in the interview. I once went on an interview for a Day shift Hospital position and was offered more of a lead pharmacist role.

4. Complement the Company – You are not telling the prospective employer something they don’t already know. But what you are telling them is that you took the initiative to research and got familiar with their company. It shows that you are interested in them, and it’s not all about you.

5. Tell Them Why They Should Hire You – In a few sentences state your case without repeating the resume. The worst thing you can do is bore them to death with the same information over and over.

6. Include a Confident Close – Restate your interest and what you plan to do next. (i.e., follow up next week, etc.)

7. Thank Them for Their Time – Always include, never omit.

Providing a cover letter goes the extra mile, showcases your written communication skills, and is still a good way to impress potential employers in today's competitive job market.

About the Author

Denise R. Hemphill, PharmD is a practicing pharmacist, sought after professional resume writer, career thought leader and founder of Select Resume Solutions. Denise helps pharmacists nationwide reach their career goals.