If you have recently finished studying or you’re nearing the end of your current dental course, it’s time for all your hard work to pay off.
If you’re feeling ready to go forth and land your dream job, highlighting your study achievements in your cover letter could be the key to showing prospective employers that you’re the right person for the role.
Stand out from the crowd:
Like your CV, your cover letter is a great opportunity to sell yourself, but it also offers the chance to reach out to and engage hiring managers on a more conversational level.
When you talk up your study achievements and position them as your unique selling proposition, you reinforce seven ‘hire me’ signals that employers are looking for:
- Your relevant knowledge and experience
- Your motivation to fill knowledge and experience gaps
- Your genuine passion for the industry
- Your willingness to take initiative and invest in professional development
- Your determination to go above and beyond to achieve results
- Your seriousness regarding career progression
- Your ability to consider the big picture, and take on new challenges to ensure future success
How to..? Where to..?
If you’re unsure where to start when it comes to writing a cover letter, there are tons of great samples and templates online..
To illustrate how your study achievements can add value to the role you’re applying for, try these three techniques:
1.
In your key statement as to why you should be chosen for the position (within the first or second paragraph of your letter), be sure to draw attention to your recent learning. You might write something along the lines of:
I am motivated to secure a role in the Dental industry and pride myself on being a skilled and highly-qualified communicator, as proven by my recent completion of a Certificate In Dental Reception.
2.
Highlight the best of your CV, mentioning your training and how this can help you succeed in this role. One bullet point may include:
Expertise: I have a Certificate In Dental Marketing, which has provided me with a progressive understanding of digital marketing principles, social media management and traditional marketing methodology.
3.
Reiterate how your study achievements match the skills required for this role. This is your opportunity to position yourself as an ideal candidate who ticks all the boxes, so mirror as many of the required/desired competencies outlined in the job description as you can. This paragraph might be along the lines of:
I am soon to complete a National Diploma in Dental Nursing (NEBDN), which has given me a solid grounding for the professional proficiencies you are looking for in a candidate including stakeholder engagement, project integration, cost management, and effective communication.
Good luck! To further demonstrate your skills, be sure to check out how to prepare for a job interview.