Cover Letter Workshop Center for Career Development 856-225-6178 careerplanning@rutgers.edu
Purpose of a Cover Letter: To get an interview To tell employers how you can benefit them To demonstrate your writing skills To express interest in the job Four Types of Cover Letters Response to a job posting Targeted Mailing identified employers through research Mutual Acquaintance/Networking Mass Mailing
Marketing Yourself Research the firm/organization to find out what they do and what interests you Review the website Contact alumni Contact other students Review NALP form, or other online resources Research the person to whom you are writing Review your own accomplishments and decide what it relevant, important and unique Synthesize your background in a different way than your resume
What do Legal Employers look for? Creative Problem Solving Goal Orientation Quick Learner Team Player Independent Worker Good Judgment Initiative Time Management Poise & Presence Efficient & Timely work Entrepreneurial Skills Client Relations Skills Interviewing Skills Advocacy Skills Research and Writing Skills Understanding the Legal Process Public Service/Government Employers are also seeking: Commitment to Public Service Strong interest in their goals and mission demonstrate your passion for their work! Can be a longer letter if you include detailed information that is directly related to their mission and why you want to work for them Essential to write about past community service and volunteering.
How to Convey all this in a letter Support conclusory statements about your skills with facts Describe how you accomplished what is on your resume Example: I can assist with pre-trial preparation Through my work as an intern at the Philadelphia District Attorney s Office, I gained experience in pre-trial preparation.
Do not over use I Critical Cover Letter Guidelines I Believe, I feel that, I am confident that Use Active Voice not Passive Voice I was awarded vs I achieved Vary Sentence Structure Be direct, concise and accurate Tone is important: Polite, professional and confident No negative implications: Although I have never worked in a legal office before.
Format Standard Business Format Heading and font to match your resume Always include: Header with your identifying information Date Employer name and address Dear Mr./Ms. Smith: NEVER To Whom it May Concern or Dear Sir/Madam No more than one page If mailing - use paper to match your resume and type envelopes Save as PDF file to email
Inside the Cover Letter Most Cover Letters will be 3 4 paragraphs long 1. Introduction 2. Discussion of your relevant skills and experiences 3. More discussion of your skills and experiences 4. Conclusion
Who are you? class year school geographic ties First Paragraph: Introduction personal or networking connections to the organization or recipient of the letter Why are you writing? Type of position you are looking for (part time, full time, academic year, summer). How you learned about the organization or what sparked your interest about them I am a first-year law student at Rutgers Law School in Camden, I am concentrating my job search for the summer of 2016 in the Philadelphia area. I hope to practice commercial law in the Delaware Valley upon completing my legal education. Please accept my application for the position of summer associate.
Paragraphs 2/3: Discussion of your relevant skills and experiences What skills and experiences make you qualified for the job? Use examples: DO NOT REWRITE YOUR RESUME Find examples in your experiences that demonstrate your skills If you say you have good writing skills, back that up with a statement about something you wrote at a particular job or in college. If you say you are a multi-tasker, give examples such as: While I was at the FTC I was required to respond to consumer inquiries, draft legal memoranda and attend numerous meetings on a weekly basis.
Paragraphs 2/3: Discussion of your relevant skills and experiences What do you know about the organization/ firm? Past work with this organization Information you got from a website Information obtained from an informational interview etc. Match this information to your skills
Final Paragraph: Conclusion Close the letter Thank the reader for considering you and tell her you look forward to hearing from her soon Re-affirm geographic connection Provide any other information the employer might need to know I will be in Chicago at the end of December and would be available to meet with you at that time.
Final Paragraph: Conclusion Compare: Ok: Please contact me if you require additional information. I look forward to hearing from you. Better: I will be in the area in mid-october and would be happy to visit your office at my expense. If another time frame is more consistent with your hiring timetable, please let me know. I look forward to demonstrating my abilities in an interview and to hearing from you.
When it s Done Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! Use spellcheck and grammar check Double check the spelling/gender of the addressee Get a second and third opinion Learn to do a mail merge Don t forget to sign your letters!
Common Cover Letter Mistakes Typos and grammatical errors Overkill: sending awards and certificates, repeating the firm name too many times or overstating the firms excellent reputation Address letter to Hiring Partner or Dear Sir Not Researching the Employer Focusing on why you want the job opportunity to learn about your well-regarded training program for new associates ideal environment for me to Making conclusions for the reader such as I am a hard worker, without backing it up
Common Cover Letter Mistakes Avoiding obvious hooks; don t be afraid to use names Being arrogant; I d be perfect for you Lying or exaggerating your skills Being Boring show your passion! Structuring letters chronologically - you should state strengths first Focusing on what you don t have: Even though I do not have good grades.. Beginning letter with Allow me to introduce myself or My name is Repeating everything from your resume in detail