Embarking on your job hunt as a physical therapist, you suddenly find yourself facing the daunting task of crafting a compelling cover letter. It's not just about echoing your resume. Instead, your cover letter should weave a narrative around your crowning professional achievement, striking the delicate balance between formality and originality. Avoid the trap of clichés and ensure your document doesn't spill over a single page. Let's break down how you can fine-tune this crucial introduction to your professional story.
- Step your best foot forward in the physical therapist cover letter introduction;
- Be inspired by other professionals' certified cover letters;
- Structure your physical therapist cover letter to feature what matters most;
- Close off your physical therapist cover letter to make a memorable impression on recruiters.
But where to start writing? Upload your resume into Enhancv's AI, which will prepare your physical therapist cover letter (all you need to do is personalize it, and you'll be good to go).
If the physical therapist isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Physical therapist cover letter example
Jonathan Wright
Gardner, KS
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasizing a decade of relevant experience in physical therapy demonstrates to the hiring manager a solid foundation of knowledge and a long-term commitment to the field, which is particularly beneficial for roles requiring advanced expertise.
- Quantifying achievements, such as noting the 25% improvement in treatment accuracy, provides concrete evidence of the candidate’s ability to make a significant impact in rehabilitation outcomes, an essential aspect of the role.
- Highlighting a publication in a reputable journal showcases the candidate's dedication to research and continuous improvement, positioning them as both a practitioner and a thought leader in muscle rehabilitation.
- Mentioning leadership experience in leading diverse teams towards innovative care reflects the candidate's capability to handle team management responsibilities, a vital skill for a role that may involve supervisory duties.
Structuring and formatting your physical therapist cover letter
Here's what the structure of your physical therapist cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your physical therapist resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your physical therapist cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your physical therapist cover letter.
The top sections on a physical therapist cover letter
- Header: This section includes your name, contact information, and the date, which are essential for the recruiter to know who you are and how to contact you for further discussion or an interview.
- Greeting: Address the letter to a specific person if possible, as it shows that you have done your research and are serious about your application to their physical therapy practice or department.
- Introduction: Briefly mention your licensure and your experience in physical therapy, highlighting an area of expertise or a particular interest that aligns with the employer's needs or specialization.
- Body: This should detail your relevant experience in patient care, knowledge of therapeutic techniques, and successful outcomes, demonstrating how your skills as a physical therapist will benefit the employer's clinic or facility.
- Closing: End with a strong statement of intent to discuss your potential contributions in person, and include a professional sign-off with your name, indicating your enthusiasm and proactive approach toward securing the position.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Clinical expertise and hands-on patient therapy experience: Demonstrates the ability to deliver effective treatments and manage various conditions.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills: Essential for building patient rapport, understanding unique needs, and providing clear instructions for exercises and treatments.
- Knowledge of diverse treatment modalities: Shows versatility and adaptability in addressing different patient needs, from manual therapy to advanced technologies.
- Detail-oriented documentation and record-keeping: Crucial for tracking patient progress, communicating with other healthcare professionals, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Empathy and patient advocacy: Indicates a genuine concern for patients' well-being and the ability to support them through their rehabilitation journey.
- Commitment to continuing education and professional development: Reflects a dedication to staying current with best practices and evolving methods in physical therapy.
What matters most when tailoring your physical therapist cover letter salutation
Your physical therapist cover letter greeting should feel welcoming to recruiters.
Use their first name (e.g. "Dear Marshall" or "Dear Sara"), if you've previously been in touch with the hiring manager and are on a more friendly basis.
If this is the first time you're contacting the recruiters, start your physical therapist cover letter with:
- their last name (e.g. "Dear Ms. Ali" or "Dear Mr. Stevens") - look up who's the hiring manager for the role on social media or the company website;
- generalized greeting (e.g. "Dear HR Team") - just don't use "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Employer's Name],
- Dear Dr. [Last Name],
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [Practice or Clinic Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Director,
What to include in those first two sentences, or your physical therapist cover letter introduction
Have you ever wondered what the best way is to present your profile in the physical therapist cover letter introduction?
There's no right or wrong answer if you're being concise and authentic to yourself.
Some professionals start their physical therapist cover letter by:
- congratulating the company - focusing on something impressive, whether that's an award, an industry-leading project, or a key event;
- aligning their passion for the field or industry with the job - if you're enthusiastic about what you do, you'd thus grow your skill set and value as a professional.
Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your physical therapist cover letter
You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your physical therapist cover letter?
For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).
After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.
Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.
Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:
- you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
- you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
- your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.
Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.
Two ideas on how to end the final paragraph of your physical therapist cover letter
Closing your physical therapist cover letter, you want to leave a memorable impression on recruiters, that you're a responsible professional.
End your cover letter with how you envision your growth, as part of the company. Make realistic promises on what you plan to achieve, potentially, in the next six months to a year.
Before your signature, you could also signal hiring managers that you're available for the next steps. Or, a follow-up call, during which you could further clarify your experience or professional value.
The zero experience physical therapist cover letter: shifting the focus to your unique value
Don't worry if you have no conventional professional experience. Within your whole experience, there's plenty more you can write about in your physical therapist cover letter.
Take, for example, your biggest achievement or award - dedicate your cover letter body to describe it and the job-relevant skills you've learned.
Your professional ambitions could also take center stage. Describe what you plan on achieving in the next five to ten years and the efforts you're making towards your dreams.
Key takeaways
Writing your physical therapist cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:
- Select a physical therapist cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
- Make your physical therapist cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
- Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
- Use your physical therapist cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
- If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your physical therapist cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.
Physical Therapist cover letter examples
Explore additional physical therapist cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
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