Speech Pathologist Cover Letter Templates
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If you’re looking for a new job in speech-language pathology, you’ll want to update your resume and write a speech pathologist cover letter.
Cover letters can help you stand out from your competitors by highlighting your skills and expertise to show hiring managers that you’re the right speech-language pathologist (SLP) for the position.
Your cover letter may determine whether a hiring manager even looks at your resume—and if you want to land your dream job, it’s important that your cover letter is strong.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know to write a speech pathologist resume and cover letter that help you get you noticed—along with free speech pathologist cover letter templates you can edit and use.
What to include in a speech pathologist cover letter
One of the most important tips for speech pathologist cover letters? When you’re applying for jobs, it’s important to “personalize every application for each job posting,” says Albert Kim, VP of talent at hiring and background check company Checkr.
Otherwise, your cover letters can end up sounding generic—which can make more difficult to grab the hiring manager’s attention and advance through the interview and hiring process.
Plus, your cover letter may vary based on the type of position you’re applying for, so using a single cover letter just wouldn’t work. For example, the ideal cover letter for speech-language pathologist assistant positions would be different from the ideal cover letter for school speech-language pathologists or a speech-language pathologist that specializes in stroke recovery.
That being said, you don’t need to start from scratch every time you create a speech pathologist cover letter. There is a certain structure you can incorporate into each letter—and once you have that structure written, you can simply change the details to tailor it to whatever job you’re applying to.
So, what does that structure look like? Each cover letter should include:
Your contact details
Your cover letter should clearly outline everything hiring managers need to get in touch with you—including your name, address, phone number, and email address.
A personalized greeting
Addressing your cover letter with “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern” is a generic greeting that hiring managers and recruiters may be more likely to ignore. Instead, do your research and find out the name of the person responsible for hiring the SLP role you’re applying for—and address your cover letter to them.
An effective opening
You want to get right to the point and let the hiring manager know why you’re reaching out and why you’re interested in applying for the open position.
A brief summary of your professional qualifications
In your speech-language pathologist cover letter, you also want to highlight that you’re not just applying for the position, but are qualified for it—which means briefly summarizing your educational background and work experience as a speech pathologist.
“Include a few achievements with metrics that tie directly back to their job description, enthusiasm for the facility or clinic, and any unique skills that not every SLP will possess,” says Kim.
A specific (and relevant) example of past work
It can also be powerful to give a specific example of your work. For example, have you had a powerful experience with a client where you feel you truly made a difference? Adding that to your cover letter can help build more of a personal connection—which can help you land an interview.
A personalized expression of interest
As you close out your cover letter, it’s important to clearly express your interest in the position.
You can also include a concrete, personal reason why you’re the best fit for the role and why you want to work for their company specifically. This keeps the cover letter from sounding too generic—and shows the hiring manager that you’re not just interested in being a speech pathologist, but specifically a speech pathologist at their organization.
“Your cover letter should build excitement and prove why you’re a great fit for the role,” says Kim.
A professional sign-off
It’s important to end a cover letter (or any professional correspondence) with a professional send-off—for example, “Sincerely,” “Thank You For Your Consideration,” or “Best.”
Avoid anything that feels overly casual, like “Thanks!” or “Cheers.”
Tips for your speech pathologist resume
Having a solid speech pathologist cover letter is important. But it doesn’t matter how attention-grabbing, tailored, and well-written your cover letter is—if your speech pathologist resume isn’t up to par, you’re less likely to land an interview.
So, how can you create a speech pathologist resume that showcases your skills in a way that helps you land not just the interview, but the job you’re applying for?
Use space wisely
As an SLP, there is a lot you need to highlight on your resume—which means you don’t have a ton of space to work with.
“A [speech-language pathologist] resume often includes more technical skills, requirements, and achievements, so space is really available at a premium,” says Kim.
As such, it’s important to use that space wisely—and make sure that every word on your resume has a purpose.
“Avoid using unnecessary phrases like ‘proven ability to’ or ‘responsible for,’” says Kim. “When a phrase is already implied, leave the space-wasting words behind and get straight to the point.”
The more succinct and purposeful your language, the more relevant and important information you’ll be able to fit on your resume—and the more likely you’ll score an interview as a result.
Highlight relevant experience
Your cover letter introduces your experience, but your speech pathologist resume should go more in-depth by clearly outlining all of your experience in the speech pathology field.
This includes the tasks you were responsible for, along with hard skills like your experience with specific treatment techniques and soft skills (like empathy and strong communication) that led you to be successful in each of your previous roles.
Depending on the types of jobs you’re going after—and how similar or different those jobs are—you might consider tailoring your experience for each position.
“Since the industry is so broad, you should tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant experiences for every posting,” says Kim.
Also, to save time (and avoid having to rewrite your resume for every new job), Kim suggests to consider adapting multiple versions for the people the posting would serve.
“By creating a different SLP resume template for geriatrics, pediatrics, and any other specialty roles, you can tailor your experience and skills for these specialties,” says Kim.
Then, you can use the most relevant resume when applying for jobs within those specialities.
Make sure to highlight other experience in a relevant way
Depending on your work history and the career stage you’re in, you may have experience outside of the speech pathology field that you’re wondering if you should include.
According to Kim, as a general rule of thumb, you can “omit any irrelevant past work experience in unrelated fields—or touch on them briefly if they create questionable resume gaps.”.
If you do end up including experience that’s outside of speech pathology, make sure to tie in other experience in a relevant way.
“Where you include non-SLP work experience, highlight relevant overlapping soft skills like empathy, patience, social consciousness, ethics, communication, and adaptability,” says Kim.
Speech language pathologist cover letter templates
Now that you understand the basics of a speech language pathologist cover letter, you may be wondering what those basics actually look like in action.
Let’s take a look at two examples of speech language pathologist cover letter templates:
Cover letter example #1
[Name]
[Address]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
I'm writing to apply for the Speech Language Pathologist position at [Company Name]. With a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology and three years of experience working with children under the age of 15, I’m confident I have the right experience for this role and am eager to contribute to your team.
At [Previous Company], one of my most rewarding experiences was developing and implementing a customized therapy plan for a nonverbal child with autism spectrum disorder. Through a combination of augmentative and alternative communication strategies, I helped the child improve their communication skills and gain confidence in expressing their needs and wants.
My expertise includes evaluation, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I recently read about your new children’s program and the innovating services you’re planning to offer; I’m extremely drawn to [Company Name]'s patient-centered approach and would love to bring my skills to your team.
You can find my resume attached for your review. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my experience aligns with your needs—as well as the possibility of joining your team and making a positive impact on the children and families you serve.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Cover letter example #2
[Name]
[Address]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
I was thrilled when I saw your post for a Speech Language Pathologist position at [Company Name] on [Where You Found the Job A]. After reviewing your requirements, I feel strongly that my expertise in aphasia and stroke recovery can contribute to your esteemed team. With a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a track record of empowering stroke survivors to regain their communication skills, I am eager to bring my unique insights and passion for patient care to your organization.
At [Previous Clinic], I spearheaded a specialized program focused on aphasia management and stroke rehabilitation. One standout achievement involved developing a tailored therapy regimen that integrated cutting-edge techniques to enhance language recovery and cognitive function in stroke survivors. Witnessing the transformative impact of our interventions on patients' lives reinforced my commitment to this field and inspired me to seek new opportunities to make a difference.
My professional journey has equipped me with a comprehensive skill set, including advanced assessment techniques, personalized treatment planning, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to deliver holistic care. I thrive in dynamic environments where innovation and compassion intersect, and I am eager to contribute to [Company Name]'s mission of excellence in stroke rehabilitation and neurogenic communication disorders.
What sets me apart is not only my clinical expertise but also my dedication to fostering meaningful connections with patients and their families. I firmly believe that empathy and communication are at the heart of effective therapy, and I am committed to creating a supportive and empowering environment where individuals can achieve their full potential.
Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills, and genuine passion for aphasia and stroke recovery align with the needs of [Company Name]. Please find my resume attached for your review. I look forward to the possibility of joining your team and making a positive impact on the lives of your patients.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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