Phlebotomist cover letter example

Say, you’re a phle-WHAT-omist? Many people might not know the proper name for an expert in drawing blood, but if this is your field, then a phlebotomist cover letter is your way to explain to employers your mastery of the needle.

This writing guide, along with our phlebotomist cover letter example, will tell you everything you need to know about how to prepare this essential job-search document, including:

• Choosing the best format for a phlebotomist cover letter
• The six components of a winning cover letter
• The psychology of writing a persuasive cover letter
• Common errors to avoid

Resume.io is a leading resource of advice for job seekers in all fields. For more writing and formatting tips, take a look at some of our 125+ cover letter examples.

Best format for a phlebotomist cover letter

Properly formatting your phlebotomist cover letter means using good structure, design and layout. Your cover letter should be one page only (400 words max) and needs to have six essential elements:

• Header
• Greeting/salutation
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
• Sign-off and signature

In addition to following this structure, you should be aware of some important design considerations:

Use an appropriate cover letter font with a size of 10 to 12 points. If your letter is too long to fit onto one page, cut out fluffy sentences or use more concise language to shorten it, instead of trying to cram it in by using a tiny font. 

Use one-inch margins on the left, right, bottom and top. Allow room for white space that contains nothing at all, and strive for a balanced look so that the page isn’t full of text at the top and empty at the bottom. Add enough paragraph breaks so that there are no big blocks of text. 

Here is a phlebotomist cover letter sample that can serve as a guide to creating your own: 

Cover letter header: Your contact info

The cover letter header, which occupies the space right at the top of the page, should have your name, occupation, address, phone number and email. You can also add your LinkedIn page or another website that focuses on your professional credentials.  

The header should be attractively designed, making your letter visually appealing at a glance. You have some room to play with creative use of typography, layout and color, so make the most of it.

Cover letter greeting: Make it personal

The cover letter greeting, also known as a salutation, is the line that starts with the word “Dear.” While there are other possible greetings, “Dear” is the best choice in formal fields like healthcare. Follow this with “Mr.,” “Ms.” or “Dr.” and the last name of the hiring manager.

Always try to find out the name of the person responsible for processing applications for the job you’re seeking. The job listing may not name that person, but you can usually find out online, or you can simply call the company and ask. People like to read their own names, and you’re more likely to get a response if you address your letter to an individual rather than an entire company.

If that information is unavailable, you’ll need to find an alternative solution, like “Dear [Company Name] Hiring Manager.” Here’s the greeting from our adaptable cover letter sample:

Cover letter introduction: Get their attention

The first paragraph, the cover letter introduction, should be an intriguing start that gets the recruiter’s attention for all the right reasons. If you have years of experience as a phlebotomist, that should be your lead. If you’re new to this profession but you have a college degree or certification in this field, then play that up.

Avoid clichés, bland language and “fluff,” which is language that sounds fancy but says nothing. Be original, be interesting, and compel the reader to keep reading. See the introduction of our cover letter sample below:

Cover letter body: The heart of your case

The body of your letter, the central two to four paragraphs, need to build a winning case for your candidacy. Again, if you have experience, focus on that – not just listing the places you’ve worked but spelling out what you achieved at those jobs. Be specific, using facts and figures where possible, like how many patients you saw on a daily basis. 

You can also mention your education, training and certification here. And you can pivot from talking about your past to discussing your aspirations for the future. Try to mention the name of the company you’re applying to, and say why you want to work there. Let the reader know that you aren’t just randomly mailing the same cover letter to multiple employers.

Here’s the body of our cover letter sample:

Cover letter conclusion and sign-off: Next steps

The final paragraph, your conclusion, can be part wrap-up and part thank-you, but it should also include a call to action. Let the recruiter know that you’re eager to hear back, you’re always reachable at the contact info provided, and you’d be happy to arrange an interview, in person or remotely.

The sign-off, also known as a complimentary close, is the line that says “Sincerely,” “All my best” or something similar. Add a space after this, and then type your full name. See the conclusion and sign off from our cover letter sample below.

The psychology of writing a persuasive cover letter

The purpose of writing a cover letter is to establish a personal connection with a hiring manager. So even though this is a formal business letter, it should also strike a personal note. Write like a human being, not a robot, and be likable. Nobody wants to hire someone they don’t like. 

Finding the right tone is very important. You need to be confident but not overconfident, friendly but not presumptuous, eager but not desperate. Project a sense of competence without crossing a line into arrogance.

Put yourself in your reader’s shoes. If you received this letter, would you find it interesting? Would you want to meet the person who wrote it? Would you want to work with this person? 

Remember that you’re not writing to convince anyone that you deserve a job. You’re writing to convince hiring managers that your contribution will fill a vital role at their company, increasing efficiency, safety and revenue.

Common mistakes to avoid

We all make mistakes. But you’re looking for a job where you’ll be sticking needles into people, and there’s not a lot of room for mistakes there. Showcase your perfectionism by avoiding these common cover letter errors. 

• Typos, misspellings, grammatical errors and other writing mistakes are often cited as the top reason resumes and cover letters are rejected.
• Mass-produced cover letters sent to multiple employers are never a good idea. Customize each letter for each employer.
• Irrelevant info like your hobbies and interests are great conversation starters once you’ve got the job, but take up valuable cover letter space.

Key takeaways

1. Follow proper cover letter structure, from the header to the signature, that neither omits anything important nor adds anything unnecessary.
2. Write a professional yet personal letter that establishes a relationship with the recruiter and makes you look indispensable.
3. Check out our phlebotomist cover letter example for more ideas on creating an eye-catching page layout.

We wish you all the best in your job search!