Picture this: you are working in a hospital managing the operations and finances while also creating plans for a better patient experience. This career is vastly different from a boring 9-5 job in an office cubicle. Plus, you are also more likely to be making six figures! You might be thinking, it seems too good to be true, so what’s the catch? Well, first comes the job search and application! Your application should include a cover letter, which can seem daunting at first, but we will guide you through each step. Below, you can learn the best tips on how to write a healthcare administration cover letter that’ll be sure to land you your dream job.
Do Your Research
Before starting any medical administration cover letter, you must do your research on the role, the responsibilities, and the facility. In addition, make sure that you check the educational requirements for each position you apply for. For example, certain positions require you to have a Master’s in Health Services Administration degree or similar degree. This is a huge accomplishment and you should highlight it in your cover letter because it shows that you are a qualified candidate. Recruiters won’t take your healthcare administrator application into consideration if you don’t understand exactly what you are applying for.
The Framework For Success
The format of a health administration cover letter is also an integral part of success. If the cover letter is in an incorrect format or looks bad, it can create a bad first impression. One way around this is to use cover letter templates/guides. However, with this option, you run the risk of having a healthcare management cover letter that isn’t correctly tailored to the specific job you desire. It is best practice to write a new cover letter for each position you apply for. And before you begin writing, you should also know that, in general, a 12 point font and Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all safe options to use when setting the framework to write a cover letter.
The Ideal Length
Another very important tip is to make sure that your health administration cover letter is one page or shorter in length. It might seem short, but trust me, hiring managers have many applications to read, so keep it short and sweet. You can indicate to look at your resume for more details if you feel that you cannot cover everything within this limitation
Be excited…
Remember, your healthcare management cover letter is your opportunity to bring your resume to life, and to really convey your interest in working for the company/facility. For example, don’t be afraid to talk about how you are excited to begin working towards improving upon patient care experiences and operations within the workplace.
…But Don’t Overdo It
Of course, you want to demonstrate your enthusiasm for your dream career, but be careful to do it in moderation. If you use phrases such as “I am so excited,” to the point where it feels unnatural and overstuffed, it reveals a lack of professionalism.
Avoid a Resume-Repeat
One of the most important pieces of information to remember when writing a healthcare administration cover letter is that it is NOT a repeat of your resume. To clarify, you should reference your resume when writing your healthcare administration cover letter, but it should not be your only resource. In the healthcare management cover letter, focus on showing, not just telling the company about your qualifications and what you can bring to the table. Use specific examples and projects that showcase your talent and skill! If you have sepcific accomplishments that are not really highlighted in your resume highlight it here.
Three Main Sections
Now that you understand the foundation, it is time to write your cover letter. There are three main sections to include in a health administration cover letter: an introduction, the body, and the call to action.
1. A Proper Introduction
All great medical administration cover letters start with a strong introduction. It is best practice to directly address the hiring manager. You should be able to find out who the hiring manager is after doing a quick Google search and looking closely at the website or job post. Make sure to begin with “Dear Ms./Mr. Jane Doe” rather than “Dear Hiring Manager”. The former is personal, which is what we want, while the latter is too robotic/general.
2. Pick Me!
In the body of your cover letter, you will want to discuss any relevant responsibilities you feel confident in handling and skills you possess that make you qualified for the role. You can certainly pull this information from your resume, but make sure to go beyond the surface-level and really explain how and why your experience and skills make you an ideal candidate. The following information provides you with some words/phrases that recruiters like to see in medical administration cover letters. Now, healthcare administration jobs will typically require you to manage the following responsibilities within an organization:
- Operations
- Finances
- Communications
- Human resources
- Legal area
In addition to the broader responsibilities required of a healthcare administrator, you should also talk about some essential key skills including:
- Ability to lead each staff and take care of their unique needs
- Willingness to work under any levels of pressure
- Desire to come up with innovative, effective solutions to ever-changing problems
- Demonstrate strong communication skills
- Utilize both basic & complex planning-and-problem-solving skills
When writing your healthcare administration cover letter, you should use descriptive words/phrases in order to fully reveal your unique abilities.
3. A Lasting Impression
When you are ready to end your medical administration cover letter, it is vital to leave a lasting impression. This is your final call to action to show your excitement about the company and why you would be a good fit. Be sure to include the following aspects in your closing paragraph:
- A “thank you” to the hiring manager for taking the time to read through the letter
- Your contact information, such as your email address and phone number
- A salutation, where you would type out “sincerely” and then sign your name below to close the letter
The “WOW” Factor
If you are really looking to stand out from other candidates, send a follow-up email to the hiring manager about a week or so after you send in your application. Let them know that you wanted to check in and make sure that your health administration cover letter was received. Also make sure to express your excitement about being considered for the position. This really shows your interest and it also shows the recruiter that you are a committed, dedicated individual.
While writing a cover letter can certainly seem daunting at first glance, it shouldn’t be. It’s meant to showcase your personality and skills beyond a static resume, and it’ll be your golden ticket to landing your dream healthcare administration job!