Cover Letter Basics

 

A cover letter represents your first opportunity to really speak to a prospective employer. It is through this letter that employers gain a sense of who you are, why you are interested in working for them, and how you can meet their needs. Be enthusiastic but sincere in describing your interest in the employer and maintain a personal yet professional tone.

 

Remember that your cover letter is also a writing sample. Make it clear and lively but brief. Vary the sentence structure to keep your reader interested and limit your use of the word I, especially at the start of sentences. Once again, it is critical that your cover letter be absolutely devoid of typographical and grammatical errors. Fail to follow this cardinal rule and your resume will most likely find its way to the rejection pile. As such, you must not rely on your computer's spellchecker and you must proofread your letter for proper grammar and even stray spacing.

 

Below you will find some tips on drafting cover letters, from format to content. As always you are welcome to have your cover letter reviewed during an appointment with a staff member at CPD. Email lawcareers@stthomas.edu if you need additional assistance. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

What purposes do cover letters serve?

 

?         Introducing you to employers

o       Explain why they should hire you

o       Explain why you want to work there

 

?         Showing employers a sample of your writing

o       Must be error free

o       Should use good style

 

How should your cover letters accomplish that goal?

 

?         It should tailor information to the employer

 

?         It should highlight information on your resume in your resume that would be of particular interest to the employer

 

?         It should explain how this makes you a qualified candidate

 

?         It should not repeat your resume in text format

 

 

 

 

How should you format a cover letter?

 

Paragraph One: Introduction

?     Tell employer why you are writing and what job you are applying for.

?     Include how you heard of the opening (e.g., website or want ad)

?     If you were referred by someone, mention that person

?     Some people refer to enclosed resume and other application materials in this paragraph

Paragraph Two: Why Them

?     Explain why you are interested in working at this particular organization and at that particular job

?     Be specific. State a reason:

o       Size of the organization

o       Specific practice area(s) or specialties

o       Geographic location

o       Clients

?     Include the name of the organization in this paragraph

Paragraph Three:

Why You

?     Explain why you are qualified for this position and what aspects of your experience fit this employer and job. Focus on what will set you apart from the pack.

?     Before you start to write, sit down and come up with 3 reasons why they should hire you for this position.

o       Qualifications can include many things:

?      Prior work or volunteer experience
?      Coursework
?      Undergraduate or graduate studies
?      Journal or Moot Court experience
?      Skills in research, writing, analyzing or other things that are relevant to positions

o       Tailor the qualifications to what they are seeking

?      If job qualifications are listed, try to reference at least 3

?      If qualifications are not listed, try to identify traits/skills relevant to that type of position

o       Show, don't state your qualifications

?      Don't state I have great writing skills. Rather: Participating in Moot Court/law journal demonstrate my writing skills
?      Don't state I have a great work ethic Rather: Working 20 hours a week while balancing a full class load helped me developed a strong work ethic.

?     Avoid the I disease

?     Please note: some people combine paragraphs two and three

Paragraph Four: The Wrap Up

?     Reiterate interest in position

?     Thank them for considering you

?     If you did not reference your resume in first paragraph, reference it here

?     Indicate that you will follow-up

  • If you indicate that you will follow-up, please do so.
  • If you do not feel comfortable following up (e.g. it says no calls), state, I look forward to speaking with you soon.
  • Do not state, I am waiting for your call.

 

How do you address it?

 

  • Address it to a specific person Dear Mr. Smith or Dear Ms. Plank

 

  • Look for hiring contact in the ad, NALP form

 

  • If you don't have a hiring contact, pick the phone up and find one out

 

  • Avoid To whom it may concern. If you can not get a name use Hiring Partner or Hiring Manager

 

  • DO NOT ADDRESS A WOMAN AS Mrs. Unless (1) you know she is married and (2) you know she goes by Mrs. Rather than Ms. To be safe use Ms.

 

  • If you can not determine a person's gender from the name (e.g., Alex, Pat, or an unusual name) use their full name Dear Pat Smith

 

How do you format it? How should it look?

 

  • Use same paper as your resume

 

  • Try to use 11 or 12 point font

 

  • Keep it to one page

 

  • Make sure you include all your contact information (Name, Address, Phone, email) in the header

 

  • You can use same format as your resume

 

What kind of things should you avoid?

 

  • Don't state the obvious (My name is Joe Smith)

 

  • Don't over use the word I

 

  • Don't repeat your resume verbatim

 

  • Typographical errors

 

Any special information for public interest employers?

 

  • Public interest employers want to see dedication to the cause and work with affected populations. Bring that out.

 

?         You can be more personal and tell more of a story

 

 

What about other employers?

 

?         Depends on who it is if you've worked in a corporation, that experience may be of interest to corporations or business oriented law firms. Teaching experience may be relevant to higher education employers.

 

What resources can I consult?

 

?         Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams by Kimm Alayne Walton

 

?         Cover Letters That Knock Em Dead by Martin Yate

 

?         Websites from other law schools. My favorites include the following:

 

o       University of Southern California

?      http://lawweb.usc.edu/carserv/students/cover_letters/cover-letter-samples.html

 

o       University of Indiana

?      http://indylaw.indiana.edu/career/letter.htm

 

o       University of Wisconsin

?      http://www.law.wisc.edu/career/CoverLetterIntro.htm

 

o       University of St. Thomas

?      http://www.stthomas.edu/law/careerservices/resources.asp

?      Our cover letter samples are okay. I've seen better. We will be revising these soon.