A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with the lower legs and feet. Though many podiatrists are self-employed, others work in hospitals or the offices of other medical practitioners. To land a post in either of the latter types of work environments, writing and submitting well-written application documents, like a cover letter, is essential.
In this article, we explain what a podiatrist cover letter is, describe the steps for writing an effective cover letter, and provide a template and an example to guide you.
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What is a podiatrist cover letter?
A podiatrist cover letter is an application document you submit, along with your resume, when applying for a post as a podiatric medical practitioner in a health care setting. The letter explains why you’re applying for the role and what your qualifications are. The body of the letter comprises details that support your candidacy for the job. Ideally, the letter persuades the recipient that you’re the best candidate for the position, resulting in a callback for an interview.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 19% of podiatrists work in private practice, while most find employment in various settings. When you’re applying for a position in an environment such as a hospital or physician’s office, it’s necessary to submit a cover letter since you’re competing for an opening along with numerous other candidates.
How to write a podiatrist cover letter
If you’re applying for the position of a podiatrist at a healthcare facility, follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting called back:
1. Carefully read the job description
When you find a job listing that appeals to you, read and review it carefully so you understand exactly what the employer wants in their ideal candidate. The idea is to search for keywords, which are terms relating to the core requirements of the job. Though all podiatrists meet common requirements to enter the profession—such as residency and licensure—not all employers use the same language in their listings to describe these requirements. Take note of the phrasing in the job description so you can beat any screening software being used to filter applications.
2. Set up your document
A cover letter is a type of business correspondence, so it adheres to certain formatting rules to facilitate readability. Open your preferred word processing application and apply the following settings:
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1-inch margins
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11- or 12-point font
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A common typeface, such as Arial or Times New Roman
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Left-side alignment
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Single-spaced lines
Also, when you begin writing, remember to use block formatting, in which you double-space between paragraphs and the discrete sections of the document.
3. Insert a header and the date
Like your resume, the cover letter has a header that tells the recipient who you are and how they can get in touch with you. Click into the header space and write your first and last name followed by your title. Format this line in bold and, if desired, use a prominent size and professional typeface. Then, on a shared line below your name, write your phone number, your email address, and the city and state in which you live, using glyphs such as vertical bars to separate the different elements. Use regular formatting for the second line.
With the header complete, click into the main writing interface and input the date in the upper left-hand corner. Use the month-date-year format.
4. Address the recipient
The first line of the letter proper is the salutation, which consists of the word “Dear” followed by the designation of the recipient. Ideally, you’d include the name of the doctor whose office you’re applying to or the hiring manager for the healthcare facility. You may be able to identify the recipient by reading the job description or navigating through any websites associated with the employer. If this information is unavailable, refer to the recipient as “Hiring Manager” instead. In either case, punctuate the salutation with a comma.
5. Introduce your qualifications
The first full paragraph of the cover letter is the introduction, in which you introduce yourself to the recipient. Begin the introduction by expressing your enthusiasm about the employment opportunity, making sure to mention the exact title of the position you’re applying for and the name of the employer. Then briefly explain why you feel you’re the ideal candidate for the position by mentioning your medical credentials, experience and other relevant qualifications. The body paragraphs are where you can elaborate on these details. Try to use as many keywords from the job description as you can.
6. Provide examples to support your candidacy
The body of the cover letter spans one to three paragraphs. Here, use examples from your education, residency or career to support the details you mentioned in the introduction. Describe relevant achievements that illustrate your capabilities and potential. For example, to highlight your skillful manner with patients, you might describe an instance when you were able to put an anxious patient at ease concerning an operation. Directly relate the supporting details to language from the job description whenever possible.
7. Express gratitude and reiterate your main points
In the concluding paragraph of your cover letter, begin by thanking the recipient for taking the time to consider you for the podiatrist position. Then reiterate the main points of your letter, namely your enthusiasm about the opportunity and the qualifications you discussed in the body. Summarize these details while avoiding repetition. Finish the paragraph by including a call to action in which you invite the recipient to reach out to you. Make sure to mention which methods of contact you prefer and when you’re likely to be available.
8. Include a complimentary close and your signature
A complimentary close is a word or phrase that signifies the conclusion of a letter. Use a common and professional complimentary close such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and punctuate it with a comma. Directly below the complimentary close, sign off on your letter. If your word processing software allows it, you may choose to create a digital version of your handwritten signature. Alternatively, simply type your name. Make sure that the name in your signature matches the name you’ve used in your header.
Podiatrist cover letter template
You can use this template to guide you as you write your cover letter for a podiatrist opening:
[Your Name], [Title]
[Phone number] I [Email address] I [City, State]
[Date of writing]
Dear [Name of Doctor or Hiring Manager, or “Hiring Manager”],
[Express enthusiasm about the opportunity to apply for the position in question, making sure to state the exact title of the position and the name of the practice/facility to which you’re applying. Briefly explain why you’re the ideal candidate, mentioning details such as your credentials and experience and how your goals align with those of the recipient.]
[In one to three paragraphs, elaborate on the claims you introduced in the first paragraph. Use examples from your career to highlight achievements that support your candidacy. Relate these details to the recipient’s job listing to show why you’re the best person for the job.]
[Express gratitude to the recipient for taking the time to consider you for the position. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and summarize your qualifications. Include a call to action that invites the recipient to get in touch with you, making sure to mention your availability and preferred methods of contact.]
[Complimentary close],
[Signature]
Podiatrist cover letter example
Consider the following example of a podiatrist cover letter to help you write yours:
Danielle Hernandez, D.P.M.
785-222-5555 I [email protected] I Lawrence, KS
April 25, 2022
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am thrilled for this opportunity to apply for the post of full-time Podiatrist at the NKS Physicians Group of Lawrence. Having earned my Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, completed my residency and gained over five years of experience in the Lawrence area, I look forward to serving this community further as an adaptable and people-oriented licensed B.E./B.C. podiatrist at your practice.
In my current position at Lawrence Health, I have been committed to providing dependable treatment to patients experiencing problems with their lower legs or feet. As the sole podiatrist on the staff, I have demonstrated flexibility in my ability to adapt to shifting needs and circumstances. For example, I have made it a point to make myself constantly available to patients. When schedules have failed to align, I have conducted consultations via teleconferencing from my home office. It is partly due to my dedication to my patients that Lawrence Health is among the best-regarded small practices in the city.
I have also demonstrated this dedication through my interactions with patients. To me, it is paramount that I earn the trust of those I treat and that they feel comfortable about the care plans I devise. I recall one pediatric patient who was suffering from a hammertoe deformity and was terrified of the prospect of surgery. Together with their parents, I guided them through the procedure and expectations of a flexor tenotomy in such a way that they felt more confident about going through with the operation. Changing the patient’s perspective was as rewarding as the successful surgical outcome that followed.
Thank you for taking the time to consider me for this excellent position as the Full-Time Podiatrist at NKS Physicians Group. I consider it an honor to be among those who may join your esteemed practice. I look forward to discussing how I can apply my experience and skills to the development of strong relationships with NKS patients. You can reach me via the email address or phone number I have provided at the top of this document. I am available on most days from noon to 1 p.m.
Sincerely,
Danielle Hernandez, D.P.M.
I hope you find this article helpful.
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