Need assistance with cover letter

[boyblu]

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I plan on going to veterinary school, but I need to get a job first to pay the bills. I'm applying to be a vet assistant at a new vet clinic. The owner has been my pets' veterinarian for several years and he knows I'm applying. I really want and need to get this job. The problem is that I'm having serious problems writing a cover letter. I'm having problems with the second paragraph which is the one where I need to state why I'm the best candidate for the job and why they should hire me. I'm not sure what to put because I'm not the best candidate because I have no experience. Should I list things I've done with animals? Here is what I have done and know how to do:

I've given subcutaneous fluids
I've trimmed cats nails
I've force fed cats and small dogs
I know how to take the respiratory and pulse rate
I've also owned various pets since I was a child
I know quite a bit about animal diseases and behaviors
I can work any hours requested
I also have experience as a babysitter which involves caring for babies
I'm responsible, hardworking, and a quick learner
I have strong computer skills

I've listed those things on my resume. How can I use them in a cover letter that makes me sound like I'm the best candidate? I'm competing with people with experience so I need something that's going to impress whoever is doing the hiring. The only thing I can think to do is use their own mission statement to my advantage. They basically believe that a pet is a family member and not just a pet. So maybe I should play on that to show that I believe the same thing.


Also, I'm not sure who to address the cover letter to. This is a new vet clinic and they don't have a phone number yet. Do I address it to the owner?

And lastly, I was given the impression that the jobs would be advertised on a specific website (ihireveterinary). The clinic is supposed to open in a few months (2 to 4 months). The application form is on the clinic's website, but no jobs are listed anywhere. Should I go ahead and send the application form, resume, and cover letter? Or should I wait to see if the jobs are advertised? I don't want to miss an opportunity to get the position by waiting too long. But I don't know how anyone would know there are openings if it isn't advertised. So I don't know what's going on.

 

[LetItSnow]

The problem is that I'm having serious problems writing a cover letter. I'm having problems with the second paragraph which is the one where I need to state why I'm the best candidate for the job and why they should hire me. I'm not sure what to put because I'm not the best candidate because I have no experience. Should I list things I've done with animals? [...] I'm competing with people with experience so I need something that's going to impress whoever is doing the hiring.

Lots and lots of questions! That's good! My advice is from the perspective of someone who has been in the business world for 20 years, but not the vet world. So consider that when you weigh whether my thoughts make sense, since undoubtedly things are done differently at a small clinic than a large corporation. So, starting at the end of your questions.....

Absolutely send the application/resume/cover letter. Never, ever for the rest of your life hold back from applying for a position you want just because it isn't posted or because you don't "exactly" meet the criteria. Never. It's really rare for me to throw out absolutes, but I really mean this one.

Best option; stop by the clinic to find out who to give it to and then return and hand-deliver it. Or just address it to the vet you already know. In the end, how you do this doesn't matter much - just get it into their hands and don't worry about whether you've used some perfect form that you learned in high school or college; as long as it has all the info they need, you're fine. Just make it look professional.

Yes, absolutely dovetail their mission statement with your cover letter. Don't be overt about it, but make it clear in how you talk about yourself that you share their values.

Don't tell yourself you aren't the best candidate: experience is only one piece of the puzzle. The best candidate brings the correct values, attitudes, work ethic, relational skills, etc. to the table alongside experience. If you are willing to go the extra mile at work, do the scut work that nobody likes or people avoid (minor example: clean the dang break room fridge before some manager/boss tells somebody to do it), and will show up five minutes early for your shift - all with a smile - that will be meaningful to your boss. Of course, if you aren't that type of person, don't sell yourself as such. 🙂

Your resume ought to have been tailored for the job you're seeking, so it should have included your animal experience. Thus, you don't rehash all of it in your cover letter. Just draw in particularly interesting, unusual, or valuable experiences that highlight both your interest/skill in working with animals as well as things that show your work ethic.

What the vet or office manager is going to want to see is someone with a positive attitude and excellent work ethic, who will learn eagerly and quickly. I really can't stress the whole "work ethic" thing enough ... I'm pretty stunned at how rare it is nowadays (in the 20-somethings we interview, anyway).

You mentioned the "second paragraph... where I need," which makes me think you're working from a traditional formula of some sort. My advice - and this is where I might be giving bad advice, though I think it's solid - is to toss out the rules. You do need to be professional, but following some perfect 3-paragraph (or whatever) formula won't work if you try too hard. It'll just end up sounding obvious that you "fit" your letter into the formula. In the cover letter, you need to introduce yourself, make it clear what position you want, and give them some insight into what type of person you are.

Your goal isn't necessarily to make them say "Hire this person!!!!" (though that would be ok): your real goal is to make them say "Yup, this person might fit our needs, let's schedule an interview." That's where you close the deal.

Best of luck!

 

[boyblu]

Thanks.

The application form asks about salary desired. Do you have any advice on what I should put there? I've been doing a lot of research and asking around and I'm getting contradicting information. Some sources say to put "open" or "negotiable" because if I put a figure too high or too low it might hurt my chances of even getting interviewed. While other sources say I need to actually put a number amount in there or I'll get overlooked.

I don't know what to put, especially since it depends on health insurance and what the monthly payments will be.

Interestingly, when I talked to the owner of the clinic, he told me I would be asked about my desired salary. So I don't know what to make of that. Why did he tell me that? Of all things to tell me about the application and interview, he tells me I'll be asked about salary. 😕

I've been thinking of putting something like this:
$20,000 - $30,000 Negotiable, based on total compensation package

But I don't know if $20,000 is too to high. Maybe I should put $16,000 or $18,000. I don't know what vet assistants make around here exactly. And since this is a new vet clinic, I would think the annual salary for all employees would be lower to start with until business picks up.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Thanks.

The application form asks about salary desired. Do you have any advice on what I should put there? I've been doing a lot of research and asking around and I'm getting contradicting information. Some sources say to put "open" or "negotiable" because if I put a figure too high or too low it might hurt my chances of even getting interviewed. While other sources say I need to actually put a number amount in there or I'll get overlooked.

I don't know what to put, especially since it depends on health insurance and what the monthly payments will be.

Interestingly, when I talked to the owner of the clinic, he told me I would be asked about my desired salary. So I don't know what to make of that. Why did he tell me that? Of all things to tell me about the application and interview, he tells me I'll be asked about salary. 😕

I've been thinking of putting something like this:
$20,000 - $30,000 Negotiable, based on total compensation package

But I don't know if $20,000 is too to high. Maybe I should put $16,000 or $18,000. I don't know what vet assistants make around here exactly. And since this is a new vet clinic, I would think the annual salary for all employees would be lower to start with until business picks up.

This might be regional, but most support staff make an hourly wage. So an annual salary is really a meaningless number. You are going to have to continue the research to figure that out. It will definitely vary by region and experience. Still look at other places advertising for help and see what they pay and pick the lower end since you are relatively inexperienced.

You can try putting a poll on SDN for what people earned as an hourly wage. It won't give you regional variation but you can get a sense.

 

[LetItSnow]

I don't know what to put, especially since it depends on health insurance and what the monthly payments will be.

I'd do the research on what people make for the position for which you're applying, and then put that range in there.

If possible, try to ask yourself why they're asking what they're asking. In this case, they just want to know if you've done your research, and if you can accept a wage that's in line with the normal amount. They're not likely 'ranking' people based on how much money they want.

I've never been fond of seeing "open" or "negotiable" when I interview someone because I feel like they're already playing games, and I tend to be more of a straight-up blunt kind of guy. That said, the people who suggest the "negotiable" approach have some reasonable arguments for why they do it, so if you feel more comfortable not specifying a number I think you're in good company.

 

[boyblu]

Thanks. So should I put a hourly salary in rather than a yearly salary? So something like $8-$16/hr. Or maybe I could say $8-$16/hr - negotiable.

 

[Chinola]

Thanks. So should I put a hourly salary in rather than a yearly salary? So something like $8-$16/hr. Or maybe I could say $8-$16/hr - negotiable.

I always put open or negotiable in the expected salary area. That's on the advice of my dad who is the VP of operations of a company in NJ. He's been in the business world 25+ years. In my experience working at vet hospitals as a tech they usually know how much they're willing to pay you. One of the techs I worked with in NJ put down at least $10/hour when she applied 6 years ago. The vet said we'll pay you $8/hour with no negotiations. It was the same for me. They just told me what my pay would be.

Just my two cents.

 

[that redhead]

Thanks. So should I put a hourly salary in rather than a yearly salary? So something like $8-$16/hr. Or maybe I could say $8-$16/hr - negotiable.

I would put hourly instead of yearly, yes. I would also try to narrow your range down since $8/hr gap is pretty significant. I would put something like $9/hr (or something relevant for an inexperienced applicant in the position you're looking for) - negotiable. Or you could just put "open/negotiable" and bring up the actual number during an interview, since the vet mentioned it. You can tell him you've researched hourly pay at similar jobs and you're expecting $X per hour but acknowledge that your inexperience may put you at the lower end of the spectrum.

 

[LetItSnow]

Thanks. So should I put a hourly salary in rather than a yearly salary? So something like $8-$16/hr. Or maybe I could say $8-$16/hr - negotiable.

Yup. If the position is paid hourly, that's the number you should use. If it's a salaried position, you'd use that. Whichever is appropriate for the job.

Don't say "$8-$16/hr - negotiable." If you put in a range, the "negotiable" part is redundant. So either "negotiable" or "$8/hr-$16/hr" but not both.

That range seems fairly broad to me, but the important part is that you make sure it's somewhere in the ballpark of what you can reasonably expect. Don't low-ball yourself, but also don't put down an unreasonably high number either.

 

[libster06]

Don't low-ball yourself, but also don't put down an unreasonably high number either.

Exactly. Don't put down a number unless you're willing to work for that amount. This doesn't go for every employer, but sometimes if an employer knows you're willing to work for $8/hr, why would they bother paying you $10, 11 or 12, much less double that at $16?

Secondly, your desired wages should reflect your experience.... not to mention there aren't too many techs making $16 bucks an hour. So I'd definitely shorten your range... perhaps something like $11-13/hr... unless you have years and years of experience and are worth paying $16/hr to. Remember, this will go up with raises and such, pending you do good work, obviously.

You might consider looking up sample cover letters online. I would not list any duties or daily tasks you had in the past specifically in the cover letter, as that is what the resume is for. They have examples of cover letters for vet tech applicants on monster and places like that.