Transcript Cover Letters - Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Cover Letters
Office of Career & Professional Development
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Cover Letters
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Purpose
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Paragraph by Paragraph guide
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Formatting
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Tips and Common Blunders
Purpose
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Serves as an introduction
Highlights desired skills
Shows your enthusiasm & interest in the org
and geographic location
Demonstrates your writing skills
Paragraph 1 –
Intro
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Why are you writing?
Where did you find this announcement or who
guided you to this job?
Overview of qualifications
Entice them to read your resume and invite
you to interview
Example
As a first year law student at Indiana University
Maurer School of Law, I write to submit my
materials for a 2010 summer clerkship with Jackson
& Heller. I enjoyed the opportunity to job shadow
Ms. Marjorie Johnson, an Indiana Law alumna who
is an Associate in your firm this fall. My past work
experience has empowered me with a high level of
professionalism and I believe I can make a
contribution to your firm as a summer clerk utilizing
my skills in research and writing.
Paragraph 2 – About You
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In what ways do you meet their qualification
requirements?
What skills do you bring to the table?
What is your link to that geographic area?
Example
As a permanent resident of Kentucky I plan to
return to my home state to pursue my legal
career after graduation. A summer clerkship
with your firm would allow me to work in the
Louisville legal community and synthesize
what I am learning in the classroom in a
practical setting.
Paragraph 3 – About Them
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Why do you want to work for this
organization/firm?
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Articles
Web Site
Practice Areas or Clients
Referrals
Specific Cases – But be careful
Example
After college I worked for two years as a Business
Analyst at Humana in Louisville earning significant
promotions each year based on positive evaluations
by my superiors. I believe my accounting and
finance background has provided me with
transferable skills and practical experience that will
be an asset to your firm. Although I don’t know
definitively what practice area I want to pursue at
this early stage in my academic program, I am
interested in Mergers & Acquisitions, which I know
is a specialty area for your firm.
Paragraph 4 - Closing
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Indicate your desire for an interview and
willingness to meet them.
Give them your phone number and e-mail
address in case they want to contact you.
Thank them in advance
Example
I plan to be in Louisville from December 20th
through January 10th during my semester
break and I would appreciate an opportunity
to meet with you in person to discuss the
summer clerkship in more detail. I can be
reached at [email protected] or (812)
855-2345 and I thank you for your time and
consideration in reviewing my materials.
Formatting
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One page
Same paper and font style as your resume
Sign in black ink
Unless you use a letterhead format, don’t
include your name in your address block
Formatting - Spacing
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Your return address block
1 Space
Date
1 Space
Employer address block
1 Space
Dear Mr./Ms. Smith:
1 Space
Formatting – Spacing (cont)
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Body of letter with 1 space between
paragraphs
1 space
“Sincerely,”
4 Spaces
Your Name
Helpful Hints
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Send to a specific person – if possible
Use NALP Directory to identify Hiring
Partner or Recruiting Coordinator
Call Receptionist to get a name
Avoid restating your resume
Give them a time frame that you will be in
their area and available
Common Errors
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Generic Cover Letters: “. . . and I want to work for
a firm with the prestige and reputation of (enter firm
name here).”
Telling them about your skills instead of
demonstrating them
My name is…
The Informal E-mail
Failing to proofread
Too familiar – I would love to work in your firm!
Final Thoughts
 Read
Your letters out loud.
 Don’t copy Templates.
 Questions?