COVER LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP

February/March 2012Office of Career and Professional Development

William Mitchell College of Law

Cover Letters

• Do not underestimate the power of a good or bad cover letter: If good: reader goes to resume; impressed

with writing; already likes candidate.

If bad: reader puts application in shredder without looking at resume, references, transcript or writing sample.

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Purpose of Cover Letter

• Introduction to Employer• Writing Sample/first impression• Clearly articulate (2) points:

1. Why you want to work for THIS employer.

2. Why this employer should hire YOU.

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Biggest Mistakes

• Repeating resume – boring• Boiler plate language, not tailored to

specific employer – good bye• Grammatical/typographical errors – shred• Too long, verbose, pompous or apologetic• Not addressed to a person, i.e.. To whom it

may concern….find a person, a name• Copying verbatim from our sample letters-

Use your own language! 4

234 Main St. Minneapolis, MN 55432 September 23, 2006 Brian McGill,Staff AttorneyJones and Carlson139 Oak St.Willmar, MN 55432 Dear Mr. McGill:

I am writing to express my interest in working for your firm as a law clerk this summer. I learned of this position through the posting on Symplicity. I am currently a second-year law student at William Mitchell College of Law. Enclosed is a resume for your review.

I am particularly interested in Jones and Carlson because of your firm’s emphasis on real estate transactions, maintaining a high level of customer/client service, and the desire to expand your client base. Because of your focus in these areas, I believe I could be an asset to your firm.

I have been a Real Estate Agent for eight years in my previous career and have taken additional legal coursework in property, real estate transactions, commercial real estate, and tax and estate planning. In my previous position with Burnett Realty, I received numerous performance awards and increased sales by 25% in a rural out state area of Minnesota. In addition to substantial work experience in real estate and the ability to bring in new clients, participation in Law Review and high grades in law school are evidence of strong analytical, research and writing skills.

Please feel free to contact me if you need further information. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Joe Cool

Enclosure

Content of a cover letterHeading

• Address of applicant on top left• Date of letter – center or left margin

justified• Complete name/title/address of

recipient• Salutation

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For Example:

HEADING

369 Bottom Line Way Blaine, MN 55448 March 1, 2012 Heidi SmithLaw Firm123 Elm St.St. Paul, MN 55105 Dear Ms. Smith:

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Body of Cover Letter

Paragraph 1 -- Introduction:

State why you are writing, name the position for which you are applying, and tell how you heard of the opening. You may also refer to another person’s name. (If someone your reader knows suggested the position to you, mention his/her name, but first get permission to do so.)

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Body of Cover Letter Cont’d

• Paragraph 2: Why are you interested in THIS particular employer?

Be specific – do the leg work, find out their mission/vision, read their web site and find articles, publications, cases or themes that you can tap into.

What draws you to this employer, why are you the best fit? The size of the organization? The location? The substantive work?

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Body of Cover Letter Cont’d

• Paragraph 3: Why are YOU the best candidate for this position? Make the best, honest match to the job posting.

Why are you UNIQUELY qualified? Language skills? Coursework? Volunteer experience? Prior work/professional skills?

Highlight skills in research, writing, analysis, meeting deadlines, multitasking, handling pressure, working collaboratively and independently etc.

Don’t Tell – SHOW, i.e.. I have great research skills , versus, My experience as a research assistant to Professor John Sonsteng working on the publication of a legal treatise has provided me with an opportunity to hone my writing and analytical skills. 10

Body of Cover Letter Cont’d

• Close with a brief one or two line conclusion.

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234 Main St. Minneapolis, MN 55432 September 23, 2006 Brian McGill,Staff AttorneyJones and Carlson139 Oak St.Willmar, MN 55432 Dear Mr. McGill:

I am writing to express my interest in working for your firm as a law clerk this summer. I learned of this position through the posting on Symplicity. I am currently a second-year law student at William Mitchell College of Law. Enclosed is a resume for your review.

I am particularly interested in Jones and Carlson because of your firm’s emphasis on real estate transactions, maintaining a high level of customer/client service, and the desire to expand your client base. Because of your focus in these areas, I believe I could be an asset to your firm.

I have been a Real Estate Agent for eight years in my previous career and have taken additional legal coursework in property, real estate transactions, commercial real estate, and tax and estate planning. In my previous position with Burnett Realty, I received numerous performance awards and increased sales by 25% in a rural out state area of Minnesota. In addition to substantial work experience in real estate and the ability to bring in new clients, participation in Law Review and high grades in law school are evidence of strong analytical, research and writing skills.

Please feel free to contact me if you need further information. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Joe Cool

Enclosure

Consistency

• Use same paper/font as your resume

• Keep cover letter to 1 page only!

• Need affirmation of what you just learned?• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0suKZ-oU8s (left click, open hyperlink)

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use abbreviations in the address block?Response: It is proper to use common abbreviations with periods, such as “Ave., St., Blvd.” in your cover letter. We recommend adding periods, because most people are used to them in the context of a written document. If you prefer to write out the words, that is appropriate as well. If you want to delete the periods and follow the U.S.Postal Service’s recommendation on the envelope, that is your preference.2. What if I can’t find the employer name on the posting? How do I address the letter and specify why I am applying to that employer?Response: Some employers chose to have blind postings, which excludes their law office or organization name and contact information. When responding to blind postings, address your letter to “Hiring Manager,” and you can skip the paragraph about why you are interested in that specific employer. 3. What font should I use?Response: Use a font style that is simple, easy to read, and professional, such as Times Roman and Ariel. The font style on your resume and cover letter should be the same. We recommend a font size of at least 11 or 12.4. What spacing should I use between the paragraphs?Response: There should be at least one space between your address block, date, employer’s address block, salutation line, first paragraph and between each paragraph. You do not need to double space in the header, unless you need to extend your letter due to shorter paragraphs. 5. In the concluding paragraph, should I state I will contact the employer to inquire about scheduling an interview?Response: No. We recommend you follow up to inquire about the position after 7-10 days, but you do not need to state that you will do so in the letter. The exception to this general rule is if you have a personal contact who recommended you apply, it would be appropriate to state in the letter you will follow up within the next two weeks to inquire about the application process.6. If the posting states that the resumes and cover letters be submitted by email, what is the proper email format?Response: Use the introduction and concluding paragraphs of your cover letter as the text of your email to the employer, and attach the resume and cover letter in PDF format in the email. In the cover letter, you can refer to your resume and cover letter as “Attachments.”