Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. A Primer for Career Success Professionalism in Health Care COVER LETTERS

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Purpose -Introduction of yourself -First point of contact with potential employer -Gain attention -Invitation to read your resume Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. What Does the Employer Want? Three basic desires: -They want a person who has a neat appearance and looks as if he or she fits the job. -They want an individual who is dependable and can prove that he or she has been a reliable team member in other job positions. -They want a person with the skills to do the job.

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Etiquette -Send one -Be Concise -Keep it Professional but Friendly -Get Personal -Focus on the Employer’s Needs -Skills -Creativity -Use Action Words Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Do’s » Research before you write » Determine your unique selling points » Sign your name » Use white resume paper » Typed in Times Roman 12 point font Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Mistakes » Your information is incorrect » Company Name or Address is incorrect » No contact name » Fails to mention which job you are applying » Has graphics » Use “I” often Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Mistakes » Forgets to customize » Can be interpreted as rude » Is vague » Not signed » On other than white resume paper » Not typed in Times Roman 12 point font Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Biggest Mistake SNLEPLIG ERORS Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Parts ♦ Heading ♦ Date ♦ Inside Company Address ♦ Salutation Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Parts ♦ Opening Paragraph ♦ Body ♦ Closing Paragraph ♦ Complimentary Close and your name Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Style ♦ Paper ♦ Spacing ♦ Alignment ♦ Margins ♦ Signature Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. WEBLINKS -Top 5 Cover Letter Tips - ZDz17dq8http:// ZDz17dq8 -How To Write A Cover Letter - Z-oU8s&feature=topicshttp:// Z-oU8s&feature=topics

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Cover Letter The cover letter is intended to grab the interviewer’s attention to read your resume! See page 551 of Kinn’s textbook, Figure for an example of a cover letter.

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. MA Sample Cover Letter Mary Ann Extern 1234 – 5 th Street Davenport, IA July 28, 2010 Ms. Karen Roode, Health Sciences Department Chairperson Kaplan University 1801 E. Kimberly Road Davenport, IA Dear Ms. Roode: This letter is in response to the advertisement in the July 25, 2010 edition of the Quad City Times for a Medical Assistant in your labratory. I have just completed the Associates Degree Medical Assistant program through Kaplan University and am ready to begin my career. Throughout my education I have maintained a 4.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. In addition, I have been achieved the President’s List each term. Further, during each term, I was a member of the Medical Club where I volunteered to be part of the fundraising activities. May I arrange an interview to further discuss my qualifications? I am available for an interview at a mutually convenient time. You may reach me via to via cell phone to ; via home phone to ; or via US Mail to 1234 – 5 th Street, Davenport, IA Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Mary Ann Extern Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. MOM Sample Cover Letter Mary Ann Extern 1234 – 5 th Street Davenport, IA July 28, 2010 Ms. Karen Roode, Health Sciences Department Chairperson Kaplan University 1801 E. Kimberly Road Davenport, IA Dear Ms. Roode: This letter is in response to the advertisement in the July 25, 2010 edition of the Quad City Times for a Medical Office Manager or your medical clinic. I have just completed the Associates Degree in Medical Office Management program through Kaplan University and am ready to begin my career. Throughout my education I have maintained a 4.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. In addition, I have been achieved the President’s List each term. Further, during each term, I was a member of the Medical Club where I volunteered to be part of the fundraising activities. May I arrange an interview to further discuss my qualifications? I am available for an interview at a mutually convenient time. You may reach me via to via cell phone to ; via home phone to ; or via US Mail to 1234 – 5 th Street, Davenport, IA Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Mary Ann Extern Prepared by: Karen Roode, RN, BSN, MBA Revised July 24, 2010

Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Career Success, 3e Sherry Makely Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved. Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful and happy. Norman Vincent Peale Us clergyman ( )