How to write an Australian Graduate Nurse Cover Letter
First things first, not every job or graduate nursing program will require a Nursing Cover Letter.
Save yourself time, if they don’t ask for a cover letter – don’t submit one because it’s destined for the BIN!
If it is required, make sure you pay particular attention to what they require, this is often either left open to your interpretation or explicitly stated.
They usually ask for one of the following:
- Provide a one-page cover letter outlining why you are the best fit for the role, your skills, knowledge, and experience and why they will benefit our organisation.
- Or they will be very clear: Please provide a 2-page Cover Letter addressing the key requirements listed within the job description and how you meet them.
- Or they might ask you to address Selection Criteria (examples of a time you have done something) within the Cover Letter – just to confuse you!
Make sure you pay particular attention to what they want and deliver.
Due to the unpredictable nature of cover letters, it’s difficult to give a global solution.
What I can offer you is the following:
- Make sure your Graduate Nurse Cover Letter is the exact same style, layout and design as your Graduate Nurse Resume and Selection Criteria. It must come as a professional package.
- Make sure you optimise your page where possible, including using your header/footers and margins.
- Page numbers and minor details count!
- Where possible provide tangible, related examples that match what they are looking for.
- Use as many industries as possible, topical buzzwords to show them your understanding of key issues and role duties.
- Tailor your Cover Letter specifically to the job description, role speciality and the organisation. Use their words to sell them on hiring you!
- Choose to be original in your approach to writing. Shake it up and be unique and different. Its super refreshing and compelling for the panel!
- The more you write authentically and share your experiences, you will lure the panel into seeing your passions!
Having reviewed thousands of graduate nursing cover letters and resumes, I can’t tell you how important it is to implement the above to set yourself up for success!
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About the author.
Liam is an ex-Nurse Unit Manager, who has sat on graduate nurse panels across Australia and knows what panels are looking for! My vision is to make sure NO graduate nurse is without a job in 2023!
