Skip to content
Cover letter example

General practitioner cover letter example

Most GP posts in France are filled through direct contact, and the cover letter is often a short email to the practice or the health centre coordinator.

It should show that you know the area and the patient population, explain the type of practice you want, and give practical details: start date, number of days, out-of-hours participation and registration status.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Collaborator GP position, [Practice name], from [month]

Dear Doctor [Name],

I am writing about the collaborator position at [Practice name] that you advertised on [platform]. I completed my DES de médecine générale in [year] and I am registered with the Ordre des médecins in [département]. For the past [x] months I have been working as a locum in two practices in [City], which gave me a good picture of primary care in the area.

Your practice caught my attention because it works closely with home nurses and a physiotherapist under the same roof. During my training I spent six months in a health centre with a shared diabetes protocol, and I would be glad to contribute to that kind of coordination. I also have a university diploma in gynaecology and contraception, which could help with the waiting list for women's health appointments you mention.

I can start on [date], four days a week, and I am willing to take part in the local out-of-hours rota. I am also used to Weda, which I understand you use.

Could I come by one evening after consultations to visit the practice and meet the team? You can reach me at [phone] or [email].

Yours sincerely,[First name Last name]

What to highlight

  • Your registration with the Ordre des médecins or progress in the authorisation procedure
  • The practice model you are looking for and why this one fits
  • Clinical areas you can strengthen in the team
  • Your availability and participation in the out-of-hours rota
  • Your link to the area, if you have one

Mistakes to avoid

  • Sending a generic letter to every practice in the département without mentioning the area or the team.
  • Leaving your registration status vague, which makes the practice assume a long delay.
  • Talking only about your hospital rotations when the post is in community practice.
  • Avoiding the question of out-of-hours work, which colleagues will raise anyway.

Your job search, on autopilot

Start my general practitioner job scan

JobFast searches the major job boards for listings that fit you, scores each one out of 10 and prepares a tailored CV and cover letter. You review, you approve.

Start for free

No credit card · No account to get started

Frequently asked questions

Who should I address the letter to in a group practice?

Address it to the doctor who posted the offer or to the practice's managing partner. In a municipal or associative health centre, write to the coordinator or the director, and copy the medical lead if their name appears on the website. Use the title Docteur followed by the surname.

Is a cover letter needed for a locum post?

A full letter is rarely expected for a short locum. A few lines are enough: your registration or locum licence, the dates you can cover, the software you know and whether you do home visits. For a long-term collaboration, a proper letter makes a better impression.

Can I apply in English?

Write in French whenever you can. French practice requires working with patients, colleagues and the Assurance maladie in French, so the letter is also a first sign of your language level. If your French is still improving, say what level you have and how you are working on it.

More cover letter examples