[Yoda]

I have a rough draft of my resume and my former manager said she would be happy to be a reference. Just need one more reference and a cover letter.

I worked in critical care nursing for fifteen years, then took a decade off to be a stay at home mom plus regain my lost sanity. I accomplished everything I wanted working in critical care except to publish a research article in a nursing journal. Being published is still a possibility if I take the time to write in the proper format but a paying job is higher priority right now.

So now I want to spread my wings into a different specialty and work per diem in a psychiatric hospital. With children/teenagers if possible. A local psych hospital has been expanding and they are hiring per diem RNs now so I think this would be a good match. My own mental illness is controlled well since 2007 so I feel stable and ready to work.

I just don't know what exactly I need to include (or exclude) in the cover letter.

[atomicc]

I usually talk about my traits, experience and knowledge that make me a viable candidate for that specific job. Don't feel bad about really selling yourself, that's what it's for! I think you could explain that you took time off but are ready to get back into the workforce and say why you'd like that position.good luck !

I tailor to the job. Your industry could be different but in white collar land separate formal cover letters are gone. You address the email or form (if from a job site) to a person if you can identify them. Always include the name of the position in the first para and subject. Make it very short and then put skills relevant to the job in bullets. Three sections. The bottom should point them to the resume and either let them know you would love to speak further. If it is popular to use linkedin do. Try to get you boss to write a ref on linkedin and coworkers too.

Example:

Recruiter/manager/hr,

I would like to be considered for such and such position that you have advertised on job site. I have x number of years in industry and excel at (some skill they are looking for). I believe I would be a great match. Highlights of my skills related to your requirements are:

Bullet one
Bullet two
Bullet three
Etc

Please see my attached resume for additional skills and qualifications. I look forward to hearing from you.

Modify it to your own style. Hr uses tools that search emails for keywords and if they are looking at 50 resumes having it short and sweet will more likely get you a call. It's also easier to Tailor to the job which will hold more weight.

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[arya1211]

A cover letter is all about selling yourself. Good luck.