Elaine

Whether you are straight out of college and applying for your first position as a nurse or you are looking for a change in your employment venue, writing your nursing cover letter can seem daunting. Your goal when writing the letter should be to entice the reader to view your resume and invite you for an interview.

Many people fall into the trap of trying to put too much information in their cover letter, almost having it take the place of their resume. This is not correct professional practice, and there are some simple and basic steps you can follow to ensure your cover letter is right on the mark. It is important to bear in mind the fact that employers and recruiting officers often have thousands of applications to review, so short and sweet is the best format.

Your cover letter can make or break your job application, and nursing cover letters in particular are held in high expectation since those applying have completed the appropriate college degree and therefore should have a certain level of literary skills: Spelling, grammar and style must be flawless if you want your cover letter to be taken seriously and not tossed in the trash. A professional letter can mean, even if the current position isn't suitable, your resume will be filed for when an employment opportunity becomes available that is.

By following some basic steps to ensure you don't overlook any details the recruiters could be looking for, you will be guaranteed to make an excellent first impression. Here are ten tips to ensuring your resume is read and you are asked to attend an interview:

1. Always attempt to address your letter to the person who will be reading it. If you are unsure who that is, a simple phone call to the premises can mean your letter will stand out. When reviewing a hundred resumes a day addressed "To Whom it May Concern" or "To Human Resources" a hiring executive is bound to remember one sent directly to him or her, and it shows extra initiative.
2. Personalize your letter for each specific job application. If you have a standard cover letter you print off without any editing, you could risk appearing lazy if they are ever compared. Adding a personal touch for each company you apply for will prevent your letter from sounding generic as well as show the prospective employer that you are serious about that particular position and are not just after any job you can find.
3. Be direct and don't fill it with fluff! This means no extra words to try and impress the reader with your vocabulary and remember time is of the essence for recruiters, so make your point in as few words as possible.
4. Make your letter easy to read: Be sure your font is at least twelve points in size and use a professional font like Times New Roman or Arial. Double spacing will also make it easier on the eyes and never use colored paper or any decorations.
5. Boldface your contact details so it stands out for when they want to call you. Usually, HR departments will review resumes in bulk and sort them into yes, no and maybe piles. They will then go through the yeses to call for interviews and if your name stands out in the pile, it will be more likely to be remembered.
6. Never be afraid to market your talents and skills, referring to your resume as offering further information.
7. Make sure your resume and cover letter are freshly printed, and never just grab one out of the draw that is anything but impeccable in appearance.
8. Remember to sign the cover letter by hand.
9. Always have someone proofread your resume and letter for you and having him or her read it out loud is also a great idea. You never know when someone in the company will be reading your information to another employee, so you must be certain it sounds good too.
10. Always follow up with a phone call to confirm it has been received and request an interview. This can sometimes make a busy recruiter's life much easier when he or she has so many applicants to call.

If you cover all your bases and follow the above guidelines you will be guaranteed to find a suitable position in no time.

If you are still unsure how to begin, there are sample nursing cover letters on the internet.

Alternatively, you could ask some of your peers or co-workers if you could see their cover letters or if they have any advice. The most important thing is not to be intimidated by the whole process and don't be afraid to seek the opinions of others in your field of expertise because they could have some great suggestions about how to sell yourself better.

Luca Robi is the owner and co-editor of NursingReplies.com where you can great information about a Nursing Cover Letters and other related information.