Do recruiters actually read cover letters?

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I'm working on my resume and have it almost complete so I've started on my cover letter. But as I start to write I can't help but wonder if anyone cares? With so many candidates and so few jobs, why waste time on a cover letter? Okay, I admit I'm putting off writing one.

xnurse415...

no one can really say whether email is better than an inpromptu visit. some facilities only allow for email applications (to make sure you are in their "system")while others have no set stipulation. but, sometimes it is good to call ahead to find out the name of the nurse recuriter that handles new grads. recruiters are very busy and you may find that you are arriving at a time when they are conducting interviews, attending meetings, etc. keep in mind, that many facilities have more than one recruiter (new grads, critical care, etc.). if you can determine the name of the recruiter for your specific area, it would be good to place his/her name on the cover letter. otherwise, i would say to create/type a letter to the medical facility with an attention line: nurse recuriter - new graduate rns (something like that). the letter should be the same as other letters you prepare (identify yourself, highlight yourself/background using appropriate descriptives, identify your areas (units) of interest, etc.) while leaving a contact phone number/email address for yourself. if you are able to speak directly to a recruiter (sometimes hr reps are available also), in person, be prepared to really "sell yourself" in order to stand out ahead of others. get a business card from the recruiter and remember to keep in touch (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) regarding possible job openings.

you're on the right track because you are taking extra steps--going the extra mile to show how eager you are to work.

good luck!! :up:

hey smn2009,

thanks for the advice!!!! i'm still kinda nervous as to what to say when i go ask to meet the nurse recruiter. should i just let them know that i'm interested in working for their organization??? i mean that's basically what my cover letter says. what if i do go, and they're unavailable??? should i offer to wait??? some of these hospitals i'm planning on hitting up are like 1-1.5 hours away. luckily, i have friends and family that live in those areas so i can always go to their houses if i need to. i'm really eager to start working b/c everyday i feel like i'm losing the skills i worked so hard to learn....:sniff:

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nurse.

xNurse....

I'll send you a PM message so we don't take up space on the thread....okay...

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Just for the record, I don't intend on sending any applications without a cover letter. I can't afford to "experiment" with my future and risk losing even a single interview. I'll leave that to someone else who has plenty of opportunities to waste. ;) I was really wondering if anyone reads them, or just skips to the resume. The resume seems to me to be easier to read, so they can find out I am a new grad and then send me my newest decline letter. :lol: I think my sense of humor isn't coming across on this thread.

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My friend is a human resources manager (not in a hospital though). She told me that when potential employees don't send a cover letter, it comes across as though the person does not care enough about the job to put in the effort.

She also mentioned that it is easy to tell when people are applying for a lot of jobs at the same time......apparently it is common for people to forget to change the first line of the cover letter (where the position of interest is listed)! For example, person fills out application for sales position but first line of cover letter reads something like "I am applying for the janitorial staff position...." So make sure to double check before sending!!!

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Specializes in Oncology, Triage, Tele, Med-Surg.

The HR rep mentioned my cover letter in my interview, so I know it was read and made an impact.

Hang in there. These are tough times.

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Specializes in CTICU.

When hiring, I absolutely require and read cover letters. I won't even bother reading the resume if the cover letter is awful. Make sure you have excellent spelling and grammar in the cover letter - it's a brief opportunity to impress and summarize your suitability for the job.

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When hiring, I absolutely require and read cover letters. I won't even bother reading the resume if the cover letter is awful. Make sure you have excellent spelling and grammar in the cover letter - it's a brief opportunity to impress and summarize your suitability for the job.

Wold you recommend to personally give the cover letter & resume to the unit applied for or just attach it in the online application?

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Wold you recommend to personally give the cover letter & resume to the unit applied for or just attach it in the online application?

"WOULD"

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Specializes in CTICU.

Just attach to the online application would be fine.

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Hello,

I am a student with one semester left in a ASN program. During the second semester of my program I asked a lot of different nurses that I encountered if they had done an externship while they were in school. If they did, I asked them where. I got lucky and met someone who had done her externship at a hospital that was 45 minutes from my home. I immediately checked into it. She had told me the name of her nurse manager but I looked at the website and went with a higher-up person. (There wasn't a nurse recruiter) I got the interview.

I ended up getting the nurse technician job but I believe it was my cover letter that got me the interview.

My advice is to network, network, network. It's never too early to start! Even if you don't have a referral, you can do some research on the company's website and somehow bring in some info about their program/company to put in your letter. It will show that you have done your homework and that can make a good impression.

I also advise you to ALWAYS find out the name of an actual person and never just address the letter to "Nurse Recruiter". It might take some doing but usually you can find this info on their website or by asking the receptionist.

I've attached the cover letter I wrote (names removed) for an example.

BTW, I am applying for new grad residencies now, 6 months before I graduate. Don't wait!

Sample Cover Letter.pdf

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