Embarking on a job search in the public health sector, you've likely realized the importance of a compelling cover letter. This isn't a mere echo of your resume; it's your chance to share an impactful professional story—think of that one big achievement you're beaming with pride over. But beware, while formality is your friend, clichés are not. Keep it succinct, no more than a page, to ensure your standout moment takes center stage. Let's dive in and craft a cover letter that opens doors.
- Some inspiration from other professionals' job-winning cover letters;
- The best structure and format for your public health cover letter;
- Insights on how to write about your best achievement to stand out;
- A creative twist on your public health cover letter intro.
Upload your public health resume to Enhancv's AI, which will quickly scan and prepare a job-winning cover letter for you.
If the public health 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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Public Health cover letter example
ZOEY WALKER
San Jose, California
+1-(234)-555-1234
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- Highlighting quantifiable achievements, such as the "35% improvement in access to healthcare services" and the "25% reduction in emergency room visits," which provide concrete evidence of the candidate's impact in previous roles.
- Emphasizing experience in securing funding, a critical aspect for a non-profit or community health organization, demonstrated by the "$4M in funding" the candidate procured through collaboration with government agencies.
- showcasing leadership skills and the ability to work with a diverse team by mentioning the "dedicated team of 20 health professionals" the candidate managed, indicating her capacity to lead effective teams and projects.
Five tips on formatting your public health cover letter
Do you want to make a good impression on recruiters and, at the same time, follow the best industry advice on writing your public health cover letter?
Make sure to include the following:
- Header and Salutation;
- Introductory paragraph;
- Body paragraph;
- Closing paragraph;
- Signature (this one is up to you).
Remember to use the same modern, simple font for your public health cover letter as you did for your resume (e.g. Lato, Rubik, etc.)
Ensure your public health cover letter is single-spaced and is wrapped around a one-inch margin, like in our cover letter templates.
Once completed, use our cover letter builder to export your public health cover letter in the best format to keep your information intact - PDF.
At the end of the day, your public health cover letter won't be assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) software, but by the recruiters. Your information should thus be legible, organized, and follow a structured logic.
The top sections on a public health cover letter
Header: Include your contact information and the date, followed by the employer's contact information. It's important because it allows the recruiter to know who you are and how to contact you for follow-up.
Greeting: Address the cover letter to the specific individual in charge of the hiring process, if known, to demonstrate that you have researched the organization and are serious about the position.
Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and specify the public health position you are applying for; this shows the recruiter immediately that your cover letter is relevant to the vacancy.
Body: Discuss your relevant public health experience, specific skills, and accomplishments. Highlighting particular successes, such as successful health campaigns or research, will make you stand out as a capable candidate in the public health sphere.
Closing: Finish your cover letter reinforcing your enthusiasm for the role and the value you would bring to the organization, and include a call to action, such as stating your availability for an interview. This leaves the recruiter with a clear sense of your proactive attitude and eagerness to contribute to their public health initiatives.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Understanding of Public Health Principles: Recruiters look for candidates who can demonstrate a foundational knowledge of public health systems and the social determinants of health, as this is crucial for effectively creating programs and communicating health messages.
Experience with Epidemiological Tools: Proficiency in using tools and methodologies for tracking disease spread and health trends is essential for identifying public health risks and devising strategies to mitigate them.
Program Planning and Evaluation Skills: Candidates who can showcase their experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programs are highly valued, as these skills ensure that initiatives are effective and resources are used efficiently.
Policy Knowledge and Advocacy: An understanding of health policy, coupled with experience in advocacy work, is important for those contributing to the development and reform of health systems and policies.
Cultural Competency: Being culturally sensitive and aware of different populations' needs and nuances is critical for tailoring public health initiatives that are inclusive and effective across diverse communities.
Communication and Education Abilities: Strong skills in both written and verbal communication, along with the ability to educate and engage the community on health issues, are key for disseminating information and driving behavior change.
Greeting recruiters with your public health cover letter salutation
What better way to start your conversation with the hiring manager, than by greeting them?
Take the time to find out who the professional, recruiting for the role, is.
Search on LinkedIn, the company website. And for those still keen on making a fantastic first impression, you could even contact the organization, asking for the recruiter's name and more details about the job.
Address recruiters in the public health greeting by either their first name or last name. (e.g. "Dear Anthony" or "Dear Ms. Smarts").
If you're unable to discover the recruiter's name - don't go for the impersonal "To whom it may concern", but instead use "Dear HR team".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Department] Team,
- Dear Dr. [Last Name],
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [First Name] [Last Name],
- Dear Selection Committee,
Using your public health cover letter intro to show your dedication
We know just how difficult it is to start writing your public health cover letter introduction.
There are so many great qualities you have as a professional, which one should you choose?
How about writing up to two sentences about your passion and commitment to the work you do or are set to do?
Try to describe exactly what you enjoy about the potential role.
A positive attitude from the get-go will help you stand out as a motivated public health professional.
What to write in the middle or body of your public health cover letter
Here's where it gets tricky.
Your public health cover letter body should present you in the best light possible and, at the same time, differ from your resume.
Don't be stuck in making up new things or copy-pasting from your resume. Instead, select just one achievement from your experience.
Use it to succinctly tell a story of the job-crucial skills and knowledge this taught you.
Your public health cover letter is the magic card you need to further show how any organization or team would benefit from working with you.
Two ideas on how to end the final paragraph of your public health cover letter
Closing your public health 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.
Addressing limited to no experience in the public health cover letter
There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience.
Your public health cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:
- skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
- achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
- motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.
Key takeaways
Your public health cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your public health cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your public health cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your public health cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
