AIfred Hilchcock

Safevay, San Irancisco

14 IiImmaker Drive
San Irancisco, CA 94114

}une 1, 2004


Dear Dr. Hilchcock:

I am vriling in resonse lo your !""#$%&'(")%* oorlunily, recenlIy osled on lhe American DenlaI
Associalion |ob board. As a recenl graduale from lhe Universily of CaIifornia, San Irancisco's DDS rogram, I
have lhree years of cIinicaI exerience in a rivale raclice selling, and Sanish and Mandarin Ianguage skiIIs.
As a residenl of San Diego for fifleen years, I am commilled lo relurning lo lhe soulhern CaIifornia area lo serve
lhe heaIlh care needs of my IocaI communily.

!$&+(,%$ ./&%0%012.)/(( 3(&/" #4 56%0%$&6 78*(/%(0$(9
My lraining enabIes me lo lriage alienls, conducl alienl inlerviev and hislory laking, conducl
denlaI and oraI cancer screening, roose diagnosis and lrealmenl Ian and make referraIs for
alienls vho need ongoing seciaIized or emergency. AddilionaIIy, my lraining incIudes exerience
in Indodonlics, Resloralive, and Iroslhelic denlislry.

78$(66(0' :0'(/*(/"#0&6 &0+ ;*&0%")2<&0+&/%0 =&01>&1( ;?%66"9
My cIinicaI exeriences have incIuded vorking vilh edialric, aduIl and eIderIy alienls, and I have
used my Sanish and Mandarin Ianguage skiIIs in a medicaI caacily, somelimes even serving as lhe
lransIalor belveen lhe cIienl and lhe denlaI leam. My voIunleer exerience al lhe UCSI DenlaI CIinic
has laughl me hov lo address cIienls rofessionaIIy and reseclfuIIy, discuss lheir concerns, and
manage lheir fruslralions. WhiIe lhe slaff couId nol aIvays soIve lhe robIem, I Iearned lhal lhe goaI
is aIvays lo have a osilive exchange, and Ieave alienls vilh a osilive imression. I vas
recognized for lhis abiIily, and avarded vilh a voIunleer of lhe monlh avard.

My rofessionaI goaIs incIude relurning vilh my famiIy lo lhe San Diego area and vorking in a rivale raclice
selling. Your oorlunily offers an exciling exerience for me: lo use my skiIIs and exerience and lo Iearn hov
a successfuI raclice is run from every angIe. IIease conlacl me al 123.456.7890 shouId you vish lo seak
furlher.

Wilh regards,



SlanIey Kubrick





Stanley Kubrick
12 Movie Street, San Francisco, CA 0000. 111.222.3333. Stanley@email.edu
The Cover Letter, Dissected.



Please see page two to read
about the purpose and
format of a well-written
cover letter.




B. Often, employers only skim the first paragraph,
so Stanleys paragraph is a summary of:

A. What he brings to the table (experience & skills)
B. Why he wants the job (desire)

This includes his:
1. Academic training
2. Professional skills
3. Desire


C. The rest of his cover letter gives detailed
evidence about his claims in his first paragraph. It
also follows the order of his summary paragraph.

1. Academic training & 3 years clinical experience
2. Interpersonal & language skills
3. Desire
A. Why wri t e a cover l et t er?
A CV or resume only explains all of your previous
academic training and professional skills. A Cover
Letter:

1. Summarizes how that academic training and
professional skills will directly benefit them.

2. Explains desire why you want the job.


E. I snt t hi s a l ong l et t er?
A cover letter can be 1-4 paragraphs. A briefer letter
would only include the first and last paragraph.

F. Do empl oyers real l y read cover l et t ers?
Yes. The real question isnt if, but when do
employers read cover letters? Think about how you
sort through a stack of information. First, youd
probably skim the CV/resume and first paragraph of
the cover letter, to sort candidates into yes, no
and maybe piles.

The second time through, youd read everything
closely to whittle down your yes pile to 3-5 strong
candidates to invite to interview. But what if there
were 6?

Heres when a cover letter is most valuable: it makes
your argument about how you can contribute to their
organization, and why you want the position. Those
without cover letters have to hope that the employer
can figure that out. It might be the edge you need!



Alfred Hitchcock
Safeway, San Francisco
14 Filmmaker Drive
San Francisco, CA 94114
June 1, 2004


Dear Dr. Hitchcock:

I am writing in response to your Associateship opportunity, recently posted
on the American Dental Association job board. As a recent graduate from
the University of California, San Franciscos DDS program, I have three
years of clinical experience in a private practice setting, and Spanish and
Mandarin language skills. As a resident of San Diego for fifteen years, I am
committed to returning to the southern California area to serve the health
care needs of my local community.

Academic Training/Three Years of Clinical Experience:
My training enables me to triage patients, conduct patient interview
and history taking, conduct dental and oral cancer screening,
propose diagnosis and treatment plan and make referrals for patients
who need ongoing specialized or emergency. Additionally, my
clinicals included experience in Endodontics, Restorative, and
Prosthetic dentistry.

Excellent Interpersonal and Spanish/Mandarin Language
Skills:
My clinical experiences have included working with pediatric, adult
and elderly patients, and I have used my Spanish and Mandarin
language skills in a medical capacity, sometimes even serving as the
translator between the client and the dental team. My volunteer
experience at the UCSF Dental Clinic has taught me how to address
clients professionally and respectfully, discuss their concerns, and
manage their frustrations. While the staff could not always solve the
problem, I learned that the goal is always to have a positive
exchange, and leave patients with a positive impression. I was
recognized for this ability, and awarded with a volunteer of the
month award.

My professional goals include returning with my family to the San Diego area
and working in a private practice setting. Your opportunity offers an exciting
experience for me: to use my skills and experience and to learn how a
successful practice is run from every angle. Please contact me at
123.456.7890 should you wish to speak further.

With regards,

Stanley Kubrick
The Cover Letter, Dissected.



D. Note that the text focuses on examples and
language about what he is able to do for the
employer. For example: My training enables me.


To have your letter critiqued,
schedule an appointment with
the OCPD at 415.476.4986.
We book 2-3 weeks in
advance.