Are you a veterinarian seeking new employment opportunities? Need to write a compelling cover letter but not too sure where to start? We can help! At CVapp.ie, we’re passionate about making professional employment advice and career tools accessible to all our users – that’s why we’ve created the ultimate cover letter writing guide for vets!
Generally speaking, all cover letters should only be one page in length and contain the following sections:
We’ll explore each section and provide you with awesome, customisable examples to help you create impressive cover letters in no time! First, let’s begin with the cover letter header.
Cover letter headers provide employers with important contact information, such as your full name, email address, phone number, and any links to professional social media or websites. Without a good header, employers won’t know how to get in touch with you – so it’s essential that the contact information you’ve provided is accurate and up-to-date: no typos allowed!
Additionally, the cover leader is typically the most important visual element on your cover letter page. This means that your template design should be formatted appropriately and sensibly. All of our CVapp.ie design templates are expert-approved and completely customisable, so you can adjust the layout and design settings to your preference.
The greeting in your cover letter sets the tone for your introduction: so be sure to select an appropriate, friendly and polite greeting! You can address the recipient by their surname, such as "Dear Dr. Brown," or "Dear Mrs. O’Reilly ." If you're unsure of the person's gender or name, you can use a more general greeting like "Dear Hiring Team" or "To Whom It May Concern." It's always better to address your letter to a specific person whenever possible, as it shows you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.
Dear Mr. Cullen,
The main goal of the cover letter introduction is to engage employers and entice them to read the rest of your cover letter. For this reason, it’s important to start off strong! Begin with a powerful opening sentence that grabs the reader's attention. An interesting anecdote, thought-provoking fact or expanding upon a relevant achievement you have are all great ways to start your introduction. Before you start writing, it’s important to thoroughly read the job description and analyse the requirements listed. Where possible, match these requirements with any existing skills and strengths you already have! Here’s our example of a great, customisable cover letter introduction:
When asked as a young child what we wanted to be when we grew older, I remember my classmates listed a variety of careers. Some said astronauts while others opted for librarians, my brother suggested becoming a radio DJ in the morning and a fisherman at night. For me, the answer was the same then as it is now: I wanted to be a veterinarian.
The most important section of your cover letter is your body paragraphs. Here, you’ll expand upon your professional potential and provide employers with details about any relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments you may have that are relevant to the role. As a vet, it can be useful to provide specific examples of how you successfully handled challenging situations, collaborated with colleagues, or helped improve the health and well-being of animals.
Use each paragraph in this section to highlight a particular aspect of your background that aligns with the requirements listed in the job description. In addition to discussing your professional experiences, you can also expand upon your educational background, including any degrees or certifications you hold. It’s important to use numbers, facts and figures where possible to support your claims and showcase your abilities. Additionally, you can mention any specialised skills or training you possess. Try to use actionable, clear language, just like the example below:
When I received my Bachelor's in Veterinary Medicine from University College Dublin, I felt an immense sense of pride. My ambition to work with animals has been a dream of mine since I was a young child, accompanying my father on the farm and assisting him with livestock, learning the signs of disease in animals and how to help them recover. In my previous roles, I was largely responsible for minimizing risk for vulnerable animals and managing their conditions, advocating for animal disease prevention, conducting important research, performing tests and diagnostics, completing vaccinations and prescribing medications, and assisting junior vets on emergency care cases. I am truly delighted to apply for the position of veterinarian at Coghlan Community Vets, and I have attached my CV and references for your convenience.
After eight years studying veterinary medicine and working with animals my whole life. I have learned that being a successful veterinarian requires commitment, sacrifice, compassion and excellent communication skills. In addition to these qualities, I also believe I have extensive veterinary knowledge required to offer excellent support to animals in need, including an in-depth knowledge of animal anatomy, diseases and treatment techniques.
Your conclusion is your last chance at convincing employers that you’re the perfect candidate, so it’s important to confidently summarise any key strengths or skills you’ve included in your cover letter and reiterate the professional value you can contribute to the role. Just be sure to avoid including any new details in your conclusion as this can quickly overwhelm and confuse new employers. Lastly, don’t forget to thank your recipient and to finish your conclusion with a professional closing such as “yours sincerely,” “kind regards,” and “best wishes,” followed by your full name. We’ve got a great example of a conclusion below if you need any extra help. Just like that, you’ve just completed an incredible cover letter! Congratulations!
I hope to connect with you further to discuss this role and welcome any and all questions. Working with animals will always be a privilege, and I am confident I would be a strong asset to the Coghlan Community Vets team. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best wishes,
Mary Scelly
CVapp.ie is here to support your professional growth throughout all stages of your career. Be sure to check out the CVapp.ie website and blog for more career tools and resources. Good luck, we believe in your greatness!