Cover letters are designed to not only get a human resources representative or hiring manager interested in your application, but also to highlight how you’re perfect for the job. Many recruiters tend to look for specific things in your cover letter, including your writing skills, your professionalism and your overall experience.
While there are many “hacks” out there that claim they can get your cover letter in front of an HR worker pronto, what works best is a good, old-fashioned letter that follows the correct format.
How to Write a Medical Sales Cover Letter
To help you score your dream job, here’s a guide detailing how to write a medical sales cover letter.
Start With Your Contact Information and the Date
A cover letter needs to follow proper business formatting protocols. This means that at the very top left of the page, you need to list your full name, address, and phone number or email address. Under that is the date that you’re writing the letter.
Format the header as if you were addressing an envelope, and don’t be afraid to take up a few lines. This is technically a formality, but it also allows the HR rep to easily pair your cover letter with your resume, should they become separated.
List the Human Resource Representative’s Information
After your name and other identifiers, it’s time to properly address the person who will be receiving the cover letter and resume. Using the same format that you utilized for your personal information, list the person’s name, followed by their title and the company’s name and address.
The Greeting
Once you’ve listed the receiver’s information, it’s time to formally address them. As you would in a standard letter, this should look like: “Dear [insert the person’s name.] Use Mr. if the letter is going to a man or Ms. For a woman, or you can list a specific title like Ph.D.. If you don’t know the name of the person receiving the letter, it’s fine to use something a little generic, like “company representative” or “hiring manager.”
Be Detailed in Your Initial Paragraph
Now it’s finally time to get into the letter itself. Everything before this is designed to set things up.
Start off by introducing yourself and explaining which position you’re applying for. Include details about why you want to officially apply for the job. If you know someone who works at the company and they referred you to the open position, make sure to mention this and list their full name.
Describe Your Skills
In the next paragraph, it’s time to use your sales skills to sell them on why you’re the best person for the job. Explain your work history and include examples that correspond with the qualities that they’re looking for in an employee.
This is also a good place to mention any awards you’ve received, such as “salesperson of the year,” or accolades that you’ve received for hitting your sales goals early. You need to highlight why they should want you to join their team.
Go into Detail
The third paragraph should be just as detailed as the one prior, but instead of highlighting your sales skills, schooling or awards, it’s time to bring up all of your other skills.
Also known as soft skills, examples include your ability to communicate via letter, email, phone call and text message, as well as your prowess with working with a team.
Conclusion
Once you’ve highlighted why you’re the ideal candidate, it’s time to conclude the letter in a concise and professional way. Start by saying, “Thank you for your time,” and then write out your full name. Keep it short and sweet, since you’ve already made your case in the rest of the letter.
Additional Tips
When it comes to creating a cover letter, stick to fonts that look professional. Popular fonts include Times New Roman, Arial or even Calibri, in the default color setting, which is black. Make sure that the font is the same size throughout the letter and that you don’t include different fonts by accident.
Make sure that your language is professional as well. It’s O.K. to use terms that apply to the industry, but you definitely shouldn’t include any slang or inappropriate words or phrases that will make you look less than professional. The hiring team will use the cover letters to weed out anyone who isn’t a good fit for the culture of the workplace.
As with any professional correspondence, it’s best to put your best foot forward when crafting your medical sales cover letter. Follow these strategic tips, and you’re sure to present a cover letter that makes you stand out.
