Skip to content
Cover letter example

Psychiatrist cover letter example

Psychiatry posts are often hard to fill, so the head of department or the clinic director reads letters carefully. They want to understand which population you work with, how you fit into a sector team, and whether you can take on involuntary care and on-call duties.

A letter that shows you know their organisation stands out.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Application: psychiatrist position, adult sector, [Hospital]

Dear Doctor [Name],

Your adult sector at [Hospital] is recruiting a psychiatrist, and I would like to put myself forward. I am currently assistant spécialiste at [Hospital], where I work half-time in an inpatient unit and half-time in a CMP, and I take part in the psychiatric emergency rota of the general hospital.

This dual practice has shown me how much continuity matters between the ward and community care. In my current sector, I worked with the CMP nursing team on a follow-up procedure after discharge, with a first appointment planned before the patient leaves the unit. I also hold a university diploma in cognitive behavioural therapy, which I use in individual follow-up and in a group for patients with bipolar disorder.

I read that your sector is opening a rehabilitation unit and developing a mobile team for young people with a first episode of psychosis. These are the areas I would like to focus on, while taking my share of the inpatient work, the involuntary admission procedures and the on-call rota.

I would be glad to visit the team and discuss the position with you.

Yours sincerely,Dr [First Name Last Name]

What to highlight

  • The population and settings you are experienced with
  • Your way of working with nurses, psychologists and social workers
  • Experience of emergencies and involuntary admissions
  • Training in specific therapies or in a sub-specialty
  • Interest in a project of the department: early intervention, rehabilitation, addiction

Mistakes to avoid

  • Describing your vocation at length instead of your clinical practice.
  • Ignoring the sector organisation when applying to a public hospital.
  • Including identifiable details of a patient's story to illustrate a point.
  • Avoiding any mention of on-call or involuntary care duties.

Your job search, on autopilot

Start my psychiatrist 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

Should I apply to a CMP or to the hospital?

CMPs belong to the hospital that runs the sector. Address your application to the head of the sector or of the pôle, and copy the hospital's medical affairs department (direction des affaires médicales), which handles medical recruitment.

Is it useful to visit the department before applying?

Yes. Many heads of department welcome a visit and it helps you understand the team and its projects. Mention the visit in the letter and refer to something specific you saw or discussed.

How do I apply for a private practice position?

For a shared practice or a clinic, the letter goes to the other psychiatrists or the medical director. Explain the type of follow-up you offer, how many half-days you can commit and whether you plan to practise in sector 1 or sector 2 of the Assurance maladie convention.

More cover letter examples