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November 29, 2007
Tailoring Cover Letters to Specific Legal Employers
The CSO knows that the thought of drafting, editing, finalizing, and mailing multiple cover letters to different legal employers can be intimidating and time consuming. It can be tempting to create one standard cover letter, using phrases like “your firm” or “your organization,” and to send that exact same cover letter to every employer to which you apply.
You will probably find this approach to be ineffective. When the CSO meets with legal employers, they all emphasize that cover letters must demonstrate that a student is specifically interested in the particular employer that is receiving the cover letter. No one wants to receive a generic cover letter.
Employers want to know that you are specifically interested in working for them. The first paragraph of your cover letter must explain to the employer exactly why you are applying. You must show that you have done your research and not leave the employer wondering why you are interested. Employers have a short amount of time to review a large number of cover letters and resumes. You will benefit from taking the time to tailor your materials to the specific employer
So how do you do this research and convey your genuine interest?
1) Determine what is important to you. Do you want to work for an employer with a strong mentoring program for new attorneys or a formal work assignment process? Are you interested in employers where you will receive a lot of responsibility throughout the summer? Do you have a specific interest in a particular practice area? Have there been recent developments at a particular employer that make it more attractive to you?
2) Use the employer’s website, if the employer has a website, to read about what opportunities are available for law students, what type of work law students do, and what type of summer program the employer uses. Use your cover letter to convey to the employer that you have done your homework and you want to be a part of the employer’s summer program.
3) Do a Lexis or Westlaw search, or skim through other legal publications, to see if there has been any recent news about the employer that might distinguish the employer from others.
4) Talk to other students who have worked for the employer to hear about their summer experience, learn what it is like to work for the employer, and find out what is important to the employer.
5) Stop by the CSO to check out our resources – we have materials from many different legal employers right in our office for you to receive.
Your cover letter is your chance to make a first impression and it is the first chance you have to demonstrate that you have strong writing skills. If you have questions or concerns about writing cover letters, schedule an appointment with a CSO counselor.
Posted by kcc17 at November 29, 2007 04:26 PM