The Search --> Resumes and Cover Letters

The Compleat Cover Letter

Your cover letter cannot make you, but it certainly can break you. Most recruiters and hiring partners flip to the resume first. Only if the credentials revealed on the resume merit further consideration, is the cover letter even read. Thus, the majority of cover letters are discarded, recycled, or filed away without a glance. However, in the event the cover letter is actually read, it should be perfect in terms of grammar, spelling, and format, answer any questions the resume may have prompted, and state why the candidate would be appropriate for the particular position sought. If the cover letter is sloppy or does not do its job, it and the resume are likely also to suffer the fate of being discarded, recycled, or filed away without your being granted an interview.

The cover letter should be short and straightforward. In most cases, it should be three to four paragraphs, and no more than one page long. The tone should be professional, neither overly familiar nor formal. It is an opportunity to sell yourself. Be honest without being boastful or negative; present the evidence accurately but in the best possible light. Potential employers, especially in a down market, receive numerous resumes for each opening. Therefore, the successful candidate must stand out from the crowd in a positive way. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that you believe make you a good fit. You want to let the prospective employer know who you are, what you have accomplished, and how you can contribute to their organization.

With today's word processing, there is no excuse not to generate a tailored letter for each resume submission. Address your cover letter to someone specific and make sure you have that person's name, title, and firm name absolutely correct. These days, you can research most firms on the Internet and, quite often, find the hiring partner or recruiter's name right on the web. If not, look up the phone number on their website or in Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (online or book version), and call to ask the receptionist to whom resumes of lateral attorneys should be addressed-and ask him or her to spell the name, ask whether it is a "Mr." or "Ms., and confirm that person's title. If you absolutely cannot find a name, DO NOT use "Dear Sir" (your addressee may be a woman) or "To whom it may concern". "Dear Hiring Partner", or "Dear Recruiter" would be preferable. And, don't forget to put the date on your cover letter. Do not use your current firm's stationary unless you are a sole practitioner. And, as with resumes, your cover letter, if read at all, will be glanced at very quickly, so use a conservative and easily read font.

Avoid fancy phraseology. A particular pet peeve is "enclosed please find" when sending a hard copy by regular mail. That sounds as if the recipient will need to search carefully in the envelope to find the hidden resume. Where can a resume go, once it has been placed in the envelope? Also avoid legalese such as "enclosed herewith". Much preferred is "enclosed is"or, for email, "attached is". Also avoid slang, clichés, too much jargon, and abbreviations. While your letter should be written in the first person, do not overuse the word "I".

The first paragraph should state the position for which you are applying (i.e. litigation associate, corporate counsel, etc.) If a particular individual has referred you to the firm, give that person's name, and make sure it is spelled correctly. If you have a connection to someone in the firm, point that out. For example, you may have attended college or law school with a current partner or associate, worked on a case or deal with one or more of the firm's lawyers, participated in bar association or community activities, or served on a committee or panel with someone on the firm. Even if your connection is personal rather than professional, such as having met through social, sports, your children, go ahead and mention it.

The body of the letter should state why are you seeking a new position and, most importantly, why are you seeking this particular position. You should emphasize why you believe that you would be a good fit for the firm and the job, and what you have to offer. Demonstrate your knowledge of the firm, for example, "because of XYZ's strong financial services practice . . . ", or its "expanding presence in Europe", etc. And, show how your background is appropriate. You also should answer any questions that may arise from reading the resume. For example, why are you applying for a position in a new locale? If there is a gap between your law school graduation and bar admission, or in your job history, briefly explain it.

The closing paragraph should thank the addressee for his or her consideration and request an interview ("I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this opportunity further"). Inform the prospective employer of the best time and way to reach you (office, home, or cell phone, or e-mail). Use a standard business closing such as "Very truly yours," or "Sincerely". If sending a hard copy, personally sign the letter with blue or black ink, and include an "Enclosure" line under your typed name following your signature. When emailing your cover letter, cut and paste it into the body of the email message and check the formatting. And, whether sending by snail mail or email, don't forget to actually include your resume.

Once you have carefully written your cover letter, spell check and proofread it thoroughly—twice!

The Search --> Resumes and Cover Letters The Compleat Cover Letter Your cover letter cannot make you, but it certainly can break you. Most recruiters and hiring partners flip to the resume first. Only if the credentials revealed on the resume merit further consideration, is the cover letter even read. Thus, the majority of cover letters are discarded, recycled, or filed away without a glance. However, in the event the cover letter is actually read, it should be perfect in terms of grammar, spelling, and format, answer any questions the resume may have prompted, and state why the candidate would be appropriate for the particular position sought. If the cover letter is sloppy or does not do its job, it and the resume are likely also to suffer the fate of being discarded, recycled, or filed away without your being granted an interview. The cover letter should be short and straightforward. In most cases, it should be three to four paragraphs, and no more than one page long. The tone should be professional, neither overly familiar nor formal. It is an opportunity to sell yourself. Be honest without being boastful or negative; present the evidence accurately but in the best possible light. Potential employers, especially in a down market, receive numerous resumes for each opening. Therefore, the successful candidate must stand out from the crowd in a positive way. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that you believe make you a good fit. You want to let the prospective employer know who you are, what you have accomplished, and how you can contribute to their organization. With today's word processing, there is no excuse not to generate a tailored letter for each resume submission. Address your cover letter to someone specific and make sure you have that person's name, title, and firm name absolutely correct. These days, you can research most firms on the Internet and, quite often, find the hiring partner or recruiter's name right on the web. If not, look up the phone number on their website or in Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (online or book version), and call to ask the receptionist to whom resumes of lateral attorneys should be addressed-and ask him or her to spell the name, ask whether it is a "Mr." or "Ms., and confirm that person's title. If you absolutely cannot find a name, DO NOT use "Dear Sir" (your addressee may be a woman) or "To whom it may concern". "Dear Hiring Partner", or "Dear Recruiter" would be preferable. And, don't forget to put the date on your cover letter. Do not use your current firm's stationary unless you are a sole practitioner. And, as with resumes, your cover letter, if read at all, will be glanced at very quickly, so use a conservative and easily read font. Avoid fancy phraseology. A particular pet peeve is "enclosed please find" when sending a hard copy by regular mail. That sounds as if the recipient will need to search carefully in the envelope to find the hidden resume. Where can a resume go, once it has been placed in the envelope? Also avoid legalese such as "enclosed herewith". Much preferred is "enclosed is"or, for email, "attached is". Also avoid slang, clichés, too much jargon, and abbreviations. While your letter should be written in the first person, do not overuse the word "I". The first paragraph should state the position for which you are applying (i.e. litigation associate, corporate counsel, etc.) If a particular individual has referred you to the firm, give that person's name, and make sure it is spelled correctly. If you have a connection to someone in the firm, point that out. For example, you may have attended college or law school with a current partner or associate, worked on a case or deal with one or more of the firm's lawyers, participated in bar association or community activities, or served on a committee or panel with someone on the firm. Even if your connection is personal rather than professional, such as having met through social, sports, your children, go ahead and mention it. The body of the letter should state why are you seeking a new position and, most importantly, why are you seeking this particular position. You should emphasize why you believe that you would be a good fit for the firm and the job, and what you have to offer. Demonstrate your knowledge of the firm, for example, "because of XYZ's strong financial services practice . . . ", or its "expanding presence in Europe", etc. And, show how your background is appropriate. You also should answer any questions that may arise from reading the resume. For example, why are you applying for a position in a new locale? If there is a gap between your law school graduation and bar admission, or in your job history, briefly explain it. The closing paragraph should thank the addressee for his or her consideration and request an interview ("I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this opportunity further"). Inform the prospective employer of the best time and way to reach you (office, home, or cell phone, or e-mail). Use a standard business closing such as "Very truly yours," or "Sincerely". If sending a hard copy, personally sign the letter with blue or black ink, and include an "Enclosure" line under your typed name following your signature. When emailing your cover letter, cut and paste it into the body of the email message and check the formatting. And, whether sending by snail mail or email, don't forget to actually include your resume. Once you have carefully written your cover letter, spell check and proofread it thoroughly—twice!	Hot Tips The Search Planning Your Search Assessing Your Marketability Resumes and Cover Letters Interviewing Strategies Special Circumstances Following Through Compensation Making the Transition Career Development Getting Ahead In a Down Market Making Partner Hot Practice Areas Law Firm Economics California Legal Market View our most recent Hot Tip - Silent Eloquence, posted 7/13/10 The California Bar Exam Listen to Your Recruiter Check out our new book, "The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers"

© Copyright 1997 - 2010 Seltzer Fontaine Beckwith: Legal Search Consultants