Cover Letters, Resumes, and Online Applications

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Okay, it's time for me to start applying for jobs (I'll be graduating in May) and all of the hospitals in the Pittsburgh area require you to fill out a fun online application. These applications give you the option to upload your resume to send in to the hospital's human resources department. Now here's my question: Does this also mean the cover letter? I put together a resume and had it read and reviewed and corrected etc, but as far as a cover letter goes: I'm stumped. This is a first career for me and I don't actually have a lot of nursing experience. I don't know what to say or where to start. But the way these online applications are set up it doesn't really look like a cover letter is needed? I don't know. If anyone has any input it would be much appreciated. Do I include a cover letter or leave it out? If I include it, does it get attached with the resume? Thanks for any advice!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I would just include it at the front of the resume. Sometimes some of these online applications will have a place for cut-and-paste of things like your resume or a cover letter, but if there is no place for a cover letter, I'd include it with the resume.

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I have friends in HR who promptly throw away any resume sent without a cover letter. It shows them that you're not interested enough in the position.

The cover letter is where you're going to talk about any experience you have that your resume doesn't show, so it's important ALWAYS to add that in.

As far as writing one goes, the first paragraph write what position you are applying for, explain what you are, where you are going to school, and a little info about the hospital followed by something about how it will allow you to grow as a professional nurse. I use the second paragraph to highlight anything and everything I have done that is related to that position. I use a lot of clinical experiences... The third, you wrap it up. I look forward to the opportunity, ect.. Google new grad nurse cover letter. Look at a bunch, and get ideas from each. It takes forever to write one out, but it really helped me come up with a great one that I tweak for every place I apply at.

Good luck!

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I feel like an expert in this area, as I have been applying for jobs since Feb 09! There is usually a field for you to cut and paste a cover letter independently, usually at the end of the process. The resume gets uploaded in the beginning because a lot of programs will auto-enter easily identifiable information (name, address, telephone, etc.) into the appropriate field.

Hope this helps!

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I second this! Every online application I have filled out has had a seperate field for the cover letter.

I feel like an expert in this area, as I have been applying for jobs since Feb 09! There is usually a field for you to cut and paste a cover letter independently, usually at the end of the process. The resume gets uploaded in the beginning because a lot of programs will auto-enter easily identifiable information (name, address, telephone, etc.) into the appropriate field.

Hope this helps!

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I am just curious and would like to know, how many of you that have applied online, have gotten any callbacks about a job? I am trying to decide if i should go in and drop of my resume even though i applied online already? What do u think!!

Any advice is appreciated!!!

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I don't think it would hurt to stop in, you might not get past the secretary but you will never know unless you try, right?! Have you tried to call them back?

If you do go in I say make sure you look nice and bring two crisp copies of your resume incase they want to talk to you on the spot. One of the hospitals I applied to actually lists on their website careers page that all apps MUST be submitted online and "if you prefer to apply in person" it says where to go...thought I would try it out and seriously there is an empty room they send you to to fill out the application there! I guess it is for people who don't have a computer, I don't know but they kept me away from HR :(. I don't think this is the norm though.

Good luck!!!

I am just curious and would like to know, how many of you that have applied online, have gotten any callbacks about a job? I am trying to decide if i should go in and drop of my resume even though i applied online already? What do u think!!

Any advice is appreciated!!!

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So I called the HR department at the hospital I was applying to and asked them who to address the cover letter to. The lady said they will not take any resumes in person and they have to be submitted online. So I explained that I was going to send it online and attach it with the resume and she seemed a little baffled by this. There's no spot for any other attachments on the application. She just said, "well, I guess just put it with the resume. Address it to 'Nurse Recruiter' because there are a bunch of them that will be looking at it." So now I'm confused because I don't know if a cover letter it typically submitted with these online applications! I guess it couldn't hurt so I'm just sticking it with my resume.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Most resumes are going to look very similar, so your cover letter is your first introduction/impression and a chance to sell yourself. I think you're wise to include it. Best of luck to you!! :)

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Sadly I never had any luck with the 62 applications (resume with cover letter) I submitted online. It's just SO impersonal. It truly is still about who you know (it's always been this way with the world and it's why networking is sooooo important!). It wasn't until I started being pushier and calling HR and specific managers of the floors where I was applying that I got anywhere. Thankfully I had a teeny "in" as the company I had worked for a few years ago used to do some work with HR in the hospital I was applying. It took me two months of emailing and calling HR to land an interview within HR. After that successful interview it took me another couple of weeks to get an interview with the manager on the floor. As soon as I landed that interview I got the job offer!

Just keep your chin up and definitely go into the hospitals and facilities where you've applied dressed in your business suit with your resume and cover letter in hand. Try to get the name of someone in recruiting/HR and call or email that individual. Also, be sure that you are hitting your family, friends, and associates up to find out who they know in the industry. You never know how you might come to know someone on a floor or in HR and that could be your ticket to a great job!

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in M/S Short Stay/TCU.

I am sooooooo glad i found this post... I live in the Philadelphia area... & have been applying for a new grad nursing position for about a week. I also, submitted cover letter with resume as well.... I did find 1 hosp in my area that didn't have a place to submitt a cover letter so I had to add it with my resume. I haven't heard anything as of yet... no one has called me. I was thinking maybe I need to start calling HR to inquirer about the status of my applications? Pray for me... I wish everyone goodluck with the job search... it's rough out here with a degree....:)

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I have a question. To work in a hospital, is a registered nurse license needed? I just graduated from a foreign nursing school and I just arrived here in the states last week. I'm going to take the nclex soon, but I want to start working in the hospital as early as now. Your feedback would be awsome!. :D

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