vet school cover letter

Phone Numbers

Routine and emergency care.

Companion Animal Hospital in Ithaca, NY for cats, dogs, exotics, and wildlife

Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospitals in Ithaca, NY for horses and farm animals

Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, on Long Island for every horse

Ambulatory and Production Medicine for service on farms within 30 miles of Ithaca, NY

Animal Health Diagnostic Center New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

General Information

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca, New York 14853-6401

Career Services

Resumes, cvs & cover letters.

Externship, internship and job inquiries and applications typically require you to submit a resume or CV (curriculum vitae) to the employer or organization of interest. 

In most cases, the application instructions for the position you are applying to will specify whether a CV or resume is being requested. If this information is not provided, you will need to determine which of them most appropriately fits the criteria provided by the employer or internship committee who will be reviewing your application.

Please note that employers sometimes confuse the terms and use them interchangeably. So, if you are in doubt—the general rule of thumb is that if you are applying for a veterinary associate position you should submit a resume; if you are applying for an externship, internship or a position in academia (research or clinical) you should submit a CV.

Writing a Resume

A resume is a targeted list of professional experiences that focuses on skills and accomplishments directly relevant to the job you are applying for. it is a document that seeks to:

• construct a professional image and establish credibility
• convince a prospective employer to grant you an interview
• persuade your reader that you are the best person for the job

Sections of a Resume

Writing a cv.

A CV is a comprehensive record of your professional history including your academic credentials, clinical, research and teaching experiences and accomplishments and all scholarly activities. It is used by veterinary students when they are applying for externships, internships or residencies or for positions in academia. Research fellowships or scholarship applications also frequently require CVs. Unlike a resume, there is no page limit for CVs.

Sections of a CV

Writing a cover letter.

A cover letter must accompany every letter or CV you send out. A cover letter is NOT a letter that simply refers the reader to the enclosed letter. Like the resume, it should be tailored to the position you are applying for. A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself, state your objective and highlight aspects of your qualifications that speak to your fit for the position you are applying to. Cover letters are often scrutinized as samples of written communication. A well-written cover letter will encourage the reader to take a serious look at your resume; conversely a poorly written cover letter can doom your job prospects even if you are potentially a great fit for the job.

Sections of a Cover Letter

All sections must be left justified

Letter of Intent (for externships)

Contact our office with any questions you may have regarding your career:

College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Student and Academic Services S2-009 Schurman Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 phone: 607.253.3700 [email protected]

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Veterinary Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Without an impressive veterinary cover letter you won't be able to keep people's furry family members happy and healthy. Luckily for you, we’ve gathered all the best tips, templates, examples and samples to help you make one that stands out from the competition. Dive into our guide and make your cover letter writing process a breeze.

Keep reading to learn all about:

• Creating visual flow on your cover letter with a header & headline
• Tailoring your cover letter for the role of a veterinarian
• Writing a compelling cover letter introduction as a veterinarian
• Highlighting your best veterinary skills & accomplishments
• Ending your veterinary cover letter with a thoughtful closing statement
• Accessing top resources for job-seeking veterinarians

1. Creating visual flow on your cover letter with a header & headline

Cover letters can easily become one giant, muddled block of text without the proper structural elements .

A header and headline give your veterinary cover letter visual flow , guiding the employer’s eye first to your professional information in the cover letter header , then to the main point of your letter conveyed in the cover letter headline .

Your header should contain the following key information:

• Your name and professional title
• Your professional contact information
• The name of the veterinary practice you are applying to
• The address of the veterinary practice

Here is an example of a well-formatted veterinary cover letter header

John Doe , Veterinarian

(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/john-doe

To: Mountain View Veterinary Associated 1234 Street Address Richmond, VA 23173

In your cover letter headline , you need to include key details that preview the most important points discussed in your letter. Your headline should typically include:

• A keyword related to the position
• An eye-catching number or trigger word
• A powerful adjective or verb
• A promise to the employer

Here is an example of an effective veterinary cover letter headline

Looking for a Talented Veterinarian? Here are 3 Reasons Why I am Perfect for Your Practice

Trigger Word/Number: Looking for, 3 Reasons Keyword: Veterinarian Adjective/Verb: Talented, Perfect Promise: Your Practice – this works as a promise because it informs the employer that your letter discusses the exact needs of the employer’s practice.

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2. tailoring your cover letter for the role of a veterinarian.

When writing a cover letter, you have two writing styles to choose between: generalized and tailored.

While a generalized cover letter will state obvious facts and sound similar to other applicant’s letters, a tailored cover letter will discuss why you are a great fit for the exact practice you are applying to.

To achieve this, you must complete thorough research on the veterinary practice before applying, looking for key details such as:

• What the company’s main goals and values are
• Any projects or programs the company is involved in
• Who at the company will review your cover letter

This last detail helps you to create a personalized greeting that addresses a specific person by name. Personalized greetings are excellent, as they immediately indicate to an employer the level of research you have completed.

Here are 3 examples of personalized greetings for veterinary cover letters

Dear Practice Manager Jane Smith,

• Dear Mrs. Jane Smith,
• Dear Jane Smith & the Veterinary Staff,

Pro Tip : When using an honorific like Mr., Ms., or Mrs., it is crucial to be sure you are using the correct one. If you are not certain which is correct, omit it – better to leave it out than offend an employer with an incorrect honorific.

3. Writing a compelling cover letter introduction as a veterinarian

The introductory paragraph of your veterinary cover letter has a critical purpose to serve – to not only hook the employer’s attention but compel them to continue reading .

A strong veterinary introduction will include:

• A brief overview of your professional history, years of experience, and specializations
• A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
• A mutual acquaintance (when possible) – including mutual acquaintances helps you to establish rapport with an employer, as well as provides a trusted professional reference.

Here is an example of a compelling veterinary cover letter introduction

I am a licensed veterinarian with more than 8 years of experience in canine and feline care. As an avid advocate for animal rights, I am inspired by your practice’s commitment to ethical care, as well as to providing medical support to local animal shelters. My colleague, Mr. Joe King, is a manager at one of these shelters and recommended I apply for this opening.

Find out your resume score!

4. Highlighting your best veterinary skills & accomplishments

With the employer’s attention captivated by your introduction, it’s time to dive into the real heart of your cover letter: the body paragraphs.

Your cover letter should contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that provide exceptionally specific details about your best and most relevant skills, accomplishments , and other qualifications.

As you describe your professional skills and accomplishments , make sure to provide contextual and quantifiable information whenever possible. This will help make these details more valuable to the employer by highlighting how your expertise can benefit their practice.

Here are 6 examples of veterinary skills to describe in a cover letter

• Performing animal examinations
• Knowledge of exotic pets
• Performing surgery on animals
• Prescribing and administering medications
• Consulting with animal owners on treatment plans
• Providing owner education on pet care

Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a veterinary cover letter

As a licensed veterinarian at [Former Employer], I advocated for better owner education by providing low-cost pet care training programs. As a result of these programs, our practice saw a 75% increase in the proper use of monthly preventative medicines, such as heartworm prevention and flea and tick medicine.

5. Ending your veterinary cover letter with a thoughtful closing statement

To finish off your veterinary cover letter strong , you need a thoughtful closing statement that compels the employer to contact you. This closing statement should include:

• An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
• An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
• A formal sign-off

Here is an example of a good closing statement from a veterinary cover letter

I am eager to get to know you, your staff, and your clients better if given this opportunity. I would love to meet with you directly to further discuss my qualifications for this position and am available any weekday between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890.

I intend to call in regards to my application status next Friday if I have not heard back.

Warm Regards,

[Applicant Name]

6. Top resources for job-seeking veterinarians

As you know, every cover letter must be custom tailored to fit a specific job posting. But where to find a job posting worth applying for? We've prepared a list of resources that can help you with that: 

• Industry-specific job boards: Explore platforms like Vet Times Jobs , VetLink Employment Service and AVMA’s Career Center for industry insights, job listings, and professional development resources tailored to veterinarians.
• Continuing education opportunities: You can always upskill with certifications and courses offered by online platforms such as VetFolio or VetMedTeam .
• Professional associations : Join associations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) or the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to access networking events, publications, and the newest trends and innovations in your field. 
• Local veterinary networks : Connect with local veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and pet care organizations in your area to explore job opportunities, gain hands-on experience, and expand your professional network within the veterinary community.
• Social media groups: You can also join online communities and groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook dedicated to veterinary professionals, where job postings, networking opportunities, and career advice are often shared.
• Indeed : Indeed is one of the largest and most popular job search platforms globally, offering a wide range of job opportunities across various industries and sectors, including veterinary medicine.

Once you've found a job posting that speaks to you, don't hesitate and reply as soon as possible. To make your job application engaging and memorable, don't forget to send a persuasive veterinarian cover letter together with your resume .

If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume,  this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two .

Veterinary Cover Letter FAQ

What is the best way to showcase my skills and experiences in a veterinarian cover letter.

Focus on highlighting relevant clinical experiences, surgical skills, diagnostic abilities, and patient care expertise. Provide specific examples of cases you've handled, treatments you've administered, and outcomes you've achieved to demonstrate your proficiency as a veterinarian.

How can I address salary expectations in my veterinarian cover letter?

It's generally best to avoid discussing salary expectations in your cover letter unless the job posting specifically requests this information. If salary requirements are requested, you can mention that you are open to discussing compensation during the interview process based on the responsibilities and opportunities associated with the position.

How can I demonstrate my ability to communicate effectively with clients in my veterinarian cover letter?

Highlight instances where you provided clear and compassionate guidance, answered questions, and addressed concerns to ensure client satisfaction and compliance.

Should I mention internships or externships in my veterinarian cover letter?

Yes, absolutely! Highlight any internships, externships, or clinical rotations you've completed during veterinary school or as part of your professional development. Describe the skills and experiences you gained, the types of cases you encountered, and the impact of these experiences on your career readiness.

Should I include references or recommendations in my veterinarian cover letter?

It's not necessary to include references or recommendations in your cover letter unless specifically requested by the employer. Instead, you can mention that references are available upon request.

Julia Belak

Julia is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) and an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC™). She is also a passionate translator and graphic designer. Julia holds degrees in translation and interpretation and has international work experience in various countries across Europe, as well as in China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and contributed as a graphic designer to outlets such as The Business of Business. You'll often find her with a book in one hand and a specialty coffee in the other, always on the lookout for new insights.

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