Transcript Writing a Cover Letter - Loyola University Chicago

Writing a Cover Letter
October 9, 2012
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Convey your interest in the employer – tell them
what you know about them.
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Be professional – this is a formal business letter.
No chit-chat or colloquialisms.
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Don’t oversell or exaggerate. Discuss your
writing skills, prior experience, work ethic.
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What you can do for the employer – not what
you will learn or how you will benefit.
Overview
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Include heading (same as your resume)
Same font & typeface as your resume
Same paper
Always include the date & address block
Use titles when appropriate
Dear Ms. Smith: or Dear Mr. Smith:
◦ Use a colon, not a comma
◦ Do not use Mrs. or Miss
Always use a person’s name; never use
“To Whom It May Concern”
 Use mail merge for targeted mailings
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Format & Salutation
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Identify yourself as a 1L/2L/3L at Loyola
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State the position you are seeking
◦ “I am a first year law student at Loyola University
Chicago School of Law, and I am interested in a law clerk
position with your firm.”
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State specifically why you are interested in them
◦ “I am particularly interested in working for your firm
because of its strong focus on criminal defense.”
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If a contact suggested that you write to them,
state that in the first sentence
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Explain your connection to their city/state
Introduction Paragraph
Match your language to the job posting or
employer website
 Sell your skills and be specific, but don’t inflate
 Use objective achievements, not subjective
conclusions
 Focus on transferrable skills
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◦ Critical thinking/analysis; Research & writing
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Don’t say you want to “begin your career”
◦ It may seem like you view the job as a springboard to
something different/better
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Summarize at the end of your paragraph(s)
◦ “Based on my experience and education, I am confident
that I would be an asset to your firm.”
Middle Paragraph(s)
State your desire for an interview
 Do not restate your contact information
 Do not offer additional materials
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◦ If the employer wants them, they’ll ask
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For markets outside of Chicago, state when you
will be in town and available for an interview
◦ “I will be in Milwaukee several times over the next few
months, and I would welcome the opportunity to meet
with you while I am there.”
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Remind the reader that your resume is attached
Say thank you!
◦ “My resume is enclosed for your review. Thank you for
your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing
from you soon.”
Conclusion Paragraph
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Read it aloud to yourself – does it flow?
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Should reflect your enthusiasm for the job
and the firm/organization
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Professional impression & look
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Can you back up any claim you make?
◦ Don’t exaggerate!
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Ask your counselor to review it
Proofread & Edit
Sincerely will do
 Skip 3 lines and type your name
 If emailing/uploading to Symplicity, include
signature and attach as a PDF
 To include your signature:
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Sign name on piece of paper, scan it;
Cut and paste signature from PDF to your letter in Word;
Create PDF of letter
CSO can scan your signature for you
 If mailing, sign with blue or black ink
Signature
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Don’t say: “Let me introduce myself…”
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Don’t say: “My name is Joe Schmo, and…”
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Don’t use: “To Whom It May Concern:”
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Don’t overstate your education, experience, or skills
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Don’t undersell yourself (give them the facts)
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Don’t overuse adjectives or adverbs
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Don’t write a general cover letter and use it for all
applications – make it specific to the position
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Don’t write to an employer without first doing your
research
Cover Letter Don’ts